The Life of Faith in Times of Trial and Affliction, Consideration 10

The Life of Faith in Times of Trial and Affliction · Consideration 10

p. 62CONSIDERATION. X. Afflictions are all ruled and over-ruled by a good hand of Providence, which is alwayes in and about them.

MAny a time the Beleever, when swiming thorow a sea of trouble and afflic tion, and finding no sensible in-come of reliefe, or mitigation of the calamity, cryeth out with the Church Esai. 49. vers. 14.—The Lord hath forsaken me, and my God bath forgotten me: And as it is Esai. 40. v 27. My way is hid from the Lord. He hath left me alone, in this sea of trouble, as forgetting that I am into this wrestling and fighting postoure: He hath turned his back upon me, and seemeth unconcerned with all that is come upon me, and yet is lying heavy on me. He considereth neither my weakness, nor the strength and violence of the Temptation, under which I am, and which is like to overwhelme me. Hence he crieth out with David Psal. 31. vers. 12. I am forgotten, as a dead man out of minde: And againe Psal. 42. vers. 9. Why hast thou forgotten me. It is certaine, such sad complaints p. 63are not altogether justifiable, as they proceed from men, in whom is so much corruption and unbeleef (though in our blessed Lord, while on the cross, such a sentence, as, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? was free of all mud or unbelief) for though they express the ardencie of their desires to have the Lord smiling upon them; yet there is some admixture of dross in them; and they hint, at least, that they apprehend God is at a distance, taking little notice of them, or of their present condition, but withdrawing his helping hand, or delaying to send reliefe, as not careing, how great their Affliction be, or how their Enemies trade them under foot. Hence we see, what corruptions are ready to stirre and work in the beleever, at such a time: And the faith of God's being alwayes present with them, while under the trial, and ordering all things, in the dispensation, with a fatherly care and tenderness, would comfort them, and ease their mind, in the saddest of their distress. It may therefore be of use to speak a little unto this Consideration.

In order therefore to the clearing-up of this Consideration, for the end intended, we shall.

1. Show, that the Lord indeed hath an p. 64high and holy hand, in all such dispensations, as prove sad and grievous afflictions unto the godly.

2. We shall endeavoure to explaine and clear, how and what way the hand of the Lord is in and about these afflictions, only with an eye to our present designe.

3. We shall briefly pointe-out the way how this Consideration should be improven, in the time of Affliction and Tribulation.

As to the first, That God hath an holy and high over ruling hand in and over the afflictions, and crosses, that his people meet with. This is past all doubt and disput, as to some of them; such as poverty, through God's immediat hand, blasting mens labours and endeavours, or taking away their goods by sea, or by fire, or destroying their cattel by death: and sickness upon their bodies, or death of friends and relations, and the like. In such, every one will grant, that God hath an hand, and every wise Christian will look upon them (as the Centurion, that great Beleever, did, Mat. 8. vers. 8, 9.) as God's Servants and Souldiers under his command and Authority, to go and return, as He enjoineth. But as to other afflictions, brought about by the Instruments and Under-agents of Satan, maliciously set to persecute the p. 65Godly, in their Name, Liberty, Goods, Life, or Conscience, though none of Gods Children, when they are in their right mindes, & at themselves, will deny the Soveraigne over ruling hand of Providence; yet while under Temptation, & wrestling with the calamity, they will be found too ready to think and speak that, which is not very consistent with the lively faith and perswasion of this Soveraigne Truth, we shall therefore in a few words confirme it, from the Scriptures.

1. We finde that the Godly have looked on these sad afflictions, brought about by wicked hands, out of wicked purposes and designes, as coming from God principally; and have eyed God, as having a principal holy hand in the same. The affliction, that Ioseph met with, was sad, when he was sold by his own Brethren; & though it was they that had sold him, & that out of wickedness and maice; yet he saith Gen. 45: 8. to them. It was not you, that sent me hither, but God. He saw the Lord to be the principal disposer of all; & therefore saith: Gen. 45 5.—God sent me before you, to preserve life. And againe Gen. 50. vers. 26. But as for you, ye thought evil against me, God meant it unto God, to bring to passe, as it is this day, to save much people alive. It was likewise a great affliction to David, to be scourged with the tratorous p. 66tongue of Shimei, railing upon him, when he was flying from the face of his Son Absalom: and calling him a Man of blood, & a Man of Belial; and saying to him, the Lord hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned—And behold thou art taken to thy mischiefe, because thou art a bloody man. 2. Sam. 16: 5, 6, 7, 8. Yet holy David observed an higher hand in all this, and therefore said Vers. 10. Solet him curse, because the Lord hath said unto him, curse David. Who shall then say, wherefore hast thou done so? And Vers. 11. againe Let him alone, and let him curse, for the Lord hath bidden him. He taketh up God's hand in the business as principally ordering the matter. So Iob when the Sabeans and Caldeans had robbed him of his goods; said nevertheless Iob 1. vers. 21. Naked came I out of my Mothers womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away: blessed be the name of the Lord: He looketh over Instruments, and seeth above them an higher hand over-ruling all, and ordering all, according to His soveraigne will and pleasure. See also Ps. 44. v. 11, 12. and 89: 39.

2. The Lord himself by his Prophets signifieth so much: and, as it were, looketh upon the deed of these wicked Instruments, p. 67as His own; because of His principal holy hand therein, ordering all to His own holy ends. Thus he saith by Amos 3: 6.—Shall there be evil in the city, and the Lord hath not done it. So Esai. 45. vers. 7. I forme light and creat darkness, I make peace and creat evil: I the Lord do all these things. Darkness then and evil and sad dispensations are from the Lord Creator: He formeth and maketh these things, according to his own mind. Likwise Ier. 18: 11.—Thus saith the Lord, behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a devise against you. A remarkable passage we have 2. Sam. 12: vers. 11, 12. Thus saith the Lord, behold I wil raise up evil against thee, out of thine own house; and I will take thy wives, before thine eyes, and give them unto thy Neighbour; and he shall lye with thy wives, in the sight of this sun: for thou didst this secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. And this accordingly was done by that wicked wretch Absalom 2. Sam. 16. vers. 22. And because of the high, holy and soveraigne hand, which God had in this sore a…iction, He saith by Nathan the Prophet, that He would do it.

3. We finde in the Scriptures, that the wicked Enemies, in following & prosecuting their malicious designes against the p. 68People of God, are held forth, and spoken of, as God's Instruments, in that work: As Esai. 10. vers. 5. Where the Assyrian is called the rod of God's anger; and the staff in their hand, is said to be His indignation. So Vers. 15. They are compared to an a… in the hand of him, that heweth therewith; and to a saw, to a rod and to a staff, all which (we know) can do nothing, but as moved and ordered by the principal Actor. To the same sense, are they compared to a rasour, wherewith God will shave the head and the haire of the feet, and the beard Esa. 7. vers. 20. Thus is Babylon called a golden cup in the hand of the Lord Ier. 51. vers. 7. Likewise the Enemies are compared to a net. which God will spread over his people Hos. 7. v. 12. and to a snare Ezek. 12. vers 13. They are likewise called God's sword Psal. 17. vers. 13. and His hand vers. 14. All which and the like expressions show, That God hath a principal hand, in the afflictions, which his people meet with at the hands of wicked Instruments; and that the wicked are but as so many Instruments and Lixes, imployed by him, for that effect, howbeit they minde no such thing, but drive on their own designes, to satisfie their own wicked lusts.

4. The Scripture speaketh of the Lord, p. 69as raising up these wicked Instruments, as leavying them, and sending them to execute his will. So Esai. 5. vers. 26. And He will lift up an Ensigne to the Nations from far, and will hisse unto them from the end of the earth, and behold they shall come with speed swiftl…. So Esai. 7. vers. 18. And it shall come to passe, in that day, that the Lord shall hisse for the flie, that is in the uttermost parts of the rivers of Aegypt; and for the bee, that is in the Land of Assyria By which we understand, that as these Enemies cannot stir, notwithstanding of all their malice, rage and anger against the Lord's people, till God send for them, and hisse for them, and (as it were) subscribe and seal their commission; so they are wholly at his disposal; as the armie is at the disposal of the General, or of him, who leavyeth them, and employeth them. In like manner, we read 1 Chron. 5. vers. 26. that the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul, King of Assyria, against the Reubenits, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh So it is said Psal. 105. vers. 25. That God turned the heart of the Egyptians to hate his people, and to deal subtilly with his servants. And 2 Cbron. 21. vers 16. that he stirred up against Iehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were neer the Ethiophians.

p. 705. We finde the Lord said frequently to deliver up his people into the hands of these Enemies, and to sell them unto them, & as it were to give them wholly up to their devotion and disposal; see Iudg. 3: 8. and 4. vers. 2. and 6. vers. 1. and 10: 7. Dan. 1: 2. 2 King. 17. vers. 20. Thereby showing, that these Enemies could do nothing against the people of God, untill the Lord had permitted the same, and given way thereto, and had (as it were) withdrawn his protection, and taken away his hedge of defence, and so left them naked and exposed unto the rage and cruelty of their brutish Enemies.

6. This is also manifest from the grand and noble Purposes and Designes, which the Lord bringeth about by those meanes, far diff…rent from what these wicked Instruments intend; as we see Gen 45. and 50 Ioseph's Brethren meaned evil against him; but God meaned it for good. So Esai. 10. vers. 7. The Assyrian meaneth not so, as God doth, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few: but the Lord hath another work upon mount Zion and on Ierusalem Vers. 12. to wit, to punish them, only by his smiting with a rod, and lifting up his staff, after the manner of Egypt V. 24. p. 71or (as it is Esai. 27: 9.) to purge away the iniquity of Jacob, and to take away sin. Wherefore seing the Lord hath such soveraigne ends, as the chastisement and trial of his people, the exercise of their graces &c. to bring about, He cannot but have a special hand in and about the meanes, which serve to bring about these ends. This being sufficient to cleare up what was first to be spoken to, we come

Secondly to speak a little of the manner and way, how the hand of the Lord is to be observed in and about the sharpe afflictions of his people, by the hand of wicked persons, who are active therein. And in speaking to this, we shall wave all subtile debates, concerning God's Decreeing the event of sin, His Predetermination, and His Concourse with second causes, in those Actions, which are sinful; and shall onelyonly pitch upon some particulars, which are more plaine and undeniable, and also more useful to the point in hand. As

1 There is the Lord's holy permission, giving way to, and not restraining the furie, and rage of Enemies, when He hath a mind to make use of them for a scourge; He must loose, as it were, the chaine, with which they are bound and restrained; and take away the hedge of protection, wherewith p. 72he guardeth and protecteth his people, and all that belongs to them Satan could do nothing against Iob, nor stirre so much as one lambs tail, that belonged to him, untill the Lord, for holy and wise ends, gave way thereunto; therefore he said unto the Lord Iob 1. vers. 10. Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath, on every side? This is also imported, in the Lords giving up his people into the hands of Enemies, and selling them and delivering them, as a judge doth a Malefactor into the hand of the Executioner. Yet we must not conceive of this Permission, as if it were in all things like unto the bare & naked permissions of men; but as sutable to him, who is a most pure and simple Act

2. There is herein considerable the Lord's Commission, to speak so: not that He will warrand and approve of them, in their wickedness, or give them any moral Authoritie or Power thereunto: but that in his active providence, He hath such a soveraigne and supream hand, and all these wicked agents do so depend upon Him, as they cannot stirr, or move, till he give (as it were) the signe, and a Providential call and commission; as souldiers can not set upon a Citie, or the Enemie, or give an p. 73assault, or charge untill the General give the word of command. Thus the Lord behoved to say to Satan, ere he could trouble Iob, Behold all that he hath is in thy power: and againe, Behold he is in thy hand, Iob 1. vers. 12. and 2. vers. 6. This is it which David's words, concerning Shimei, import, when he said, The Lord hath said unto him, curse David. The lying Spirit in the mouth of Ahab's false Prophets, could not go forth to deceive Ahab, that he might fall at Ramoth Gilead, till the Lord had said, Thou shalt perswade him, and prevail also: go forth and do so 1 King. 22: 22.

3. There is the Lord's fitting (as it were) and qualifying them for the work, by so ordering things, in his Holy and Soveraigne Providence, that they are enabled to carry on their purposes, and to do what they are imployed in, and to performe the work, they are set about: Absalom could not have been such a crosse and plague to his father, David: as to chase him from his Throne and Kingdom, unless he had gote the power of the Countrey upon his side, and such a numerous army to back him: and whence was this, but from the Lord, in his holy Justice and Soveraignity? Nebuchadnezar could not have been the hammer of the earth, if the Lord, in his holy Providence, p. 74had not given him great power and might for that end. Hence Christ said to Pilat Ioh. 19. vers. 11. Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above. Pilat was boasting of his power and place, and supposed, that he could do what he pleased, and that he had full power over Christ, to crucifie him, or to set him at liberty, as he pleased; but he boasted of that, which he was not Master of; for Christ …els him, whence his power came, and that he had no more, than the Supream Lord and Governour, the absolute Disposer of all things, was pleased to grant.

4. There is the Lord's ordering and fixing the Beginning of the Trouble, which nece…sarily followeth upon the foregoing Acts; so as the Enemies, for all their heat and rage, cannot touch one hair of God's Children, nor work them the least trouble, before the time come, that the Lord hath appointed, and that He (as it were) appoint them to beginne, and give the signe. The wicked are as so many rampant and devouring lions, longing earnestly for their prey, but God hath them so chained, and muzzled, that they can neither bark nor bite, till He give way. Early did Herod beginne to seek the life of our Lord Jesus, while p. 75He was but a childe in the swedling clothes; and oft did his Enemies attempt his hurt, and seek advantage against Him, but all in vaine; for his houre was not yet come: Hence it was, that when the Pharisees told him, that Herod was seeking his life, He answered Luk. 13. vers. 32, 33. Go tell that fox, behold, I cast out Devils, and do cures, to day, and to morrow, and the third day I shall …e perfected: Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a Prophet perish out of Ierusalem. Jesus Christ, the angel, that ascended (in vision to Iohn Revel 7. vers. 2, 3.) from the East, having the s…al of the liv…ng God, cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the Earth and the Sea; s…ying, hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till w… have sealed the servants of our God: So that there is a restraining power, keeping▪ up from hurting untill the set time come.

5. There is the Lord's determining and specifying the nature and kinde of the Trouble, with which His people must be exercised; and herein His determining and ordering Providence appeareth. The Enemie would be at death, and no less will satisfie them; but He will order it so, that they shall not get their will; & therefore will suffer them to do no more than to cast the man in p. 76prison, or confine him, or fine him, and spoile him of his goods. The Devil would have been at no less, than Iob's life, when he said Iob 2. vers. 4. Skin for skin, yea all that a man hath will …e give for his life: But the Lord would not grant this, but said, save his life Vers. 6. And suffered him only to smite him with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.

6. There is the Lord's careful Providential measuring-out the quantity of the Trouble, like a faithful and painful Physician, who will himself measure the quantity of the physick, he is to prescribe unto his dear Son, or Daughter, and will not commit it unto the Apothecary, who possibly may more consult his own advantage, than the good of the patient. Our Lord weigheth the affliction in his own just ballances. Enemies may think to ruine and undo all; but our God, who setteth bounds to the sea▪ limiteth their rage; and will suffer them to do no more, than He thinketh good. The plowers plow, and make long their furrowes, upon the back of God's People, and many a time they afflict them; yet they prevail not against them; why? the Lord cuts asunder the cords of the wicked, Psal. 129: 1, 2, 3, 4.

7. The Lord's hand of Providence appeareth, p. 77in mixing together the several ingredients, that make up their cup of affliction. M…ny a time the Lords people have a complicated crosse, as we see in Io…, David▪ Heman and others; and it is the Lord, who weaveth and warpeth these crosses together; Satan and his Instruments are but His drudges, blowing at the furnace; and therefore t…e Godly fixe their eye mainly upon God; as knowing, that He ordereth all to his own mind, and no one ingredient more can be put into their cup, than He will.

8. The hand of the Lord appeareth, in his suiting the Trouble or Calamity, unto their case and necessity. As a wise Physician considereth the Temper and Constitution of the patient, and taketh special notice of the nature of the disease, and accordingly frameth the Medicine: So the Lord considereth the ca…e of his people, and what humores and corruptions are most predominant in their souls: and accordingly ordereth and prepareth such medicinal afflictions, as are fittest to purge-out these peccant humores: and hence there is a necessity for such sharpe Medicines, as the Lord maketh use of, 1 Pet. 1. vers. 6 Wherein …egreatly rejoice, though now for a season▪ (if need be) ye are in …eaviness, through manifold p. 78temptations. Heaviness, or Sadness, through temptations, and manifold temptations, was necessary to their condition, The Lord saw, that their case called …or it, otherwayes he had not exercised them thus.

9. So the hand of the Lord is manifest, in making the affliction answerable to their strength▪ A potion may be fit for and suitable to the disease, yet may be too strong for the weak patient, and more readily kill, than cure: therefore a wise and tender Physician will take good notice of the patients present strength. So the Lord, who is tender of His peoples welfare, will proportion the Physick of affliction unto their strength. Hence we hear it said, 1 Cor. 10. vers. 13.—But God is faithfal, who will not suffer you to be tempted, above that you are able. Accordingly Ieremiah prayeth Chap. 10. v. 24. O Lord correct me, but with judgement, not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing. The Lord s way is to correct his people in measure, I…r 30. vers. 1…. and 46. vers. 28. And as a father pitieth them, that fear him▪ for he knoweth our frame, he remembereth we are dust, Psa…. 103. vers. 13, 14. He knoweth that their strength i… not the strength of stones, nor are their bones of brass; and so he knoweth they are not able to p. 79bear many blowes. Thus we see, the Lord measures the affliction to their strength: It is true, Paul saith 2 Cor. 1. vers. 8. That he and his companions were pressed out of measure, and above strength: which would seem to contradict what is said; But this seeming contradiction will be taken away, by what we shall next adde.

10. When the affliction and distress is such, as would undo, and presse the poor Beleever out of measure, if he gote not some new supply of strength to stand under that burden; the Lord's hand appeareth, in fitting the Beleever for the stroke, and in enabling him to bear it, so that he is not killed thereby, nor overwhelmed therewith; by giving cordials, he fortifieth the man against the violence of Temptations, which otherwise would prevail against him: Paul and his Company 2 Cor. 1. vers. 8, 9. were pressed with trouble in Asia, out of measure, above strength, so much that they despaired even of life, yea and had the sentence of death in themselves; such a storme was it, that they could not ride it out, if fresh supplies of strength and courage had not been granted by God, who raiseth the dead, unto them: and if the Lord had not thus delivered them from so great a death, they had perished; but how p. 80was this done? See Vers. 4, 5. The God of all comfort comforted them, in all their tribulations; and as the sufferings of Christ abounded in them, so their consolation also abounded by Christ: And thus the Lord fitted them for the stroke, when the stroke was too sore for them. So this same Apostle, when assaulted with a messenger of Satan, that buffeted him 2 Cor. 12. vers. 7. Was strengthened by the grace of God, Vers. 9. to stand out against that temptation, which otherwise had overcome him, as his praying thrice, that it might depart from him Vers. 8. would import. Thus the Lord keepeth the head of his poor people above water, by making his power to rest upon them, and by making perfect his strength in their weakness, Vers. 9. Thus also are they strong, when weak Vers. 10.

11. The Lord's good hand of Providence appeareth in this matter, in disappointing the Enemies of their malicious designes; They are busie plotting and contriving the ruine and destruction of His people; but the more they seek to destroy them, the more they grow and thrive, the more they multiply, and the stronger they become. It is almost incredible, what multitudes of Christians, through the whole Empire, the bloody persecuting Emperours destroyed p. 81and put to death, in the primitive times; but the more they were massacred, the more they grew; the bloud of the saints and martyres, was the seed of the Church. Daniel's adversaries thought to have gote him destroyed; but their enmity and rage against him tended to his further exaltation and establishment. So was it with David, the more that Saul did persecute him, the more his bow abode in strength.

12. The Lord's hand mightily appeareth in the afflictions of his people, in that He powerfully and Infallibly carrieth on, and bringeth to passe His own Purposes and Designes, countermining and counter working the designes and wicked projects of the Enemies; yea, in effectuating His own ends, even by what the Enemies are doing purposely to carry on their Ends. When the Enemies are blowing with all their might, to make the furnace burn hot, that the mettal, as they suppose and intend, may be wholly consumed; the Lord by that same meanes is infallibly bringing about His Ends, and accomplishing His designes; to wit, to purge the mettal, and take away the drosse. By what the Assyrian was doing, in prosecution of his Ends, to wit, to destroy and cut off nations not a few Esai. 10. vers. 7. The Lord was performing his whole p. 82work upon mount Zion and Ierusalem, Vers. 12. and what was this, but to purge away iniquity, and to take away sin, Esai. 27. vers. 9? to chasten and punish for correction and amendement Ier. 30: 11. and 46: 28.

13. Herein also appeareth the Lord's over-ruling hand, that while possibly the trouble is in its greatest strength, and Enemies are swelling in their pride, and thinking their contrivances cannot fail, their plots and designes are laid so deep and so sure, that they cannot misgive; even then the Lord will make a door of outgate appear unto his people, and give some foreruning tokens of the dawning of a fair day; even then, He will make a way for an escape, that they may be able to bear it 1 Cor. 10. vers. 13.

14. Lastly, His hand appeareth herein, that in due time, He putteth a period to the trial and trouble, by delivering his people out of them all Psal. 34. vers. 7, 17, 19. He will not suffer the rod of the wicked to rest alwayes on the back of the righteous Psal. 125. vers. 3. He will not contend for ever, lest the spirits should fail before him, and the souls, which he hath made Esai. 57. vers. 16. He will keep His people no longer under Physick, than He seeth necessary; and therefore it is but for a season, that his people are in heaviness. p. 831 Pet. 1. vers. 6. Enemies think to keep the people of God at under for ever; but the Lord's supream over-ruling hand appeareth here, that He hath limited the duration of the trial and trouble to Ten dayes Revel. 2. vers. 10. He hath limited the rage of Enemies to an hour, a day, a monethmonth and a year Revel. 9. vers 15. And the treading of the holy city under foot to 42, moneths Revel. 11: 2. And when the Lord's time cometh, all the power and malice of the Enemies will not be able to hinder the delivery; and how little so ever His own people look for it, yet He will work it: so that though there be scarce faith upon the Earth, yet He will come, and perfect what He hath intended.

We come now to speak a little to the 3 particular, to wit, To shew how this Consideration may and ought to be improven to advantage, in a time of affliction, And

1. The faith and right thoughts of this. Truth, That the Lord ruleth and over-ruleth all that the wicked are devising and executing, according to their own lust and rage, to afflict, persecute and destroy His people, according to His own mind, would yeeld comfort and encouragment unto His people, be their trouble what it would. In a time of Trouble, there are several thoughts, p. 84that come in the minde of His people, which occasion Discouragment and Sorrow; all which this Consideration of God's over-ruling hand, if rightly improven, would either prevent, or keep them from the hurt of; so that notwithstanding of these, they were in case to rejoice, and to sing, as

(1.) When they think upon the Instruments of their calamitie, they are ready to pore too much on them, and to look upon them, as if there were none above them, to marshal and order them, to command and over-rule them; as people are terrified by souldiers, that are under no Command or Discipline, and expect no pity, or favour from them. But the faith of God's being above their heads, to over-see and over-awe them, would free the Child of God from this discouragment. He would not be so cast down and affrighted, if he beleeved, that God hath all these wicked Instruments, more under his command, than the best disciplin'd souldiers are under the Command of the most strick and awfull General, that ever was. These Instruments cannot move a finger without God. Souldiers, when out of the sight of their Commanders, may do much mischiefe; and their Commanders cannot hinder it, because they know not of it: But neither p. 85Devils, nor the most wicked of his Instruments, can move one haire of God's people, till the Lord give way, and permit it to be done, He must first loose the raignes, or they cannot move a foot. because they are chained hand & foot, in the chaines of his Providence; yea their very tongue is chained, that they cannot so much, as curse or reproach any of His people, untill the Lord loose their tongues, and say, (as it were) go curse and raile upon such an one.

(2.) When they observe the Confusion, Irregularity, Brutishness and Unreasonableness of these Enemies, in their way and actions; they are ready to think, that God hath forsaken the earth, and is unconcerned with what these wretches were doing; and upon this they cannot but be much fainted and discouraged. But the faith of this, that God is working hitherto Ioh. 5. vers. 17. and that these wicked Instruments of their calamity were under his eye, would free them of this misapprehension. Nay, they would beleeve, and by faith see, a divine Order and Regularity, in the midst of the greatest Confusions, & brutish Ma…sacres, that ever were; if they beleeved that God had a principal hand in all these Actions, Moving, Ruling, Ordering p. 86and Over-ruling all, according to His own mind.

(3.) The consideration of the Activity, Diligence, Malice, Restlesness and Malicious wickedness of the Enemies, troubleth them, and maketh them fear, that ere ever they be aware, they shall be swallowed up. But this discouragment would evanish, if they remembered and beleeved, that the timing of their affliction is not in the hand of their Enemies. They cannot stirre, till their commission be (as it were) subscribed; and the houre and minute appointed come, when they must beginne; He, who is Supreame, determineth the season, and the time; and over-ruleth all so, that were the hunger and desire of these ravenous wolves never so great, they cannot attempt any distruction, till the minute appointed come.

(4.) When they consider the exceeding great Rage and Cruelty of their Enemies, they are ready to think, that sure, they will make havock of all, they will destroy, utterly, and make an end of all. But how terrible so ever this thought be, yet its terrour is weakened, when the beleever calleth this to minde, That it will not be as these enraged and merciless Beasts intend; but as God will, who is the Soveraigne p. 87Disposer of all, and Supream Master of work; they are but under-Agents, and the Instrument in His hand: They are no Master of themselves, in this matter; but as the ax and saw, in the hand of the workman, that cannot cut, but as he ordereth it: The child will not be afraid of a sword, or of an ax, when he seeth it is in the hand of his father. Their threatnings are not much to be regairded; They have said, come and let us out them off from being a nation, that the Name of Israel may be no more in remembrance as it is Psal. 83. vers. 4. But they have not yet gotten it done. They intend Destruction; and therefore breath-forth nothing but cruelty; but God, who is above them, intendeth but Correction, and some Chastisement, and will suffer them to do no more, than may contribute to that end.

(5.) The thoughts of the strength and liveliness of the Enemies create also terrour and fear; they see their power decayeth not, but groweth rather, and their number increaseth, and thence they art ready to inferre, There shall be no outgate: But a sight of God, as neer (as David prayeth, when he took such a look of his Enemies, Psal. …8. vers. 19, 21. saying But mi…e Enemies are lively, they are strong, and they that p. 88hate me wrongfully are multiplied—Forsake me not, O Lord; O my God, be not far from me) would help in this case; the Beleever would not be much cast down for all this; for he would be in case to say, They must be keeped up, so long as God hath work for them, as a man will keep his ax and his saw sharpe and clear, so long as he mindeth to make use of them: but all their strength saith not, that there shall be no out…ate; when the Lord hath finished his work in Zim, he will punish the fruite of the stout h…art of the King of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks: And the Lord of hosts will send among his fat ones leanness, and under his glory, he shall kindle a burning. like the burning of a fire Esai. 10. vers. 12, 16. And for as strong as they are, the Lord can raise up a scourge against them; as Esai. 10: 26. yea and make the light of Israel for a fire, and his holy one for a flame, and it shall burne and devoure their thornes, and their briers, in one day, and shall consume the glory of their forest, and fruitful field &c. as Esai. 10. vers. 17, 18

(6.) But even this proveth sometimes fainting and discouraging unto his people, That it is not man, that they have to do with, but with God principally, whoever be the Instruments; and that upon several p. 89accounts; as because He is a God of Might, of Power, and of Terrour; and it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God; and withall He is just, and they are conscious to themselves of much guilt. But yet, notwithstanding of this, the thoughts of Gods having a principal hand in all these afflictions, may keep from fainting, because (1.) He is not intending their destruction, as Enemies do; but their Good, their Amendement, their Repentance, and Returning unto the Lord &c. (2.) He measureth not out their a…lliction, according to his strength and almighty Power, else He should soon crush them, and bring them to nothing. Will He plead against me (said Iob Chap. 23. vers. 6.) with his great power? No, but He will put strength in me. (3.) Nor according to strick Justice, and pure Wrath. In plenty of justice, He will not afflict; as the words of Elihu Iob 37. vers. 23. may be read. He will not stir up all his wrath, Psal. 78. vers. 38. (4.) Nor according to their deservings; for that word of Zophar holdeth true. Iob 11. vers. 6. God exacteth of thee, less than thine iniquity deserveth. And Psal. 103. vers. 10. He hath not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. (5.) Nor doth the Lord deal with them, as Enemies; the difference p. 90is great betwixt his dealing with the one and with the other Esai. 17, vers. 7. Hath He smitten him, as He smote those that smote him? is he slaine according to the slaughter of them, that are slain by him? But on the contrary, He dealeth with them, according to a rule of Mercy, and fatherly Compassion; for as a Father pitieth his Children, and only chasteneth them; so doth the Lord deal with them. He knoweth what they can bear, and layeth no more upon them, than they are able to bear. The wise Prophet tels us Prov. 12. vers 10. That the righteous man regairdcth the life of his beast, and therefore will not overcharge him with a load, heavier than he can bear: And will not the righteous Lord regaird the life of his own servants? Are they not of much more value, than many beasts? Sure then, He will not overcharge them. 1. Cor. 10. vers. 13

2. The beleeving and right consideration of this Truth, That God over-ruleth and disposeth of, and ordereth afflictions, as He seeth good, would much help unto the life of Patience, which is so commendable Iam. 5. vers. 11. Being a piece of the honour and badge of Saints Revel. 13: 10. and 14. vers. 12. and so much taken notice of by God Revel. 2. vers. 2, 19. Yea and p. 91profitable, having its perfect work Iam. 1. vers. 4. and bringing happiness with it Iam. 5: 11. This Consideration (I say) rightly Improven, may help hereunto; for it will fortifie the soul of the Beleever against those thoughts, which usually occasion impatience. as

(1.) When the man is poreing upon the uncouthness of the Affliction, wherewith he is exercised, and saying with the Church Lam. 1. vers. 12. Behold and see, if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me, in the day of his fierce anger, he is ready to give way unto impatience. But when he considereth, who hath prepared this potion for him; that it was no unskilful Apothecary, it was not the malignant Enemie, that intended his death and destruction; but the only Wise and Supream God, who was seeking his good, his life and health, and who knew, that no other potion would suite his distemper, and purge out his peccant humores; this will help him to lye under the workings of that physick with patience; Though the potion of physick be bitter, and work something hard, yet a wise man will have patience, when he considereth, that the Physician, who did appoint it, was both well skilled, and his special friend; and therefore perswadeth p. 92himself, that no less would do him good: So when the beleever considereth, that it is His God and Father, who hath prepared that potion for him, and that He saw his distemper called for it, and when he considereth that God with his own hands did make and prepare it, weighed all the doses, with great carefulness, and mixed in nothing but what was most necessary, he will drink it, though bitter, with the better will: and albeit it work hard, and make him sick; yet he will not be impatient, and cry out, why am I so and so handled? doth every one get such paining & sickning physick, as this? but rather say, because every one needeth not such strong physick, I must be dealt with in a special manner; I have other corruptions, than ordinary, and therefore must have patience, and be content to be otherwise dealt with, than others usually are.

(2.) The person in affliction, when he seeth, himself compassed about with evils, and that he is not visited with one or two rodes, but with many at once; and that innumerable evils compass him about (as said David Psal. 40. vers. 12. which in part occasioned his adding, therefore my heart faileth me, or forsaketh me.) then he is ready to say, how can I, while thus invironed with evils, p. 93have patience? But if he would call to mind God's hand in the matter, as Iob did, he would, with him, bless the name of the Lord; for then he would see, that God himself had ordered all, and that not one of all these multifarious evils came, without the Lord's special and active Permission, and Providential Ordination, Appointment and Commission: and that God alone had ordered that mixture, and combination of troubles and trials.

(3.) The impatience of Gods people is oft occasioned by their imagining, that the trouble is greater, than they can bear: as we see in Iob Chap. 6. vers. 11, 12. What is my strength, that I should hope! And what is mine end, that I should prolong my dayes? Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brasse. And againe Chap. 7. vers. 11, 12. Therefore I will not refraine my mouth, I will speak in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou settest a watch over me? But would they consider and beleeve, that God knoweth what they are able to bear, and is proportioning the load to their strength, which He knoweth, better than they do: or when He seeth it fit to presse them above measure, that they may despaire in themselves, and not trust in themselves, p. 94that then He under proppeth and supporteth the weak back, and conveyethin secret strength, enabling them to stand, under the load; and thus never layeth more on, than they are able to bear: If (I say) they were calling this to mind, they would see no cause of Impatience; but rather cause of crying out, when we are weak, then are we strong, and therefore we will glory in our infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon us 2 Cor. 12. …ers. 9, 10. And they would through faith, be in case to say, with Paul 2 Cor. 4. vers. 8. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.

(4.) Their Impatience is likewise occasioned by considering, that their Trouble and Affliction is still growing, when they supposed, that it should have decreased. But the right Improvement of this Truth would frame the Soul for patience, notwithstanding hereof: because the beleever would see ground to say, grow as it will, the hand of the Lord is about it; it will grow to no greater height, than he seeth good: let Enemies blow at the fire, as fast and with as great earnestness, as they will, the furnace shall be no hoter, than the Supream Master and Over-ruler of all, p. 95seeth fit, for the ends He intendeth: He knoweth the nature of the mettall, and how hote a fire will serve the turn to purge it.

(5.) This also raiseth impatient thoughts in their heart, That they can see no appearance of an outgate; all doores are so shut, that no hope appeareth: thus was it with Iob; & therefore hath he many such expressions: as Chap. 7. vers. 6. My daies are swifter than a weavers shuttle, and are spent without hope. Vers. 7.—Mine eye shall no more see good. Vers. 8. The eye of him, that hath seen me, shall see me no more. But this Impatience would evanish, if this were beleeved, That the Lord's hand were in and about the affliction, making a faire way to a saife escape, and at length, in his own due time, putting a period to the Trouble: when his work is finished, & the end He designed attained: and if it were firmly beleeved, that, let Enemies make all as sure, as they can, and rage as they will, they shall not be able to keep them longer under their yron harrowes, than He seeth good, no not one day, nor an houre.

3. The right improvement of this Consideration would help unto an holy and sweet Submission, and cause us say with David Psal. 39. vers 9. I was dumb, not opening p. 96my mouth, because thou didst it. When Aaron met with a sad dispensation, two of his prime sones, Nadab and Abihu, were taken away in the fiour of their age, and that in a very terrible manner, by fire from heaven, for their rashness, and when Moses told him Levit. 10. vers. 3. That this was it, which the Lord spoke, saying, I will be sanctified of all them that come neer me, it is said of him, And Aaron held his peace. A sight of the hand of God, though in a terrible manner, in that dispensation, made him lay his hand upon his mouth, and sit silent in the dust; He had not one word to say. So that a sight of the hand of God, in the dispensation, ordering all things in it, would help them unto a Christian, yea unto a cheerful Submission: It would not be patience by force; but an hearty, willing, cheerful choosing, bearing and embracing of that lot, because bound on their back by the hand of God. Shall we not drink (would they say) this potion with delight, that God hath prepared, and carefully made up for us? He knoweth what is best for us; Shall we not willingly lye under the crosse, that God hath tyed upon us, when He knoweth what He is doing, and what we must not want, and will not sufler us to be tem…ted above what we are able? When His good time is come, p. 97there will be an end, and all the power of Enemies shall not obstruct our Delivery. The Church Micah. 7. vers. 9. could sweetly sit down, and bear the indignation of the Lord, when by faith she could say, Rejoice not against me, O mine Enemie; when I fall I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be alight unto me. He will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness, V. 8, 9.

4. The beleeving improvment of this would keep the beleever from fainting, and sincking through discouragment: many thoughts come into the minde, while affliction is lying on their loines, and Satan can suggest many things, at that time, to cause the poor man succumb, while under the load: but the faith of God's Soveraigne and Absolute O dering of all things, in and about the Trouble, according to his own mind, would keep up their head, and preserve them from a sinful and shamful fainting. They look too much to instruments, and pore too much upon their Nature, Disposition, Activity, Power, Wisdom, Wickedness, Maliciousness, Rage, Cruelty, and Indefatigableness; and forget that they are but under agents, and can do nothing, but as the Supream God Willeth, Ordert he, Disposeth, and Permitteth; and that He alone Over-ruleth all, Moderateth p. 98and Ordereth all, according to His own mind, and for His own holy ends, So that they cannot do any thing, whether as to the Substance, or as to the Circumstances of the affliction, but as He, who is the Supream Master of work, is pleased to suffer and give way unto.

5. The beleeving thoughts of this Truth would keep the Soul from that dreadful sin of Murmuring against the Lord, upon occasion of any Trouble or Distress, he meeteth with. It is the Lord, would the Soul say, and who am I, that I should quarrel with Him. He is ordering, disposing and moderating all, that under agents and lixes are doing, so that all things are done, as He will; and shall I yet be displeased and quarrelsome? Enemies cannot get their will, They are over-ruled, in all their Consultations, Projects, Contrivances, bloudy Resolutions, and cruel Executions; matters go not, as they will, but as He will, who is over them; and why then should I murmure, and repine against Him?

6. This would also airth the Eyes of the soul towards the right object, in a day of Trouble. They would not with Heathens, look to chance or fortune, as ruling and ordering all; nor would they with the carnal p. 99multitude f…x their eye upon the instruments, and run with the dog to the stone, that is cast at him: but would see another more noble object of their sight, to wit, the Principal Agent, Mover, and Orderer of all, in whose hand the wicked are, as the ax and saw in the hand of the workman, and as the rod in the hand of the father; and this sight would help unto a Spiritual Christian frame of Godly fear & Subjection of Soul, and would put the soul in case, to observe the Wisdom, Soveraignity, and absolute Dominion of God, doing what He will, frustrating the toakens of the liars, and disappointing the craftie devices of wicked men; as also this sight would minde the man of Christian duties, of searching his wayes, repenting of his sinnes, and turning againe to the Lord; for he would see, it was the Lord, with whom he had to do. He would look for his Outgate and Salvation from God alone; so that his Faith, his Hope and his Confidence would be in the Lord alone. His eye being fixed on this object, he would not see cause of troubl…ng himself much about-Enemies, or how he might procure their favour; and so would be keeped from Temptations to any sinful compliance or accommodation: So would he be preserved from temptations to the p. 100using of unlawful meanes for an outgate. Thus we see, how advantagious this eyeing of the Lord, in the day of Trouble, is unto the afflicted; and the faith and improvement of this Consideration cannot but airth the souls eye unto this object.

7. The right improving of this Truth would free the beleever from many carnal, disqu…eting, distracting and perplexing feares: He is ready to say; oh I cannot ride out this storme, I shall one day fall by the hand of Saul, the next blast of temptation shall blow me over, I cannot but at length faint and succumb, and the Enemie shall have matter of joy, and all God's people shall be made to mourn: for were it beleeved, that God Ordered, Disposed, and Over-ruled all, the beleever would see no ground for these feares; for he would see, that no blast could blow, but as He would; no storme could come sooner, than He thought good; nor continue longer, than He saw convenient; nor be more violent and strong, let Enemies threaten and rage as they pleased, than He saw good: He would see the hand of God measuring out all, so as he needed not fear to be over-charged; or if the trouble were indeed greater, than he could well stand under, p. 101he might see the Lord fitting him by secret strength for it.

8. Finally the faith of this, and the right improvement of it would preserve the soul from a dead and senseless stupidity, under the rod, or stoical frame, as unconcerned with what befalleth them, which hath no affinity with, but is utterly repugnant to, a Christian frame, and to Christian valour, and undaunted courage: This looketh liker to the frame of an Atheist, than of a Child of God, who trembleth and feareth, when he seeth the rod in his Fathers hand, and dar not despise the chastening of the Lord. Now a sight of God's hand in all, Ordering, Timeing and Seasoning, Mixing and Compounding, Limiting and Bounding, Qualifying and Restricking, Terminating and Ending, Directing and Over-ruling, would perserve the soul from a dead Temper, and cause him mark and observe the footsteps of Royal Soveraignity, Majesty, Wisdom, Power, Goodness, Care and Tenderness.