or_o it_o prove_v but_o a_o sickly_a repentance_n oh_o then_o my_o brethren_n be_v wise_a in_o time_n do_v not_o lay_v the_o great_a load_n on_o the_o feeble_a horse_n put_v not_o the_o weak_a servant_n to_o the_o hard_a labour_n put_v not_o off_o the_o main_a business_n of_o thy_o soul_n health_n to_o the_o doleful_a time_n of_o thy_o body_n sickness_n you_o have_v hear_v what_o sickness_n do_v or_o rather_o undo_v it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o inquire_v whence_o it_o come_v and_o how_o it_o be_v bring_v into_o the_o world_n indeed_o as_o christ_n say_v in_o another_o case_n it_o be_v not_o so_o from_o the_o beginning_n man_n in_o innocency_n be_v create_v with_o a_o body_n of_o so_o equal_a and_o last_a a_o temperature_n that_o have_v he_o not_o sin_v it_o have_v neither_o be_v take_v down_o by_o death_n nor_o put_v out_o of_o frame_n by_o sickness_n sin_n it_o be_v which_o be_v fons_fw-la mali_fw-la morbi_fw-la mortis_fw-la have_v bring_v in_o evil_a instead_o of_o good_a death_n of_o life_n and_o sickness_n of_o health_n the_o physician_n be_v ask_v the_o cause_n of_o disease_n answer_v and_o most_o true_o mali_fw-la humores_fw-la evil_a humour_n in_o the_o body_n but_o the_o divine_a resolve_v it_o more_o full_o mali_fw-la mores_fw-la ill_a manner_n in_o the_o life_n philosophy_n teach_v and_o experience_n confirm_v it_o that_o passiones_fw-la animae_fw-la sequuntur_fw-la temperamentum_fw-la corporis_fw-la the_o mind_n passion_n much_o follow_v the_o body_n temper_n divinity_n preach_v no_o less_o true_o that_o the_o disorder_n of_o the_o body_n follow_v upon_o the_o distemper_n of_o the_o mind_n man_n soul_n be_v first_o sick_a of_o sin_n and_o so_o the_o body_n become_v infect_v with_o sickness_n for_o sin_n it_o be_v the_o first_o sin_n of_o adam_n which_o bring_v forth_o and_o it_o be_v our_o own_o actual_a sin_n that_o nourish_v this_o degenerate_a brat_n wherewith_o mankind_n be_v so_o miserable_o infest_v a_o meditation_n which_o if_o well_o ponder_v will_v learn_v we_o to_o bear_v sickness_n whensoever_o it_o come_v upon_o we_o without_o murmur_v and_o yet_o with_o mourning_n 1._o why_o shall_v thou_o repine_v at_o god_n when_o any_o disease_n seize_v one_o thou_o true_o he_o be_v the_o efficient_a 4.18_o but_o thou_o be_v the_o meritorious_a cause_n he_o inflict_v but_o it_o be_v sin_n that_o deserve_v he_o punish_v but_o it_o be_v not_o till_o thou_o have_v provoke_v he_o blame_v not_o his_o justice_n but_o thank_v thy_o own_o wickedness_n the_o moth_n that_o fret_v the_o garment_n be_v breed_v of_o it_o the_o tree_n give_v life_n to_o that_o worm_n which_o kill_v it_o thy_o sickness_n oh_o man_n be_v of_o thyself_o and_o thy_o own_o way_n and_o do_n be_v they_o which_o procure_v these_o thing_n to_o thou_o 2._o when_o sickness_n smite_v thy_o body_n let_v repentance_n smite_v thy_o thigh_n when_o the_o disease_n rage_v in_o thy_o member_n let_v thy_o soul_n be_v angry_a at_o thy_o sin_n and_o as_o thou_o complain_v of_o the_o effect_n so_o labour_v to_o be_v sensible_a of_o the_o cause_n 70._o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o say_v the_o divine_a excellent_o sickness_n be_v a_o wholesome_a discipline_n it_o be_v so_o when_o it_o teach_v we_o to_o know_v our_o folly_n happy_a disease_n which_o open_v our_o eye_n at_o once_o to_o see_v and_o weep_v for_o our_o sin_n oh_o my_o soul_n it_o be_v sin_n have_v cause_v thy_o body_n to_o feel_v sickness_n let_v sickness_n cause_v thou_o to_o feel_v the_o weight_n of_o sin_n it_o be_v wickedness_n have_v bring_v this_o weakness_n let_v this_o weakness_n bring_v thou_o to_o a_o sight_n and_o sense_n of_o thy_o wickedness_n why_o shall_v thou_o hold_v that_o sword_n in_o thy_o hand_n which_o have_v so_o sore_o wound_v it_o or_o hug_v that_o serpent_n in_o thy_o bosom_n which_o have_v so_o painful_o sting_v thou_o rather_o since_o the_o fruit_n be_v so_o bitter_a pluck_v up_o the_o root_n and_o let_v not_o sin_n reign_v any_o long_o in_o thy_o mortal_a body_n see_v it_o have_v make_v thy_o body_n so_o mortal_a and_o so_o much_o for_o the_o quality_n of_o the_o danger_n i_o pass_v on_o to_o the_o extremity_n of_o the_o measure_n nigh_o unto_o death_n an._n it_o be_v that_o which_o in_o some_o sense_n be_v true_a of_o every_o man_n alive_a this_o world_n be_v a_o region_n of_o ghost_n die_v man_n yea_o young_a man_n in_o the_o prime_a of_o their_o day_n strong_a man_n in_o the_o full_a vigour_n of_o their_o age_n be_v nigh_o to_o death_n because_o death_n may_v then_o be_v near_o to_o they_o the_o philosopher_n be_v ask_v what_o he_o think_v of_o life_n turn_v he_o round_o and_o vanish_v out_o of_o sight_n thereby_o intimate_v how_o easy_o and_o speedy_o life_n may_v be_v take_v away_o and_o some_o of_o they_o have_v no_o less_o true_o than_o apt_o represent_v the_o distance_n between_o life_n and_o death_n by_o oculus_fw-la apertus_fw-la and_o clausus_fw-la a_o eye_n open_a and_o shut_v which_o be_v do_v in_o a_o moment_n but_o though_o this_o in_o some_o respect_n be_v verify_v of_o all_o man_n yet_o it_o be_v more_o especial_o true_a of_o two_o sort_n of_o person_n to_o wit_n old_a man_n and_o sick_a man_n since_o old_a age_n be_v {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o a_o natural_a disease_n and_o a_o disease_n be_v {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o a_o accidental_a old_a age_n both_o must_v needs_o tend_v and_o hasten_v to_o death_n as_o for_o old_a man_n they_o be_v so_o nigh_o to_o death_n 1._o that_o the_o proverb_n say_v they_o have_v one_o foot_n in_o the_o grave_n young_a man_n may_v die_v soon_o but_o they_o can_v live_v long_o the_o dimness_n of_o light_n in_o their_o eye_n and_o vapour_n that_o sometime_o be_v draw_v up_o into_o their_o brain_n argue_v the_o sun_n of_o their_o life_n to_o be_v set_v the_o hoary_a frost_n or_o rather_o white_a snow_n upon_o their_o head_n proclaim_v that_o the_o winter_n of_o their_o death_n be_v approach_v the_o more_o strange_a it_o be_v to_o see_v they_o dote_v on_o who_o be_v go_v out_o of_o the_o world_n and_o as_o if_o they_o can_v set_v up_o under_o ground_n their_o mind_n be_v most_o earthly_a while_o their_o body_n be_v ready_a to_o drop_v into_o the_o earth_n the_o more_o sad_a it_o be_v to_o think_v how_o both_o unwilling_a and_o unfit_a they_o be_v to_o die_v who_o yet_o be_v so_o unlikely_a to_o live_v and_o as_o if_o with_o the_o eagle_n they_o can_v renew_v their_o youth_n they_o flatter_v themselves_o in_o hope_n of_o life_n when_o yet_o they_o be_v as_o it_o be_v within_o sight_n of_o death_n how_o short_a be_v such_o man_n of_o that_o heathen_a seneca_n who_o say_v of_o himself_o ante_fw-la senectutem_fw-la curavi_fw-la bene_fw-la vivere_fw-la in_o senect_v ute_fw-la bene_fw-la mori_fw-la my_o care_n in_o youth_n be_v to_o live_v but_o in_o old_a age_n to_o die_v well_o than_o no_o doubt_n perceive_v his_o death_n to_o be_v at_o hand_n as_o old_a man_n be_v they_o never_o so_o well_o so_o sick_a man_n by_o they_o never_o so_o young_a be_v nigh_o to_o death_n what_o anacharsis_n say_v of_o seaman_n that_o he_o know_v not_o whether_o to_o reckon_v they_o among_o the_o live_n or_o the_o dead_a be_v no_o less_o true_a of_o sick_a man_n who_o indeed_o be_v not_o dead_a because_o they_o breath_n and_o yet_o not_o live_v because_o not_o lusty_a every_o man_n carry_v death_n in_o his_o bosom_n but_o the_o sick_a man_n at_o his_o back_n or_o rather_o in_o his_o arm_n before_o his_o face_n in_o sum_n there_o be_v a_o threefold_a propinquity_n of_o death_n possible_a probable_a certain_a it_o be_v possible_a the_o healthy_a strong_a and_o young_a may_v die_v quick_o it_o be_v certain_a old_a man_n though_o they_o outlive_v far_o young_a can_v live_v long_o and_o it_o be_v probable_a that_o the_o sick_a man_n death_n be_v at_o hand_n but_o yet_o this_o in_o the_o proper_a sense_n be_v not_o true_a of_o all_o sickness_n that_o distinction_n of_o sin_n can_v hold_v in_o divinity_n according_a to_o the_o popish_a acception_n that_o some_o be_v venial_a other_o mortal_a since_o s._n paul_n say_v indefinite_o and_o mean_v it_o universal_o that_o death_n be_v the_o wage_n of_o sin_n but_o analogical_o it_o be_v true_a in_o physic_n of_o disease_n some_o be_v only_o painful_a other_o mortal_a the_o gout_n in_o the_o toe_n a_o pain_n in_o the_o tooth_n a_o prick_n in_o the_o finger_n these_o though_o they_o cause_v pain_n yet_o be_v not_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n deadly_a nor_o be_v the_o patient_a account_v the_o neereâ—_n death_n for_o they_o beside_o of_o mortal_a disease_n there_o be_v a_o difference_n some_o be_v a_o long_a time_n untwist_v other_o in_o a_o short_a
god_n than_o to_o be_v glorify_v with_o he_o this_o saint_n paul_n declare_v to_o his_o hope_n yea_o his_o earnest_a expectation_n that_o christ_n may_v be_v magnify_v in_o his_o body_n whether_o by_o life_n or_o death_n no_o wonder_n then_o if_o consider_v how_o much_o epaphroditus_n his_o life_n may_v conduce_v to_o god_n glory_n 1.20_o he_o reckon_v it_o as_o a_o mercy_n beside_o 12.2_o 2._o he_o increase_v his_o own_o reward_n the_o long_a a_o good_a man_n especial_o a_o good_a minister_n live_v the_o more_o sinner_n he_o convert_v and_o they_o that_o turn_v many_o to_o righteousness_n say_v daniel_n shall_v shine_v as_o the_o star_n for_o ever_o and_o ever_o nay_o every_o soul_n that_o a_o faithful_a minister_n win_v to_o god_n be_v as_o a_o new_a gem_n add_v to_o that_o crown_n which_o shall_v one_o day_n be_v put_v upon_o his_o head_n thus_o than_o the_o case_n stand_v epaphroditus_n indeed_o by_o die_v have_v receive_v his_o reward_n but_o by_o live_v he_o do_v the_o more_o service_n by_o die_v he_o have_v obtain_v glory_n from_o god_n but_o by_o live_v he_o bring_v glory_n to_o god_n 20.35_o and_o our_o bless_a saviour_n say_v it_o be_v a_o more_o bless_a thing_n to_o give_v than_o to_o receive_v by_o die_v he_o have_v enjoy_v his_o recompense_n soon_o by_o live_v he_o make_v it_o great_a that_o will_v have_v accelerate_a but_o this_o augment_v it_o so_o that_o even_o in_o respect_n of_o his_o own_o future_a happiness_n he_o be_v no_o loser_n but_o a_o gainer_n by_o the_o prolong_n of_o his_o life_n and_o therefore_o most_o just_o do_v saint_n paul_n say_v god_n have_v mercy_n on_o he_o brief_o and_o yet_o clear_o to_o state_n the_o whole_a matter_n life_n and_o death_n may_v be_v consider_v and_o compare_v four_o way_n 1._o in_o their_o formal_a nature_n and_o so_o death_n be_v a_o privation_n life_n a_o position_n of_o good_a and_o therefore_o death_n evil_a and_o life_n good_a 2._o in_o their_o cause_n death_n be_v a_o fruit_n of_o sin_n life_n a_o effect_n of_o love_n our_o wickedness_n deserve_v the_o one_o god_n goodness_n confer_v the_o other_o in_o which_o respect_n death_n be_v threaten_v as_o a_o punishment_n life_n promise_v as_o a_o reward_n 3._o in_o their_o natural_a and_o proper_a effect_n death_n bereave_v as_o well_o godly_a as_o wicked_a man_n of_o the_o society_n of_o friend_n possession_n of_o their_o estate_n yea_o all_o the_o comfort_n which_o this_o world_n afford_v whereas_o by_o life_n we_o have_v the_o fruition_n of_o they_o continue_v to_o we_o so_o that_o in_o this_o regard_n also_o life_n be_v far_o better_a than_o death_n even_o to_o a_o good_a man_n 4._o last_o in_o their_o accidental_a consequent_n when_o a_o wicked_a man_n die_v there_o follow_v torment_n but_o while_o he_o live_v there_o be_v hope_n of_o his_o repentance_n yea_o many_o time_n it_o so_o fall_v out_o some_o come_v into_o the_o vineyard_n at_o the_o eleven_o hour_n and_o to_o such_o life_n be_v a_o choice_a mercy_n indeed_o when_o a_o godly_a man_n die_v he_o be_v carry_v into_o abraham_n bosom_n place_v in_o a_o state_n of_o bliss_n but_o by_o live_v long_o he_o honour_v god_n edifi_v the_o church_n work_v out_o his_o salvation_n he_o gain_v both_o the_o more_o time_n to_o prepare_v himself_o for_o get_v assurance_n of_o yea_o make_v a_o addition_n to_o his_o future_a glory_n and_o therefore_o in_o this_o likewise_o and_o so_o in_o all_o comparison_n life_n have_v the_o pre-eminence_n and_o the_o continuance_n of_o it_o be_v just_o call_v by_o the_o apostle_n a_o mercy_n to_o close_v up_o this_o life_n continue_v health_n restore_v be_v mercy_n interdom_n oh_o let_v not_o we_o by_o abuse_v they_o to_o sin_n turn_v they_o into_o judgement_n who_o can_v believe_v it_o and_o yet_o we_o may_v often_o see_v it_o man_n change_v blessing_n into_o curse_n by_o their_o iniquity_n and_o as_o parisiensis_fw-la excellent_o express_v it_o ipsa_fw-la beneficia_fw-la sibi_fw-la faciunt_fw-la poenalia_fw-la et_fw-la instrumenta_fw-la contra_fw-la seipsos_fw-la divinae_fw-la justitiae_fw-la they_o make_v benefit_n to_o become_v punishment_n and_o the_o fruit_n of_o god_n mercy_n instrument_n of_o his_o justice_n the_o truth_n be_v it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o life_n as_o the_o right_a use_n saint_n paul_n conceive_v epaphroditus_n will_v make_v of_o his_o life_n which_o move_v he_o to_o call_v it_o a_o mercy_n multis_fw-la periculo_fw-la et_fw-la pestilens_fw-la sanitas_fw-la fuit_fw-la qui_fw-la tutius_fw-la aegrotassent_fw-la indeed_o these_o thing_n be_v good_a or_o evil_a to_o we_o according_a as_o we_o employ_v they_o it_o have_v be_v a_o great_a mercy_n to_o many_o impenitent_a sinner_n that_o they_o have_v continue_v sick_a or_o die_v then_o that_o they_o be_v recover_v let_v we_o therefore_o lay_v out_o our_o life_n our_o health_n according_a to_o our_o several_a place_n in_o god_n service_n so_o shall_v it_o prove_v glory_n to_o god_n benefit_n to_o other_o and_o a_o mercy_n to_o we_o oh_o my_o soul_n thou_o have_v receive_v as_o it_o be_v a_o new_a life_n improve_v it_o in_o new_a obedience_n health_n be_v restore_v to_o thy_o body_n employ_v it_o in_o the_o service_n of_o thy_o god_n why_o shall_v thy_o honey_n be_v turn_v into_o gall_n thy_o shield_n into_o a_o sword_n thy_o delicate_n into_o poison_n oh_o let_v thy_o life_n be_v expend_v by_o thou_o as_o it_o be_v intend_v by_o god_n so_o shall_v thou_o have_v cause_n to_o take_v up_o the_o apostle_n language_n god_n have_v mercy_n on_o i_o and_o thus_o much_o shall_v suffice_v for_o the_o second_o particular_a i_o hasten_v to_o the_o 3._o opportunity_n of_o the_o time_n which_o be_v the_o last_o branch_n employ_v in_o the_o exâ—eptive_a but_o and_o a_o comfortable_a but_o it_o be_v indeed_o the_o sickness_n like_o a_o flood_n be_v carry_v he_o away_o god_n put_v in_o a_o but_o and_o stop_v its_o current_n epaphroditus_n be_v fall_v into_o the_o pit_n but_o god_n reach_v forth_o a_o hand_n to_o uphold_v he_o god_n do_v not_o so_o preserve_v he_o that_o the_o sickness_n shall_v not_o come_v nay_o when_o it_o be_v come_v he_o do_v not_o hinder_v it_o from_o increase_v but_o when_o it_o be_v come_v to_o the_o height_n than_o he_o rebuke_v the_o disease_n and_o say_v hitherto_o thâ—u_n shall_v come_v and_o no_o further_o all_o hope_n of_o his_o recovery_n in_o man_n eye_n be_v perish_v and_o lo_o he_o be_v raise_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n mean_n either_o be_v not_o afford_v or_o however_o unable_a to_o help_v god_n become_v his_o physician_n and_o command_v the_o cure_n it_o let_v we_o see_v thus_o much_o that_o 116._o when_o all_o hope_n be_v liveless_a and_o help_n seem_v fruitless_a then_o be_v the_o season_n of_o god_n deliverance_n that_o child_n condition_n be_v very_o sad_a who_o the_o father_n and_o mother_n forsake_v but_o then_o the_o psalmist_n find_v god_n ready_a to_o take_v he_o up_o and_o the_o causal_n particle_n in_o the_o original_a be_v very_o considerable_a not_o only_a when_o but_o because_o he_o be_v as_o a_o forsake_a babe_n god_n vouchsafe_v to_o protect_v and_o provide_v for_o he_o our_o extremity_n be_v not_o only_o the_o opportunity_n when_o but_o a_o motive_n why_o god_n will_v deliver_v it_o be_v a_o doleful_a complaint_n which_o the_o poor_a cripple_n make_v to_o christ_n {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o i_o have_v not_o a_o man_n to_o put_v i_o into_o the_o pool_n but_o even_o that_o narration_n be_v a_o efficacious_a prayer_n the_o absence_n of_o man_n help_n be_v the_o season_n of_o christ_n presence_n and_o succour_n saint_n paul_n speak_v of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n incarnation_n say_v it_o be_v when_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n come_v if_o you_o will_v know_v when_o that_o full_a time_n be_v the_o evangelist_n answer_v it_o be_v in_o the_o day_n of_o herod_n the_o king_n and_o if_o with_o chrysologus_fw-la you_o look_v into_o those_o day_n you_o shall_v find_v they_o day_n of_o extreme_a misery_n to_o the_o jewisâ—_z nation_n their_o temple_n profane_v liberty_n suppress_v worship_n abolish_v and_o the_o whole_a state_n full_a of_o confusion_n in_o those_o day_n be_v the_o fullness_n because_o indeed_o the_o fitness_n of_o time_n come_v for_o he_o who_o be_v the_o redeemer_n to_o appear_v and_o the_o horn_n of_o salvation_n to_o be_v raise_v up_o in_o which_o respect_n the_o messiah_n be_v call_v by_o moses_n a_o fit_a man_n or_o according_a to_o the_o original_a a_o man_n of_o opportunity_n thy_o way_n o_o god_n be_v in_o the_o sea_n and_o thy_o path_n in_o the_o great_a water_n 77.19_o say_v the_o psalmist_n by_o which_o expression_n no_o doubt_n he_o chief_o intend_v as_o appear_v by_o what_o follow_v to_o note_v the_o imperceptible_a secrecy_n attend_v upon_o many_o of_o god_n dispensation_n so_o
full_a thy_o body_n hail_n often_o think_v of_o walk_v through_o the_o valley_n of_o the_o shadow_n of_o death_n 23.4_o happy_a be_v that_o man_n who_o when_o sickness_n arrest_v and_o death_n approach_v to_o can_v say_v and_o say_v it_o true_o this_o be_v no_o more_o than_o what_o i_o have_v look_v and_o provide_v for_o all_o my_o day_n and_o so_o much_o be_v speak_v of_o the_o second_o particular_a pass_v we_o now_o to_o the_o three_o 3._o eminency_n of_o the_o person_n who_o this_o extreme_a disease_n befall_v in_o the_o relative_a he._n if_o you_o will_v know_v who_o this_o he_o be_v be_v please_v to_o cast_v your_o eye_n on_o the_o 25._o verse_n of_o the_o chapter_n 25._o where_o you_o find_v his_o name_n to_o be_v epaphroditus_n one_o that_o be_v not_o only_o a_o good_a man_n but_o a_o man_n of_o god_n not_o only_o a_o servant_n but_o a_o minister_n of_o christ_n and_o one_o so_o eminent_a ibid._n as_o that_o saint_n paul_n dignify_v he_o with_o the_o title_n of_o his_o brother_n and_o companion_n and_o fellow-soldier_n and_o yet_o of_o he_o it_o be_v here_o say_v that_o he_o be_v nigh_o unto_o death_n saint_n as_o well_o as_o sinner_n minister_n as_o well_o as_o the_o people_n be_v liable_a to_o desperate_a disease_n in_o respect_n of_o temporal_a evil_n they_o have_v no_o more_o privilege_n than_o other_o and_o no_o wonder_n since_o 1._o that_o which_o be_v the_o cause_n both_o of_o sickness_n and_o death_n remain_v in_o they_o to_o wit_v sin_n indeed_o the_o power_n of_o sin_n be_v weaken_v therefore_o they_o can_v be_v hurt_v of_o the_o second_o death_n 6._o but_o the_o being_n of_o it_o remain_v and_o that_o necessitate_v the_o first_o they_o be_v so_o free_v from_o the_o guilt_n of_o it_o that_o they_o shall_v not_o taste_v the_o torment_n of_o hell_n but_o yet_o they_o may_v drink_v deep_a of_o the_o misery_n of_o this_o life_n sin_n will_v not_o leave_v the_o best_a man_n till_o it_o have_v bring_v he_o to_o his_o grave_n well_o may_v it_o bring_v he_o to_o his_o sick_a bed_n 2._o in_o respect_n of_o their_o bodily_a constitution_n they_o be_v earthly_a house_n that_o will_v moulder_v away_o till_o at_o last_o they_o fall_v earthen_a vessel_n subject_a to_o flaw_n and_o crack_n till_o at_o length_n they_o break_v the_o saint_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n by_o grace_n but_o still_o the_o son_n of_o adam_n by_o nature_n the_o minister_n be_v angel_n in_o respect_n of_o their_o office_n but_o still_o they_o be_v man_n in_o regard_n of_o their_o person_n and_o be_v of_o the_o same_o mould_n and_o subject_a to_o the_o same_o danger_n with_o other_o {non-roman}_o 3._o moore_n special_o the_o very_a call_n and_o employment_n of_o minister_n be_v such_o as_o exhau_v their_o spirit_n weaken_v their_o body_n and_o accelerate_v both_o disease_n and_o death_n our_o apostle_n say_v of_o epaphrodit_n that_o for_o the_o work_n of_o christ_n he_o be_v nigh_o to_o death_n v._n 30._o the_o work_n he_o there_o mean_v be_v most_o probable_o conceive_v to_o be_v the_o travel_n of_o this_o good_a man_n to_o rome_n with_o supply_n for_o his_o want_n to_o relieve_v a_o christian_a especial_o a_o messenger_n of_o christ_n be_v the_o work_n of_o christ_n but_o it_o be_v no_o less_o true_a of_o the_o work_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v pâ—culiarly_o the_o minister_n since_o the_o pain_n they_o take_v in_o preach_v oft_o times_o christ_n bring_v they_o nigh_o to_o death_n it_o be_v say_v of_o archimedes_n studiis_fw-la quibus_fw-la obtinuit_fw-la famam_fw-la amisit_fw-la vitam_fw-la the_o study_n which_o get_v he_o credit_v lose_v his_o life_n and_o it_o may_v be_v say_v of_o many_o minister_n the_o fast_n watch_n labour_n preach_n by_o which_o they_o profit_v the_o people_n soul_n hurt_v their_o body_n thus_o like_o the_o candle_n they_o waste_v themselves_o that_o they_o may_v enlighthen_v yea_o like_o the_o salt_n they_o dissolve_v themselves_o that_o they_o may_v season_v other_o 4._o final_o god_n have_v choice_n and_o singular_a end_n at_o which_o he_o aim_v when_o he_o bring_v his_o own_o servant_n or_o minister_n into_o such_o desperate_a sickness_n and_o that_o both_o in_o regard_n of_o sin_n and_o grace_n 1._o in_o regard_n of_o their_o sin_n that_o they_o may_v be_v either_o purge_v or_o prevent_v by_o which_o mean_v their_o sickness_n become_v their_o physic_n and_o the_o malady_n itself_o a_o spiritual_a remedy_n it_o may_v be_v they_o have_v fall_v into_o some_o gross_a sin_n and_o therefore_o they_o fall_v into_o some_o grievous_a sickness_n so_o be_v it_o with_o those_o unworthy_a communicant_n concerning_o who_o saint_n paul_n say_v for_o which_o cause_n many_o of_o they_o be_v weak_a many_o sick_a and_o some_o sleep_v it_o may_v be_v god_n see_v they_o prone_a to_o commit_v some_o heinous_a fault_n which_o he_o restrain_v they_o from_o by_o some_o dolorous_a sickness_n as_o s._n paul_n have_v a_o prick_n in_o his_o flesh_n that_o he_o may_v not_o be_v puff_v up_o in_o his_o mind_n so_o god_n sometime_o wound_v his_o servant_n body_n as_o know_v that_o otherwise_o they_o will_v have_v wound_v their_o conscience_n 2._o in_o respect_n of_o their_o grace_n that_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o may_v be_v try_v the_o act_n of_o they_o renew_v and_o the_o strength_n of_o they_o increase_v god_n have_v many_o way_n to_o try_v man_n among_o which_o sickness_n especial_o if_o dangerous_a be_v a_o sorâ—tryall_n and_o therefore_o when_o the_o devil_n loc._n by_o god_n leave_n have_v try_v job_n in_o the_o loss_n of_o his_o cattle_n servant_n and_o child_n he_o obtain_v licence_n to_o inflict_v sore_n upon_o his_o body_n make_v this_o his_o last_o as_o account_v it_o his_o fierce_a onset_n indeed_o then_o be_v the_o trial_n of_o a_o man_n faith_n when_o god_n seem_v as_o if_o he_o will_v slay_v he_o of_o his_o hope_n when_o all_o thing_n be_v desperate_a of_o his_o love_n when_o god_n frown_v upon_o nay_o beat_v he_o of_o his_o patience_n when_o the_o pain_n be_v sharp_a of_o his_o courage_n when_o the_o sorrow_n of_o death_n compass_v he_o of_o his_o perseverance_n when_o he_o hold_v fast_o his_o integrity_n to_o the_o death_n to_o close_v up_o this_o let_v it_o be_v a_o lesson_n of_o comfort_n of_o charity_n and_o of_o diligence_n 1._o of_o comfort_n when_o any_o sickness_n seize_v on_o thou_o remember_v who_o lot_n it_o have_v be_v as_o well_o as_o thou_o and_o be_v not_o discourage_v when_o christ_n will_v encourage_v his_o disciple_n against_o suffering_n he_o use_v this_o argument_n for_o so_o persecute_v they_o the_o prophet_n which_o be_v before_o you_o mat._n 5.11_o it_o be_v that_o meditation_n which_o may_v revive_v we_o when_o we_o be_v in_o pain_n and_o misery_n so_o it_o fare_v with_o other_o of_o god_n faithful_a one_o before_o i_o that_o argument_n of_o eliah_n indeed_o be_v somewhat_o passionate_a 1_o king_n â—9_n 4_o it_o be_v enough_o now_o o_o lord_n take_v away_o my_o life_n for_o i_o be_o not_o better_o than_o my_o father_n but_o it_o be_v a_o pious_a reason_n for_o every_o christian_n to_o say_v i_o be_o content_a lord_n if_o thou_o take_v away_o my_o health_n exercise_v i_o with_o disease_n i_o be_o not_o better_o than_o job_n david_n hezekiah_n epaphroditus_n and_o other_o of_o thy_o faithful_a servant_n and_o minister_n who_o be_o i_o that_o i_o shall_v think_v much_o to_o pledge_v those_o holy_a man_n of_o god_n though_o in_o a_o bitter_a cup_n 2._o of_o charity_n and_o that_o both_o to_o thy_o self_n and_o other_o 1._o condemn_v not_o thy_o self_n as_o if_o god_n hate_v thou_o because_o he_o correct_v thou_o or_o as_o if_o he_o be_v more_o angry_a with_o thou_o than_o other_o because_o he_o chastise_v thou_o more_o severe_o than_o they_o indeed_o it_o be_v good_a in_o a_o time_n of_o sickness_n to_o reflect_v upon_o thy_o self_n med._n examine_v thy_o way_n and_o if_o conscience_n accuse_v of_o some_o great_a misdemeanour_n to_o humble_v thyself_o and_o acknowledge_v thy_o disease_n the_o just_a reward_n of_o thy_o offence_n but_o otherwise_o do_v not_o conclude_v thy_o own_o guilt_n or_o god_n hatred_n mere_o from_o the_o premise_n of_o sickness_n though_o virulent_a 2._o censure_v not_o other_o as_o if_o they_o be_v therefore_o the_o worst_a of_o sinner_n because_o in_o their_o body_n the_o great_a sufferer_n this_o be_v indeed_o that_o hard_a measure_n which_o god_n people_n and_o minister_n often_o meet_v with_o when_o the_o barbarian_n see_v a_o viper_n upon_o paul_n hand_n 91.10_o they_o present_o condemn_v he_o as_o a_o murderer_n and_o david_n complain_v of_o his_o enemy_n that_o when_o he_o be_v sick_a they_o speak_v mischievous_a thing_n against_o he_o nay_o job_n friend_n though_o good_a man_n be_v deceive_v with_o this_o fallacy_n and_o accuse_v job_n of_o
hypocrisy_n because_o of_o his_o calamity_n and_o thus_o it_o be_v still_o if_o a_o zealous_a christian_n or_o faithful_a minister_n be_v visit_v with_o a_o doleful_a sickness_n his_o religion_n must_v be_v no_o better_o than_o dissimulation_n and_o his_o doctrine_n heresy_n but_o sure_o it_o be_v either_o ignorance_n or_o malice_n or_o both_o that_o fill_v man_n mouth_n with_o such_o censure_n it_o be_v true_a there_o never_o be_v sickness_n without_o sin_n but_o the_o sickness_n be_v not_o always_o proportion_v to_o the_o sin_n these_o thing_n come_v alike_o to_o all_o be_v the_o wise_a man_n observation_n nor_o do_v any_o sickness_n befall_v any_o man_n which_o may_v not_o befall_v the_o best_a man_n i_o know_v some_o assert_v a_o saint_n to_o be_v plague-free_a ground_v it_o upon_o the_o promise_n in_o the_o psalm_n that_o no_o plague_n shall_v come_v nigh_o his_o dwell_n but_o you_o must_v know_v this_o be_v only_o a_o temporal_a promise_n and_o therefore_o as_o indeed_o all_o such_o have_v a_o double_a condition_n annex_v unto_o it_o the_o one_o ex_fw-la parte_fw-la personae_fw-la on_o the_o saint_n part_n which_o be_v to_o make_v the_o lord_n even_o the_o most_o high_a his_o habitation_n 9_o if_o then_o good_a man_n in_o pestilential_a time_n through_o a_o distrustful_a fear_n make_v the_o creature_n their_o refuge_n no_o marvel_n if_o the_o plague_n infect_v they_o and_o their_o dwelling_n the_o other_o ex_fw-la parte_fw-la rei_fw-la in_o regard_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o which_o be_v only_o assure_v so_o far_o as_o it_o may_v make_v for_o god_n glory_n and_o his_o people_n benefit_n we_o read_v in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o the_o ten_o verse_n there_o shall_v no_o evil_n befall_v he_o whereby_o be_v intimate_v that_o the_o plague_n shall_v not_o then_o come_v nigh_o to_o when_o it_o be_v evil_a for_o a_o good_a man_n but_o if_o at_o any_o time_n god_n see_v it_o good_a either_o for_o the_o manifestation_n of_o his_o own_o glory_n to_o wit_v of_o his_o justice_n in_o so_o severe_o punish_v his_o own_o of_o his_o power_n and_o mercy_n in_o deliver_v from_o so_o deadly_a a_o disease_n or_o for_o the_o spiritual_a advantage_n of_o his_o people_n in_o humble_v they_o for_o some_o scandalous_a sin_n by_o so_o smart_a a_o chastisement_n in_o exercise_v the_o strength_n of_o their_o patience_n by_o so_o sore_a a_o trial_n not_o the_o holy_a person_n be_v in_o such_o case_n exempt_v from_o the_o plague_n nor_o be_v it_o improbable_o conceive_v that_o job_n botch_n hezekiah_n boil_n david_n sore_n be_v not_o much_o different_a from_o if_o not_o altogether_o the_o same_o with_o the_o plague_n who_o yet_o all_o of_o they_o be_v choice_n and_o eminent_a saint_n oh_o then_o let_v we_o take_v heed_n how_o we_o lie_v the_o load_n of_o heavy_a censure_n upon_o the_o back_n of_o god_n minister_n and_o servant_n 3._o of_o diligence_n that_o 1._o we_o who_o be_v minister_n improve_v the_o time_n of_o our_o health_n in_o feed_v the_o flock_n of_o christ_n since_o when_o sickness_n come_v we_o shall_v be_v disenable_v from_o our_o employment_n nay_o perhaps_o we_o that_o have_v teach_v other_o may_v then_o have_v need_n to_o learn_v ourselves_o you_o who_o be_v the_o people_n get_v all_o the_o good_a you_o can_v from_o we_o while_o we_o be_v in_o a_o capacity_n of_o do_v good_a to_o you_o ere_o long_o the_o candle_n of_o our_o life_n may_v burn_v dim_a by_o reason_n of_o some_o sickness_n yea_o be_v blow_v out_o by_o death_n and_o then_o we_o can_v no_o long_o give_v light_n unto_o you_o oh_o therefore_o walk_v in_o the_o light_n while_o you_o have_v it_o be_v willing_a to_o learn_v while_o we_o be_v able_a to_o teach_v account_v our_o labour_n precious_a and_o let_v they_o be_v profitable_a to_o you_o while_o god_n make_v we_o able_a to_o bestow_v they_o among_o you_o which_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v when_o that_o befall_v we_o which_o do_v epaphroditus_n in_o the_o text_n to_o be_v sick_a nigh_o unto_o death_n and_o so_o i_o have_v give_v a_o dispatch_n to_o the_o first_o general_n namely_o the_o distress_n i_o now_o proceed_v to_o 2._o the_o deliverance_n part_n and_o therein_o the_o 1._o efficiency_n of_o the_o author_n god_n indeed_o both_o life_n and_o death_n health_n and_o sickness_n be_v in_o god_n hand_n that_o of_o the_o poet_n una_fw-la cademque_fw-la manus_fw-la vulnus_fw-la opemque_fw-la tulit_fw-la ovid_n may_v in_o this_o respect_n be_v fit_o make_v use_n of_o the_o same_o hand_n of_o divine_a providence_n be_v that_o which_o make_v and_o close_v the_o wound_n he_o kill_v and_o make_v alive_a he_o bring_v down_o to_o the_o grave_n and_o bring_v up_o so_o sing_v hannah_n i_o form_n light_n 2.6_o and_o create_v darkness_n i_o make_v peace_n and_o create_v evil_a i_o the_o lord_n do_v all_o these_o thing_n be_v god_n own_o say_n by_o the_o prophet_n 45.7_o thy_o head_n can_v ache_v without_o his_o leave_n nor_o leave_v ache_a without_o his_o help_n but_o though_o both_o be_v from_o he_o yet_o with_o some_o difference_n of_o sickness_n he_o be_v only_o the_o efficient_a sin_n be_v the_o meritorious_a cause_n of_o health_n he_o be_v so_o the_o efficient_a as_o that_o his_o mercy_n be_v the_o impulsive_a cause_n for_o which_o reason_n perhaps_o it_o be_v here_o say_a god_n have_v mercy_n that_o which_o move_v he_o be_v his_o pity_n and_o that_o which_o help_v we_o be_v his_o power_n 6._o true_a it_o be_v god_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n please_v to_o make_v use_n of_o mean_n in_o effect_v health_n but_o this_o arise_v from_o the_o greatness_n of_o his_o goodness_n not_o any_o defect_n in_o his_o almightiness_n as_o aquinas_n pithy_o that_o he_o need_v not_o mean_n appear_v in_o as_o much_o as_o he_o sometime_o work_v without_o any_o such_o be_v the_o cure_n christ_n wrought_v upon_o peter_n wife_n mother_n the_o centurion_n servant_n and_o the_o impotent_a cripple_n who_o his_o word_n only_o restore_v to_o health_n nay_o many_o time_n the_o mean_n he_o use_v be_v improbable_a yea_o of_o their_o own_o nature_n apt_a to_o produce_v a_o contrary_a effect_n what_o virtue_n can_v there_o be_v in_o the_o water_n of_o jordan_n to_o cleanse_v naaman_n leprosy_n or_o in_o the_o lump_n of_o fig_n to_o heal_v hezekiah_n sore_n yea_o the_o spital_n and_o clay_n which_o christ_n make_v use_v of_o be_v more_o likely_a to_o put_v out_o a_o see_v than_o recover_v a_o blind_a man_n eye_n he_o stand_v not_o in_o need_n of_o mean_n but_o the_o most_o probable_a mean_n stand_v in_o need_n of_o he_o it_o be_v to_o put_v honour_n on_o the_o creature_n that_o god_n vouchsafe_v to_o use_v it_o as_o a_o instrument_n and_o when_o the_o creature_n become_v a_o instrument_n of_o any_o good_a it_o be_v only_o as_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n work_v with_o and_o by_o it_o for_o tell_v i_o when_o any_o be_v recover_v who_o be_v it_o that_o put_v the_o medicinal_a quality_n into_o the_o drug_n which_o heal_v they_o but_o the_o god_n of_o nature_n who_o give_v that_o wit_n and_o skill_n to_o man_n which_o find_v out_o their_o quality_n and_o according_o make_v use_v of_o they_o but_o the_o god_n of_o knowledge_n final_o who_o be_v it_o that_o command_v a_o blessing_n upon_o and_o give_v success_n to_o the_o mean_n but_o the_o god_n of_o power_n man_n live_v not_o by_o bread_n only_o nor_o be_v the_o patient_n cure_v by_o physic_n only_o 4.4_o or_o chief_o it_o be_v a_o word_n proceed_v from_o the_o mouth_n of_o god_n that_o make_v the_o one_o effectual_a for_o continuation_n and_o the_o other_o for_o restauration_n of_o health_n to_o apply_v this_o in_o a_o threefold_a admonition_n 1._o be_v thou_o wicked_a as_o thou_o desire_v health_n to_o be_v preserve_v or_o renew_v make_v thy_o peace_n with_o god_n by_o repentance_n it_o be_v the_o ground_n upon_o which_o the_o jewish_a convert_v mutual_o exhort_v each_o other_o to_o this_o duty_n 6.1_o come_v let_v we_o return_v unto_o the_o lord_n for_o he_o have_v tear_v and_o he_o will_v heal_v we_o he_o have_v 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