belying of God so to eye second causes as to forget the first Jer. 5.12 They have belyed the Lord and said It is not be Let not therefore loss of Friends be imputed to chance or secondary causes but to God the supream efficient For as Eliphaz saith Job 5.6 Affliction cometh not forth of the dust neither doth trouble spring out of the ground He looks too low that under loss of Earthly-Friends looks lower than the Hand of Heaven Use 2 2. Have good thoughts of God and his wayes under such losses Many at such a time have hard thoughts of God as though he dealt hardly with them and strange thoughts of his wayes as though it was in vain to serve him They have little mind to pray read hear the Word c. some refraining the Church as though they had cast off all care of Religion Satan who hath his devices to ruine souls and rob them of spiritual comfort is very busie at such a time to suggest that God intends their ruine endeavouring by this means to drive them to despair of God's mercies and withal he tells them It is in vain to serve God Hence it is that many are ready to say with that wicked King in a time of Famine 2 King 6.33 Behold this evil is of the Lord what should I wait for the Lord any longer and as they said Mal. 3.14 It is vain to serve God and what profit is it that we have kept his Ordinances and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of Hosts Even Job that eminent Servant of God lying under sad afflictions the saddest of which were the loss of his Children though you read Job 1.21 That in all this or hitherto Job sinned not nor charged God foolishly so the like you read Job 2.10 Yet afterwards when affliction did lodge with him and he began to be wet to the skin we find him uttering many unsavoury speeches In the third Chapter you find him cursing the day of his birth And Chap. 6. ver 8 9. he wisheth God would destroy him and cut him off And chapt 16.9 he said God hated him and chap. 30.21 he said God was become cruel to him So David lying under much affliction whilst the wicked prospered had much ado to keep his feet in the wayes of Godliness Psal 73.2 As for me said he my feet were almost gone my steps had well-nigh slipt and ver 13 14. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain and washed my hands in innocency for all the day long have I been plagued and chastened every morning But though God's Children through the prevalency of temptation have spoken unbeseeming things of God and his Ways yet upon second thoughts which are ever †Secundae cogitationes meliores better they have humbled themselves for such speeches So did Job Job 42.3 6 compared And the like did David Psa 73.22 he confesseth there that in speaking dishonourably of God and his wayes he had played the fool and acted the part of a Beast rather than a Christian and ver 28. he concludes That it was good for him to draw near to God It is good for us under greatest losses to draw near to God and to have good thoughts of him and his wayes for as Azariah said to Asa Judah and Benjamin 2 Chron. 15.2 The Lord is with you while you be with him And if ye seek him hee 'l be found of you but if you forsake him hee 'l forsake you So Ezra 9.22 The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him Heb. 10.38 God's Soul hath no pleasure in such as draw back they that draw back do it to their perdition v. 39. O then part not with your Religion when you part with your Friends neither have hard thoughts of God Look upon him with Scripture-Spectacles which represent him to be as indeed he is a most wise just holy faithful and merciful God Even in his terrible Acts there is abundance of his Goodness and Righteousness appears Psal 145.6 7. His end and design is as you heard in the former Treatise to purge out sin to implant holiness in thee and so to fit thee for future happiness Therefore let God be exalted in his Judgments Isa 5.16 Sing a part in that Heavenly Hymn Rev. 15.3 4. Great and marvelous are thy Works Lord God Almighty just and true are thy wayes thou King of Saints Who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorifie thy Name for thou only art holy Use 3 3. Labour to find out the particular sin that hath provoked God to deprive thee of such a Friend or Relation and having found it confess it be deeply humbled for it pray for pardon thereof and be careful for the future to avoid it This Use I shall divide into three parts which I shall speak unto distinctly 1. Labour to find out the particular sin that hath provok'd God to deprive thee of such a Friend or Relation Nos coelestis ira ignem accendimus et excitamus incendia quibus ardeamus Salvian lib. 8. de Gub. Dei p. 288. as Salvian speaks We kindle the sparks of God's wrath that burn up all our comforts Isa 50.11 We are the cause of our own calamities Nos calamitatum nostrarum authores sumus Ibid. And he adds a little after A Deo punimur sed ipsi facimus ut puniamur Cum autem punire nos ipsi facimus cui dubium est quin ipsi nos nostris criminibus puniamus Salv. Ibid pag 288 229. quia quicunque dat causam quâ puniatur ipse se punit Our sins procure our sorrows That Cloud of Calamity that hangs black over our heads and is rained down in Judgment upon us was first raised by the ascending vapours of our sins Jer. 2.19 Thine own wickedness shall correct thee and thy backslidings shall reprove thee know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God We find in a great tempest the Heathens said every one to his fellow Come and let us cast lots that we may know for whose cause this evil is come upon us Jona 1.7 They concluded it was sin that caused that fearful tempest so as a worthy * Dr. Abbot on Jonah 1.5 6. p. 77. Divine saith if any cross befal us let us straightway with fear and trembling examine our selves and enter into our consciences and sift them in sincerity as in the sight of God what sin it is that plucks this cross upon us God's People have enquired of the Lord by Prayer and deep Humiliation when disasters have befaln them as you may read Judg. 20.26 so 2 Sam. 21.1 so Jer. 16.10 Lam. 3.40 Job looked upon his sins as the procuring cause of all his miseries Job 13.23 How many are mine iniquities and my sins make me to know my transgression and my sin And before
who or what can create trouble Job 34.29 Indeed it is a sad case when we are without our Friends and God too But if we have made our peace with God whatever storms come we know where to cast Anchor and put in for Harbour See Psal 46.1 2 3. God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble Therefore will we not fear though the Earth be removed and though the Mountains be carried into the midst of the Sea Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled though the Mountains shake with the swelling thereof Selah We find 1 Sam. 30. beginning of that chapter David was greatly distressed Ziglag was burnt his two Wives amongst others taken captives and the People looking upon David as the chief cause of all their loss and misery spoke of stoning him But David v. 6. encouraged himself in the Lord his God God being his God he chears up And no wonder for all that is in God is for that man's good that hath an interest in him and if this will not satisfie I know not what can Wherefore as it is Job 22.21 Acquaint now thy self with him and be at peace thereby much good shall come unto thee 5. Direct Acquaint thy self with the Word of God The two Testaments are two breasts of Christian Consolation The Word of God is more precious than Gold sweeter than Honey Psal 19.10 119.72 It quickens and comforts the soul as you may read Psal 119.25 50 54 81 82 92 111 verses so Rom. 15.4 the Apostle mentions the comfort of the Scriptures Especially hoord up or have in readiness Scripture-promises which are as so many clusters of sweet Grapes growing on the Vine CHRIST John 15.1 2 Cor. 1.20 and Faith presseth out of them the Wine of Consolation What the Jews write falsly of their Manna that it had omne delectamentum and was suiting to every mans palate we may most truly say of the Promises of the Word that they are very sweet and suitable to Christians in every condition that such as are heirs of them may have a strong consolation Heb. 6.16 17 18. As bladders they keep Christians from sinking when cast on the waters of affliction The Cloud of Calamity can never be so great and spreading so black and dismal but they whom the Spirit of God perswades of an interest in the Promises may see some Sunshine through it Well then read plentifully the Word of God Let it dwell richly amongst you Col. 3.16 especially have recourse to Scripture-promises such as I have before-mentioned pag. 89 90. and from thence as the Bee gathers Honey from several flowers so you may distill the sweet Spirits and Quintessence of Christian-Consolation 6. Direct Be much in the exercise of Faith A Ship resteth quiet when Anchor is cast notwithstanding the winds and waves that beat against it So a Christian being anchor'd on God by Faith is at rest amidst the manifold afflictions he meets with Abraham Job David and such like Scripture-Worthies that lived much in the exercise of Faith could undergo patiently great tryals Peter sunk not before his Faith began to sink Mat. 14.31 One that is rooted and built up in Christ and established in the faith as that expression is Col. 2.7 such a one I say is not easily overturned and unsetled but is like that House built upon a Rock and the rain descended and the flouds came and the winds blew and beat upon that House and it fell not for it was founded upon a Rock Mat. 7.24 25. True Faith puts to flight vain fears and needless troubles Joh. 14.1 Let not your heart be troubled ye believe in God believe also in me It is not a little that can disquiet a strong Christian that lives in the exercise of Faith 7. Direct Study the Art of Self-denyal That man that hath learnt to deny himself is likeliest to bear his cross according to that of our Saviour Mat. 16.24 If any man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross Take heed of self-reasonings of conferring with flesh and blood that cannot away with trouble Gal. 1.16 Take heed of self-will get your will melted into the very will of God Crosses can be no crosses to that man that submits his will to the will of God 8th and last Direction Pray to God to give you Patience A very worthy * Dr. Abbot on Jonah 4.2 Lect 25. p. 522. Divine whom I have often quoted upon occasion saith If there be any thing which may appease sorrow and ease the grieved heart oppressed with the feeling of temporal occurrents or wounded with the want of spiritual consolations it is to have recourse to the Throne of Grace and there with watred eyes and cheeks bedewed with tears to lay open those grievances which breed sorrow unto us And again he saith The burthen of affliction is best supported with this firm underlyer of Prayer See what Christ saith John 16.24 Ask and ye shall receive that your joy may be full And the Apostle prescribeth instant continuance in prayer as a means to make us patient in tribulation Rom. 12.12 So Phil. 4.6 7. Be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God And the Peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus God is stiled the God of all Comfort 2 Cor. 1.3 The God of all Grace 1 Pet. 5.10 from whom comes every good and perfect gift Jam. 1.17 and in particular he is called the God of Patience Rom. 15.5 Therefore go to him whose grace is sufficient for you and whose strength is made perfect in weakness 2 Cor. 12.9 pray him to put under his everlasting Arms Deut. 33.27 and plead that promise in prayer Isa 41.10 Fear thou not for I am with thee be not dismayed for I am thy God I will strengthen thee yea I will help thee yea I will uphold thee with the right-hand of my Righteousness God there promiseth to strengthen to help to uphold not with either hand but with the right-hand which is the stronger hand of the two Manum fortior est dextra If God put under his helping-hand you may bear any burden he layeth upon you Multorum manibus grande levatur onus St. Paul tells us Phil. 4.11 I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content How came he to learn this hard lesson Why Christ was his Teacher and Assistant Ver. 13. I can do all things saith he through Christ which strengthneth me O then pray for patience and get others too to pray for thee The more company the more cry and the likelier to prevail Mat. 18.20 Joyning of hands in prayer makes us stand the surer St. Paul prayes for the Colossians that they might be strengthened with all might according to his glorious Power unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness Col. 1.9 11 compared
God's dearest Children Jacob was sick Gen. 48.1 So was Hezekiah 2 King 20.1 So Job was smitten with a sore Boyl from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot Job 2.7 8. He was so loathsome a Creature none would come near him he was fain to be his own Chyrurgeon and his dressing Instrument was a piece of a broken Pot see likewise Job 7.3 4 5 13 14 15 16. So David was sick nigh unto death read Psal 6. Psal 38. So under the New Testament we read Dorcas that Woman full of good Works and Alms-deeds which she did fell sick Acts 9.36 37. So Paul himself saith We had that Sentence of Death in our selves c. 2 Cor. 1.9 He means the great danger he was in by reason of his Adversaries or by reason of sickness or both Thus he was in deaths oft i. e. in deadly dangers 2 Cor. 11.23 So before this you read of some in the Church of Corinth that were chastned of the Lord by some violent sickness that they might not be condemned with the World 1 Cor. 11.30 32. Timothy had but bad health which made the Apostle to give him this advice To drink no longer Water but to use a little Wine for his Stomachs sake and his often infirmities 1 Tim. 5.23 So we read of Trophimus the Ephesian Paul's Disciple and Companion in travels Acts 20.4 21.29 left of Paul at * This Miletum or rather Miletus Act. 20.17 was a City famous for Wool and Cloathing Nec Miletus erat vellere digna tuo Martial Miletum sick 2 Tim. 4.20 But we need not light up a Candle at noon-day and seek for that which is neither hid nor lost This truth is confirmed or Proposition verified by daily experience I therefore pass on to the Reasons of the Point which may be taken from three heads 1. From their natural constitution The Godly though they be the Sons of God by the grace of Adoption yet they are the Sons of Adam by natural production And as the Wood breeds a Worm that eats it the Garment a Moth that frets it and Fruit that which doth corrupt it so natural bodies produce Diseases to destroy them The bodies of the best are earthly houses 2 Cor. 5.1 which moulder away of themselves The Apostle calls the body even of the best men a vile body because Tot miseriis obnoxium subject amongst other miseries to sickness and distempers Calv in Phil. 3.21 If the humours of the body be but a little stirred they turn to the nutriment of a Disease Our very blood as Dr. Taylor saith wherein our life dwells is the scene under which nature acts many sharp Feavers and heavy Sicknesses Many men saith another * Mr. Byfield on 1 Pet. 2.24 p. 883. Divine that for the present are free from the pains of Diseases yet have their enemies in their bodies in divers parts of them laid as it were in Garison which may and will break out upon them at a time they know not 2. From inherent corruption The best besides original corruption have many actual provocations 1 King 8.46 Psal 19.12 Psal 143.2 Prov. 20.9 Eccles 7.20 1 John 1.8 If we say we have no sin we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us If the best of us saith he hath no sin he sins in saying so De vero cultu lib. 6. c. 13. for this is sin in the best Nemo esse sine delicto potest quamdiù indumento carnis oneratus est Lactant. Now sin is the procuring cause of sickness Had not sin entred into the World there had been no sickness Had our first Parents continued in a state of holiness they had continued in a state of health and happiness everlasting but their eating the forbidden fruit brought Diseases upon them and their posterity It is sin that brings all mankind even the best to the Grave Rom. 5.12 And no wonder if it cast them upon a sick-bed Sin is the Pandora's Box that filleth the World with innumerable diseases and calamities Like another Jonah it raiseth storms and aestuations in the Body as he did in the Sea Jonah 1.4 7. compared What saith David Psal 31.10 My life is spent with grief and my years with sighing My strength faileth because of mine iniquity and my bones are consumed It was sin that weakned him and brought as it were his body into a consumption So Psal 38.3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger Agnoscit morbi istius causam esse iram Dei propter selera sua in se accensam Muscul in loc neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin So vers 5. My Wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness So Psal 39.11 God with rebukes doth correct man for iniquity Diseases are properly the Rod of the Lord and the Rod for the fools back seems to have been a Proverb amongst the Jews Prov. 10.13 26.3 Hence the Psalmist allusively tells us Psal 107.17 Fools because of their transgressions and because of their iniquities are afflicted The best of men are no wiser than they should be nay they too oft play the fool as David did 2 Sam. 24.10 and no wonder if God chastise them with sickness 3. And lastly From Divine Ordination 1 Thes 3.3 The Devil cannot smite us with sores or sickness without God's Commission or at least without his Permission as you may see in the case of Job Job 2.6 Whatever may be the instrumental or material cause of any affliction yet God himself is the supream efficient Job 5.6 as Eliphaz said Affliction cometh not forth of the dust neither doth trouble spring out of the ground By this proverbial Speech he would have us look higher than to secondary causes even to God himself as the Author for so he is Isa 45.7 so Amos 3.6 Shall there be evil in a City and the Lord hath not done it It is not to be understood of the malum culpae sed poenae evil of sin but of affliction and punishment God then sends sickness to his Children or he is pleased to exercise them with sickness and such like afflictions for good ends I 'le name two especially 1. For the purging out or preventing of sin Psal 119.67 71. so Isa 1.25 Isa 27.9 so Heb. 12.10 11. God sends sickness as he sent an Angel with a drawn Sword in his hand to Balaam Numb 22.32 to divert us from sinful courses God takes away corporal to recover spiritual health he weakens thee in body to weaken the body of sin in thee If he cast thee into a Feaver or burning Ague it is to refine thee and make thee a Vessel unto Honour sanctified and meet for the Masters use and prepared unto every good work as expressions be 2 Tim. 2.21 I have somewhere read how Basil the Great that holy Man being much troubled with the Head-ach prayed to God to remove it and was at length
Prov. 16.28 Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall Aspiring Absalom soon expired so did ambitious Adonijah Proud Haman had a sudden downfal like the Toad in the Fable he swell'd till he burst Herod when he took that glory to himself which was due to God he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 eaten up of Worms Acts 12.23 8. Take heed of blood-shed and murder See Psalm 55.23 Bloody and deceitful men i. e. say some deceitful murderers that lie in wait privily for blood see Prov. 1.10 to 20. that can speak fair and seek your ruine these shall not live out half their dayes they shall be suddenly cut off and come to some fearful end But whether blood-suckers do it by secret conspiracy or by open violence God hath threatned them with death So Psal 140.11 Evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him So Gen. 9.6 Whoso sheddeth mans blood by man shall his blood be shed The Sword of Justice is especially committed to the hand of Magistrates to cut off such offenders Rom. 13.4 To this Head I may refer your Duellists who for trifles challenge the field If you be assaulted you may justly defend your self but to agree upon a bargain of blood-shed to use Bishop Hall's Bp. Hall in Decad. 2. case 2. expression is wicked and damnable And though both should come fairly off yet the very intention to kill is murder saith that worthy Bishop To end this Prov. 28.17 A man that doth violence to the blood of any man shall flee to the Pit let no man stay him or endeavour his rescue 9. Take heed of decit and fraud See that forementioned place Prov. 55.23 I think we may safely make them two distinct Offenders and deceitful men as well as the blood-thirsty shall not long prosper The same Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that signifies life signifies likewise livelyhood 1 John 3.17 and it is a grievous sin to cheat another out of his livelyhood as well as to take away anothers life 1 Thess 4.6 That no man go beyond and defraud his Brother in any matter because the Lord is the avenger of all such as we also have forewarned you and testified But the worst piece of theft or fraud is that Pia fraus to take away or alienate that which is given to pious uses as to the relief of Ministers or poor People Mal. 3.8 9. Prov. 20.25 It is a snare i. e. destruction to the man who devoureth that which is holy i. e. Takes that to his own use which was appointed to God's Achans sin in stealing the Babylonish Garment and the two hundred Shekels of Silver and the Wedg of Gold Josh 7.21 was sacriledge as well as theft for God had reserved the spoyls of Jericho for his own Treasury Josh 6.18 19. and you see it cost him his life Josh 7.25 You read Acts 5. beginning Ananias there sells a Possession which he had devouted to the Churches use and kept back a part of the price and in this as Chrysostome Chrysost in Acts. Hom. 12. saith he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 taken stealing his own Goods and for this struck dead Now if he that takes away from the Church but a little of that which was once his own be so severely punished how severely will divine Justice pursue those who by fraud and violence take away the possessions wherewith other men have endowed the Church So Sapphira his Wife agreeing with him in this ungodly act was struck dead immediately after her Husband as you read vers 10. These two by their lying and fraudulent dealing are said to tempt the Spirit of the Lord vers 9. You fraudulent Trades-men that say your Commodities cost you so much and you cannot afford them under such a rate and you have your Wives at your elbows ready to back you in what you say what do you by thus lying and sinning against your Consciences but even presumptuously tempt the Spirit of the Lord to try whether he will be just or no Remember Ananias and Sapphira having lyed to God and dealt fraudulently sunk down being stark dead Deal fairly then above-board as we say lest God strike you dead beside the Counter 10. Take heed of covetousness or worldly-mindedness Great and earnest care for the things of this life is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies heart-dividing and heart-distracting care Matth. 6.25 Phil. 4.6 excessive care for the things of this life spends a mans spirits Cura facit canos quamvis homo non habet annos See 1 Tim. 6.9 10. The wise Man tells us He that hateth covetousness shall prolong his dayes Prov. 28.16 but covetousness may provoke God to shorten them Gehezi by his covetousness provoked God to plague him with the Leprosie 2 King 5.27 Take heed then as Christ saith lest at any time your hearts be overcharged as with surfetting and drunkenness so with the cares of this life Luk. 21.34 Deluculò surgere saluberrimum est 11. Take heed of Idleness Labour in an honest Calling provided it be moderate Ad ruborem non ad sudorem is most healthful Prov. 10.16 The labour of the Righteous tends to life Moderate exercise preserves health but a sedentary idle life subjects a man to diseases Prov. 21.25 The desire of the sloathful kills him for his hands refuse to labour Otium est vivi hominis sepultura Sen. That which the slothful man desires which is his ease and rest layes his soul open to temptations and his body to diseases as standing Waters most putrifie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost Of idleness comes no goodness therefore take heed of it 12. Take heed of unworthy receiving the Sacrament See 1 Cor. 11.29 For this cause viz. for want of due preparation when they came to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper God sent a fearful sickness amongst them whereof some were then weak others sick and many fallen asleep that is taken away by temporal death This Sacrament which to the worthy communicant is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a wholesome potion of immortality to the wicked impenitent wretch through an ill disposition in him turns to the bane and ruine except speedy repentance step in both of soul and body I gave you notice this morning that your Minister purposeth the next Lord's Day through God's assistance to administer the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper be exhorted to fit and prepare your selves See Exhortation at the Celebration of the Communion else by receiaing the same unworthily you become guilty of the Body and Blood of Christ your Saviour You eat and drink your own damnation not considering the Lords Body You kindle Gods wrath against you you provoke him to plague you with divers Diseases and sundry kinds of death 13. Take heed of rejoycing at the calamity of others Prov. 17.5 He that mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker and he that is glad at calamities shall not go unpunished So Prov. 24.17 18.
knowing Nihil est omnis Medicorum ars opera cura diligentia nisi Deus virtute suâ det sanandi efficaciam that the Prescriptions and diligence of best Physicians are of no worth and efficacy without God David thus praying unto God was healed by him Psal 30.2 3. O Lord my God I cryed unto thee and thou hast healed me So Psal 116.3 4 6 8. compared So Hezekiah by prayer unto God had his deadly sickness removed and life prolonged Isa 38.2 Hezekiah having received a message of death turned his face towards the Wall and prayed to the Lord. But why towards the Wall either because by this means he withdrew himself from company his eyes from such objects as might distract and disturb his devotions or as others say Because there was but one single Wall between the Bed of the Kings of Judea and the Altar of God See Caussin's Holy Court p. 1 Juxta parietum Templi Salomon extruxit palatium and they used to pray with their faces towards the Temple 1 King 8.35 48. Dan. 6.10 Psal 5.6 Hezekiah thus turning himself toward the Wall over against the Temple and praying fervently to God was healed as you may see vers 5. Prayer is that which God directs his People unto in sickness and such like straits Psal 50.15 Call upon me in time of trouble and I will deliver thee Job 33.26 He shall pray unto God and he will be favourable unto him So Jam. 5.13 Is any man afflicted let him pray Quest But if God send sickness and for good ends unto his Children is it not a sin in them to pray God to remove it and to heal their bodily Distempers Answ No All flesh naturally desires health and preservation of life And Grace in God's Children doth not abolish but rectifie Nature Deus hoc carni naturaliter dedit ut sanitatem Musculus in Ps 6.2 ubi plura i. e. conservationem sui cupidè petat Piis hanc naturam fides non adimit sed dirigit So then God allows us to pray to him for health so we do it with submission to the good Will of God as Christ prayed three times to his Father in his agony Mat. 26.39 O my Father if it be possible let this Cup pass from me nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt and with a resolution to serve him better if he spare us Pray then that God would be pleased to have mercy upon you in your sickness and to ease you of your pains and restore you to health and bless the means you use in order thereunto if it be his blessed will And as you ought to pray your selves so you should get others Ministers and good People to pray for you see James 5.14 15 16. God hears the prayers of his People and oft-times for their sakes lengtheneth the life and outward prosperity of the wicked God spared Zoar at the request of Lot Gen. 19.20 21 22. Those that sayled with St. Paul in the Ship had their lives spared for his sake see Acts 27.24 for saith the Angel of God to Paul Lo God hath given thee all them that sayl with thee Orig. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 will give thee as a favour no less then two hundred threescore and fifteen Souls vers 37. were saved in extremity of danger for Paul's sake and at his request Get then others especially the Godly who are God's Favourites to pray for thee No doubt but Paul was a constant Sollicitor at the Throne of Grace in the behalf of Epaphroditus who lay sick nigh unto death and God had mercy on him 2. Relie confidently upon God Though we make use of the Physitians Directions yet we must not trust in them but in God for means and second causes work by his continual influences and receive their ends from his eternal order As the Psalmist saith Psal 127.1 Except the Lord build the house they labour in vain that build it So except the Lord cooperate means and second causes which receive their being and efficacy from God are vain and ineffectual Faith was required in all those under the Gospel whom Christ cured Mat. 9.2 Luk. 8 48. As we must not neglect means so neither must we trust in them nor relie upon them which if we do it is the ready way to render them useless see Jer. 17.5 6 7 8. He that puts his trust in the Lord saith the wise Man Prov. 28.25 shall be made fat q. d. shall be lusty and well Relie then upon God's mercy for deliverance He that highly esteems of God is high in Gods esteem 3. Be merciful your selves to others in misery if you would find mercy from God when you are in misery Psal 41.1 2 3. Blessed is the man that considereth the poor the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble the Lord will preserve him and keep him alive The Lord will strengthen him on the bed of languishing thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness Prov. 11.25 See likewise Isa 58.6 7 8. After he had spoken of works of charity he adds Then shall thy light break forth as the morning and thine health shall spring forth speedily So Mat. 5.7 Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy Epaphroditus went a long and perillous voyage to minister to the Apostles wants Phil. 2.25 30. and when he was sick nigh unto death God had mercy on him 4. Lastly Be deeply humbled for your sins This humiliation consists in confessing your sins with grief of heart and putting away the sins you have lamented and if we do thus we shall find mercy in sickness David in sickness confessed and lamented his sins with a sorrowful heart as you may read Psal 32.4 5. 38.3 4 5 18. so Psal 41.4 Heal my Soul saith David under sickness for I have sinned against thee What a plea is this Heal my Soul for I have sinned against thee Doth God delight in mens sins Is he thereby allured to do them good One would think as Musculus Muscul in Psal 41.4 saith Magis faceret ad impedimentum quà m ad causam impetrandae sanitatis this should be rather an hindrance then furtherance to his cure But the truth is God who loves not sin yet loves to see sinners confess and bewail their sins and if we do so and withall forsake them we shall find mercy in sickness as David did for Prov. 28.13 He that covereth his sin shall not prosper but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy If sickness be epidemical Exod. 23.25 Deut. 7.12 15. a general humiliation is a means to remove it Levit. 26.40 41 42. so 2 Chron. 3.14 God sends sickness for sin if sin be removed he 'l remove his stroak but he will not take off the Playster so careful he is till the Wound be throughly cured and corruption purged out Sins are as so many Scotches in the way that hinder the Charriot Wheels of a Deliverance from moving