anatomy of his and the best mans frailty in their afflictions reason 1 Thus God doth manifest his own strength by our weaknesse and his vnchangeable condition by our variable disposition who the best of vs are notable of our selues to stand vpright in the day of our trials without his helping hand power and speciall prouidence vnder-prop vs. reason 2 This is Gods priuiledge and soueraignty who onely hath this name and nature I am to shew his being of himselfe and vnchangeable essence and to let vs know that all his Creatures haue not onely their being but their standing and vpholding by him that onely is and so constantly abideth without fainting or failing euermore Againe by this meanes God doth beat downe our pride reason 3 that so blindeth vs in our owne conceipts to thinke so highly of our strength and estate God therefore will proue vs by afflictions that we may know our selues our faith our strength and chiefest of our man-hoode that so finding out our weaknesse wee may onely and wholly relye vpon his strength and might reason 4 Which lesson may teach vs the excellent vse and profit of afflictions sent vnto vs as instructions to learne vs to know our selues in our best strength and state to beat down our pride and to teach vs true humility to trust onely in the Lord and to distrust our selues and all other meanes whatsoeuer they be without him Also it maketh much for our consolation in our greatest vse 2 distresse when all outward meanes and helpes shall faile and forsake vs that yet we raise and rouze vp our selues through the affiance wee haue in GOD and the strength of his might knowing the supply of his grace to be sufficient for vs at all assayes who still manifesteth himselfe to be the strongest in our greatest weaknesse and that when there is no other hand or helpe to relieue vs yet he himselfe with his own right arme is able to saue vs and to prouide such meanes as shall bee sufficient to comfort vs in our greatest assaults Thus much of Dauids confession Now followeth his resolution I will neuer forget thy precepts since they kept me from perishing in my afflictions and ministred such ioy and comfort vnto mee not onely refreshed but reuiued and quickened me being as good at dead in my owne apprehension For this cause I resolue neuer to forget so comfortable and powerfull meanes of my recouery From whence we may learne That it is the dutie of euery Christian still to remember doctrine 5 the meanes of their comfort and deliuerance from their former troubles and afflictions so to manifest their loue and care for the vse and respect of Gods ordinances not onely for the time past but also for the dayes to come As he that hath beene cured of an olde disease and healed of a wound will hardly forget the receipt and plastour Dauid hauing formerly found that the comfort of Gods word had kept him from perishing had quickened and reuiued him being as good as dead in his owne iudgement and sense resolueth neuer againe to forget Gods precepts So he telleth vs how he was disquieted and found no rest how his very bones consumed how he roared all the day vntill he confessed his sinne which was the cause thereof Then I acknowledged my sinne neither hid I my iniquity for I thought I will confesse against my selfe my wickednesse vnto the Lord and thou forgauest the punishment of my sinne Therefore shall euery one that is godly in like case make his prayer vnto thee in a time when thou mayest bee found for then is God neerest vnto his children when their troubles are the greatest surely in the flouds of great waters they shall not come neere him So going into the field against Goliah he remembreth how God deliuered him from the Lyon and the Beare and so still resolueth to hope for helpe and deliuerance at gods hand and he prayeth to God to haue mercy vpon him and to harken vnto his prayer who heretofore had heard him in his distresse and set him at liberty reason 1 Now the reason why we must remember the meanes of our deliuerance together with our forme distressed estate is because we are subiect againe to fall therein and may still haue need of the old receipt as those that fall againe into the same disease as they haue their relapses so they must haue the same remedies He that is well may and will be sick againe he that is healed may be wounded againe or at least haue his sore to ranckle and breake out againe therfore the prouident patients record their receipts and resolue to vse them as occasion serueth reason 2 Secondly no new prescription can proue so safe and sure as those that are experienced such for the most part are voyde of danger and infallible And as he is worthily accounted the best Physition that recouereth most patients and he the skilfullest Surgeon that healeth most dangerous wounds So that phisicke that potion that plaister by which sicke and sore men haue been cured healed and restored is most worthy to be registred and recorded Such receipts I say are most pretious that haue been proued and will not likely faile reason 3 Thirdly that we should remember these comfortable meanes and remedies to ease vs in our trials and to keepe vs from despaire they are written registred to our hands in Gods booke as also to confirme our knowledge practise and obedience in and for the holy vse thereof they are commended vnto vs by Gods word they are vrged and applyed for that purpose in the holy ministery thereof So is the patience of holy Iob by Saint Iames You haue heard saith he of his patience and what end the Lord made And whatsoeuer things are written aforetime are written for our learning that wee through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might haue hope And as the same infirmities sicknes and maladies both of body and soule doe still remaine to mortall men So the same wholesome receipts meanes and medicines with the same Physitians hand and manner of recouery are still commended in Gods word to all the faithfull for their vse Which serueth for the instruction of euery Christian to vse 1 be a studious obseruer of Gods word and diligently to search out the most comfortable and commodious vse of the Scriptures both for their knowledge and obedience to cast the eyes of their minde and vnderstanding vpon the best examples of Gods Saints and Children that there are propounded for their vertues and infirmities both to helpe and heale them in the like condition So when we fret and chase as Dauid did at the prosperity of the wicked wee must learne with him to see our folly and goe to Gods Sanctuary and obserue the end of such like sinners and so bee comforted and confirmed from falling away from God or following their wicked
the Bee doth fall among the weedes which seeme section 7 sweet flowers and lights on this and sits on that and tasting all is pleased with none but flyes away so here the faithfull soule findes no delight in these flowers of sinfull flesh and worldly weedes but like Noahs naked doue returnes againe whence she was sent and soares to heauen No more then shall Gods Children paine themselues in heaping together these exhalations of the earth for the heauens shall be ours and this masse of earth which euer draweth vs to the earth shall be buryed in the earth No more then shall wee weary our selues with mounting from degree to degree and from honour to honour for wee shall highly be raised aboue all heights of the world and from on high laugh at the folly of all those wee admired who fight here foolishly for lesse then a poynt or an apple like little children No more then shall we haue such combats in our selues for our flesh shall be dead and our spirit in full life our passions buryed and our Reason freed in perfection Our soule deliuered out of this foule and filthy prison shall againe draw her owne breath recognize her ancient dwelling and againe remember her former glory section 8 This flesh which wee feele this body which we touch is not properly man Man is from heauen heauen is his Countrey and his Ayre That hee is in his body is but by way of exile and confinement Man indeede is soule and spirit man is rather of celestiall and diuine qualitie wherein is nothing grosse or materiall This body such as it is is but the barke and shell of the soule which must needes be broken if wee will be hatched for a heauenly life if wee will truely liue and see the light Wee looke but through false spectacles wee haue eyes but ouer-growne with pearles wee thinke wee see but it is in a dreame wherein wee see nothing but deceit All that wee haue and all that we know is but abuse and villany Death onely can restore vs both life and light And yet so blockish are wee that wee thinke shee comes to rob vs of them Though our soule now for a while be bound to our bodies as Isaack was tyed to the Altar yet so soone as the bonds are loosed it mounteth vp to heauen a place of ioy and blisse Death depriues the soule of no good but freeing it from the burden of the flesh makes it fitter for goodnesse It is the very graue of sinne to the faithfull and the instrument and meanes to raise them vp to the life of righteousnesse through it the sinfull bodies are resolued to dust that so defiled the soule and so the soule once separated aspireth to the heauenly Spheares section 9 The nature of the earth saith one is cold and drye so are our earthly affections to deuotion and pietie The earth stands still without motion and hath the circumference carryed round about it so Gods benefits compasse earthly men and yet they are nothing moued The earth doth often extinguish hot and fiery exhalations which otherwise would ascend so doe earthly affections many holy and heauenly motions of remembring our latter end But the qualitie of the earth which wee should imitate for our good is to be fruitfull after tilling because that the ground which bringeth forth bryars and thornes is subiect to a curse The dearest children of God here in the flesh are as section 10 poysoned vessels washed by the holy Ghost wherein notwithstanding there rests some taste and tallage of the former corruptions But the reprobate and wicked are as barrels full of poyson infused of the Diuell wherein the spirit of God neuer shewed his power Sinne in the regenerate hath a deadly wound and is like the Sun faintly appearing through a thicke cloud but in the wicked it hath a full and violent course Yet if wee haue receiued but the earnest-penny of Gods Spirit in this life wee shall be sure to receiue our full wages and pay in the life to come Neyther neede wee be dismaid that we limpe with Iacob and be imperfect in this life for if wee had no infirmities wee should be as proud as the Diuell whereas now they serue to humble vs and make vs thankfull vnto God so mercifully restrayning them and so fatherly passing by them and so they serue to multiply our grones vnto God the sooner to be freed from this body and bondage of sinne God doth here buffet his children with their imperfections as he did Paul lest they should grow insolent Now the Lord will trust vs no more with perfection since Adam lost it in Paradise but will exercise vs with our weaknesses lest wee should step into our old mothers conceipt to thinke our selues Gods And thus the Lord cureth our grosse sinnes by our infirmities euen as the best Triacle is made of poyson and the skinne of a Viper is the best cure against the sting of a Viper And though our infirmities be simply euill yet qualified and tempered with God our Physitians hand they are turned to our good If God be on our side who can be against vs Nay rather section 11 saith Chrisostome who is not against vs But howsoeuer they are against vs they shall not long trouble vs for God is a recorder of our patience and Death the finisher of our paine And though the heauy burden of our sinfull flesh doe load vs yet lightsomnesse it is to a Christian to thinke that the way is not long The traueller thinking of his Inne but especially of his home which is the end of his trauell goeth more chearfully on to the end of his iourney The bond-man calling to minde the yeares of Iubilee endureth with more patience the yeares of his bondage Great are our troubles and trauels in this life but saluation will one day make amends for all when wee shall once be landed on the shoare of perfect securitie and be deliuered from all toylesome labours c. Happy yea thrice happy and blessed shall the faithfull be being departed from a shadow of life to true life it selfe from darknesse to light from trouble to rest from sinfull men to the most holy God when the battell of their warfare shall be ended and they quite freed from al the throes of Sinne and Death section 12 One faith well that the word of God is swift and it requireth a speedy follower if speede in following much more in attayning if speede in the body which is a burden of sinne much more when the soule hath put it off if vnder the crosse wee groane and yet goe forward with how much more speede shall wee haste to the Crowne when all teares shall be wiped from our eyes And if it be true of a glorified body as Augustine speaketh that the body is straight where the minde will how much rather shall a sanctified soule disburdened of the body
to desire to haue a thing whereof we doubt for being demanded whither they be sure to be saued they answer they can haue no assurance for then how could they hope Thus they make hope a doubtfull desire of a thing they wish instead of a present feeling of the thing they long for But we are then indeede the children of God if we hold the reioycing of our hope stedfast and sure vnto the end section 4 Neither must Christians be discouraged though their hoped-for glory come not so soone as it is looked for for God giueth them the plastour of patience which shall suffice and support their hope for he is sure that hath promised but not to be prescribed a time by vs but he must take his own time our patience must preuent al distrust Faith is the foundation of our hope for what can we hope for except we beleeue it as the ground of faith is the word promise for why should we beleeue but in respect of Gods promise Faith telleth vs we beate not the ayre hope biddeth vs hold on our race finish the course fight the combat and then expect the crowne of glory yea Faith is fastened by hope that it doe not wander and is continued by hope that it doe not hasten but wait the time it is confirmed by hope that we may hold on the Faith Example we haue in the Cananitish woman who suffered three denials of Christ each of them doubled with seuerall reproaches yet her faith was relieued by her hope and she had her desire So Iacob wrestled with God by Faith and in an assured hope told him flatly to his face that he would not let him goe vntill he had blessed him Faith will not flye or yeeld a foot to her spirituall foes and hope will neuer be foyled It is the sure and certaine anchor of safety to keepe both ship and sailes from dangerous shipwracke The saile that maketh the Ship of our life to ride merily section 5 amidst the loftie surges of the Sea of this troublesome world is our apparant and stedfast profession of faith in Christ taking hold of the middle-mast of his promises and nestling it selfe in them as Doues in the holes of rocks hoysting vp rhe harts of the godly aboue al earthly things giuing them a safe thorow-fare and free passage through all the stormes and tempests of this wretched life The Apostle bringeth forth a cloud of examples of such who by the sailes of faith haue passed the pikes of this dangerous nauigation and haue happily arriued at the heauenly hauen of rest A faithfull heart is furnished like a Ship of warre with shot and powder and other strong munition which will surely make all hellish Pyrots and fleshly force either to pull in their heads or betake them to their heeles The Diuell and diuellish men can neuer sinke our Ship with all their subtilties so long as wee cast our faith and hope vpon Christ Iesus the corner-stone but if it dash vpon the rockes of sinne it is in danger Ionahs sin had welnigh sunke the Ship A Ship may more safely carry any Passenger then a fugitiue which is a vagrant and runaway from God so saith Epiphanius So long therefore as the rocke of sinne is in our way we can make no way towards heauen wherefore let vs cast away our sinnes into the Sea as Ionah was for with this sacrifice the Sea of Gods wrath was appeased section 6 Wee can haue no certaine knowledge of heauenly things but by faith for such is their nature that they can no otherwise be knowne for some of them are passed and some to come some in heauen some in hell Againe God whom our faith principally apprehendeth dwelleth in that light that none can attaine wee must therefore beleeue the Sonne speaking of his Father search to whom the Sonne hath reueiled him since wee cannot see him with our eyes God onely is to be beleeued touching himselfe who onely knoweth himselfe and he well beleeueth God who beleeueth his teachers in whom God speaketh Neither is it strange why wee should beleeue God alone concerning himselfe since we must credit a mortall man touching his owne secrets whose spirit next God knoweth best what is in him Humane vnderstanding in diuine things is as the sight of an Owle against the Sunne Such things are knowne by faith in Gods word Since God is the highest it is not possible to reach him by the ladder of our reason no more then a Dwarfe can reach so high as a huge and tall Gyant Now we cannot see Gods face but he is couered vnder something as with a vaile yea sometime in such things as are contrary to his nature As for vs to behold his mercy in his anger In bringing vs to hell Faith seeth him bringing vs to heauen in darkenesse it beholdeth his brightnesse in hyding his face it beholdeth his chearefull countenance section 7 And did not Iob see God as they say vnder Sathans cloake for who cast fire from heauen vpon his goods who ouerthrew his house and slew his children who stirred vp strangers to driue away his cattell but Sathan himselfe and yet Iob peirced with the sight of his faith through all these instruments and actions confessing plainely that as the Lord had giuen them so the Lord had taken them away and so praised his name And how often did holy Dauid amidst the shadowes of Death see life it selfe For Faith is of things absent of things hoped for of things desired and can wee desire any thing wee know not and is there of heauenly things any other true knowledge then by faith grounded vpon the word of God Let vs send then our faith in beleeuing and our hope in expecting as Iosuah sent messengers before to view that heauenly countrie that God hath promised to giue vs and these messengers will bring vs word that the eye hath not seene nor the eare heard nor heart of man conceiued the excellencie thereof which should moue all faithfull men to giue this world willing farewell He that is eternall hath promised these things and he is section 8 eternall through whom he hath promised them and the things that be promised are eternall bringing eternall felicitie to the beleeuers and euerlasting destruction to the infidels Againe the gifts and graces of God are not without delay no delay in the creation no delay in the redemption no delay in the comming of the holy Ghost for suddenly it fell and shall we surmise a delay after the desolution of our bodies by death when we haue fought a good fight finished our course and kept the faith No no Christ Iesus standeth ready with a crowne in his hand ouer the heads of all his Saints to put it on when they haue put off this flesh Our saluation in Christ is alwayes fresh and new If once I be within the
be like him that would not die after him Thinke of this and iudge whither all the world can hire vs not to die But alas great is our vnbeliefe full faint and weake is our faith or else night and day teares and cryes should section 22 be our meate and drinke whilst the wicked say vnto vs where is now your God we should wish rather to be doore-keepers in the house of God then to dwell in these vngodly tents For one day in his courts is better then a thousand It is a token of little loue to God to be so loath to goe vnto him when he calleth Herein we ought to lament the weakenesse of our faith and seeing our wants to prepare for remedie against the time of neede and to beg of God his aide strength and comfort against the pinch which things vndoubtedly if we aske in faith we shall obtaine and finde his promise true God reacheth out his hand to conduct vs but wee draw backe our owne and runne away when hee calleth vs. If hee bring vs into the way of saluation wee mourne for the world we looke behinde vs with Lots wife and procrastinate our desire of well doing We must therefore rouze vp our selues and not remaine stâ—ll in the mire wee must be fortified in his vertue who supporteth and comforteth vs in all distresse Let vs attempt to despise corruptible things and to desire heauenly and eternall When God calleth at euery section 23 occasion let vs harken vnto him if he be our guide we must follow him for to arriue in his house Let vs receiue his benefit and himselfe too for hee giues himselfe vnto vs in the person of his Sonne Hee causeth vs to see the meanes how to come vnto him Wee must therefore request him to bestow vpon vs will and desire to come thither by Faith Repentance Hope c. and that hee would maintaine his gifts and graces in vs to the end that here wee may mourne in this mortall life and attend in the assurance of his mercy for the end of this world and our last day which shall be the beginning of our true life Beseeching God our heauenly Father for his Son Christ his sake to keepe vs soules and bodies to his kingdome and glory and to lead vs order vs and dispose of vs as hee will in all things in all places and for euer that at the length we may come whither we would that is into his owne blessed presence and fruition of immortality with Christ and his Saints world without end Amen Trin vni Deo soli sit sola solida laus maiestas in aeternum FINIS A TWO-FOLD CORD OF CONSOLATION for afflicted Christians in their greatest CONFLICTS Seruing to strengthen their Faith and to support their Patience in the day of TRIALL Deliuered in two SERMONS The first whereof contayneth The effect of the true knowledge of Gods WORD The second contayneth The power of faithfull and feruent PRAYER BY IOHN MOORE Minister of Gods word at Shearsby in LEICESTER-SHIRE LONDON Printed by T. S. for GEORGE EDVVARDS and are to be sould at the signe of the Greyhound in Paules Church-yard 1617. TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL AND VERTVOVS LADY THE LADY ELIZABETH TVRPIN Wife to the Right Worshipfull and worthy Knight Sr. WILLIAM TVRPIN his approued kinde Patrone c. the increase of all outward blessings and spirituall comforts be multiplyed and increased through IESVS CHRIST Worthy MADAME HAuing experience of your christian loue I am imboldened vpon so vrgent occasion and strictnesse of time sooner to present to your view these my poore Meditations purposed more maturely to be published if the vnexpected speedinesse of the Presse had not preuented me Howsoeuer my hearts desire is and I trust shall so continue to glorifie God in my calling and to profit his Church by any lawfull and hopefull meanes to the vttermost period of my dayes These infallible comforts of Gods word and faithfull prayer so approued and experienced to euery true Christian heart I commend vnto your good Ladiship whose vse by Gods blessing may sted you with others hauing your portion no doubt and lot of Tryals in this prouoking world a very furnace of afflictions to all Gods children I can promise little being the meanest of Gods Ministers Yet will I pray as my purpose was that it may proue profitable to your selfe and such as shall reade it for the increase of true patience comfort Christian courage that we all may fight the good fight of faith and finish our course with ioy and so be crowned I write vnto you as no stranger to my Ministery who often haue heard vpon occasion the handling of these poynts in the publike place Now onely I intreat your fauourable acceptance and patronage hereof as the meanest requitall of your manifolde kindnesses And so commending your Ladiship to Gods blessing and protection I humbly take my leaue From my poore studie in Shearsby Feb. 8. 1616. Your Ladiships wholly deuoted and obliged in Christ Iesus IOHN MOORE The principall poynts of doctrine contayned in both the SERMONS The Doctrines of the first SERMON PSAL. 199.92.93 GOd alwaies prouideth meanes to keepe his children from distresse in their greatest tryalls and afflictions Doct. 1 The excellent vse and profit of Gods word being able through his blessing to keepe vs vpright in our wayes and from falling away from God in our greatest tryals and temptations 2 Gods word cannot simply profit vs and keepe vs from perishing in our afflictions except we take ioy and comfort in the same 3 The best men and excellentest creatures are not able of themselues to stand and continue vpright in their tryals and temptations without Gods speciall prouidence and prouision in the meanes 4 It is the dutie of euery Christian to remember the meanes of their comfort and deliuerance from their former troubles and afflictions and to be carefull to vse the same againe as occasion serueth 5 It is peculiar and proper to Gods word alone to cheare the heart in afflictions and to quicken and reuiue the soule in the greatest extremities 6 The Doctrines of the second Sermon LAMENT 3.55.56.57.58 TRue and faithfull prayer is a most soueraigne meanes and remedie for comfort and deliuerance in and from our greatest distresses Doct. 1 True and faithfull prayer must bee made and directed to God alone 2 True and effectuall prayer is and must be grounded vpon the assured knowledge of Gods name and power 3 There is no outward condition of life so miserable or affliction so grieuous which the dearest children of God are not subiect vnto in this world 4 This is one fruit and effect of sinne that it stoppeth the passage of our prayers and hindreth Gods blessings from vs. 5 Afflictions not onely stirre vp men to prayer but also make their prayers more feruent and effectuall 6 Gods children neuer pray in vaine but are heard and helped of God in their greatest afflictions 7
holy assemblies I was glad when they said vnto me we will goe to the house of the Lord So was it prophecied of the Christian Church that many people should goe and say Come let vs goe vp to the mountaine of the Lord to the house of the God of Iacob and he will teach vs his wayes and we will walke in his pathes Who are these that flie like a clowd and as Doues to their windowes Noting not onely the greatnesse of the number but diligence and zeale of such as should come to Christ and receiue his doctrine And Christ said That from the time of Iohn Baptist hitherto the Kingdome of Heauen suffereth violence and the violent take it by force Thus the zeale of Gods house should eate vs vp Which serueth also to confute and reproue all such as vse 2 are backward and carelesse in this necessary dutie being idle and vaine in their excuses or reasons to hinder their zeale and loue to the world any feare the least danger and worldly businesse doth put them off there is a Lyon in the way they shall be had in derision or called into question for their forwardnesse or at least be censured for hypocrites Some haue their Oxen to prooue their Farme to see their Wife to marry all these yet are inuited to come to the Feast though vnworthy of the same therefore God will fill his house with any others then with such euen those that sit in the high way and vnder hedges the most basest and vilest of men shall enter before them and be saued euen whores and Harlots shall sooner be receaued then those that seeme children of thy kingdome God will raise vp to Abraham sonnes of stones rather then these viperous serpents shall haue the name of his seed Againe many Atheists say It is in vaine to serue vse 3 God and what profit is it that wee haue kept his commaundements and that wee haue walked humbly before the Lord of hostes Therefore they count the proud blessed euen they that worke wickednesse are set vp and they that tempt God yea they are deliuered But the Lord hearkened and heard it and a booke of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and thought vpon his name They sayd also vnto God Depart from vs for we desire not the knowledge of thy wayes Who is the Almighty that wee should serue him And what profit should we haue if we should pray vnto him But let the counsell of the wicked be farre from me saith Iob who esteemed of the words of his mouth more then his appoynted foode And as for those and such like Atheists God will diuide their liues in his wrath They shall be as stubble before the winde and as the chaffe that the storme carryeth away So euery one derided Ieremie and daily scorned his ministery The word of the Lord was made a reproach daily they mocked him All his familiers watched for his halting saying It may be he is deceiued but his persecutors shall be ouerthrowne and not preuaile and their euerlasting shame shall neuer be forgotten So they talked of Ezekiell in derision by the wals in the dores of their houses Come I pray you heare what is the word that commeth from the Lord So they come and sit before him and heard his words but they will not doe them for with their mouths they make ieasts and thou art vnto them a ieasting song But then shall they know that I am the Lord when I haue layd the Land desolate and waste because of all their abhominations that they haue committed And when this commeth to passe for loe it will come then shall they know that a Prophet hath beene among them But Pearles are not to bee cast among Swine And such Gaderens are more worthy and meete to haue the company of diuels then the presence of Christ and preaching of his word I had perished in my afflictions except they law had beene doctrine 4 my delight We may learne also from hence that the best men and excellentest Creatures are not able of themselues to stand and continue vpright in their tryals and temptations without GODS speciall prouidence and prouision in the meanes Dauid a man after Gods owne heart possessed with his spirit and hauing a large portion of his grace was yet ready to perish in his afflictions had he not beene supported Nay Adam himselfe in his innocency created most excellently according to Gods owne image had no sooner entred into Eden that Garden of pleasures and Paradise of happinesse but sodainely forfeited his estate by Sathans temptations Who can but admire the fearefull fall of Salomon wanting neither wisedome nor wealth nor any meanes else as one would haue thought that God or the world could affoord him yet see whither he was falling euen to the gates and gulfe of hell from whence he had neuer returned had not the hand and powerfull arme of God retyred and reclaimed him by an extraordinary conuersion and repentance But come wee from Men to Angels when GOD had once left them to themselues though their condition with other Creatures was incomparable could not yet keepe their standing and estate but fell from Heauen to Hell and so of heauenly Angels became infernall Diuels But to come to the tryall of afflictions which is more proper to this place how soone are the best men crushed and broken with the burden thereof and who is able to beare off the blowes of Gods displeasure Iob was valiant in his sufferings and very patient for a time Yet marke how wonderfully he is distempered in his passions and taketh on Cursing the day and night of his conception and birth with the Mid-wife and Messengers yea all the Instruments helpes and meanes of his comming into the world Why dyed I not in the birth Why perished I not when I came out of the wombe Why did the knees preuent mee And why did I sucke the brests Why was I not hid as an vntimely birth either as infants that haue not seene the light For my sighing commeth before I eate and my roarings are powred out like water The arrowes of the Almightie are in me the venim whereof doth drinke vp my spirit and the terrours of god fight against me What power haue I that I should endure Is my strength the strength of stones or is my flesh of brasse Am I a sea or a Whale-fish that thou keepest mee in ward Remember I pray thee that thou hast made mee as the clay and wilt thou bring mee to dust againe Who can expresse Dauids distractions and fearefull convulsions as it were both in body and soule able to haue diuided both of them from God had not his grace preuented him and his powerfull spirit preserued him Euery where in the Psalmes we may see the
abhomination to the Lord and his very soule abhorreth them vse 3 Lastly it maketh for the consolation of all such that with faith and knowledge call vpon his name as relying thereon euen such as haue the testimony of a good conscience howsoeuer they shall be censured as Hannah was of Ely yet powring out their soules and calling vpon Gods name in the confidence of his power they shall be relieued though their faith be weake yet if true and assuredly grounded vpon Gods name and power they shall be heard euen out of the dungeon of extremities Out of the dungeon he called vpon Gods name Which also may teach vs doctrine 4 That there is no outward condition of life so miserable or affliction so grieuous which the dearest Children of God are not subiect vnto in this world Ieremie was in the myrie dungeon where he stucke fast and his life was shut vp casting a stone vpon him Daniell in the Lyons denne The three Children in the fiery furnace Israel a bondslaue in Egypt So was Ioseph imprisoned slaundered and disgraced Paul Peter and the faithfull stocked fettered imprisoned and many other murthered and massacred as we may see a whole Catalogue of them mustered by the Apostle all of them so excellent that the world was not worthy of their companie Ioyne to these Abraham for his vncertaine dwelling Dauid for his manifolde enemies Iob for inward and outward miseries of all sorts All these with the rest whose pilgrimage is ended and many that now liue and still remaine to the worlds end must goe the same high way to Heauen drinke of the same whip and bitter cup. All kinde of crosses and calamities attend vpon them in the world vntill they be at rest with God in Heauen The reason hereof is that since the same corruption of reason 1 nature and guilt of sinne spreadeth ouer all alike without exception needs it must follow that all be iustly inwrapped in the outward punishment and mulct thereof since all kinde of miseries follow sinne with death it selfe as the shadow doth the body Sinne is the worke and these are the wages And God in iustice must needes shew his anger against sinne in this life euen vpon his owne seruants Here they must be iudged that hereafter they be not damned with the world Secondly God vseth them as scourges purges and reason 2 wholesome medicines to heale recouer and reforme our sinnefull sicke and disordered nature Here wee must be weined with the wormewood of calamities from the brests of the world which we alwayes would be lugging that so we may be brought in loue with heauen and heauenly things The vse is first for our instruction to make vs wise in the vse 1 vse and end of the manifolde miseries that betide Gods dearest children to moderate our affections and to suspend our iudgements for our selues and brethren when wee or they are so strangely and diuersly handled Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest O Lord and teachest him in thy law these tryals must hasten vs to Gods Sanctuary to stay our violent passions and bring vs our resolutions in such doubtfull cases Secondly it reprooueth all such as iudge according vse 2 to the outward estate of any of GODS seruants what fauour and credite they are in with the Lord. Since an outward condition is here to all men alike All things come alike to all and the same condition is to the iust and to the wicked to the good and to the pure and to the polluted as is the good so is the sinner he that sweareth as he that feareth an oath For although it be most certaine that God hath a speciall care for the saluation of the faithfull yet such is the course of things falling out vnto men in this life that it cannot be iudged by the outward shew and appearance whom God loueth or whom he hateth Such a certaine infinite and endlesse confusion is cast before the eye of man and therefore Gods children must not promise themselues any immunity from troubles or worldly successe but rather to looke alwaies for the contrary and labour still to subdue their inordinate passions in thinking their case to be singular censuring God to bee too rigorous and so calling his iustice into question which is neere vnto blasphemy Stop not thy eare from my sigh and from my cry As if he should say we pray and thou hearest not nay thou art angry with our prayers and stoppest thy eares speaking after the manner of men and shewing by effects that it was as good for sinners not at all to pray to God as to pray in vaine doctrine 5 Let vs note from hence The fruit and effect of sinne it stops the passage of our prayers and keepes Gods blessings from vs it maketh GOD as it were deafe and dumbe and blinde that he will neither heare helpe nor respect vs. The Lords hand is not shortened that hee cannot saue neither is his eare heauie that it cannot heare but your iniquities haue seperated betweene you and your God and your sinnes haue hid his face from you that hee will not heare Sinne makes God as a stranger that hee will not tarrie among his owne people and though hee bee most strong yet it so astonieth him that hee cannot helpe reason 1 them Such is his hatred to sinne that hee will not heare nor helpe hee disclaymeth their seruice and cannot abide their prayers Their persons are odious and how shall their actions be acceptable His Will and Word is against them remaining sinnefull hee will not owne them for his but excludes and excommunicates them from his presence and Church GOD heareth not sinners Such as bee wicked cannot stand in his sight Will you steale murther and commit adultery and sweare falsly and come and stand before mee in this house wherevpon my name is called Is this house become a denne of theeues This must make vs carefull to holde vp pure hands when wee pray vnto God praying him first to purifie our hearts by faith which may manifest it selfe by vnfeined repentance That so when wee draw neere vnto God in our seruice and worship and would haue him draw neere to vs in the acceptance thereof wee may both clense our hands and purge our owne hearts from all kinde of sinne and hypocrisie Wash you make you cleane cease to doe euill learne to doe well Come now let vs reason together If iniquity bee in thy hand put it farre away and let no wickednesse dwell in thy Tabernacle Then truely shalt thou lift vp thy face without spot thou shalt bee stable and shalt not feare and thou shalt bee bolde because there is hope Being in the dungeon He not onely called but sighed and cryed vnto God Afflictions not onely stirre vp men to prayer but make doctrine 6 them also more seruent and
effectuall Ieremie perplexed in the dungeon called sighed and cryed vnto God Hearken O Lord vnto me saith Dauid and answere I mourne in my prayer and make a noyse It maketh men to cry as a woman in trauell Demaund now and behold if Man trauell with childe Wherefore doe I behold euery man with his hands on his loynes as a Woman in her trauell and all faces are turned into palenesse It forceth very infidels to humble themselues as Pharaoh Ahab c. See the variety of Gods punishments before he can make his people yeeld yet in the end their vncircumcised hearts shall be humbled and they shall pray for their sinne reason 1 Afflictions and troubles doe breake and tame the stoutnesse and pride of mans heart and nature maketh them to melt and relent who may know by woefull experience that God will not cease from punishing till they leaue their sinning God still addeth seauen plagues to seauen increasing the number and the greatnesse till his children be turned vnto him and be throughly humbled So in Amos he sends his iudgements successiuely because they returned not vnto him So he saith he will returne to his place and not be found vntill they seeke him and amend and God affirmeth that he will enter into iudgement with Ierusalem because she saith I haue not sinned reason 2 Secondly being blinded in our affections they make vs to see and know our selues before I was troubled I went wrong In my prosperity I said I shall neuer be moued Ephraim in presperitie was as an vntamed and wanton Calfe not wonted to the yoake but by chasticements afterwards repenting and being conuerted and instructed I smote my selfe saith Ephraim vpon my thigh I was ashamed and confounded because I did beare the reproach of my youth reason 3 Thirdly by afflictions wee may see the anger and vengeance of God against sinne flaming as an vnquenchable fire and burning to the bottome of hell and in them we proue our owne weakenesse not able to vndergoe or endure them Take away thy plague from me for I am consumed by the stroak of thy hand Therefore Dauid prayeth God not to rebuke him in his anger nor to chastise him in his wrath vse 1 The vse whereof is that wee heare the rod and who hath appointed it That we take notice of Gods iudgements in acknowledging the authour and the end thereof that we humble our selues and meete our God that wee pray for patience and strength to vndergoe trialls and seeing our weakenes to run to God for aide Againe it maketh much for our comfort that afflictions vse 2 are so good and profitable as the effects thereof declare When they are sanctified vnto vs they heale our sinfull nature as a good salue that is laide to the sore they recouer the sicknesse of our soules as good physicke cures the disease Thus they proue as wholsome medicines and fatherly chasticements to amend and reforme Gods elect They are meanes to make vs to know our selues and the corruption of our nature that needeth such violent remedies Wee are readie with Adam to hide our sinnes As malefactors on a racke and vnhappy Schollers in a Schoole are forced to acknowledge their faultes so God by affliction wresteth out a confession of sinne and resolution of amendment in his Children Thus God doth scowre and clense away the drosse and drowsinesse of our nature and so rowseth and raiseth vp our dead hearts to earnest and faithfull prayers that it turnes them to cryings sighings and groanings that cannot be expressed Calling vpon Gods name he heard his voyce doctrine 7 Gods children neuer pray in vaine but are heard and helped of God in their greatest afflictions I called vpon thy name O Lord out of the low dungeon thou hast heard my voyce I called vnto the Lord in my trouble and he heard me See the proofes and reasons hereof with the vses in doctrine the first c. Thou hast heard my voyce That is heretofore thou doctrine 8 hast regarded mee when I prayed therefore heare mee still The experience of Gods loue in our former deliuerances out of dangers ought still to encourage vs to resort vnto him when the like or greater troubles shall assaile vs. Thou hast set me at liberty when I was in distresse haue mercy vpon mee and hearken vnto my prayer That God had deliuered Dauid from the Lyon and the Beare was the speciall motiue and incouragement vnto him to incounter with Goliah and his best assurance to conquere and ouercome him So the church cheareth her selfe in her great ruins and afflictions hoping to be redeemed againe from the captiuity of Babilon O arme of the Lord rise vp as in old time in the generations of the world Art not thou the same that hast cut Rahab and wounded the Dragon Art not thou the same which hast dryed the Sea even the waters of the great deepe making the depth of the Sea a way for the redeemed to passe ouer Thus they speake of their deliuerance from Egipt which is called Rahab putting some part of the Land for the whole and the people therein contained meaning also by the Dragon that tyrant Pharaoh dwelling in the middest of the floudes as Ezekiell speaketh hyding himselfe in the Riuer Nylus and as Paul calleth Nero a Lyon so here is Pharaoh termed a Dragon to expresse the qualitie of Tyrants Thus with the remembrance of that eminent deliuerance out of Egipt they comfort their hearts and cherish their hopes to bee freed from the present captiuity for what shall hinder God from bringing them out of Babylon more then it did the freeing of their forefathers from the slauery of Egipt God is still the same without change or alteration his nature and condition is euer to bee gratious and ready to forgiue he is faithfull and will not deceiue his people his power and will are neuer weakened his truth and promise shall abide for euer Hath he said and shall not he doe it or hath hee done it and cannot hee doe the same againe Feare it not for GOD is constant and vnchangeable in his nature doctrine 7 Which doctrine serueth for the instruction of all Gods children in the variety and continuance of their tryals and afflictions being voyde of present comfort they must remember the times past and thinke of former deliuerances as the ancient Church of GOD hath vsed to doe who still called to minde what they had heard with their eares what their Fathers had tolde them of GODS workes in their dayes in the olde time how GOD had driuen out the heathen and planted them in how hee had destroyed the Nations and caused them to grow and so hee concludeth that they will praise God continually and confesse his name for euer This also reproueth the peruersenes of our nature and vse 2
6.5.6 Iudg. 19.9 Iob 20.11 Phil. 1.23 Col. 3.2 2 Cor. 5.7 Iohn 17.9 Iob 1.21 Math. 10.37 Psal 89.48 Heb. 12.22.23 Heb. 13.13.14 2 Cor. 5.1 Heb. 12.16 Iob 21. 12.13 1 Sam. 16.23 Gen. 18.11 21.2 1 Ioh. 2.16 2 Cor. 44. Eph. 2.2 6.12 Num 20.17.18 Deut. 8.15 32.10 Exo. 14.15.16 Mat. 6.11 1 Tim. 6.9.10 Diogines in Plut. Apoth Ber. in Cant. ser 39. Chrysost in Mat. Salust August Exod. 16.3 Gen. 31.27 Gen. 19.26 Exod. 1.11.14 d. 6 Phil. 3.8 Luk. 16.15 Ose 1.12 Leuit. 25.15 Pindarus Ierom. Euripides Dan. 2.33.34 Luke 16.8 Ier. 8.8 Mat. 6.7 August Mat. 14 29. Iob 1.21 Gen. 3.19 Iob 17.14 Gen 28.20.21 Gen. 33.11 Mat. 4. Luke 4.6 Exod. 32.14 Mat. 6.21 Prou. 27.34 Iob 2.4 Socrates Chrisost Seneca Aug. in ser quodam Aug. in Soliloq Rom. 8.28 Aug. de ciuit lib. 15. Luk. 14.10 Col. 3.9 Phil. 3.8 2 Cor. 5.1 Gen. 49.29 Aug. Rom. 6.23 Luk. 22.44 Bernard Esa 38.3 c. Luk. 22.44 Numb 23.10 Iosu 23.14 Iob 21.13 Exod. 9.12.22 Rom. 8.32 Psal 116.15 1 Sam. 4. â—â— 1 Sam. 31.2 1 King 13.24 2 Chro. 35.23 Aug. de discip Christiana Eccles 9.12 1 Sam. 28.8.9 2 Kin. 1.2 c. Gen. 4.13 Mat. 27.5 Gen. 9.5 Aug. de ciuit des lib. 1. cap. 24. Cant. 3.4 2.9 Aug. in Psal 49 5. Aug. tract 52. in Iohannem Ioh. 21.18.19 Seneca Epist 26. Luke 22.44 Esa 38.10 c. Psal 88.4.5 c. Psal 147.3 Acts 7.56 Reuel 22.20 Luke 22.42 Mat. 4 4. Iob 1.15.16.17.18 Ierom. ad Iulian. Iob 13.15 Ioh. 19.39.40 Col. 3.3.4 Phil. 3.24 Ph. Mor. de vita morte Seneca Epist 24. Seneca Epist 71. Epistola 57. Iob 5.23 Rom. 8. Gen. 28.17 Acts 4.24 Eccles 12.1 Esay 38.1 Gen. 25.56 27. 29. Luk. 12.17 Luk. 17.26.27 Luk. 13 4. 2 Pet. 3.10 Apoc. 3.3 Phil. 3.8 Mat. 6.20 1 Tim. 1.5 1 Ioh. 3.8 2 Cor. 12.9 Exod. 19.9 1 Cor. 1.30 1 Ioh. 3.20 Acts 15.9 Esay 57.20.21 Anselm in med Isidor 1 Thes 2.10 2 Tim. 4.7 Rom. 5.2 Acts 24.16 Heb. 12.14 Reu. 20.6 Col. 1.13 Luke 2. 1 Pet. 4.7 Prou. 27.1 Hierom. Luke 15.25 Luke 23.43 Chrisost Bernard August Bern. in Cant. Marke 9 2â— Esay 40.31 Rom. 5.3 Cant. 8.5 Heb. 10.34 Psal 73.25 1 Cor. 15.14 Verse 32.33 Iob 19.23.24.25.26.27 Esay 26.19 Dan. 12.2 Iohn 5.28 1 Cor. 15.52 Reuel 20.12 Tit. 1.2 1 Cor. 15.16 Col. 1.18 1 Cor. 12.27 Iohn 14.19 1 Cor. 6.19 Rom. 8.11 2 Tim. 1.12 Iohn 14.1.3 2 Tim. 1.12 Iohn 16.27 Gen. 18.25 Eccles 9.2 Luke 21.18 Psal 8.6 89.47 Reuel 20.13 Mat. 13.32 Ioh. 11.25 Eccles 8.8 Ioh 5 2â— Luk. 3.8 1 Cor. 15.43.44 46. Gen. 8.11 Numb 17.8 Ion. 1.10 Psal 90.3 Iob 19.25 Ezech. 37.4.5.6 c. 1 Cor. 15 45. Dan. 12.2 Ionah 1.17 Iudg. 16.7 Mat. 27.60.65.66 Eph. 4.8 Col. 2.15 1 Cor. 15 20. Col. 1.18 Rom. 8.16.17 1 Ioh. 3.9 2 Pet. 1.4 1 Cor. 15.36.42.43.44 Psal 126.6 Heb. 11.8.9.10 2 Cor. 5.2 Iosu 23.14 Iob 30.23 Esay 40.6 Gen. 18.27 Psal 42.11 Saunders Acts and Monuments Psal 144.34 39.5 Esa 40.6.7 Iam. 4.14 Greg. Nazian Basil in Psal 45 Greg. in Iob c. 28 Exod. 12.8 Ambrose Bernard Ionah 5.6 Eccles 7.2 Cyprian de mort 2 Kings 2.11 Gen. 31.11.12 Gen. 45.27.28 August Psal 90.3 Rom. 7.24 Phil. 1.23 Apoc. 21.3 c. Dan. 12.3 Mat. 13.43 1 Ioh. 3.2 1 Cor. 13.12 Apoc. 14.3 Aug. de Ciuit. dei lib. 22. ca. 30. Cyprian de mort Luk. 2.29 Psal 42.2 Psal 42.3 Psal 84.10 Gen. 19.26 The scope and drift of the whole Psalme The sense Diuision Summe The manifold names of Gods word with the reason Text. God alwaies prouideth for his children in their greatest extremities Mat 24.21.22 Exod. 1.11.12.13.14 Exod. 3.3 2 Pet. 2.9 Psal 107. throughout The miseries of Gods children cannot be more then the means of deliuerance which he prouideth Psal 129.1.2.3 Zach. 3.2.3.4.5 Psal 68.13 Gen. 37.20.24 28. 39.20 41.40 42.6 Dan. 6.5.13.22 28. Hest 3.8.12 9.1.2.3.5 Reade the particular meanes of their deliuerance in their stories Psal 34.19 2 Cor. 4.8.9 God is their Creator Psal 36.6.7.8 31.19.20 1 Tim 4.10 Luk. 10.20 Mal. 3.16 Luk. 12.6.7 Esay 41.14 43.1.2 2. Reason They are within his couenant Heb. 6.17.18 Ier. 14 9. Gal 6.10 Ephes 1.19 Esa 63.16 Mal. 3.6 Psal 23. Psal 100.3 Cant. 4.5 10.11 12. 5.1 Gen. 17.1 See Psal 68. 95.8 10. Heb. 3.8.9.10 Psal 77.8.9.10 Ier. 20.7 Ier. 14.8.9 Esay 49.15.16 Ier. 22.24 Psal 121.4 Esay 49.1 Lam. 3.9.44 Hosea 5.15 6.1.2 Psal 30.5 Esay 54.8 Heb. 6.17.18 Gen. 17.7 Luke 15. Mal. 16. 1 Pet. 1.17 Ephes 4.24 Gen. 20.16 Psal 107.8.15.21.31.32 Psal 124.6.7.8 Psal 50.15 2 Cor. 1.3.4 Psal 93.4 Gen. 15.1 Esay 43.2 Psal 23 4. Psal 46.12 Text. The effectuall knowledge of Gods word keepeth his children vpright in their tryals Psal 73.2.3.4 c. Psal 37.24.31 Psal 93.12.13 Psal 92.6.7.9 Psal 119.25.28 50.143 c. God is the Author of it who is the God of comfort 2 Cor. 1. â— 34 Psal 23. 46.1 Gen 12.4 Gen. 15.1 17.1 Psal 91.1.3.11.14 c. Psal 27.1.5 Rom. 8.38.39 By nature it is comfortable 1 Pet. 1.23 Iames 1.18 Phil. 2.16 Tit. 2.11 Luke 21.15 Heb. 12.1.2 2 Tim. 2.12 Ephes 6.11 1 Tim. 6.12 Ephes 6. 2 Cor. 10.4.5 Psal 119.162 Psal 56.10 Col. 3.16 Math. 4. Acts 12.6 Acts 16.23.24.25 Acts 5.41 Mal. 3.14 Iob 21.14 Gods word cannot be profitable except first it be comfortable vnto vs. Prou. 2.10.11.12 Psal 1.2 Cant. 4.12.15 5 1. Comfort and loue to Gods word procure liking and diligent hearing and so by gods blessings faith and obedience Rom. 10.14 Gal. 5.6 1 Cor. 13.7 Gen. 31.39 40 41. Psal 48. throughout Psal 19.7.8.9.10.11 Psal 119.9.19.35.105 Psal 119.16.72.97 Verse 103. Verse 111.165 Deut. 4.6.8.9 7.12.13.14 c. 1 Tim 48. Mat. 6.33 Luk. 10.41.42 Math. 13.44.45.46 Phil. 3.8 Psal 42.12 Iohn 6.27 Psal 122.1 Micha 4.1 Esay 2.3 Esay 60.8 Math. 11.12 Psal 69.9 Prou. 22.13 Psal 119.51 69.7.11.12 Luke 14.18.19 20.23.24 Mat. 21.31.32 Mat. 3.9 Mal. 3.14.15.16.17 Mal. 3.14.15 Iob 23.12 Iob 23.12 Iob 21.14.15.16.17.18 Ier. 20.7.8.10.11 Ezek. 33.30.31.32 See verses 29.33 Mat. 7.6 Mat. 8 33.34 Text. The strongest Christians are not able of themselues to stand vnder their crosses without Gods assistance 1 Sam. 13.14 Gen. 12.7 2.8.9 Gen. 3.6.7.17.18 1 Kings 11. to the 10 verse 9. chapter throughout 2 Pet. 2. Iude verse 6. Iob 14.44 Iob 3. to the end Iob 6.4.11.12 Iob 7.12 Iob 10.9 God manifesteth his strength by our weaknesse By this he sheweth his priuiledged power and vnchangeable nature Exod. 3.14 Acts 17.25.28 Psal 102 27. He humbleth vs by our infirmities that we may only relye vpon his strength and might 2 Cor. 12.9 The second part of the text We must remember the ancient meanes of comfort deliuerance if we will be eased in our present miseries Psal 32 3.4.5 1 Sam. 17.37 Psal 4.1 We are still subiect