serue these registers They shal be laid before not onely the persecutours to make thē feele so much the more horrible iudgement and vengeance but especially before vs to make vs feele an incomprehensible increase of glorie and of ioy in shewing vs what we haue suffered for his name and in accepting vs before his Angels But let vs now consider how our afflictions are of small cōtinuance 2. Because of the eternitie and passing away as in a moment in respect of the weight of the eternall glorie which they bring And first let vs say boldly that our troubles are short because our daies are short that the glorie is of long continuaunce because there shall be no ende of it But for the better vnderstāding of the shortnes of our afflictions we must consider according to the instruction of S. Paul 2. Co. 4.18 the things inuisible that are eternal For in respect of them wee shall finde that the visible things which concerne this life are temporall that is to say during a little time The Patriarch Iacob being demaunded of Pharao of his age he answered that the yeres of his pilgrimage had been few and euill Gen. 47.9 And how were they few seeing he had liued 130. yeres surely in comparison or 8. or 900. yeres which his forefathers had liued as also he addeth that his yeres had not attained to the yeres of his fathers How then are not our daies short not comming at the most but to 70. or 80. yeres that in those that haue the strōgest or mightiest bodies Psa 90.10 as the song of Moses importeth God speaking of the captiuitie of Babylon which cōtinued 70. yeres saith thus Esai 54.8 I haue for a little while as in a moment of mine indignation hid my face from thee How 70. yeares are they a little time is that but a moment of indignation yea in respect of the comforts and euerlasting happinesse which he would communicate to his people as he addeth That he would haue compassion on them with euerlasting mercie This also is the cause why S. John calleth the time folowing Christs comming in the flesh 1. Ioh. 2.18 the last houre as if he wold diuide the cōtinuāce of the world into 3. or 4. hours wherof the last shuld be after this cōming of Iesus Christ vntil the end of the world so this last hour should now haue cōtinued 1587. yeres and these 1587. yeres should not be yet a whole houre finished This seemeth strange to vs. But let vs set before vs 2. eternities of times that which was before the foundation of the world that is an infinite time if a man may cal that time and a swalowing vp of the vnderstanding of man and the eternitie of time which shal be after the ende of the world and behold againe an incompreheusible infinitenes of time Now let vs consider the continuance of the world betweene these two eternities When it shall continue 7.8 or 9000. yeares this should not be in respect of these 2. eternities 2. or 3. houres no not one houre it should bee yet lesse than one graine in respect of all the sand in the world for as touching the sand the nūber is finite but in eternitie there is no end And here vnto tendeth that which S. Peter sayth 1. Pet. 3.8 That before God 1000. yeres are but as one day and a day as 1000. yeres forasmuch as before the eternitie of GOD there is no numbring of time for there is no time at all According vnto this Moses saith Psal 90.4 that 1000. yeres before god are as a day that is past If then 1000. yeres are but as a day past or an houre 60. or 80. yeres are but as one minute of time so the longest continuance of our afflictions should be but one minute yet there are some that accomplish not that And when doo we begin this minute of tribulations seeing that a great part of our life passeth before we suffer anie thing for the name of Christ yet there is some intermission in them if it were but in sleeping Then we doo now see how true it is that S. Paule saith that our afflictions passe in a moment And what is that which this moment of afflictions bringeth vs An eternal waight saith he of glorie as wee haue largely shewed here before In the first chapter And in deede there shall be no ende saith the Angell of the kingdome of Christ And wee are the house of Jacob Luk. 1.33 ouer whom he shal raign for euermore 1. The 4.17 And S. Paul saith that being risen againe and ascended into heauen we shal be with Iesus Christ euerlastingly Ioh. 3. 6. For whosoeuer beleeueth in him hath euerlasting life If God for the full measure of our felicitie shal be all in al when we haue him in vs 1. Co. 13.25 who is eternall and immortal we shall enioy a glorious immortalitie as also S. Paul saith That hee hath brought to light life and immortalitie by the gospel To be short S. Matthew hauing set forth vnto vs the last iudgement saith Mat. 25.46 That the sheepe that shall bee at the right hand of Iesus Christ shall goe into euerlasting life Euen so when he promiseth vs a perfect ioy headdeth Ioh. 16.22 that it shal neuer be takē from vs. Now what comparison is there betweene one moment of affliction a glorie a life and a ioy that shal last eternallie and without end Then when we thinke that our crosse is long heauie to beare let vs set before vs the excellencie and the eternitie of the incomprehensible glorie wherunto we ascend by it whereof also wee feele the earnest pennie beginnings in our hearts waiting for the full feeling and thorow enioying of this felicitie when we shall be lifed vp and put in possession of the kingdome of heauen Now this reward is certaine and assured to al those which shall suffer for the name of Iesus Christ Such afflictions then are seales of the loue of God towards vs testimonies that he taketh vs into the number of his best beloued children and that he will make vs indeed euerlastingly happie Other fruites of the afflictions for the name of Iesus Christ CHAP. 11. BEsides these 1. Fruit honor to be a Martyr of Christ both excelent eternal good things which the sufferings for the name of Iesus Christ doth bring vs there is yet the honor that he doth vs to bring vs foorth to be witnesses of his truth In regard whereof although all they that preach the Gospell are called witnesses of Iesus Christ yet this title of Martyr or witnes is after a more particular maner and by excellencie attributed vnto such as to maintaine the truth of the doctrine of the Gospell suffer constantlie persecution and especially vnto death So we read that S. Paule gaue to S. Stephen this title of
to entreate his Children in this worlde delicatelie and to set them vp in riches and high estate wee might haue some occasion to doubt whether wee were the Children of GOD all calamities and afflictions quite contrarie falling vpon vs. But seeing it is so that the Holie Ghost hath foretolde vs both often and manifestlie that the children of GOD shoulde bee afflicted and that those that woulde liue faithfullie in the feare of GOD in Christ shall suffer persecution 2. Tim. 3 12 this persecution and affliction ought rather to serue vs for a signe that wee are the children of GOD. Moreouer if the most excellent seruants and children of GOD haue alwayes beene most afflicted Afflictions ought not to make vs doubt of our adoption and saluation except wee will call in doubt the saluation and felicitie of those whom wee confesse to bee the verie blessed children of GOD Especiallie if afflictions do serue greatlie to pull our hearts from the Earth and to lift them vp into Heauen to purifie our faith as golde in the fire and to fashion vs into a true obedience of God Then the vtility and profite which commeth vnto vs thereby ought to serue vs for a sufficient proofe that in afflictions GOD sheweth himselfe to be our father hauing care of our welfare and saluation And yet more seeing the taking awaie of our goods temporall shall bring vs foorth an eternall treasure in Heauen the mockeries and reproches shall bee turned vnto glorie before GOD the teares into ioy our sufferings into comfortes Who is hee that will not confesse that such afflictions proceede from the verie loue of GOD towards vs To be short seeing that GOD strengthening vs in the middest of the fires of tribulations sheweth in our infirmitie his might and bountie and seeing when wee suffer for his name hee maketh vs witnesses of his trueth our afflictions are as it were stages from whence he maketh his own glory to shine and giueth increase vnto ours So farre off is it then that beeing afflicted wee shoulde bee troubled or offended that contrariwise those troubles ought to serue vs for an assurance that we are the children of GOD whereof that wee may bee the better resolued we wil treate of these points more at large That the afflictions that happen vnto vs haue beene foretolde and therefore they ought to confirme vs in the assurance of our adoption CAP. 7. THE holie Ghost hath at all times foretold and testified by sundry and manifest sentences that the children of God shoulde be persecuted and afflicted in this life yea in such sort as the first afflictions shoulde bee but the beginnings of greater and that passing one euill they shoulde prepare themselues to indure others that should followe as the waues in the Sea Gen. 3.15 Prophecies of the olde testament GOD from the beginning of the worlde hauing pronounced that hee woulde put enmitie betweene the seede of the woman and the seede of the Serpent hath aduertised vs that as long as there shal be deuils in the world and children of God they must vnderstand that such enemies will imploy all their strength means to persecute thē As this also is represented in the Reuelatiō in that which is said by S. Iohn Reue. 12 that the olde serpent not being able to deuoure the Sonne of GOD nor the body of the church was very angry and went to make war with the rest of her seede which kept the commaundements of God and which had the testimonie of Iesus Christ Likewise God hauing promised seede vnto Abraham and added that it shoulde bee as the Starres of the Heauen Gen. 15.13 He tolde him by and by that it shoulde bee afflicted saying Knowe thou for a certayne that thy seede shall dwell and serue in a Land that is not their owne and shal be afflicted foure hundred yeeres And that which is more hee confirmeth this aduertisement by a vision or notable signe commaunding him to diuide in peeces an heifar a ramme a hee goate a turtle and a pigeon and sending a flight of Birdes vpon the dead carcases cut in peeces he shewed him that his seede by the greatnesse of afflictions should be like vnto dead carcases cut in peeces and exposed for a pray vnto the Birdes Dauid in a few wordes sheweth this condition to be common to all the children of GOD saying Psal 34.20 that the afflictions of the righteous are manie And in howe manie sortes and in how many places haue the Prophetes foretolde of the afflictions that came vpon the tenne tribes of Israel carried after captiues into Assyria In like manner of the kingdome of Iuda the destruction of the Temple the sacking of the Citie the massacre of a great part of the people and the captiuitie of the rest Prophecies of the newe testament Mat. 10.16 by the space of seauentie yeares in Babylon Aboue all Iesus Christ who is the wisedome of GOD how often hath hee foretolde the afflictions of his faithfull seruants and members of his body Beholde saith he to his A postles I send you as Sheepe amongest Wolues Yee shall bee deliuered vnto the Consistories and whipped in the Synagogues Yee shall bee hated of all men for my names sake If they haue called the Master of the house Beelzebub how much more his seruauntes I am not come to bring peace vpon the Earth but a Sworde Mat. 16.24 If anse will followe mee let him renounce him selfe and take vp his Crosse and followe mee They shall deliuer you to bee punished and shall slay you Mat. 24.9 If they haue Persecuted mee they will also persecute you Againe Ihon 16.2 Verelie verelie I saie vnto you that yee shall weepe and lament and the worlde shall reioyce Yea hee compareth the faithfull vnto a Woman which trauaileth of childe Iho. 16.21 True it is that the wicked are also tormented in their course But Iudgement sayeth Saint Peter 1. Pet. 4.17 must beginne at the house of GOD. And of this iudgement it is that Saint Paule dooth speake 2. Thes 3.7 saying That wee are ordayned to bee afflicted which hee dooth confirme by a Sentence full of comforte Act. 14 22 faying That by manie tribulations wee must enter into the Kingdome of Heauen Agayne 2. Tim. 3.12 all they that will liue godlie in Christ must suffer persecution But aboue al that is to be noted that hee saide in an other place Col. 1.24 I reioyce and fill vp in my selfe that which wanted of the sufferings of Christ meaning by Christ all the faithfull with their head and shewing that GOD hath ordained a certain measure of passions for this Christ and consequently to euery one of his members his portion which hee must suffer to accomplish the passions of Christ Now this is not without great reason that the Holie Ghost hath so carefully and in so many sortes and manners foretolde that the children of GOD shoulde bee afflicted
that he doth any thing for him to clothe him with the liuerie of his seruants as also when any one shall be receiued for a Prince into any countrie he may well cast some peeces of golde or siluer amongst the people to shew his liberality but the honors and dignities are distributed among his fauourits GOD wil not feast our bodies with the seruice of our soules He is liberall and iust therefore will recompence Spirituall conflicts with Spirituall Crownes and accept our labors not according to the vilenes of our harts but according to the dignity of his greatnes seeing also that he crowneth not in vs our workes August but properly his owne Of one and the selfe same seruice there is one recompence of a King and an other of a Merchant so as when we would content our selues with earthly goods God might answere with better reason than in old time Alexander the great that it were enough in regarde of vs that shoulde receiue it but not in regard of him that should giue it vs. They that knowe the vanity of worldly thinges haue no contentation but in heauenly things yea Manuel Aug. cha 3 and will say with Saint Augustine Lorde if thou shouldest giue mee all that thou hast created in the world that shoulde not suffice thy seruant except thou gaue mee thy selfe As also he saith in another place All aboundance which is not my God is to me scarcitie 2. In the life to come Wee must then set before vs the reward promised in the eternall life wherwith without al doubt Moses was liuely touched in his hart when he refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter choosing rather to bee afflicted with the people of GOD than to enioy for a small season the pleasures of sin esteeming the reproch of Christ greater riches than al the treasures of Aegypt For saith the apostle he had respect to the reward which also he receiued not in this present life wherin he was afflicted vntil his death but in heauen whither hee lifting vp his eies feared not the furie of the King but held fast as if hee sawe him that is inuisible The same Apostle writing to the Hebrevves that beleeued sheweth very well that they also did vnderstand this reward For he beareth them witnesse Heb. 10.34 that they had taken ioyfullie the spoyling of their goods knowing that they had a better riches inheauen which abideth for euer Wherein also he confirmeth them adding this exhortation Then cast not off your confidence which hath great reward The fruite in the life to come incomprehensible first for the greatnesse Rom. 8.18 Now although as touching our selues we can not comprehend what this reward shall be yet ought we certainly to beleeue it that it is most certaine because Iesus Christ hath promised it and most excellent seeing that Saint Paule affirmeth that the suffrings of this present life are not woorthie of the glorie to come which shall be reuealed in vs. As also he sayth in an other place 2. Cor. 4.17 That our transitorie afflictions which indure but a small time and are gone in a moment shal bring forth in vs an eternal waight of glorie maruelous excellent And to giue some taste in waighting for the ful reuelation and inioying of it let vs note in this last sentence of Saint Paule the comparison that hee maketh of our afflictions that are swift and passing in a moment and the eternall waight of glorie maruellous excellent which they bring foorth For true it is that our outward man decayeth as hee said meaning thereby the losse of health of riches honours friendships aliances and other such aides and commodities of this life and the life it selfe but in the meane time the inward man is renued euery day by an happy and excellent chaunge in goods and honours that are spirituall heauenly and eternall And indeede what is all that which we suffer and lose here for Iesus Christ in respect of the infinite and incomprehensible good things which we shall recouer in heauen whereof also we haue a feeling in this present life Are we constrained to forsake a fleshlie father Beholde the heauenly father which offereth himselfe at hand who alone properly is our Father as is saide before Iohn 9. What lost the man borne blinde beeing cast out of the Synagogue and refused of the Scribes and Pharisies when Iesus Christ met hym and receyued hym If any spoyle our worldly goods God offereth vs the Kingdome of heauen If the earth will not beare vs the heauens open to receiue vs. If the people of the worlde driue vs away the Angells offer their presence acknowledging vs their companions in glory If men curse vs those wordes are but winde and God in the meane time doth blesse vs turneth euen the curses of our enemies into blessings as Dauid speaketh 2. Sam. 16 12 If we be thrust out of our offices or dignities Iesus Christ giueth vs things more excellent making vs kings and priests to God his father Rene. 1.6 If our parents disdaine vs wil not know vs Christ is not ashamed to auow vs and call vs his brethren Heb. 2.12 If we be depriued of the succession inheritance of our parents Christ acknowledgeth vs the heires of God his father and fellow heirs with him Do any make vs weep for sorow Christ presenteth him selfe to wipe away our tears to turne our sorows into perfect ioy Are we not receiued into any town to be an inhabitant there God giueth vs freedome in heauen to dwel in that heauenly Ierusalem the streets whereof are paued with sine gold the wals are made of pretious stones the gates are pearls whereof the son of god is the temple the sun Are we put to death it is to enter into a better life ful of ioy and glorie And indeed let vs consider here the wōdersul goodnes of God A she knoweth that we are too much tied to goods dignities and other commodities of the flesh that in stede of willingly laying vp our tresure in heauē we lay it vp in earth he so disposeth that we shal be persecuted for his name doth therin as a good faithful Tutor who takyng the mony of his pupill putteth it out to profit or buieth for him good rents with it And hereunto tendeth that which Dauid sayeth Psal 56.9 Thou hast nūbred my fleetings do thē put my tears in thy bottle are they not noted in thy register This beeing true how much more wil he put the drops of blood which we shed for his name into his barell and in his Register the reproches the flittings the losses of father mother lands and other goods the imprisonments the other afflictions and aboue all the deaths which we indure for his seruice and glorie As also it is written Psa 116.15 Right deare in the sight of God is the death of his Saints And to what ende
honor Act. 22.20 calling him the Martyr of Iesus Christ And S. Iohn maketh mention of Antipas Reu. 2.13 whome hee calleth a faithful Martyr of Christ And in the same booke of the Reuelation he saith that he saw the great whore drunk with the bloud of the Saints Reu. 17.6 with the bloud of the Martyrs of Iesus In like manner the apostle to the Hebrues hauing recited how many faithful had bin mocked scourged cut in peeces stoned Heb. 11. 12. otherwise persecuted he addeth that in them wee haue as it were a cloude of martyrs or witnesses cōpassing vs round about and exhorting vs to follow constantly their exāple The Apostles did well vnderstand and confesse this honor who after they had been publikelie whipped for the name of Iesus Christ Act. 5.40 they went before the councel reioycing that they had this honour to suffer reproach for his name And indeed when when we indure persecution to maintaine the glorie the authoritie and the truth of Christ against Antichrist and his supposts it is as if Iesus Christ shuld borrowe our goods our renowme our bloud our life to serue for autenticall seales most sure witnesses that cannot faile of the right and the glorie that appertaineth vnto him And what are we poore wormes of the earth that the eternall Sonne of GOD the King of Kings and Lord of Lords shall doo vs this honor to put his glorie as it were into our handes to bee the keepers and defenders of it against those that would spoile him of it And heere let vs consider the incomprehensible wisedome and goodnes of God towards vs. The most perfect offend God daylie and one onely sinne be it neuer so little to our iudgement deserueth death and euerlasting condemnation then it is yet more than the losse of our goods the corporall life Now in stead of exercising his iust iudgements vpon vs hee doth vs this honour that it which wee endure which is not the thousand part of that wee haue deserued chaungeth the nature and instead of beeing the punishment of sinne God imputeth it as a most excelent seruice for the maintenance of his glorie But yet there is more 2. Frute the glorie of God declaclaring and accomplishing his power in our infirmitie and shewing his goodnes and the trueth of his promises first toward euery faithfull For what are wee to suffer willinglie The loue of riches ambition the plesure of fleshly commodities the affectiō toward father mother wife children aboue al to this life is so strong and vehement in vs that in stead of renouncing them for Christ we renounce Christ and his Kingdome to entertaine vs. And experience sheweth this too much We are also so very impatient and daintie when there is any question of suffering that if we should but onely snuffe a candle with our fingers we wet them with our spittle that wee might not feele the fire of that small snuffe which yet we throw from our fingers in al haste and how then should we abandon our bodies to the death entring quicke into the fire to be there consumed if God did not strengthen vs supernaturally Howe shoulde wee maintaine his trueth against the supposts of Antichrist if the spirit of his father the which he promised vs Mat. 10.19 20 did not worke mightily in vs Then when we see these vessells so fraile and weake to surmount the threatnings of kings the apprehension of fire the assaults of Antichrists supposts and the temptations proceeding from father mother wife and children are not these so many testimonies of a wonderfull and mighty grace and power of God which fortifieth them and maketh them victorious against Sathan the worlde and the flesh I can doo all things sayth Saint Paule through Christ who strengtheneth me Phil. 4.13 2. Cor. 12 10 And in an other place I reioyce sayth he in infirmities in iniuries in necessities in persecutions in anguishes for christ For whē I am weake then am I strong euen thorough the might and power of Christ which shewed it selfe and was made perfect thorough his weaknesse as hee had saide before So then this constancie this faith this zeale other vertues which God communicateth by his free goodnes to his elect are manifest by persecutions which otherwise shoulde bee hid As in running the course the agility or swiftnes of the horse is known the strength of a mā in the combat the sauour of many drugges in rubbing or brusing of them or casting them into the fire as we see in the incense The Starres saith Saint Bernard which appeare not by day shine in the night Bernar. in Can. so the vertue that is hid in prosperitie sheweth it selfe in aduersitie Now 2. Toward the body of the church this which wee haue saide of the power of GOD shewing it selfe in the infirmitie of his children to his glorie is seene also in the bodie of the Church which ordinarily is so poore so weake so little holpen at the handes of men that if GOD did not sustaine it it shoulde quickly be swallowed vp Then when we see it so mightelie assailed by the potentates of this worlde conspiring her ruine by so many forces and slights and by so many heretiks doth not God in the guiding deliuering and preseruing of it shewe that it is hee himselfe and he alone which maintaineth and defendeth it And that his power and wisedome is woonderfull in preseruing it against so many enemies and that his truth is certaine in accōplishing that which he hath promised vs of being with his Church vntill the end of the world And that it is he which is the stone cut out without hand which hath broken Mat. 28.29 Dan. 2.34 and dooth still breake the great image representing the empires and kingdomes of the worlde Which to shew vnto vs more liuely oftentimes he so disposeth that leaning vpon the strength of men she hath beene throwen downe and being throwen downe God hath lift her vp againe without meanes and beyond all hope of man that all men may know that the preseruation of the Church is not the worke of Man but indeede the very worke of God Iudg. 7.2 As also the Lord declareth to Gedeon this his intent commaunding him to abate his army There is too many people with thee sayth the Lord that I shoulde giue Madian into their handes least peraduenture Israel would glory in themselues against mee saying 3. Fruit the aduāce ment of the church My hand hath deliuered me See also howe it commeth to passe that when the Deuill thinketh quite to ouerthrowe the Church by persecution God quite contrary hath aduanced and increased it Saint Luke hauing recited that the high Priestes and the chiefe rulers of the Temple Act. 4 the Sadduces laying hands vpon the Apostles put them into prison he addeth by and by that many of those that heard the word beleeued and the number was
vngodlie for an end of his felicitie Yea if we were called to suffer death for the name of Iesus Christ 2. Not to feare death What other thing is this death but after a long conflict the day of victorie the birth of a blessed soule after a great trauaile the hauen desired after so furious tempests the end of a dangerous and troublesome voyage the healing of all wounds and sicknes the deliuerance from all feare and terrour the accomplishment of our sanctification the gate of heauen the entrance into paradise the taking possession of the inheritance of the father the day of our mariage with the Lambe the inioying of our desires Who is it then among vs who feeling with S. Paule the bondage of sinne would not crie out with him Alas wretched man that I am Rom. 7.24 who shall deliuer me from this bodie of death And feeling the good that death bringeth vnto vs will not also say with him I desire to be dissolued Phil. 1.23 and to be with Christ If death wherewith God threatned our first parents is a feeling of the wrath of God in the soule in the body because of sinne Gen. 2.17 Wee may well say that death and life are two twinnes vnited and knit together vntill the separation of the soule and the bodie and this separation which is cōmonlie called death is rather the deadlie stroke of death the bodie beeing then exempt from paine and the soule from vice corruption waighting vntill the rest of death bee swallowed vp in victorie at the day of the resurrection It is then an abuse to call life a continual death and to call that death which is the end of a thousand deaths and the beginning of the true life It is then also against reason that wee haue horrour of that which we ought to desire and desire the continuance of that the onlie end whereof bringeth vs to eternall felicitie And to this end Saint Chrisostome saith verie well that it which is called life and death haue deceaueable visours Life deformed and accompanied with manie miseries calamities hath a faire pleasant visour which maketh it to bee desired and Death so faire happie and to be desired hath one deformed and fearefull Let vs put off then saith he these visours we will change our minds when wee shall finde vnder the faire visour of life nothing but matter of heauines and displeasure and vnder the soule hideous visour of death such a beautie and felicitie as we shall incontinently be taken with her loue So long as we liue we haue cruell enemies which neuer cease making warre with vs whome wee can neuer vanquish but by death And indeed wee cannot make the world to die in vs except we die our selues Sinne which is in vs liueth in vs and fighteth against vs vntill wee dying it also die with vs. And by death alone the deadlie assaults of Satan our chiefe enemie die foorthwith But yet why should we feare it which cannot come vnto vs but by the will of him who is our heauenlie father yea and at such a time as he appoynteth As Dauid said Lord my times that is to say Psal 31.16 all the minutes of my life are in thy hands There is no creature more enemie to man nor more able to hurt than the diuell And indeed he is called the enemie the murtherer Mat. 13.39 Iho. 8.44 1. Pet. 5.8 Iob 1. 2. and the roaring Lyon seeking whome he may deuour But the historie of Iob sheweth plainlie that GOD holdeth him brideled so as hee can attempt nothing nor goe either forward or backward more than GOD will permit him And this which is more he hath not power to enter so much as into the swine Luk. 8.32 without the leaue of Christ What is this then that wee should feare men Are not they also vnder the prouidence power and gouernment of our GOD It is GOD saith Hannah the mother of Samuel 1. Sam. 2. ◠who weigheth their enterprises so as they cannot passe one ounce of the waight ordained of GOD. It is he that slaieth and maketh aliue againe 1. Sam. 2.6 which bringeth downe to the pit and lifteth vp againe he maketh poore and maketh rich he abaseth and exalteth To bee short It is he alone as Dauid saith Psal 115.3 which doth whatsoeuer he will Now wee doubt not but he will do that which he hath promised vs and wee knowe that he hath promised vs yea and that he hath taken vpon him to make vs happie If then the doctrine of the prouidence of God importeth that he hath not onlie ordained in his eternall counsell the end and issue of his worke which is his glorie and the saluation of his elect but also the fit meanes according to his infinite wisedome and requisite for the execution and accomplishment of it let vs be assured that there is no creature that can let or alter his wil as Saint Paule saith If God be for vs who shall bee against vs. Let vs also bee assured Rom. 8.30 that whatsoeuer happen vnto vs is the way whereby he hath ordained to leade vs to life and euerlasting glorie Saint Paule speaking of Iesus Christ saith Col. 1.16 that all creatures are of him stand by him and are for him As also he saith in an other place that of him and by him and for him all things are Wherefore then doo wee feare our enemies Ro. 12.36 seeing euen this that they are is by the power and will of him who is our head and sauiour for asmuch as they can neither enterprise nor consult neither yet bee aliue one moment without the will of Christ And besides this seeing their life and being is for him and for his seruice that they might be to his members as fire to purifie them a rod to correct thē medicines to heale them a bridge for them to passe vpon ouer the desert of this world into the land of promise ladders to helpe them to ascend into heauen instruments to glorifie them as a knife that cutteth the cords by which we are held in the earth hindered to go vnto God to be where Iesus Christ our head is Also what threatning can the most mightie of the world threaten vs with more horrible to make vs turne from the seruice of God than those wherewith God threatneth all those that turne away from him Mat. 10.28 Luk. 12.24 Feare not saith Iesus Christ those that can kill the bodie and yet so and when GOD will and the bodie which within a verie little after must needes die and can doo nothing more but feare him who after hee hath killed the bodie hath power to throwe both soule and bodie into euerlasting hell fire him I say vnto you feare indeede In like maner what promises can the world make vs greater or more certaine to draw vs vnto it than those which our God hath made
punish vs yet more rigorouslie than hetherto thou hast done that for one stripe wee should receiue an hundred If thou shouldest transport the kingdome of thy sonne from vs to the Turkes and the Iewes If thou shouldest send such a famine of thy word as running through the forrests to haue some refreshing and finding none our soules should faint Yea Lord if thou shouldest throw vs down into hell we confesse that it were verie right and yeeld our selues guiltie acknowledging that we haue well deserued it Notwithstanding O good God and father there is mercie with thee yea thy mercies are infinite to swallowe vp the multitude and grieuousnes of our sinnes Thou art a God gracious pitifull slowe vnto wrath abounding in mercie and trueth keeping mercie for thousands pardoning iniquitie transgression sinne Thou hast said that thou wilt not the death of a sinner but rather that hee turne and liue Conuert vs then O Lord that we may be conuerted and that we may liue before thee We are poore sinners we confesse it but yet thy sonne Iesus Christ came into the world to saue sinners Behold vs then O Lord not in our selues for wee are vnworthy of thy grace but behold vs in the face of thy sonne Iesus Christ and for his sake bee at tone with vs and be mercifull and fauourable vnto vs that in the multitude of our sinnes the greatnes of thy grace may shine if thou regard our iniquities who is he that is able to stand before thee Wee haue been vnfaithfull but thou remainest still faithfull Thou canst not renounce thy mercie and goodnes we haueforsaken thee but thou hast promised not to forsake vs. Wee haue forgotten thee but thou hast said that though a mother should forget her childe yet wouldst not thou forget vs. Thou hast made a couenant with vs wherein thou hast promised to pardon our sinnes and to remember our iniquities no more Thou hast promised that though our sins were as red as scarlet thou wouldest make them as white as wooll if they were as red as crimson that they should be made as white as snowe We are heauie laden and labour with our iniquities But Iesus Christ hath called vs to him and hath promised to refresh vs. Haue pitie thē on vs O Lord haue pitie vpon vs. Let our miseries moue the bowells of thy mercie Forgiue vs O our GOD forgiue vs for thine owne sake for the glorie of thy name and for thy sonne Iesus Christs sake Impute vnto vs the goodnes that is in him that the euill that is in vs may not be imputed Thou hast pumshed the iust that thou mightest pardon the wicked Accept thou the merites of his death and passion for satissaction of all that is in vs worthie of thy wrath and indignation and make vs to feele the fruites of our reconciliation with thee If thou wilt afflict our bodies haue yet pitie of our soules If thou wilt impourish vs on the earth depriue vs not yet of the riches of heauen If thou wilt take away the bread of our bodies yet leaue vs the spirituall bread of our soules Though wee bee in reproach among our enemies yet let not thy name be blasphemed Though we bee accursed of the world yet let vs bee blessed of thee Though the world hate vs yet let thy loue abide vpon vs. O Lord we are thine forsake vs not Thou hast saide I am the Eternall this is my name I will not giue my glorie vnto Images nor my praise vnto another For thine owne sake then euen for thine owne sake haue mercie vpon vs. For why shall thy name bee blasphemed for our sakes Not vnto vs Lord not vnto vs but vnto thy name giue glorie and honour in shewing foorth the riches of thy graces of thy truth and of thy might Thou art the God of glorie sanctifie thy name in drawing light out of our darknes and lift out of death making perfect thy power in our infirmitie and thy great grace in our vnworthines to thy praise and glorie Heare the blasphemies of thine enemies boasting them selues in their counsels and their forces triumphing and reioycing in our confusion as if we were not thy people thy children thy Church as if wee were cast off of thee as if thou were not able to helpe or keepe vs. Neuerthelesse thou art our creatour and wee are the worke of thy hands Thou art our shepheard wee are thy flocke Thou art our father wee are thy children Thou art our God wee are thine inheritance Thou art our redeemer wee are the people whome thou hast bought It is thou also O our God who by thy word alone hast created the heauen and the earth the sea and al that is in them it is by thee that all things liue be and haue their mouing it is of thee by thee and for thee that all things are It is thou which dooest whatsoeuer thou wilt And there is neither counsell wisedome nor strength against thee Represse then O Lord the rage and furie of thine enemies breake their forces dissipate their counsels confound them in the bold enterprises which they haue taken in hand against thee and thy sonne lesus Christ Maintaine the rest of thy flocke which thou hast kept vntill this day Establish againe the Churches that are ruined and dispersed Suffer not the memorie of thy name to be abolished from the earth rather let thy word sound and thy Gospell bee preached where it hath not yet been heard to gather thine elect vnto thee and to magnifie thy name And that so wee may see it florish more more and the kingdome of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lord to bee aduanced for euer more Amen The necessitie and benefite of affliction GReat trouble and vexation the righteous shall sustains By Gods determination whilest heere they doo remaine Which grieuous is and irksome both for flesh and bloud to beare Because by nature we are loath to want our pleasure heere And eke because our enemie that auncieat deadly foe Satan with cruell tyrannie the worker of our woe Doth still prouoke the wicked sort in sinne which doo delight To please themselues make great sport to vexe vs with despite Yet doo the righteous by the crosse moe blessed things obtaine Than anie waie can be the losse the dolor or the paine The losse is that which in few daies would passe fade and decay Euen of it selfe the gaine alwaies can no man take away All earthly estimation the crosse may cleane deface But heauenlie consolation the soule dooth then imbrace Afflictions worldly pleasures will abandon out of minde Then is the soule more earnest still the ioyes of heauen to finde These worldly riches goods and wealth by troubles may depart Then inward ioyes and sauing health may wholly rule the heart In trouble friends doo start aside as cloudes doo with the winde But Gods assistance doth abide to cheare the troubled minde Jfwe should feele these losses all at once by sudden change We may not be dismaid withall though it seeme verie strange Iob lost his frends he lost his wealth and comfort of his wife He lost his children and his health yea all but wretched life When all was gone the Lord aboue did still with him remaine With mercie kindnes and with loue asswaging all his paine Teaching him by experience that all things fickle be Which subiect are to humane sence and yeeld all miserie But godlinesse within the heart remaineth euer sure In wealth and woe it is her part true comfort to procure Affliction turn'th these worldly ioyes to greater paine and woe Because the loue was linck'd with toyes religion is not so For when mans heart doth most delight in pleasure wealth and pride Religion then will take her flight she may not there abide Where by our soules in wofull plight continually remaine Yet haue not we the grace or might from such lusts to refraine In which estate mest willingly though tending right to hell We compt our chiefe felicitie and loue therein to dwell Therefore the Lord which is aboue regarding vs below With mercie pitie grace and loue that alwases from him flow Doth mix with griefe these earthly things wherein we doo delight Which to our soules all sorow brings or else remoou'th them quite Then dooth the holie word of God most comfortable seeme Which we before we felt the rod mere follie did esteeme The world which earst most pleasant was now loathsome seem'th to be It doth appeare as in a glasse all fraught with miserie Then feare we hell then flie we sinne then seeke we heauen the more To vse good meanes we then begin which we despisde before Then can we pray then can we call to God for strength and grace Which things before might not at all with vs haue anie place Then heare we with attentiuenes then read we with all care Then pray we with great feruentnes no trauaile then we spare Then shall we see feele and confesse the state wherein we dwelt To be nothing but wretchednes though worldly ioyes we felt Because the soule by godlinesse more comfort doth receaue In one day than by worldlinesse for euer it can haue Then we with Dauid shall confesse that God from heauen aboue By humbling vs doth well expresse his mercie and his loue For ere we felt the scourging rod we er'de and went astray But now we keepe the law of God and waite thereon alway Then forreligion loue the crosse though it doo bring some paine The ioy is great small is the losse but infinite the gaine FINIS