against him with malitious words the riotous speake euill of the frugall and moderate that will not runne with them into the same excesse of riot i 1 Pet 4.4 Thus may the seruants of the most high God liuing otherwise in as great peace and prosperity as the Carmelite Nabal bee enuied of euill men Ier. 18.18 and afflicted with the scourge of the tongue yea Iob cap. 1. and suffer some losse in some other things but the LORD as the seer to Amaziah is able to giue them much more than that 2 Chron. 25.9 and to make all grace to abound towards them that they alwayes hauing sufficiency in all things maugre the malicious that enuie and reproach them may abound vnto euery good worke 2 Cor. 9.8 2. Inwardly they are afflicted also but how who knoweth What feare and trembling in interiori domo yea what carefulnesse 2 Cor. 7.11 yea what clearing of themselues from the aspersions of the euill yea what indignation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Io. 17.5 yea what vehement desire yea what zeale yea what reuenge vpon themselues ouertaken with a fâ—ult vnknowne to the world This so to be who will deny Not one Bâ—sides if not in themselues for themselues yet afflicted they are or may be In the afflictions of the Church of the brethren of the Lord. 1. Of the Church k Psal 137.1 Riuers of waters ranne by the riuers of Babylon Sion remembred l Neh. 1.3 4. the sonne of Hachaliah the people of God his countreymen in great affliction and reproach the wall of Ierusalem broken downe and the gates burnt with fire sate down and wept and mourned certaine daies and fasted and prayed m 2 Sam. 1. Vriah the arke and Israel and Iudah in their tents will not goe downe to eat and drinke and to sleepe with his wife The Lord saith himselfe that in all the afflictions of his people he was afflicted himselfe n Esai 63.9 The spirit of God vpon him can any man say lesse of afflictions of the Churches In the afflictions of the Chuches in France and Germany who is not afflicted that is of the Church of the liuing God the pillar and ground of truth 1 Tim. 3.15 2. Of priuate persons especially the holy brethren * Hob. 3.1 Other sicke and though hard friends yet Dauid would put on sackcloth and bee afflicted for them o Psal 35.13 2 Sam. 3.32 33. 2 Sam. 1.26 For Abner how much and for Ionathan as Ionathan for him Lazarus dead Thomas said to his fellowes Let vs goe that wee may die with him p Io. 11.16 Epaphroditus full of heauinesse for the Philippians q Phil. 2 2◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because they heard that he had bin sicke they heauie for his sicknesse and he for their heauinesse full of heauinesse feeling members should it not be so The members haue the same care one for another r 1 Cor. 12.25 26. and if one member suffer all the members suffer with it members we one of another one body in Christ no sympathy being in a man how is he in the body the rule is Å¿ Heb. 13.3 Remember them that are in bonds as bound with them and them which suffer aduersity as being your selues also in the body 3. Of the Lord. Suffers he not when the wicked rise vp against him t Psal 139.21 make vâ—id his law u Psal 119.126 prouoke the eyes of his glory put downe his worship and him to open shame x Heb. 6.6 When they presse him and hee is pressed vnder them as a cart with sheaues y Amos 2.13 suffers he not or suffers he and not his seruants with him How did Eliakim Shebua and Ioab rent their cloaths at the blasphemie of Rabshakeh z Isaiah 36.22 How did those that were marked at Ierusalem sigh and cry for all the abominations that were done in the midst therof a Ezek. 9. â— How was iust Lot vexed with the filthy conuersation of the wicked b 2 Pet. 2.7 8. that righteous man dwelling among the Sodomites in seeing and hearing vexed his righteous soule from day to day with their vnlawfull deeds He that can heare see the Lord dishonored his name blasphemed his Sabbaths prophaned his Word despised his Ministers mocked basely misused his worship polluted and perfunctorily performed and is not afflicted The Lord knoweth whose he is and to whom he belongs that comes not to his helpe nor beares his reproach nor grieues for that which is said to grieue the holy spirit of God As Haman said honoured of all but of Mordecai c Esther 5.13 All this auaileth me nothing so long as I see Mordecai the Iew sitting at the Kings gate so say those whose hearts are vnited to the Lord and that feare his Name Although of themselues by place and authority they are mighty in power their seed established in their sight their off-spring before their eyes their houses safe from feare their friends as the starres of heauen for eminence and multitude their wisdome and wealth and worlds delight as Salomons All these auaile vs nothing so long as we see our Lord and our God set behinde not before the sons of men forgotten not remembred exposed to shame not honoured in the world Pondered these things I may as I was about conclude vnder affliction the whole houshold of God and set downe this position to stand fast for euer without opposition That the righteous seruants of God his beloued of his houshold haue all their times in seuerall kindes as Dauid had in his of suffering in this life Psal 34.19 Many the afflictions or euils of the righteous the crosse on their shoulder the yoke on their necke and on their backe the rod of the wicked e Esay 48 10. Israel which is the Israel of God is refined and chosen in the furnace of affliction Demanded vnde From whence afflictions come from whom the euils let Iob answer f Iob 5.6 Not forth of the dust nor out of the ground but from the Lord. g Amos 3.6 Shall there be euill in the Citie and the Lord hath not done it The Lord causeth griefe h Lam. 3.32 and because he loueth them he scourgeth his beloued whom he calleth his called i Isai 48.12 14. whom hee loueth he chasteneth k Heb. 12.6 yea he hath said l Reuel 3.19 As many as I loue I rebuke and chasten Enquired of Quorsum to what end he doth it By the sure word of prophecie the answer is 1. For the profit of his owne 2. And his owne glory First for the profit of his owne his owne thereby being 1. Viuified 2. Sanctified 3. Purged 4. Preuented 1. Viuified or quickned Dead in comparison of the liuing or dull of hearing sometimes the generation of hs children and remisse in seeking in their prosperity as the inhabitants of Lebanon
THE SAINTS SOLACE OR The Condition And Consolation Of The Saints in the Earth Deliuered in certaine Sermons at Eatonbridge in Kent By the Minister there Psal 94.19 In the multitude of the sorrowes that I had in my heart thy comforts haue refreshed my soule LONDON Printed by Iohn Hauiland for Robert Bostocke and are to be sold at his shop in Pauls Church-yard at the signe of the Kings head 1630. TO The right worshipfull Sir Robert Heath Knight his Maiesties Attorney Generall Grace and all good blessings from God the Father and our Lord Iesus Christ Right Worshipfull WHat the Elders of the Iewes vnto Iesus Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Centurious loue vnto their Nation a Luk 7.5 might bee said vnto all of your loue and care of our Eatonbridge where by Baptisme you were initiated and whereof the spirituall wealth b Esth 10.3 you haue earnestly sought both by your owne bountie and other annuall pensions procured by you from your worthy friends * and worshipfull alliance in the adiacent parts vnto the Minister which should bee there resident to edifie the people on the most holy faith It is not to be forgotten of any how you began to honour God whew he began to honour you and how hee hath gone on in honouring you as you haue him If any should I cannot nor will forget your great goodnesse extended towards me of all the Lords seruants the least and vnworthiest since you first saw me your counsell countenance and encouragement after my first entrance into that Cure now eleuen yeares past and lately your powerfull hand stretched out in the happie strength thereof to saue mee from the reproches of them that would haue c Psal 57.3 swallowed mee vp are if I would ingratefully be silent most euident testimonies to the vnderstanding world And yet vnto all these as if all these were small in your sight it pleased you afterwards to adde other fauours when you tooke me to your house and sent mee home not emptie but full of comfort and courage in the worke of the Ministerie for the time to come As Dauid vnto the Lord I might say vnto you Is this the manner of man d 2 Sam. 7.19 What shall I render vnto you for all your benefits towards mee My selfe I owe you and such as I haue giue I you These few impolished papers But what are these of which the acceptation will be the augmentation of my debt or why these rather than some other of my labours is that place which some haply iudge if I would needs to it more worthy the presse Nothing but pressure God is witnesse brought me to the presse and these being mine immediate Meditations after the Commencement of my terrible troubles and the fruits of those sorrowes or sorrowfull thoughts which were then in my soule would as I thought vnto the people of God be acceptable as is vnto God himselfe the broken spirit the broken and contrite heart e Psal 51.17 Nothing else Right Worshipfull but these rude lines which in the dayes of my trouble I found by enquiring in the Sanctuarie of God or otherwise by reading meditation obseruation and experience haue I Me penes to present vnto you but for you and your honoured family all prayers and supplications in the spirit I will as my daily sacrifice offer vpon the golden altar f Reuel 8.3 vnto him who regardeth and despiseth not the prayer of the destitute g Psal 109.17 The Lord blessed you and assist you in your high calling The Lord giue you the price of that other high calling of God in Christ Iesus h Phil. 3.14 for which with all Saints you presse vnto the mark The Lord make you famous in Bethlehem and alwayes to doe worthily in Ephratah i Ruth 4.11 The Lord increase you more and more you and your children Blessed bee yee of the Lord which made Heauen and earth k Psal 115.14 15. Thus recommending this little booke with my selfe the poore Author thereof vnto your implored Patronage and Proâ—ection I craue pardon for my boldnesse and rest Your Worships euer and in all dutie bounden Peter Bostock Eatonbridge Iune 7th Anno Salutis 1630. THE SAINTS SOLACE OR Comforts for Afflicted PSAL. 119. VER 50. This is my comfort in my affliction THE Booke of Psalmes a common promptitarie of Medicine Commune quoddam Medicina promptua arium Ambr. many authorities out of it in the booke of Iesus Christ a Law in which his delight was and his Disciples exercised what other song in the house of their Pilgrimage or reioycing the Saints together what other Odes vsed All admirable but a Ambr. Hic psahâ—us tribus in rebus on nibus â—ntecellit 1. Vtilitate 2. Longitudine 3. Elegantia artificio alphabetico Bellar in tit bâ—ius psal as the Suns the Moones light this surpasseth all The song of songs which was Dauids indited for matter accurately b Muscubus Wilcos ibid. composed for memorie exquisitely many prayers to God many praises of his Word many professions of obedience comprised therein Octonaries 22. the parts thereof euery verse of the 8. in euerie one beginning in the Hebrew with one letter this Section with Zaiin * Zaiin quasi Ziu i. telum quod claua figura esse vidcatur a club in figure in signification a weapon defensiue and offensiue for vse A defence to them that decline not from the Law of God Hâ—ius â—â—â— vid v. 51 52 53 54 55 56 but remember his Name his Word his Iudgements of old his Statutes and Precepts to keepe the same An offence to the proud that haue the humble in derision and to the wicked that forsake the Law What other mysterie better in the letter for the vse of edifying As other haue laboured with that in Thren Hieron in Thren Ier. we might with the Alphabeticall artifice here but comfort in affliction being vnum illud that one thing which we seeke we will set our heart on that one thing and giue our selues wholly thereunto D. King Episs Lond. lect in Ion. The World a Sea in a Similitude swelling with pride and vainglorie the wind to heaue it vp blew and huid with enuy boyling with wrath deepe with couetousnesse foming with luxuriousnes swallowing and drinking in all by oppressions dangerfull for the Rockes of presumption and desperation rising with the waues of passions perturbations ebbing and flowing with lightnesse and inconstancy brinish salt with iniquitie bitter and vnsauourie with all kinde of miserie The confession in the Text of an expert Nauigator as the light in the Admirall by which so many as saile after him through that vast turbid belluous and circumfluous Ocean may for the strengthning of their sea-sicke Soules behold His Condition Affliction and Consolation The Word 1. His Condition or state of life seasoned with Affliction Afflicted hee was greatly a Psal 116.10 and
that all cry out as the Magitians in Aegypt This is the finger of God Å¿ Exod. 8.19 Exod. 8.19 3. By their faith proued and found vnto praise and honour t Deut. 8.2 knowen in the tentation what is in the heart viz. vprightnesse and readinesse to draw neere vnto God u Psal 73. vlt. and to cleaue vnto the Lord with full purpose of heart x Psa 42.8 prayer made to the God of their life c. Christ followed the crosse taken vp themselues denied yea y 2. Cor. 1.8 9. pressed out of measure and aboue strength the sentence of death receiued in themselues that they might not trust in themselues but in God which after two dayes z Hos 6.2 although he kill raiseth the dead magnified and glorified in their bodie their Lord and their God whether by life as in Dauid a Psal 18.17 18. or by death as in Peter b Ioh. 21.19 In the end of their faith is the end of the Lord his owne glorie in their saluation c Psal 50.23 corporall and spirituall temporall and eternall according to his word Psal 50.15 * Saepè hic innocintes pereunt recti sunditùs delentur sed tamen ad aeternam gloâ—iam percundo seruantur Greg. lib. 5. Mor. cap. 14. 4. By their obedience honoured as a father of his sonnes d Mal. 1.6 submisse in their affliction and a master of his seruants corrected obsequious and not answering againe e Tit. 2.9 Had not Satan considered Iob the seruant of God f Iob. 1.8 in his prosperitie Enough he did to his owne shame and the glorie of the Lord in his aduersitie for as Iesus Christ though he were a sonne learned obedience by the things which he suffered g Heb. 5.9 so Iob and all the sonnes of God by faith in Christ Iesus h Gal. 3.26 learne of him to be lowly in heart i Matt. 11.29 and by the things which they suffer obedience to their father which is in heaven Better this than sacrifice k 1 Sam. 15.22 Bullocks with hornes and hoofes not required but obedience from the heart to the forme of doctrine which is deliuered l Gal. 5.17 strange flesh not to be offered but a mans owne flesh to bee sacrificed which in euerie act of obedience is done * Per victimas aliena caro per obedientiam jam verò propria caro mactatur c. Gr. sup 1 Reg. c. 15. Obedire est contra audire scilicet contra proprium sensum propriam voluntatem Vt. Perald Sum. Tom. 1. par 10. c. 2. in fin crucified the flesh which lusteth against the Spirit m Rom. 6.17 in which it is performed obeyed the word which commeth and the Lord therein riding prosperously n Psal 45.4 This causeth honour to God in his Maiestie yea many yet without to glorifie him in the day of visitation o 1 Pet. 2.12 The causes of afflictions efficient and finall thus discouered I proceed to the Vses which shall be For 1. Reproofe 2. Correction 3. Information 4. Admonition 5. Instruction 6. Instauration Vnto which shall be added a word of Exhortation 1. For reproofe to the vile Barbarians which seeing a viper on a Pauls hand or a crosse laid on a Simons shoulder cry out they arc murtherers or malefactors and vengeance will not suffer them to liue at ease or to prosper as other men but these the brutish amongst the people fooles alas when will ye vnderstand p Psal 94.8 The time is come that iudgement must begin at the house of God and if it first begin with them that professe and obey what shall the end be of them that obey not nor professe the Gospell of God q 1 Pet. 4.17 18. If the righteous scarcely be saued where shall the vngodly and the sinner appeare If this be done vnto the green trees which bring forth fruit according as God hath dealt the measure of the spirit what shall bee done vnto the dry which digd about and dressed yeare after yeare continue yet fruitlesse as the cursed fig-tree If the way vnto Heaven bee strewed with crosses bee full of tentations and tribulations what shall be found in the way vnto hell or in the end thereof r Pro. 14.12 There is a way which seemeth right vnto a man as the wiâ—l of the Gentiles vnto themselues Å¿ 1 Pet. 4.3 lasciuiousnesse lusts excesse of wine reuellings banquettings and abominable idolatries but the end thereof are the wayes of death Remember ye not the words of the Lord Iesus how he said Luk. 6.25 Woe vnto you that now laugh for ye shall weepe weep when the righteous at whose troubles they laugh shall be deliuered out of all and they come in their stead Doe yee thinke that the Scripture saith in vaine The righteous is deliuered out of trouble and the wicked commeth in his stead u Pro. 11.8 Againe The wicked shall bee a ransome for the righteous x Pro. 21.18 Dan. 6.24 and the transgressor for the vpright Instances before experience had the oracles had of God Haman and Mordecai y Esth 7.10 Hezekiah and the Aethiopians z Isai 43.3 Daniel and his accusers Peter and his keepers * Act. 12.19 But Barbarians are blinde and cannot see afarre off The iudgements of God are far aboue out of their sight a Psal 10.5 on other seene not ouer themselues themselues in the condemnation vnto which before they were ordained of old they finde not not made to suffer euill with the Saints in the earth but for the euill day b Pro. 16.4 Vse 2 2. For correction to them that refuse correction c Isa 1.3 4. Such was the sinfull nation the people laden with iniquitie the seed of euill doers the children that were corrupters That had forsaken the Lord and prouoked the holy one of Israel vnto anger not only by going away backward but by refusing to returne The one knoweth his owner and what the pricke of the gâ—ad meaneth but Israel did not know neither did they consider therefore the Prophet to them d Ver. 5. Why should yee bee stricken any more yee will reuolt more and more Ieremiah e Ier. 5.3 hath the like complaint O Lord thou hast smitten them but they haue not grieued thou hast consumed them but they haue refused to receiue correction they haue made them faces harder than a rocke they haue refused to returne It is so with many Many there bee that being afflicted know it not As Ephraim had gray haires here and there vpon him yet knew it not f Hos 7.9 nor that his strength was deuoured of strangers so wrath is on some from before the Lord yet they feele it not or if they feele it they are humbled no more than the King of Israel by the famine in Samaria Behold hee cryed g 2 Reg. 6.33 This euill
of the Lord wherefore should I wait on the Lord any longer What hope is in or is of such Not the Anchor which is firme but the Spiders web which perisheth Woe vnto the people that be in such a case what is ours now The Church in tribulation S. Iohn subscribed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Apoc 1.9 A brother and Companion in tribulation How doe wee or what when When Hannibal besieged Sâ—guntum a confederate Citie with Rome the Capitoll of Rome one said was assailed the danger and losse abroad is ours ours the common calamities of the dayes the dayes are euill yea so euill they are that a man may say I haue no pleasure in them h Psal 60.1 2 3. Hath not the Lord cast vs off Hath hee not scattered vs Is hee not displeased with vâ— Doth not the earth tremble Is it not broken Doth it not shake Haue wee not hard things shewed vs and beene made to drinke the wine of astonishment Behold we not the shaking of the hand of the Lord which hee shaketh ouer vs stretched our still not turned away his wrath i Isa 9.12.17.21 for all that is done the enemie hath done exploits groweth horribly boasteth himselfe in mischiefe cryeth there there so would wee haue it ensignes set up for signes the profession in corners Religion in the straits schisme and vngratious heresie a float a floud of many waters roares in our eares the first borne of many the hope of Germany how suddenly surrepted Ah alas The Lord calleth vs to weeping and to mourning and to baldnesse and to girding with sachcloth k Isa 22.12 13. yet behold among vs ioy and gladnesse slaying oxen killing sheepe eating flesh and drinking wine dissolute and resolute we we refuse to be reformed we walke contrarie to the Lord who striketh and walketh therefore contrarie vnto vs yea in furie as hee spake in Leuit. 26. l Leuit. 26.28 chastizing and punishing vs seuen times more rebellious more and more I close with one of Ieremies Lamentations m Ier. 8.18 When I would comfort my selfe against sorrow my heart is faint in me Vse 3 3. For information and sith that the Lord afflicteth whom he loueth may the afflicted bee informed by three notes whether or no they are afflicted in loue For first whom the Lord loueth hee loueth vnto the end and will not cease from arguing and chastening them vntill they be conuerted and reclaimed so much the spirit expresly n Reuel 3.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 As fathers conuince before they chastise their children make knowne their faults and multiply stripes vntill they coÌ„fesse theÌ„ promise reformation semblably the Lord not leaue will hee them whom he chuseth halting betweene two but cause them by chastening them to approach vnto him o Psal 65.4 and 94.12 compared The purifying hand vpon them the drosse is purely purged and the tinne taken away p Isa 1.25 euerie sonne which is scourged commeth out from among the multitude which doe euill toucheth not the vncleane thing q 2 Cor. 6.17 is thorowly separated before hee bee receiued or can be Bee it so that the wicked the hooke in their nose returne not are not purged in the fornace from their filthinesse nor will bee what shall bee done Not purged thereby they shall neuer hee purged r Ezek. 24.13 Vessels of wrath to be filled with the furie of the Lord But correction in loue causeth the Beloued to come in confessing their sins and their profiting appeareth in the amendment of their life Dauid scourged was sensible of his fault and corrigible the correction of the Lord he refused not but receiued for his good confessed the same Good it is for me that I haue beene afflicted that I may learne thy statutes Å¿ Psal 119.67.71 for before I was afflicted I went astray Psal 119.67.71 but now haue I kept thy word Manasseh taken among the thornes and bound with setters knew at length that the Lord he was God t 2 Chron. 33.12 Ephraim bowed yeelded u Ier. 31.20 Israel vexed with all aduersitie torne and smitten approched x Hos 6.1 2. When a man chastized approacheth vnto the Lord and yeeldeth himselfe confesseth and forsaketh his sin hee may count it all ioy yea giue glorie to the Lord and make thus confession y Psal 119.76 I know O Lord that thy iudgments are right and that thou hast in faithfulnesse afflicted thy seruant Note 2 The second loue-token is Consolation receiued in the dayes of euill coÌ„municated afterwards for whom the Lord loueth he comforteth in euerie tribulation and inableth them thereby to comfort them which are in any trouble By the comforts wherewith they were themselues comforted of God z 2 Cor. 1.4 6 7. As sufferings abound so consolation aboundeth and is participated to them that are partakers of the sufferings Dauid scourged for his sin was comforted humbled for it afterwards what would hee Teach transgressours the wayes of God conuert sinners vnto the Lord a Psal 51.13 Peter hauing erred and being conuerted what should hee strengthen his brethren b Luk. 22.32 When a man is refreshed being afflicted and as he hath receiued any grace if he as a good steward minister the same vnto other lying in the like distresse and communicate with their affliction he hath not been afflicted and refreshed in vaine but to good effect in loue and in mercie to be a vessell of mercie and conduit of loue from the fountaine to the cisterne from the Lord to his chosen in the great tribulation Note 3 The third is a minde content with the present things and present state this the obsignation of the spirit e Ephes 4.30 a certaine diuine impression of light a secret manifestation of grace the God of all grace to them that open vnto him when hee knocketh at their doore with the hammer of the crosse manifesting d Io. 14 2â— himselfe in an admirable manner and filling their hearts with vnexpressible gladnesse e Act. 14.17 giuing them Manna supping with them f Reu. 3.20 bringing them to the banquetting house g Cant. 2.4 5. staying them with flagons comforting them with apples girding their hearts with his peace which passeth vnderstanding h Phil. 4 7. powring the spirit of grace and supplications vpon them i Zach. 12.10 giuing them an vnderstanding that they may know him that is true k 1 Io 5.20 opening the treasures of his all-sufficiencie fashioning their hearts and adapting their mindes to the present condition whatsoeuer it is no sutablenesse nor agreeablenesse between the minde and the condition What is the life but a kinde of liuing death but suiting and agreeing the condition to the minde the appetite accommodated and thing desired had had is that one thing which is instar omnium as it were all things Men of heauie hearts mirth and musike grieue when as weeping
them in pouerty what 's their pouerty He with them in persecution what 's their persecution much aduantage and euery way much What protection from the Lord what propagation of the Gospell 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what recompence of reward without persecution With persecution in this life an hundred sold shall be receiued * Mar. 10.30 in what but in the presence of the Lord and the efficacie of his grace which is equiualent yea an hundred fold more excellent than the losse I know not what better sense can be giuen or how otherwise that reading is to bee vnderstood Had he said that after the cessation of persecution peace shall bee and wealth c. plaine it had beene but he saith with persecution in the time thereof a man shall receiue an hundred fold and that is as plaine to them that haue the witnesse in themselues In few to shut vp the whole matter Marke the man that shrinketh vnder the hand of God and behold him that maketh the Lord his Committee that prayeth being afflicted that waiteth patiently carrying the Lords leasure and satisfied with the presence of his grace as sufficient endureth to the end for the end of that man is peace k Psal 37.37 Vse 4 4. For the instauration of them l â—am 3 15 16 17. That giue willingly their cheekes to him that smiteth them that are filled with bitternesse and made drunken with wormewood couered with ashes and their teeth broken as with grauell stones their soule remoued far off from peace and prosperitie forgotten * Scriptura vâ—cat bonos fâ—umentum malos paleam eritur ventus c. Fonsec Sabb. ante Dom. Quad. For good men the Scripture calleth wheat the euill chaffe ariseth a great wind of persecution or commeth from the wildernesse some terrible Blast of other sore affliction to dissociate the good and the euill to segregate the pretious from the vile and as wheat from the chaffe to separate true Israelites in whom no guile is from potsheards couered with siluer drosse * Temporizers hypocrites Are the Heauens now blacke with clouds and winds doe the winds blow be the times boysterous the dayes euill the world troublous The Lord is about to purge his floore and will purge it thorowly * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 m Mat. 3.12 the wheat he will gather into his garner but the chaffe hee will scatter yea burne it with vnquenchable fire After a fierie triall professours may be fewer but shall be better farre n Conjectae ecclesia in catinum excocta igne afflictionum minor quidem euadit sed pâ—â—ior Amand. polan in Dan. 11.35 Necessarie therefore as schismes o 1 Cor. 11.19 and spurres that they which are approued might bee made manifest and the slothfull in businesse more feruent in spirit seruing the Lord. But after Theodoret Affliction is the Hostorie or * Strickle Stichel of God in the hand of his Iustice with which he striketh off in his chosen vessels the sins that against Iustice his mercie cannot beare The gracious Lord saith hee vsing a balance and a measure Theod. Eccles hist lib. 5. cap. 1. composed of Iustice and Mercie striketh off here by his Iustice the faults which are aboue weight and measure Is any among you afflicted let the afflicted among you looke vnto the Lord who doth it for their good euen to strike off with the hand of his Iustice or that rod in his hand on them the sinnes which in them surpoise the sealed balance and surpasse the marked measure of his mercie Moreouer know yee not that in the lowest condition is found the best successe Had not Iacob Ioseph Dauid in the winter of their affliction the spring of the soule Is not Gaius his prosperitie which is of the soule better than that of fooles which is not p Pro. 23.5 or is nothing in Salomons iudgement but extreme vanitie and vexation of spirit or an euident token of perdition and destruction As the greatest tentation is to feele no tentation so the greatest affliction not to be afflicted An argument of infirmitie not of maturitie of infancie not of manhood The promises of outward beauties to the Church of the Iewes were confined to the nonage thereof grown vpto some height what promises of great things Duo â—d te attrahunt Dei oculos c. Fon. sec vbi sup Two things there be that draw the eyes of God vnto men Humble and prompt obedience Pressure and persecution Of that Abraham of this an instance Israel in Aegypt An heart trembling at the word of God a contrite and humble spirit doth the like Suffering doth a man tremble at the word The Lord looketh to him Isa 66.3 Is hee of a contrite and humble spirit the high and loftie one that inhabiteth eternitie dwelleth with him to reuiue his spirit and to reuiue his heart Isa 57.15 Deadnesse a sore euill and dulnesse the graue of many graces after some ioyes conceiued afflict sometimes the Chosen generation q 1 Pet 2.3 CAVSES either sorrow or excessiue care or obliquitie in the vse of the meanes giuen of God to strengthen the soule in the houre of tentation or temporarie desertion or else the commission of some sin or the omission of some good dutie or else some other subtill deuice of the Deuill but CVRATIONS or Remedies none better know I than feare and trembling contrition and humilitie for from such the Lord is not far but at hand to reuiue them and wearie with labouring vnder the heauie crosse to giue them happie rest For a small moment he forsaketh but with great mercie he gathereth r Isa 54.5 6 7 8. In a little wrath he hideth his face for a moment but with euerlasting kindnesse he hath mercie on them that â—s a wife of youtâ— are betrothed vnto him Å¿ Hos 2.19 20. in righteousnesse and in iudgement and in louing kindnesse and in mercies Haue I made a step out of the way Suppose it was to call on a friend ☜ The externall sufferings are not so grieuous as the internall are and without the internall the externall are not effectuall vnto sound humiliation Therefore expedient both both also light and but for a moment The sufferings of the present time t Rom. 8.18 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 styled and a kinde of leuitie u 2 Cor. 4.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that passeth as it commeth in the twinckling of an eye or staying all night the accidentall mourning Rico prateriens leuitas Bez. ioy commeth in the morning x Psal 30.5 A reioycing is created y Isa 65.18 yea appointed vnto them that mourne in Sion z Isa 61.3 beautie giuen for ashes the oyle of ioy for mourning the garment of praise for the spirit of heauinesse power for faintnesse strength for weaknesse a Isa 40.29 the humbled lifted vp b Iam. 4.10 the ruined places builded
his backe from the smiters nor his face from shame and spitting The adoptiue sonnes when they are chastened with paine vpon their bed a Iob 33.19 20 21 22. and the multitude of their bones with strong paine when their life abhorreth bread and their soule dainty meat when their flesh is consumed away and their bones sticke out when their soule draweth neare to the graue and their life to the destroyer haue also their instructions sealed This when I remember I powre out in me my soule thus Wherefore should I feare in the dayes of euil b Psal 49.5 when punishment or death the iniquity of my heeles compasse mee about it is at the worst but a bruise in the heele The serpents head is broken and the hunters snare I see my selfe now saued from wrath of which I was by nature the child c Eph. 2.3 The childe of God I am adopted I know it because chastened I endure the chastisement A son without controuersie of a truth I perceiue it because I forget not the exhoration which speaketh vnto me as vnto a sonne My sonne despise not thou the chastening of the Lord neither be wearie of his correction neither faint when thou art rebuked of him for whom the Lord loueth hee correcteth and rebuketh euen as a father the sonne in whom hee delighteth Pro. 3.11 and Heb. 12.5 6. compared A deare son I am d Ier. 31.19 10. I am a pleasant childe my father which is in heauen taketh pleasure in nice his bowels found and are troubled for mee surely hee will haue mercie on me ashamed of my selfe surely hee will delight himselfe in mee confounded in my selfe for that I beare the reproach of my youth Therefore I will whatsoeuer things I suffer delight my selfe in him This shall swallow vp my griefes this shall giue or cause to bee giuen vnto mee the desires of my heart e Psal â—7 4 this the strength of my life This the strong consolation and this is my comfort in my affliction 3. By the word through faith they vnderstand That afflictions are euidences of the brotherhood in Christ of conformitie to him of communion with him the lustre of his image and the markes thereof the marks of the Lord Iesus in his members yea the sufferings of Christ f Phil. 3.10 and on the whole bodie which is called Christ g 1 Cor. 12.12 accomplished in the brethren which are in the world h 1 Pet. 4.13 and reflected on him who is not ashamed to call them that suffering are sanctified brethren i Heb. 2.11 Is not his care and sympathy expressed k Act. 9.4 persecuted hee is in them that beare his name and his is their reproach l Heb. 11.26.13.13 The reproach of Christ called This when I remember I powre out in me my soule thus Why art thou cast downe ô my soule and why art thou disquieted within mee m Psal 42.5 No burthen now on thee that is not now on the brethren abroad The same afflictions * 1 Pet. 5.9 the same also the sufferings of Christ not a teare sheddest thou which hee puts not into a bottle not one sigh from thy broken heart which enters not into his open eares not one gash on thee of which his soule is not sensible not one scratch or scarre in thy face which appeares not in his not one furrow on thy backe which turnes not vpon his A brother of low degree yet brother to Iesus Christ in the highest * Iam. 1.9 Reioyce therefore in that thou art exalted and run with patience to the race which is set before thee looking aswell vnto Iesus Christ the Author and finisher of thy faith thy faithfull brother and bearer of thy griefes o Isa 53.4 as also to the brethren enduring the same crosse and despising the shame thereof in the world If any draw backe p Heb. 10.38 whose soule shall haue any pleasure in such Nothing hath taken thee but that which is common q 1 Cor. 10.13 common the exinanition to them in the bodie before the exaltation and this is my coÌ„fort in my afflictioÌ„ 4. By the word through faith they vnderstand That afflictions are tokens of the presence of God going before his Israel out of Aegypt into Canaan r Deut 8.2 3. Know yee not what hee did to humble them as they went Who knoweth not what the presence of a father amongst children doth euen keepe them in awe or not awefull rebukes are heard and had stripes The righteous are recompenced on the earth Å¿ Pro. 11.31 sometimes by the wicked and sinner The hand of the Lord and the sword in his hand t Psal 17.4 turning euerie way as the * Gen. 3. vlt. Cherubims flaming sword to keepe them whom hee keepes in the way euerlasting These recompenced also as they behaue themselues ill in their doings Amalekites their end to bee destroyed for euer u Num. 24.20 But Iacob not smitten x Isa 27.7 as the smiters of Iacob nor slaine according to the slaughter of his aduersaries ouerturned ouerturned ouerturned with an ah y Isa 1.24 and damned as Sodom z 2 Pet. 2.6 with an ouerthrow The Lords portion a Deut. 32.9 is his people and theirs his aduersaries b Exod. 33.14 His presence is alwaies with them and shall bee to day as yesterday and so for euer Might I with your fauor change my voice I might shew you a mysterie to be admired of you As the Lord is so is his Israel and as they are so is he in the world c 1 Io. 4.17 Nulla est in mundo miseria aut afflictio in quam Deus non respiciat c. Fonsec Sab ante Dom. Quadra Hearing their cries and seeing their iniuries he manifested himselfe not as a consuming fire but as a burning bush as confined himselfe within a bush his people straitened in the confines of Aegypt and they offended as burning himselfe grieued his soule for their miserie Iudg. 10.16 and afflicted himselfe in all their afflictions Isa 63.9 Although hee speake sharply and deale roughly with them yet he earnestly remembers them Ier. 31.19 and will saue them from their enemies from the hands of them that hate them from making of pots from the iron yoke from the heat of the fornace This when I remember I powre out in me my soule thus Doth the Lord beat me with his rod and strike me with his flâ—ffe his rod and his staffe both comfort me d Psal 23.4 His hand not farre off nor his presence from me but at hand and with mee to deliuer me Infirmities reproaches necessities distresses enuiron me yet trembling and not sinning not resisting nor rebelling against him that is with mee as hee in me I may take pleasure in them e Isa 25.4 Ths Lord is with me a mightie terrible one a strength to mee poore a strength to mee
needy in my distresse a refuge from the storme a shadow from the heat when the blast of the horrible ones is as a storme against the wall f 2 Cor. 4.8 9. troubled I am on euerie side yet not distressed perplexed yet not in despaire or not altogether destitute of meanes persecuted yet not forsaken cast downe yet not destroyed when I fall I shall arise when I sit in darknesse the Lord is a light vnto me g Micah 7.8 when I am impleaded hee shall plead my cause when I am iudged and in the hands of the wicked hee will not leaue mee h Psal 37.33 but execute iudgement for me when I am sifted of Satan as wheat hee will confirme my faith i 1 Cor. 1.8 when I am cast downe hee will comfort me k 2 Cor. 7.6 Gratious hee is I know and am perswaded that hee will performe all things for me l Psal 57.2 3. yea send from Heauen all helpes on earth failing and saue me from them that would swallow me vp Therefore I cast my selfe on him I roll I commit my way vnto him m Psal 37.5 c. Hee shall bring it to passe my righteousnesse as the light and my iudgement as the noone-day my refuge is vnder the shadow of his wings vntill these calamities shall bee ouerpast n Psal 57.1 my rocke he is my fortresse my deliuer o Psal 18.1 my buckler my high Tower my God and his presence the horne of my saluation And this is my comfort in my affliction 5. By the word through faith they vnderstand That afflictions are the high way vnto heauen p Act. 14.12 no walking on pillowes thither but on thornes and stones the strait gate not easily entred at pressing there is and must be violence q Mat. 11 12. or else no entrance there In the broad way is elbow-roome but thorow the straits as the blessed goe to the euerlasting gates are strong oppositions by the principalities and powers by the rulers of the darknesse of this world and the wickednesses in the high places r Eph. 6.12 This when I remember I powre out in mee my soule thus The world which now laugheth and reioyceth maketha me wretched man to weepe and lament yet is my sorrow turned into ioy yea I count it all ioy when I fall into temptations t Iam. 1.2 I am exceeding ioyfull in all my tribulations u 2 Cor. 12.10 Are they not portalls before the house of God and the gates of Heauen Guides and markes they are in the straight street in the old way to the soules rest of the new and liuing way to perfection the footsteps of Iesus Christ made perfect he through sufferings x Heb. 2.10 and endured for the ioy that was set before him y Heb. 12.3 such oppositions and contradictions of sinners against himselfe as are written in the volume of the booke so will I being confident of this verie thing That the present pressure is the way vnto peace in the after ends z Psal 37.37 the paines of Hell vnto the ioyes of Heauen the reproaches of Christ to the euerlasting pleasures the valley of the shadow of death the path of righteousnesse vnto perfection And this is my comfort in my affliction 6. By the word through faith they vnderstand That afflictions are the Porters which open the doores of distressed soules that the gratious promises may come in what are the gracious promises of our God Verily to haue mercie on his afflicted Isay 49.13 according to the multitude of his tender mercies Lam. 3.32 to gather them with great mercies and to haue mercie on them with euerlasting kindnesse Isay 54.7 8. to bee with them in trouble to deliuer them and honour them Psal 91.15 yea to bee with them for euer euen vnto the end of the world Matth. vlt. vlt. neuer to leaue them neuer to forsake them Ios 1.5 spoken first to that great Duke but applyed by the spirit vnto the little flock of the little ones Hebr. 13.5 vnto the least of the little ones that beleeues on Iesus Christ The Lord hath said I will neuer leaue thee nor forsake thee This when I rememher I powre out in me my soule thus Pro. 3.10 By sight I see how many liue not by faith their barnes filled with plenty Luk 12.19 and their presses bursting out with new wine they sing hearts case and soule take thine case but the bread of aduersity and water of affliction or of oppression giuen Heb. 11.13 The iust liue by faith seeing the promise as the fathers afarre off yet saluting them as present and embracing the same as the verie ioy and reioycing of their heart Therefore it is good for mee to rest my selfe on and in the promises of God Ier. 1.12 for hee will hasten his word to performe it his word he will remember vnto mee his seruant Psal 119.149 vpon which he hath caused mee to hope Heb. 10.35 I will not cast away my confidence which hath great recompence of reward patience in me shall haue her perfect worke Iam. 1.4 that I may bee perfect and intire wanting nothing I will doe the will of God that I may receiue the promise yet a little while and hee that shall come Heb. 10.37 will come and will not tarrie euen the God of all grace in a time accepted then shall my light breake forth as the morning and mine health shall spring forth speedily Isa 58.8.10 the day-spring from on high shall visit mee I shall see in that day Hab. 2.3 the word in the worke The vision is yet for an appointed time but at the end it shall speake and not lye though it tarrie I will wait for it because it will surely come with refection And this is my comfort in my affliction 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 7. By the word through faith they vnderstand That affliction haue with them power from bone preseruatiue and sanatiue had not Ionah beene swallowed of the Whale he had beene of the sea and Bethesda's poole healed when troubled Happâ—e iâ— the man whom God errecteth Iob 5.17 This happinesse who can declare not one not knowen ouerwhelmed with a floud what gulph is escaped who knoweth or what malady cured some miserie endured This when I remember I powre cut in mee my soule thus The smarting rod vpon mee may bee a supporting staffe vnto mee without it I might fall into a fouler ditch Had not it a worse thing might haue happened vnto me Physick makes sicke before whole a time of health for this trouble will come and I will expect it Behold my Physitian standeth before the doore hee looketh vpon mee and mee hee looketh Isa 66.3 Vt curent spasmum medici procurent febrim This ague to shake me he doth procure mee to cure a more dangerous conuulsion in mee or as Lot was in Sodome I may bee in this
world Gen. 19.6 and these troubles as the Angels on him lay hold on mee the Lord being mercifull vnto mee to bring me forth and to set me without the bounds of destruction I will therefore take in all that come for in doing this as other in their tents I may entertaine in this earthly tabernacle Angels vnawares Heb. 14. â—â— An Angell sent from God for some speciall good to me is my tribulation and this is my comfort in my affliction 8. By the word through faith they vnderstand That afflictions demonstrate faithfull and fruitfull branches Euerie branch of the vine that beareth fruit is purged that it may bring forth more fruit Io. 15.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 defractionem partium luxuriantium Aret. in loc Fert vberiorem fructum post refectionem Aret. vbi sup Vitis foditur circuÌ„ciditur sterceratur putatur aliisque multis exercetur laboribus c. Aret. vbi sup For as after the refection defraction of the parts luxuriant the branches of the vine yeeld more fruit so the faithfull in their afflictions which are as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or rusticke purgations are the more fruitfull not pruned at ease and grow wilde apace or their grapes wilde but purged afflicted wounded within and bruised without euerie gift is stirred vp and set to work euery grace that is in them the lights put vnder a bushell before shine afterwards as in candlestickes set vpon hills What vse before of faith or of patience before what hope or ioy in the holy Ghost As the wine forced runs out of the presse and as the weights of a clocke turne all the wheeles about so the loads of afflictions presse out of them that are Christs the praises of Christ * 1 Pet. 2.9 and shew forth the hidden vertues of them that are the hidden ones of God * Psal 83.4 This when I remember I powre out in me my soule thus Pinched I am pruned and pared nigh yea cut to the quicke that I bleed in spirit but needfull the compunction it is the first degree of inward humiliation if a wound bee it is the second and not hurtfull nor the third which is the contrition it selfe Better is a conscience wounded D. Slater Salue for a wounded spirit than a conscience seared better a heart grownd to powder with the millstone of wrath turning about vpon it than one dedolent and past feeling of sin and wrath better a soule to be lopped in the passions of sinnes than to be obducted with ranke lusts or neglected and reiected Not meerely poenall the wounded spirit in the children of God as in Cain and Iudas the beginning of their hell but either castigatory for the chastisement of some particular disobedience as Dauids or probatory for triall as Iobs or percursory for preuention as Pauls thorne in his flesh lest through the abundance of reuelations he should be exalted aboue measure 2 Cor. 12. or purgatorie for the cleansing of vncleane and euill thoughts imaginations and reasonings touching Gods prouidence the word the profession the power of nature selfe-abilitie to conuert inherent righteousnesse good works freewill and security in the arme of flesh How such sparkles rise in vnswept chimneyes the fire blowne with the bellowes of hell who knoweth not that knoweth the deuices of Satan Phil. 2. Therefore I will through him that worketh the will and the good deed giue all diligence to search and try mine own wayes In euery crooked way I may finde a crosse * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my crosses indigitate mine exorbitancies As I deprehend them I will amend them and bring forth fruit meet for repentance new obedience in all things the old things in mee shall become all new When I shoot forth Isai 27.8 the Lord will in measure debate with mee and stay the rough wind in the day of the East wind when I blossome and bud and fill the face of the world with fruit in its season for I will approue my selfe as the seruant of Christ 2 Cor. 6.5 6. in much patience in afflictions in necessities in distresses in tumults in labours by the word of truth by the power of God by the armour of righteousnesse on the right hand and on the left by honour and dishonour by good report and euill report as persecuted yet not profligated as chastened and yet not killed as sorrowfull and yet reioycing as pruned being pampinous too full of needlesse sprigges and superfluous twigges yet not taken away as the fruitlesse branch nor cast forth nor withered nor gathered of men nor cast into the fire but purged for fructification Io. 15.6 and this is my comfort in my affliction 9. By the word of God through faith they vnderstand that afflictions are necessary exercises Heb. 12.13 a kind of wrestling betweene the Lord and his seruants Troubles on them his hands on them and theirs on him the right hand of faith 2 Tim. 2.5 Thus it is wrested and who preuaileth Alwayes the afflicted striuing lawfully The lawfull striuing learned of Iacob Hoseah his interpreter hee had power with God and preuailed for hee wept and made supplication vnto him Hos 11. so may all ouercome if the Lord may ouercome the heart yeelded vp the strife is ended humbled in the sight of God immediately lifted vp Iam. 5.10 teares seene hee yeelds supplications made he takes away his hand the victory with facility had grieuous the conflict for the present time yet ioyous afterwards Heb. 12.11 the Lord not let goe the blessing not obtained This when I remember I powre out in me my soule thus Is the euill vpon me the hand of the Lord Doth hee thereby wrestle with mee wretched man that I am who shall deliuer mee Rom. 7.24 Hee will himselfe hold mee downe with his left and vphold mee with his owne right hand my faith his gift Io. â— 2â— his worke that I beleeue in him beleeuing in him I cannot nor shall be cast downe of him or out of his sight Gen. 35.25 touched happily the hollow of my thigh as hee wrestleth with mee it may slip out of ioynt or the sinew may shrinke and I may halt vpon it but my faith shall not faile Therefore will I while the Lord with mee striue lawfully with him holding my selfe fast by him weeping before him and making incessant supplications vnto him exercised this shall bee my exercise vntill I preuaile and through him I shall preuaile with him he will hold me fast see my teares Psal 6.8 heare the voyce of my weeping Isai 38.5 giue mee the petitions that I desire of him blesse me with the new name Reuel 2.17 in the white stone giuen to him that ouercommeth I shall haue princely power with God and men Psal 118.6 I will not feare what men can doe vnto mee aduantagious the disaduantage the agitation requisite lucratiue the luctuation And this is my comfort in my affliction Lastly By the word through faith they vnderstand That afflictions precede the ioy of the Lord and glorie to come as the pleasures of sinne destruction and damnation To them that make their bellies their Gods Phil. 3.18 and that minde earthly things as the enemies of the crosse of Christ Rom. 29 10. Tribulation and anguish indignation and wrath but to them that lye amongst the pots in stocks in the dungeon in the briars and in the burning bushes induring the fierie triall of their faith fulnesse of ioy and brightnesse of glorie the triall of their faith being much more pretious than of gold which perisheth though it bee tried in the fire shall bee found vnto praise and honour and glorie at the appearing of Iesus Christ The Passouer of the great * Reuel 5.14 tribulation celebrated or the same passed ouer they shall wash their robes Phil. 3.21 and make them white in the bloud of the Lambe their vile bodies also be fashioned like vnto the glorious bodie of Iesus Christ shall shine as the firmament yea as the Sun in the height of his glorie This when I remember I powre out in me my soule thus Of a truth I perceiue Rom. 8.18 that the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to bee compared to the glorie which shall be reuealed in me I reckon not the temporall euill but haue respect to the eternall good I faint not 2 Cor. 4.16 17. for though mine outward man perish mine inward is renewed day by day my light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for mee a far more exceeding and eternall weight of glorie Therefore vnder my pressures Rom. 2.10 I will by patient continuance in well-doing seeke for glorie and honour and immortalitie and eternall life for I am perswaded that neither tribulation nor distresse nor persecution nor famine Rom. 8 3â— nor nakednesse nor perill nor sword nor death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to preuent the ioy or to separate me from the glorie to come the spirit of glorie resteth already on me and full is my heart of ioy in the Holy Ghost The God of all grace hath by Christ Iesus called me into his eternall glorie and after that I haue suffered a while * 1 Pet. 5.10 will cause mee to enter into his ioy which is fulnesse of ioy and crowne mee with his glorie which is eternall glorie To him be glorie and dominion for euer and euer Amen FINIS