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
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
and Bashan they will not heare m Ier. 22.21 nor seeke as the rebellious children the face of the Lord but in their affliction they will heare him gladly and seeke him early n Hos 5. vlt the mountaine made strong and security crying within I shall neuer be moued decryeth other cryes the people whom the Lord hath formed for himselfe will not in such a case shew forth his praise Iacob would not nor would Israel call vpon him but was weary of him o Isai 43.21 22. yet the Lord gone his way and returned to his place or his face hid trouble came and the their cry was heard Come and let vs returne p Hos 6.1 Correspondent to the Prophets counsell q Cap. 14.2 Take with you words and turne to the Lord and render vnto him the Calues of your lippes 2. Sanctified partakers of afflictions by the hand of the Lord partakers also of his holinesse r Heb. 12.10 made holy thereby Å¿ Non quod nos propriè sanctificent sed quod adminicula c. Caluin Hosm yet not properly for Christ is the sanctification but exercised to the moritification of the flesh consequently prepared hauing escaped the corruption which is in the world through lust as well to be receiued of the Lord as also to receiue the Lord to be sanctified in their heart * Isai 8. â—3 their feare their dread and their sanctuary yea Consortes esse to be consorts of the diuine nature 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not of the substance but of the image of God after him created in righteousnesse and true holinesse 2 Pet. 1. â— or of diuine qualities conferred and predicated as the vertues of him who calleth out of darknesse into maruellous light t Pet. 2.9 the simile is obuious u Perkins aur armil As the needle to the threed so the Crosse makes way to sanctity or amendment of life 3. Purged Resty the Saints grow rusty turne againe vnto folly gather blacknesse and filthinesse both of the flesh and spirit foolish lâ—t alone as Ephraim to his Idols x Hos 4.17 ioyned to the froward froward as they to the ignorant ignorant as they to the brutish brutish as they yea as beasts before God y Psal 73.22 Behold the man on the mountaine in the wildernesse of Maon as a dead dogge in the sight of the aduersary that sought his life z 1 Sam. 24.14 but vpon the roofe of the Kings house as a pampred horse looking and neighing after his neighbours wife * 2 Sam. 11.2 Iâ—r 5 8. not powred out from vessell to vessel Moah like men settle on their lees Peace abused defileth and rest corrupteth those who by reason of their rest haue not their senses exercised to discerne good and euill Is the prophecie hard in Dan 11.35 touching men of vnderstanding may wee not heare it surely such men fall sometimes yet suffer no losse a Vt radicula hoc est herba lanaria qua a fullonibus haec and is velibus adhibetur plurimum confert ad munditiem canderem lana seu panni ita persecutio atque afflictio subigit ecolesiam c. Polan in Dan. 11.32 but are as soyled wooll with sopeweed or fouled cloth with Fullers earth purged by meanes of the later blot from a former spot a secret fault before not vnderstood Who can vnderstand the error of his way without a fall or will wash or purge no filth of the flesh seene to put away nor felt ill humors in the body to expurge Remember the Patriarks Gen. 42.22 and 50.15 4. Preuented or subtracted from two great euills which other dimitted or left to themselues precipitate or headlong cast themselues into namely transgression and condemnation Obstacles to these the thornes of afflictions in Hosea 2.6 I will hedge vp thy way with thornes saith the Lord to be vnderstood b Zanch. in loc Non posse intelligi nisi de electis c. Sapè enim etiam electi inducunt in animaÌ„ c. not of the children of whoredomes but of the Elect for euen the Elect either of ignorance or of infirmity or according to the notions of carnall wisdome and motions of the flesh determine with themselues to follow oftentimes after strange louers lying vanities forbidden pleasures things vnseemly and inconuenient or not acceptable vnto the Lord therefore the Lord walls vp their wayes sets bryars in their pathes sends crosses so thicke that as Saul c 1. Sam. 23.27 â—8 from pursuing Dauid by the Philistines inuading the land theyâ— are turned from their intended euill courses into the way vnto excellencie Their first husband i. the Lord their maker found to be the best d Hos 2.7 consequently kept backe from the great transgression e Psal 19.13 likewise from condemnation for when they are iudged they are chastened of the Lord that they should not be condemned with the world f 1. Cor. 11.32 The whole world lieth in wickednesse g 1 Ioh. 5.19 but they that are of God are called and called out and commonly come out thorow the fornace of Affliction h Isai 48.10 Esay 48.10 Thus for their owne profit followeth for the glorie of the Lord The Lord glorified In his Power and Prouidence By their Faith and Obedience 1. In his power His power made perfect in their weaknesse i â— Cor. 12.9 weake they they are strong in him or falling through infirmitie he vpholdeth them with his hand k Psal 37.17 24. In his hand they are and no man shall pluck them out of his hand l Ioh. 10.28 29. The mightie man may boast himselfe in mischiefe but the power of the Lord as his goodnes endureth continually m Psal 52.1 thornes may be in the flesh of the faithfull the messengers of Satan buffeting them but the grace of the Lord which is with them is proued sufficient for them n 2 Cor. 12.9 2. In his prouidence drawne vnto him with the cords of a man and bands of loue he taketh by the armes his deare children o Hos 11.3 4. and teacheth them to goe feedeth them clotheth them stirreth vp others to sustaine their soules As Rauens ministred to Eliah so supplyes are sent by them whom hee will send In the dayes of famine they eat and haue enough p Psal 37.19 for as Hezekiah and his people Hierusalem beleaguered q Isa 37.30 they either eat such as groweth of it selfe and that which springeth of the same Or else as the Captiues of Iudah r Dan. 1.15 fed with pulse their countenance appeareth fairer and fatter than other which eat the portion of the Kings meat Sometimes by small meanes sometimes by no meanes sometimes against meanes in sustaining and preseruing them * 1 Pet 5.7 that cast their care on him he beyond expectation or mans apprehension declareth his care of them and demonstrateth his prouidence so luculently
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
c â—zek 36.34 35 36 38. the desolate planted the desart villages augmented and the waste Cities filled with flocks of men as in the solemne assemblies Wherefore * Heb. 3.1 Exhortation Holy brethren partakers of the heauenly calling I beseech you suffer the word of exhortation * Heb. 13.22 for yee see your state and the condition of this life how seasoned it is or may be to you in the time and season which the Lord hath put in his owne power d Act. 1.7 No rod now vpon you yet scourged ye may be and be called from aboue to suffer many things what yee know not nor know I when God knoweth when and what Who maketh you to differ from other of the royall priesthood e 1 Pet. 2.9 Other suffer to bee viuified thereby why not yee Other suffer to be sanctified thereby why not yee Other suffer to be purged thereby why not yee Other suffer to bee preuented thereby why not yee Other suffer and the Lord by their sufferings is glorified in his power and prouidence by their faith and obedience why not by yours I will not reproue you for doe yee that stand safe on the shore on the dry banks on the high rocks reioyce against other weather-beaten at sea driuen with fierce winds and tossed with swelling waues or cast ouer boord and swimming for their liues They doe verie ill that doe thus f Pro. 17.5 He that is glad of calamitie shall not bee vnpunished nor held innocent Better were it for you to weepe with them that weepe g Rom. 12.15 to suffer with them that suffer to beare their burthen h Gal. 6.2 to communicate with their affliction To this I will exhort you for in doing this yee shall doe well Ye haue done well saith Paul that yee did communicate i Phil. 4.14 with my afflâ—ction I will not conuent nor summon you to corrections for doe yee despise any chastisement doe yee kicke against pricks k Act 9.5 and the yoke on your necks stiffe-necked are yee as l Ier. 31.18 Bullocks vnaccustomed to the yoke are your faces harder than a rocke doe yee refuse to returne They doe verie ill that doe thus This an aggrauation of the offence and punishment yea two great euils are perpetrated therby Better were it for you to shrinke vnder the mighty hand of God and to kisse his rod vpon you to confesse your faults and aske him forgiuenesse to conuert from the errour of your wayes and to bring forth fruit meet for repentance To this I will exhort you for in doing this yee shall haue mercie m Pro. 28.13 bee saued from the wrath n Iam. 4.10 5.20 receiued and reconciled refreshed and certified that the Lord hath corrected you with iudgement o Ier. 10.24 not in anger not in furie to kill you p 1 Sam. 2.25 as Heli's sonnes but as Ephraim his deare son q Ier. 31.20 in loue to reclaime you I will not argue you that yee suffer as euill doers or as busie-bodies or slight the surprisall of other men or secure your selues in the mount of this worlds good and the arme of flesh They doe verie ill that doe thus as they in the prouocation who would wilfully prouoke the Lord who doth not from his heart or not willingly grieue and afflict the children of men r Iam. 3.3 Besides the troubles on other men happen vnto them for ensamples and may serue for your admonition Å¿ 1 Cor. 10.6.11 Yea they are your examples to the intent yee should not lust after euill things as they peraduenture lusted And will a man neglect so faire examples Besides this the present peace health and wealth is but momentanie and transitorie what man is he that trusteth therein Better were it for you to bee alwaies cautious t Heb. 3.12 lest there bee in any of you an euill heart of vnebeleefe departing from the liuing God to be warned by the fals or harmes of other men and to cast away all confidence in the flesh u Phil. 3.3 leaning to the Lord not to your owne vnderstanding x Pro. 3 5. To this I will exhort you for in doing this yee may keepe your feet from euerie euill way dwell in safetie lodge in the secret place of the most high and abide vnder the shadow of the Almighty y Psal 91.1 What shall I more say but as yet haue been instructed afflicted or misrable rememner your affliction and your miscrie Commit your way and the keeping of your soules in well doing vnto God pray alwayes possesse your soules in patience continue to the end and in the end bee saued The present gusts and tempests purge the floore of God therefore purged be perpurged euen thorowly purged and truly separate not touching the vncleane 2 Cor. 6.17 nor being as some be audacious adherents and presumptuous partakers in ether mens sinnes z 1 Tim. 5.22 * 1 Connivendo 2 Conticendo 3 Consulendo 4 Consentiendo 5 Defendendo V. Zanch. in Ephes 5.7.11 The present afflictions are spurre-rowels for vse therefore afflicted sore bee stirred vp easily to follow more earnestly the thing that good is Suspect nothing more than the aduersitie of the soule in the prosperitie of the bodie and in the spring of the spirit which is the winter of the flesh put forth the expected fruit of the spirit or if any deadnesse if any dulnesse bee in the winter of the spirit bee not dismayd neither please your selues therein but rouze vp your selues as those which being drowzie are willing to shake off sleepe Call vpon God and to minde his faithfulnesse Returned to his place * Hos 5 vlt. for some speciall end in the end hee will returne and ordaine peace a Isa 26.12 and worke all your works in you for you Faithfull is hee that promiseth who will also doe it b 1 Thes 5.24 Doe it hee will for you inquired of c Ezek. 36.37 by you to doe it for you Therefore as he at Ziglag greatly distressed Encourage your selues in the Lord your God 1 Sam. 30.6 Hitherto Dauids condition hath brought vs and forth these things followeth his consolation The word of God This is my comfort My comfort d Psal 87. â— As of the Citie of God many glorious things are spoken of the word but â—s the vertuous woman all the other daughters e Pro. 31.29 this excelleth all Help in time of need most comfortable and comfort in affliction most needfull This by the word Therefore we conclude That the word of God is the best comfort Comfortable at the raine vnto the tender f Deut. 32.2 herbs and as showers to the grasse sweet as honey g Psal 119.72.127.103 and the honey combe esteemed aboue the appointed food h Iob. 13.12 more desired than gold yea then much fine gold l Psal 19.10 and as much as
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which was made flesh q Io. 1.14 and hee the God r Rom. 15.5 of all consolation but of him the Prophet speaketh not here the sure word of prophecie there is also which was vnto Ieremie hauing found and eaten it the verie ioy and reioycing of his heart ſ Ier. 15.16 Dauid made his heart an hiding place for it t Psal 119 11. so became it a Sanctuarie for him yea a fortresse against the assaults of Satan and during the obsession Ammunition for his soule u Coloss 3.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Apostle of Christ All and in all Therefore stiled Sermo Inscriptus Insititius Many good words and comfortable words in the little Booke which we hold in our hand but the word which comforteth is The Inscribed Word The Ingrafted Word 1. Sermo inscriptus Sermo consolatorius inscriptus sermo The word inscribed and written not with inke but with the spirit of the the liuing God x 2 Cor. 3.3 not in Tables of stone or books like this but in the fleshie Tables of the heart the heart mollified the spirit sent into it which writeth therein the comforting word euen the word of grace in the New Couenant i. worketh within the heart a disposition correspondent to the word which commeth y Io. 10.35 and the grace which appeareth x Tit. 2.11 As face to face in a glasse or in the waters as Tally to Tally as Indenture to Indenture as the Impression in the Wax to the Seale that made the same so the holy disposition which is The Consolation answereth to the word which is in the heart written yea grauen by the spirit of God as letters in marble neuer wearing out Let a man therefore examine himselfe and brethren proue your owne selues whether such a disposition and correspondence to the Word be in you yea or no If your heart and the word meet as friends euen as mercie and truth and kisse each other as righteousnesse peace a Psal 85.10 If your heart close with the word as the clay with the mold and the inke to the paper fixt and faire without any blurre or foule fault quarrell or difference It is inscribed it is the word which comforteth in affliction but if enmitie be put betweene or if your heart and the word looke as enemies the one vpon the other no comfort is therein nor in the affliction 2. Sermo insititius Sermo consolatorius The word of consolation S. Iames calleth the ingrafted word b Iam. 1.21 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which when Paul planteth c 1 Cor. 3.6 he cleanseth 1. the stocke 2. maketh insition 3. inserteth the impe 4. closeth it about 5. fenceth it finally expecteth fruit Suffer me to reuiew and open these vnto you that your eyes opened by the euidence produced yee may see the things that pertaine to your peace in your warfare on the earth 1. The stocke which is the heart is to bee cleansed foule it is in all all filthinesse and superfluitie of naughtinesse about it which is to be laid aside d Iam. 1.21 with all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and enuies and euill speakings e 1 Pet. 2.2 or else the sincere word will bee turned aside If the stomack rise the soule bee lifted vp f Hab. 2.4 when the heauenly husbandman about to plant the word is about to purge the stocke If any rancor or excrescencie of malice bitternesse and wrath and anger and clamour be g Ephes 4.31 Now hee striketh mee he intendeth mee hee cutteth mee who can heare him who can endure him Aërem coedit Hee beateth the aire hee washeth the Aethiopian his labour is in vaine Cut to the heart ye know who were with the words of Stephen and to what effect h Act. 7.54 who were pricked and healed by the same Word receiued with meeknesse ye also know i Act. 2 37. verily as the Apostle of him that praying wauereth like a waue of the sea driuen with the wind and tossed k Iam. 1.6 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let not that man thinke that hee shall receiue any thing of the Lord So may we of the man that hearing the word and hauing it nigh him paring or pricking or cutting or cleauing him to bee ingrafted in him is like the troubled sea when it cannot rest whose waters cast vp mire and dirt l Isa 57.20 is moued wexeth angrie flingeth it off in furie and kicketh against pricks Non existimet homo ille Let not that man think that the word shall bee or possiblie can be in him doing thus effectually ingrafted Qui aurem audiendi habet He that hath an eare to heare let him heare and heare yee it my beloued brethren if yee would receiue the ingrafted word for your comfort in that day sanctifie your selues and cleanse your selues from all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit m 2 Cor. 7.1 prepare your heart or as Ieremie phraseth it n Ier. 4.14 wash your heart from the desperate wickednesse and deceitfulnesse thereof or keepe your feet o Eccles 5.1 when yee enter into the house of God and bee more readie to heare the hardest word than to cast it off as a burthen too heauie for you to beare Hard as iron is the heart of man therefore is the word first as fire and an hammer for it p Ier. 23.29 full of knots and wilde stems which must bee cut off therefore is the word sharper at the first than any two-edged sword q Heb. 4.12 yet to bee suffered without any preiudicate or preuaricate opinion of malitious personating or enuious particularizing your soules deare Brethren must if ye would bee numbred with the elect of God and reckoned of his peculiar people be dealt with in particular and your particular sinnes reproued yea hewed and hewed as Agag by Samuel in peeces before yee can feele any comfort by the word Many things wee speake in loue to warne you r 1 Cor. 4.14 not in malice to shame you but the more wee loue you thus ſ 2 Cor. 12.15 the lesse we are loued of you wee loue your persons wee tender your soules but as our owne wee hate your sinnes and would if wee could strike them dead because they worke by their passions t Rom. 7. ◠and motions in your members as in ours to bring forth fruit to death vnto death But how can a Preacher smite a mans sinne really and not touch his person intentionally Our controuersie writers in that great dispute about iustifying faith D. Abbot against Bishop pag. 481. Whether faith iustifieth alone without charitie and good workes distinguish thus Separation of things one frō another is either real in the subiect or mentall in the vnderstanding that denied this subdistinguished negatiue or priuatiue that when in the vnderstanding there is an affirming of one thing and denying of another this
when of things that cannot indeed bee separated the one is vnderstood and omitted the other ver grat light and heat cannot bee separated in the fire yet the light may he considered not the heat or the heat and not the light So charity and good works are not negatiuely separated but priuatiuely made as effects consequents not concurring causes of iustification Sembably my Beloued although we cannot really separate betweene your sinnes and your persons yet negatiuely we say that we intend not your persons but priuatiuely in our mindes we consider your sinnes bearing the image of Satan at which wee strike I say at the image of the Deuill and Satan not at your persons made as we our selues after the similitude of God O that yee would beleeue this and when your sinnes are smitten on the face with the rod of the mouth u Isa 11.4 or with that sharpe two edged sword which goeth out of the mouth of the Lord x Reu. 1.16 ye would reason with your selues or commune with your owne heart and be still or speake on this wise one vnto another in the faithfull assemblies This Preacher speakes with authority aboue himselfe it s the very word of God which hee preacheth the word which he preacheth is quicke and powerfull y Heb. 4.12 pierceth and diuideth things asunder in vs discerneth the thoughts and intents of our hearts pulleth downe strong holds z 2 Cor. 1â— 4 5. casteth downe imaginations and euery high thing that exalteth it selfe against the knowledge of God apprehendeth our sins grappleth with them euinceth them conuinceth vs 2 Tim. 2.15 dealeth as a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly diuiding the word of truth applying it according to the rule thereof Are wee not our selues or many of vs husbandmen what doe we our selues in our profession doe wee cast our seed into vncleane places or amongst bryars thorns and stones rubbish no we first clense and manure our ground sowe afterwards our seed and haue long patience for the precious fruit besides in our orchards when we plant or graffe doe we suffer to grow the fiens of the crab-tree No we cut them off and cleanse the stocke What then doth the spirituall husbandman more in his spheare than we in ours before he will sowe the holy seed or let in the heauenly plant hee laboureth with great difficulty to prepare the ground where he would sowe and purge the stocke on which he would ingraffe the word Must hee therefore be blamed or slouenly would we haue him to doe his worke or negligently or vnfaithfully Absit God forâ—id This in our owne seruants is not tolerated much lesse it to bee in the seruants of the Lord * Ier. 8.11 To cry peace peace when there is no peace is to heale hurts slightly * false Prophets will doe it but otherwise the man that is sent from God Consider what I say and God giue you vnderstanding The word to be ingraffed the stock is to bee cleansed The stocke cleansed incision for insition is made a diuision made betweene the soule and the spirit a Heb. 4.12 Nomen aâ—timae saepe idem valet quod spiritus sed cum simul iunguntur prius comprehendit sub se affectus omnes c. Caluin in lic Allegoria quadam hyperocha â—dumbrare vâ—luit Apostolus diuinisermonis vim efficaciâ—m c. Bâ—llinger naturall things and spirituall things reason and the light which is the life of men the affections and the intellectuall facultie This diuision Experience reacheth tacitè and conuerts best know how it is How were the first pricked in their hearts and diuided in themselues nâ—t knowing what to doe b Act. 2.37 after the incision made before before the immission of the heauenly plant nor doth any man The word which saueth the soule of whom receiued without much affliction by the internall diuision after the infition Such it is I thinke as the groanings of the Spirit making intercession according to the will of God it cannot be vttered the Thessalonians receiued the word with much affliction but what kind of afflâ—ction or how grieuous it was he saith not Therefore whensoeuer incision is made your heart smitten and smiting you being smitten by the word attend still or diuided in you selues all the faculties slit and clouen the affections your reason visited with the day-spring from on high your vnderstanding illightened your soule fainting your spirit panting a conflâ—ct begunne and a striuing within you as in Rebeccahs wombe betweene Esau and Iacob Nature and Grace Bee not dismaied for this must be and is where the word is about to bee ingraffed to the sauing of the soule 3. Incâ—sion for insition made the sien of holy science is infited and set in the word let in that heauenly plant by heauenly Art into the vnderstanding The sense giuen thereof and the reading vnderstood Therefore hearing the word of the kingdome apply your heart to wisdome and your minde to vnderstand the wondrous things d Psal 119.18 the mysteries which were kept secret since the world began e Rom. 16.15 yea pray alwayes with all manner of prayer and supplication in the spirit that it may bee giuen vnto you to know the mysterie of God f Coloss 2 2. 1 Tim. 3.16 and of godlinesse that seeing yee may see that hearing yee may heare and vnderstand h Mat. 13.16 Dauid prayed how often Gâ—ue me vnderstanding make me to vnderstand An vnderstanding heart Salomons hearts desire i Reg. 3.9 and Pauls that the Churches might abound more and more k Phil. 1.8 9. in all knowledge and in all iudgement in all wisdome and spirituall vnderstanding This by the Word The word read or heard and not vnderstood profiteth not but by reading and hearing and prayer made to God entrance is made into the vnderstanding heauenly light let in and worldly darknesse out l Psal 119 130 The entrance of the word giueth light it giueth vnderstanding to the simple 4. The sien insited is bound fast and closed about with all louing affections stirred vp vnto it yea shut vp and riuetted in the heart to dwell richly therein in all wisdom not left loose for graffes so let fall out anon or be blowen out Therefore loue yee the incitiue word lest ye lose it vnawares embrace it with all complacencie of affection so shall no storme stirre it nor force amoue it it is not enough to receiue the word except ye receiue the loue of the word Shall not some be damned because they receiued not the loue of the truth m 2 Thes 2.10 O how I loue thy laws n Psal 119.97 saith Dauid it is my meditation all the day yea day and night the exercise of the blessed man it is inclosed within him it is in his heart and loued with his heart the heart as soone to be lost as the word ingraffed therein and
incorporated Psal 40.8 Psal 51.6 desired in the inward parts and hidden in the hidden part 5. bound fast and closed about the impe of the word inserted it is consepted and strengthened yea as an orchard or vineyard with wals and hedges fenced and fortified with holy cares and godly iealousies lest wilde and harmefull beasts breake it off or bite it off or come nigh it to hurt it How many caueats hath the Apostle in his Epistles to this purpose Deceiue not your selues Be not deceiued r 1 Cor. 6.9 Gal. 6.7 Let no man deceiue you with vaine words Å¿ Ephes 5.6 Let no man beguile you with inticing words Let no man spoile you through Philosophie and vaine deceit after the tradition of men or after the rudiments of the world t 2 Coloss 2. â— Besides the beasts of Ephesus u 1 Cor. 15.32 and the grieuous wolues x Act. 20.29 what care tooke he to detect and defeat to preuent and preuince * Prauincire Gal. 2.5 propugning the truth oppugning the aduersaries not giuing to them place by subiection no not for an houre that the Gospell stablished might continue for euer Let the same minde be in you which was also in him The word ingraffed hedge yee about fence and keepe safe from malignant persons euill cogitations cares riches the pleasures of this life vnbeleefe Apostasie and such like The enuious man will if he can make a breach vpon it and bring in these destroyers Therefore take yee heed yea let him that thinketh he standeth z 1 Cor. 1â— 11 12 take heed lest he fall or bee surprized in an houre that hee knoweth not Finally fruit is expected to bee had vnto holinesse and the end euerlasting life a Rom. 6.22 Summer and winter the plant the same fat in old age and flourishing as the Palme tree not blasted with the winds of other vaine doctrines not nipped with the frosts of hearts hardnesse or natures remissenesse not beaten downe by the messengers of Satan buffeting the branches nor withered so much as in one leafe with the extremities of the times but as those that be planted b Psal 92.13 in the house of the Lord the c 1 Cor. 3. â— increase giuen of God fruitfull in old age and comfortfull in affliction Let a man therefore examine himselfe and brethren proue your selues whether yee haue or no the comforting word which is the ingraffed word The heart vncleane incision not made for insition no siâ—ns immitted nor closed about with louing affection no sensure about it nor any fruit appearing it is not ingraffed nor affordeth it refreshment to the soule that is wearie But the heart cleane through the word which is spoken incision made the impe setled and closed on euery side with embracements of loue fenced and fruitfull it is ingraffed and THE WORD which is comfort in affliction Remaineth what is expected De ratione consolandi how and in what manner the poore afflicted are comforted by the word In Isay 30.21 it is said Thine eare shall heare a word behinde thee saying This is the way c. d Emphaticè verbum audiendi ponitur Deum hic padagoge comparat quâ— pueret sibi ante occulas statuit c. Marloâ—â—t in loc As pupils from behinde them heare the voice of their Schoolemaster or Tutor teaching and admonishing them so the seruants of the Lord his heauenly-voice and in their affliction they are by the word mixed with faith incordiated hid in the heart inscribed and ingraffed informed and comforted as here followeth 1 By the word through faith they vnderstand That afflictions are effects of Gods decree which is sealed and remaineth sure as e Psal 125.1 Mount Sion not to be remoued fals a sparrow to the ground f Mat. 10.29 or an haire from the head without him The sufferings of the Saints are fore-ordained as themselues foreknowne g Rom. 8.29 Thus when I remember I powre out in mee my soule thus * Psal 42.4 Hath God decreed to me and appointed mee to beare the euill vpon me I will without any reluctation beare it the stiffe-necked striue with the yoke to their hurt it is good to yeeld in youth h Lam. 3.27 in the first houre in the last all must Dâ—th Shimei curse mee The Lord hath bidden him i 2 Sam. 16.10 Doth Saul persecute me Vexed he is with an euill spirit sent from the Lord k 1 Sam. 19 9. Doe other men vnreasonable and wicked insedable and absurd insest oppose plot against me thrust sore at me that I might fall and fal into the pit which they haue digged for me l Gal. 3.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they are as Paul of the Galatians mad men distracted in their minds they know not what they doe what m Io. 8.44 doe they but the lusts of the deuill What are they but his agents and instruments yet permitted all of my Lord my God to humble me to proue me n Deut. 8.2 to know what is in me whether I wil trust in him cleaue to him or * Tentatio probatio in non perditionis it is a tentation of probation not of destruction Doth sicknesse afflict me it is the seruant of the Lord comming and going as the Centurions o Mat. 8.8 9. according to his word Doth any pressure or other disaster ingrauate or grieue me nothing happeneth or is done nor shall happen or bee done vnto me but what the hand of God and his counsell hath before determined to be done p Act. 4. â—â— Therefore being vile in mine owne eyes and base in mine owne sight q 2 Sam. â— 22 I say as he that went vp barefoot by the ascent of Mount Oliuert r 2 Sam. 15 2â— Behold here I am let the Lord doe to me as seemeth good vnto him Surely hee will not cast off for euer but though hee cause griefe Å¿ Lam. 3 32 yet will he haue compassion and This is my comfort in my affliction 2 By the word through faith they vnderstand That afflictions are arguments of the adoption of sonnes vnto God t Heb. 12.6 euery sonne whom hee receiueth flagellat hee scourgeth yet not in his anger but with iudgement to teach them his iudgements Impunity a note of bastardy yea saith the spirit u Verse 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if ye be without chastisement whereof all are partakers then are ye bastards and not sonnes Bastards may escape that increpation correction discipline nurture which sons must suffer many vile seruants haue much more liberty and mony in their purse than many dears children The naturall sonne a bodâ—e prepared him had his eares bored and opened as other mens Isay 50.6 x Isa 50.6 A man of sorrowes and acquainted with griefes y Isa 53.3 tempted himselfe z Heb. 2. vlt. buffeted and smitten yet not rebellious neither turned hee away
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