leaue no scruple nor doubt in the minde of his people Vses The vse of this serues first for information to shew vs the perfection of the Scriptures as it is said in Timothy that it is able to make the man yea the man of God 2 Tim. 3. 17. perfect yea absolutely perfect vnto all good workes Vse 2 Secondly it serues for instruction to euery one to rest onely on the word of God as on a perfect and sufficient rule to direct vs both in the matter and manner of Gods worship that as we make it our ground for the matter so our rule for the manner of his worship also Vse 3 Thirdly it serues for imitation vnto all the Ministers of the word that in their ministery they vse not bare exhortations but after the example of God himselfe that they adde direction for the manner how they should doe the will of God Vse 4 Fourthly it serues for reproofe and first of all those that rest not on the word of God alone for direction in the matters of saluation Secondly of those that rest on it for the matter but not for the manner they thinke this a little too nice Thirdly it reproues those Ministers that in their ministery take not this course and fourthly it serues to reproue those that mislike with those that doe take this course thinking them too precise Vse 5 Fiftly and lastly it serues for comfort and consolation of all those first that rest on the word of the Lord only for direction both for the matter and manner in the worship of God they rest on a sure rule Secondly those Ministers that take this course in their ministeries they follow the best example Thus much for the direction the strictnes of it followes from whence we learne Doct. 5 That the Lord is very strict in the obedience of his will This is cleere from the text Remember those that are in bonds But is that all No it must be as though yee were bound with them and in Luk. 1. Wee must serue the Luk. 1. 75 Lord in holinesse and righteousnesse But is that all No it must bee without feare before him all the dayes of our liues And in Dauids exhortation to his sonne Solomon Know thou the God of thy fathers saith he and serue him Is not that strict enough No it must bee with a perfect heart and a willing minde 1. Chron. 28. 9. Yea this is plentifully cleered throughout the whole Scripture not onely in the precepts of the Law but of the Gospell also the law saith Thou must obserue Deut. 12. 32. all things that are written in the Law to doe them The Gospell saith Hee that lookes on a woman to lust after Math. 5. 28 her hath committed adulterie with her already in his heart and hee that is but angry with his brothers vnaduisedly Math. 5. 22. is guiltie of murther and hee that doth but couet that which is anothers in his eye or in his heart is guiltie of theft And Iames saith hee that obserues the whole Law and Iam. 2. 10. yet failes but in one point is guiltie of all And Moses wee know was barred from entring into the land of Deut. 32. 50. Canaan for that wherein wee can scarcely perceiue hee sinned By all which it is manifest that the Lord is very strict in the obedience of his will Reason The reason is because the Lord seeth how subiect we are to run into by-pathes if he doe but giue vs the least libertie or that he doe but lay the reines in our neckes Vse 1 The vse serues first for information to informe our iudgements of the great loue of God towards vs and care ouer vs for our saluation in that he doth not onely exhort vs to obedience but doth it with aboundance of affection yea doth not onely earnestly exhort vs to doe his will but also doth adde a direction and that very strict to haue vs walke in obedience before him and all for our good to bring vs to saluation Vse 2 Secondly it serues for defence of all those that in the vprightnesse of their hearts indeuour to walke in all strict obedience before their God against all the calumniations not only of those dogges that lie barking without but also of those wily foxes that lie nibling within that cry out against all those that exceed them in obedience saying they are too forward that they are more precise then wise and the like These are they that loue to sleep in a whole skinne according to the prouerbe they will hold profession so long as they may keepe their liuings too and no longer according to the saying they would goe to heauen in a hay-barne but I may adde in a halter for they may as well expect to goe to heauen in a halter as in this halting way I speake not of the 1 King 18 21. Martyrs that questionlesse went to heauen as well by this death as by any other but of the tibernites that are enemies vnto Such are Church Papists the truth of God that thinke the sufferings of the Saints to be iust vpon them if it haue beene for any thing wherein themselues come short not considering that we must keepe the true patterne of wholsome words which we haue learned 2 Tim. 1. 13. And that our righteousnesse must exceed the righteousnesse of the Math. 5. 28 Scribes and Pharisees or else we shall neuer enter into the kingdome of heauen But these are they that desire to make a Gal. 6. 12. faire shew in the flesh which would haue others to be like them only because they would not suffer persecution for the crosse of Christ but God forbid that wee should reioyce but in the Crosse of our Lord Iesus Christ whereby the world is crucified vnto vs and we vnto the world for in Christ Iesus nothing will auaile but a new creature and as many as walke according to this rule peace shall bee vpon them and mercy and vpon the Israel of Gal. 6. 16. God Vse 3 Thirdly it serues for exhortation vnto euery one of vs to bee very strict in our obedience howsoeuer wee may incurre the name of precision or the like seeing the Lord doth require it of vs. Fourthly Vse 4 it serues for imitation to all those that are put in trust with the saluation of others to take this course not only earnestly to exhort and to adde direction to their exhortation but also to presse their people to a strict obedidience wee see it is the example of God himselfe Vse 5 Fiftly it serues for the reproofe of all disobedient persons they are left vtterly without all excuse what could the Lord doe more but first louinglie exhort vs yea with earnest affection to yeeld obedience yea to direct vs in the manner and lastly to presse vs with a strict rule of obedience Now if thou art yet disobedient thou maist laie thine hand vpon thy mouth and
entring into the Sanctuary of God also I haue shewed what the Sanctuary is and how they may behold God walking therein for their greater comfort Now considering also the weight of the word Remember that it exempts none for if the Lord should haue saide Releeue them many haue it not if hee should haue saide speak for them many are bard from it with Hester vnlesse they venture Hest 4. 16. their liues or liberty if hee should haue said fight for them many may not if hee should haue said deliuer them many cannot and therfore he saith Remember them which euery one may for this breakes through all lettes neither farrenesse of place nor opposition of power nor difficulty of danger can let but euery one may remember them None can complaine of the poorenesse of their estate the weakenesse of their bodies the disability of their nature nor the tendernesse of their sexe for euery one may remember them by praying for them sighing for them groaning for them and so mourning and suffering with them This will stretch euen from the city of Shushā throughout al the 127. Prouinces of the King Ahashuerose the opposition of great Haman cannot let nor the presentnesse of their danger preuent it nor the tendernesse of Hesters sexe hinder it We may many times want eyes to see them or times to visite them or opportunity or meanes to minister vnto them but wee shall neuer want occasion nor meanes to remember them if we be not wanting in affection towards them And therefore seeing my ability could not doe that I would I thought it my duty to doe that I could and therein haue endeauoured to stirre vp others that are better able to doe what they should whether in the Kings Court with Nehe. 1. 4. Hest 5. 2. 1 Sam. 20. 4. Ier. 38. 7 8. Act. 5. 34. Ier. 9. 1. Psal 74. Nehemiah or in the Kings fauour with Hester or of the Kings seede with Ionathan or one of the Eunuchs with Ebedmelech or one of the coūcel with Gamaliel whether they are Prophets of the Lord with Ieremiah or Gouernours of Common-weales with Dauid not doubting but this motiue shall haue good successe seeing they are not my words but the words of the Lord of hosts euen the God of heauen and earth that doth require it and seeing that the dutie is weightie though the performance bee easie and yet euery one by nature backeward hereunto Let this present Treatise be a meanes to prouoke others who are far more able to set penne to paper and to shew thereby not onely their remembrance of those in bonds but also to stirre vp others according to their place to mind the same seeing the State of the Church calles for it like that in Ieremy Lamen 1. 12. And thus not longer hindering of thee from the worke it selfe wherein if you finde any benefite giue God the prayse and let me haue the benefite of thy prayers I leaue it to thy holy meditations and thy selfe to Gods gracious visitations wishing as much good to thy soule as thou canst desire prosperity to thy body Farewell in the Lord In whom I rest euer thine if thou be his E. D. The seuerall points of doctrine which in this insuing Treatise are at large confirmed and applyed From the exhortation 1. THat in effecting our saluation the Lord doth more manifest his loue then shew his power 2. That the Lords words come not lightly nor slightly from him but with abundance of affection and earnestnesse 3. That it is a speciall duty laid vpon vs by God himselfe to remember those that are in bonds From the direction 1. That the Lord in his word doth not barely exhort vs to doe his will but is very diligent to direct vs in the manner how to doe it 2. That the Lord is very strict in the obedience of his will 3. That it is not enough to doe holy duties but we must be very strict in the manner how we doe them From the words in particular 1. That the Lord would haue vs take great notice of the affliction of his people 2. That naturally we are very subiect to forget the afflictions of Gods people 3. That the people of God in al ages haue beene subiect to bonds and afflictions 4. That we ought so to minde the afflictions of Gods people euen as though wee our selues were afflicted in the body From the words in generall 11. That the Lord is very pittifull of his afflicted seruants A Memento for Christians HEB. 13. 3. Remember those that are in bonds as though you were bound with them and them that are in affliction as if you were also afflicted in the body THe summe of which words is an exhortation to a dutie with a direction for the manner how to performe the same In the exhortation wee may obserue the earnestnesse of it Remember those that are in bonds In the direction the strictnesse of it euen as though we our selues were afflicted in the body These words as they are a perfect sentence of themselues so they need not much to be stood vpon for the explication the latter part expounding the former For by bonds is not meant onely chaines and imprisonment but all kinde of reproches aduersities and persecutions that come vpon vs for the truthes sake as is plaine by the word affliction Therefore let vs see what instruction the Lord doth afford vs in the same in the which for orders sake we will first obserue the exhortation secondly the manner of it which consists in the earnestnesse of the words and thirdly the dutie we are exhorted vnto In the direction we will first obserue the direction it selfe secondly the manner of it consisting in the strictnesse of the words and thirdly the thing we are directed in And after wee haue thus considered of the words as they are laid downe by the Lord for exhortation and direction we will consider of the words themselues as they lie in the text wherein wee will obserue first what wee must doe Remember secondly who those in bonds and thirdly how euen as though we were bound with them and lastly wee will consider of the words in generall taking them altogether and obserue from them what they then doe naturally afford in one point for the accomplishment of which worke so that God may haue glory and each of vs benefit he that openeth and no man shutteth and shutteth and no man openeth vouchsase his speciall presence for direction and assistance Amen In that the Lord who hath made all things and gouernes all things and therfore hath power ouer all things need but command and might be obeyed yet of his free grace doth so stoupe vnto vs as to exhort where hee might compell Wee learne thus much Doct. 1 1. Doct. That in effecting our saluation the Lord doth more manifest his loue then shew his power the truth of which point as it is cleere from the text so also it will euidently apeare if
wee doe duly consider of all the parts of our saluation the beginning the degrees the meanes the manner the causes and the effects they all preach vnto vs of nothing else but the loue of God For the beginning of it as it is manifested vnto vs in Gen. 3. What should moue the Lord to make that gracious promise that the seed of the woman should breake the serpents head but his free loue wherewith he loued vs from the foundation of the world For the degrees of it what should moue the Lord to send his Sonne into the world in the fulnesse of time to fulfill all righteousnesse and by his death to purchase vs saluation and life but because he loued the world Iohn 3. For the meanes of it what should moue the Lord to giue his iudgements vnto Iacob his statutes and his ordinances vnto Israel but because he had a fauour vnto them for he hath not dealt so with euery nation Psal 147. For the manner of it what should moue the Lord to vse so many exhortanions perswasions inuitations and allurements but only his loue because hee would not that wee should die Ezek. 18. For the cause of it where is it to be found but in the loue of God Deut. 7. And for the effects which is grace here and glory hereafter what doth it shew vnto vs but the loue of God that where he is there we might bee also Iohn 17. By all which it is euident that in effecting our saluation the Lord doth more manifest his loue then shew his power Reas 1. The reason is first because his mercy is Math. 5. 45. ouer all his workes Reas 2 Secondly because mercy pleaseth him Mich. 7. 18. he delights himselfe in shewing mercy and manifesting his loue Reas 3 Thirdly because there is no other way would serue turne to effect our saluation his power would destroy vs his iustice would condemn vs. It is his mercy loue Rom. 5. 8. that must doe vs good This point being thus proued both by Scripture and reasons the vses follow Vse 1 And first it serues for instruction to teach euery one of vs to take notice of the loue of God towards vs in effecting our saluation and to cry out with the Apostle O the Eph. 3. 18 19. heigth and depth the length and bredth of the loue of God towards vs in the beginning the degrees the meanes the manner the causes and effects of our saluation 2. Secondly it serues for imitation to all those that any way are instruments in the saluation of others not so much to shew their power authority they haue receiued asto manifest their loue towards Gods people to say with the Apostle that the 2 Cor. 5. 14. loue of Christ constraines vs for in this they follow the best master that euer taught 3. Thirdly it serues for exhortation vnto euery one to praise God for his mercy like as for our preseruation Psa 107. 12 by his prouidence so especially for our saluation by his loue Psal 103. 4. Fourthly it serues for reproofe of all those whom God hath made instruments in the salutation of others that stand more to shew their power and authoritie then to manifest their loue in this they leaue the example of Christ and follow Antichrist 5. Fiftly it serues for consolation vnto all those that haue part in the saluation brought vnto them by the Lord Iesu they haue so many testimonies of the loue of God as they haue experiments of the worke of their saluation So much for the first point in the exhortation the manner followes which shewes the earnestnesse of it in the word remember from whence we learne Doct. 2 That the Lords words come not lightly from him but with aboundance of affection and earnestnesse as is cleere not only in this place remember those that are in bonds which shewes the earnestnesse of his affection but else-where Oh that my Deut. 32. 29. people would haue heard oh that they would vnderstand oh that they would remember their latter end and sometime why will yee Ezek. 18. 31. die O house of Israel which plainely proues the truth of this point that the Lords words come not lightly nor slightly from him but with aboundance of affection and earnestnesse Reas 1 The reason it is in a matter of great weight it concernes his owne glory and the saluation of all his people The point being thus proued both by Scripture and reason the vses follow Vse 1 And first it serues for instruction to teach vs diligently to attend vnto the words of the Lord because they are spoken with such abundance of affection and earnestnesse As also in that it treats of a matter of such great weight and moment and thirdly in that the speaker is so great a personage euen the Lord himselfe the least of which motiues is sufficient to draw attention in matters of lesse moment Vse 2 Secondly it serues for imitation to all those that handle the word of the Lord to speake it as the word of the Lord that is as in the plainenesse and euidence so also in the power of the Spirit with aboundance of affection and earnestnesse for it is a matter of great weight they are arbitrators between God and his people they are making a loue-day and a reconcilement betweene God and man therefore 2 Cor. 5. 20. they should with the Apostle say As though God did beseech you by vs we pray you in Christs steed be you reconciled to God Rom. 12. 1. And in another place I beseech you by the mercies of God that you giue vp your selues a liuing sacrifice holy and acceptable vnto God Vse 3 Thirdly it serues for reproofe of all those whom God hath called to the handling of his word and yet doe it so lasily and carelesly as though they cared not whether they speake or no which sheweth euidently that seeing they come not in the power neither haue they the spirit of Elias for it is said of Christ that he spake with authority and not as the Scribes in which words there is a plaine difference betweene the ministery of Christ and those of antichrist those of Christ as they come in the name so in the power also those of antichrist come in the name onely which howsoeuer they may be great scholiers and bee of great note in the Church euen as the Scribes and Pharises Mat. 5. 20. were yet our righteousnesse must exceede theirs els shall wee neuer enter into the kingdome of heauen For these men handle not the word as the word of God nay not as the cause of men for if they were made arbitrators betweene men oh how earnest they would be oh how full of affection how full of power in perswading and intreating But now in the cause of God they are frozen vp as it were vnlesse it bee in respect of titles or personall wrongs then they will bestirre them euen
rest onely in the doing of holy duties and neuer care for the manner how they doe them they will preach the word heare the word receiue the Sacraments fast pray giue almes but neuer respect the manner how they doe them neither for the inward nor outward man Now howsoeuer these are holy duties as they are commanded of God yet because they are performed vnholily the Lord doth no more respect them then the cutting off of a dogs necke or the offering of swines blood or of manslaughter which are all things most hatefull and abhominable vnto him Isa 66. 3. Obiect But is it not well to do the wil of God may some say Ans I answer yea so you doe it according to the will of God otherwise thou maiest do the wil of God in some sence be a Pharaoh Yea thou maiest doe the will of God and be a Rabsheca and a Nebuchadnezzar and be a Pilate yea thou mayest doe the will of God and be a diuell For it is not enough to doe the will of God but we must doe it according as we pray On earth as it is in heauen for it is the will of God of preach the word yet if it bee but in the name onely and not in the power and euidence of the Spirit he shall say to thee Depart from me I know you not It is the will of God to heare the word yet if any cause diuision contrary to the truth which we haue learned wee must auoyde Rom. 16 17 them It is the will of God to heare the word yet we must come with honest harts els it will not bring foorth fruit in vs wee must come with hungring affection else we shall not be filled with it yea we must heare in faith els it will not profit vs. So Heb. 4. 2. it is the will of God to receiue the Sacraments yet saith the Holy Ghost Let a man examine himselfe and so let him eate and so let him drinke otherwise thou mayest bee guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. So that thou mayest preach the word and bee shutte out from the presence of God heare the word and reape no profite by it communicate in holy things and yet bee spued out of the mouth of God yea receiue Reu. 3. 15. the Sacraments and yet eate and drinke damnation vnto thy selfe So that it is not enough to heare with Herod pray with Balaam preach with Iudas which yet are all good for the matter being the will of God yet because they failed in the manner they failed also in receiuing any benefite by their worke Vse 3 Thirdly it serues for a comfort consolation vnto all those that do the will of God according to the will of God that performe holy duties holily that haue respect as well to the manner how they do as to the matter what they doe I may say of them as the Psalmist saith They do no iniquity they walke in his wayes therefore Psal 119. 3. blessed are they Vse 4 Fourthly it may serue for a iust defence of all those that notwithstanding they may partake in holy duties for the matter yet dare not when for the manner they cannot doe the will of God for they know it is not enough to doe the will of God but that they must be very strict in the manner how they doe it and howsoeuer they chiefly delight in the holy things of God knowing the benefite of them yet they haue learned to preferre Gods glory by doing no euill before their owne saluation yea to damne themselues before God should lose one iotte of his glory Therefore those are much to blame which censure Gods children which through tendernesse of conscience dare not ioyne with them in their worship But most of all are they worthy blame that not onely vnaduisedly meddle with the holy things of God themselues but rashly and willfully require others to doe the same as in the Papacy in Queene Maries dayes many of the Martyrs were compelled to cap and kneele and crouch yea to put on their Idolatrous apparrell although it receiued but little honour by them as in the history of Doctor Taylour who when he had a deale of their trumpery Foxe in the 1385. pag of his 2. history on his backe leapt and skipt saying Beholde what a braue foole am I. Thus haue we by Gods assistance gone through the exhortatiō vnto the duty with the direction added how to performe the same Wherein wee haue considered of them first as they are laide downe by the Lord with the earnestnesse of the exhortation and strictnesse of the direction Secondly as they require duties from vs in two points Now wee will consider of the words seuerally as they lye in the text And first of the word Remember which signifieth two things either to mooue attention or to put vs in minde of our forgetfulnesse in the first vse or acceptation it is al one with the word Selah or behold whence we learne Doct. 7 That the Lord would haue vs to take great notice of the affliction of his people This is plaine from the text and prooued plentifully throughout all the Scripture Reas 1 The reason is because they are precious Psal 116. in the sight of God for Precious in his sight is the death of his Saints and those that touch them touch the apple of Zechar. 2. his eye Reas 2 Secondly because of their dignity they 1. Pet. 2. 9. are all Kings and Priests and Senatours Vse 1 The vse serues first for instruction vnto euery one Not to passe by the affliction of the people of God as a thing of no weight or of no respect seeing they are so pretious in the sight of God euen as the apple of his eie and in themselues such an honourable people all Kings all Priests all Prophets being annointed with the oyntment of God 1. Ioh. 2. Vse 2 Secondly it serues for reproofe first of all those that are instruments of their afflictions 2. those that passe by their afflictions without any respect 3. those that take notice of them yet doe not duly respect them as they should Vse 4 Thirdly it serues for a consolation vnto all those that doe duely take to heart and remember the afflictions of the people of God The word Remember being taken in the other signification or acceptation to put vs in mind of our forgetfulnes is all one with that in the beginning of the 4. commandement whence we learne Doct. 8 That naturally wee are very subiect to forget the afflictions of the people of God for proofe whereof wee neede to goe no farther then to our selues for how often haue wee heard of their affliction and how soone haue wee forgot it euen with the hearing But if at any time wee haue had any further purpose to remember them how soone hath it beene forgot by euery light occasion Reas The reason is partly our too much loue of the world
and there thou shalt cleerely see the end of the Lords dealing towards thee and how hee pittieth thee in thy greatest affliction Now the Sanctuarie for the Saints is the sacred Scripture into the which if thou wilt enter with me a while wee will call to minde the waies of God for thy greater comfort 1. And the first steppe shall bee in Gen. 17. 1. where the Lord saith vnto Abraham and in him vnto all the faithfull I am God all-sufficient The second is in Ioshua 1. 5. Where the Lord saith to Ioshua and in him to all the godly as the holy Ghost himselfe doth expound it Hebrewes 13. 6. I will neuer faile thee nor forsake thee 3. The third is in Isay 54. 7 8 9 10 11. where the Lord speakes vnto the whole house of Israel saying For a small moment haue I forsaken theee but with great mercies will I gather thee in a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with euerlasting kindenesse will I haue mercy on thee saith the Lord thy Redeemer for this is as the waters of Noah vnto mee Yea the mountaines shall depart and the hills be remoued but my kindenesse shall not depart from thee neither shall the couenant of my peace be remooued saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee O thou afflicted tossed with tempests and not comforted 4. The fourth is in Isa 49. 15. Can a woman forget her sucking childe that she should not haue compassion on the son of her wombe yea they may forget yet will not I forget thee 5. The fift is in Isay 57. 18. I haue seene his wayes and will heale him I will leade him also and restore comforts vnto him and to his mourners 6. The sixt is in Isa 61. 1 2 3. The spirit of the Lord is vpon mee because the Lord hath annoynted me to preach good tydings vnto the meeke he sath sent mee to binde vp the broken-hearted to proclaime liberty to the captiues and the opening of the prison to them that are bound to proclaime the acceptable yeare of the Lord to comfort all that mourne to appoint vnto them that mourne in Sion to giue vnto them beauty for ashes the oyle of ioy for mourning the garments of praise for the spirit of heauines that they might be called trees of righteousnes the planting of the Lord that he might be glorified 7. The seuenth is in Isa 66. 5. Heare the word of the Lord ye that tremble at his word your brethren that hated you that cast you out for my names sake saide Let the Lord be glorified but he shall appeare to your ioy and they shall bee ashamed Tho eight is in Isa 66. 10. 11 12. Reioyce ye with Ierusalem and be glad with her all ye that loue her reioyce for ioy with her all ye that mourne for her that ye may sucke and bee satisfied with the breasts of her consolations that yee may milke out and bee delighted with the aboundance of her glory For thus saith the Lord Behold I will extend peace to her like a riuer as one whom his mother comforteth so will I comfort you and ye shall be comforted in Ierusalem 9. The ninth is in Zepha 3. 17. 18 19. The Lord thy God in the middest of thee is mighty he will saue he wil reioyce ouer thee with ioy he will rest in his loue hee will ioy ouer thee with singing I will gather them that are sorrowfull for the solemne assembly Beholde at that time I will vndoe all that afflict thee and I will saue her that halteth and gather her that was driuen out and I will get them fame and prayse in euery land where they haue beene put to shame 10. The tenth is in Psal 34. 19. Great are the troubles of the righteous but the Lord deliuereth him out of them all 11. The eleuenth is in Psal 97. 11. Light is sowne for the righteous and ioy for the vpright in heart 12. The twelfth is in Psal 126. 5 6. They that sowe in teares shall reape in ioye hee that goeth foorth and weepeth bearing pretious seede doubtlesse shall returne with ioy bringing his sheaues with him 13. The thirteenth is in Gen. 22. 14. In the Mount will the Lord be seene The fourteenth is in Deut. 32. 36. The Lord shall iudge his people and repent himselfe for his seruants when hee seeth that their power is gone Here are fourteene steps answerable to those fourteene excellent songs called Psalmes of degrees by which wee may ascend vp into the holy Temple of God where we shall heare that melodious harmony of sweete melody sounding in our eares which will cause our hearts exceedingly to reioyce though now for a season Iam. 1. 2. if neede require we are in heauinesse through manifolde tentations 1. Pet. 1. 6. And now being by faith ascended into the Sanctuary of the Lord if we trace him Psal 106. 44 45. Psal 105. 8. 42. from one end thereof vnto the other we shall finde that he neuer forsooke any of his in their affliction but euer when they called vpon him and turned vnto him he heard and answered and deliuered them out of their distresse either by remoouing the affliction from them or them from it as the booke of Iudges doth plentifully witnes and in the 107. Psal how oft is it said that when they cried vnto the Lord in their trouble he deliuered the out of their distresse But yet if the tentation lye sore vpon thee by reason of thy great affliction that thou mayest yet doubt of the mercy and truth of God towards thee and thinke that he hath forgot thee consider what the Lord himselfe sayth in the Psal 105. 8 9 10. That he remembreth his couenant for euer and his word to a thousand generations euen the couenant which he made with Abraham his oath vnto Isaack and confirmed the same vnto â—acob for a law and to Israel for an euerlaâ—ting couenant And that we may bee fully confirmed in the truth of this doctrine â—hat God is very pittifull of his afflicted seruants seeing it is so hard to fasten it vpon vs in our passions let vs further consider 1. First how highly the Lord is displeased and offended with the instruments of their afflictions what reuenge he hath and is purposed to take not onely on particular persons as Pharao Rabsheca and Herod but also on whole peoples and nations as the Egyptians by drowning them in the midst of the sea the Babylomians by dashing their young against the stones the Iewes by scattering of them on the face of the earth and the Antichristian Romanes by powring on them the full violes of his wrath yea by consuming of them vtterly with the breath of his mouth and the brightnes of his comming yea it is as the Apostle saith a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you and to you that are troubled rest when the Lord Iesus shall appeare 2.