VSE V. Comfort to the people of God. (4) to VSE V. Comfort to the people of God. (6)

VSE V. Comfort to the people of God. (4)

Answ. 1. A Christian may be sensible of Affliction, yet patiently submit to Gods Will We ought not to be Stoicks, insensible and unconcerned with Gods dealings; like the Sons of Deucalion (who as the Poets say) were begotten of a Stone. Christ was sensible when he sweat great drops of Blood, but there was submission to Gods Will; Matth. 26.39. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt. We are bid to humble our selves under Gods hand, 1 Pet. 5.6. which we cannot do unless we are sensible of it.

2. A Christian may weep under an Affliction, yet patiently submit to Gods Will. God allowes tears; 'tis a sin to be [gap], without natural affection, Rom. 1.31. Grace makes the Heart tender, strangulat inclusus dolor; weeping gives vent to sorrow, expletur lachrymis dolor. Ioseph wept over his dead Father; Iob when he had so much ill news brought him at once, rent his Mantle, (an expression of grief) but did not tear his Hair in anger; only Worldly grief must not be immoderate; a Vein may bleed too much; the Water riseth too high when it overflowes the banks.

3. A Christian may complain in his Affliction, yet be submissive to Gods Will; Psal. 142.2. I cryed to the Lord with my voice, I poured out my complaint before him. We may (being under oppression) tell God how it is with us, and desire him to write down our injuries. Shall not the Child complain to his Father when he is wronged? An holy complaint may stand with patient submission to Gods Will; but though we may complain to God, we must not complain of God.

Quest. 3. What it is cannot stand with patient submission to Gods Will?

Answ. 1. Discontentedness with Providence. Discontent hath a mixture of grief and anger in it, and both these must needs raise a storm of Passion in the Soul. God having touched the apple of our Eye, and smitten us in that we loved, we are touchy and sullen, and God shall not have a good look from us; Gen. 4.6. Why art thou wroth? Like a sullen Bird that is angry, and beats her self against the Cage.

3. Murmuring cannot stand with submission to Gods Will: Murmuring is the height of impatience; it is a kind of mutinee in the Soul against God; Numb. 21.5. The people spake against God. When a Cloud of Sorrow is gathered in the Soul, and this Cloud doth not only drop into Tears, but out of this Cloud come Hail-stones, murmuring word[gap] against God, this is far from patient submission to Gods Will. When water is hot the scum boils up; when the Heart is heated with anger against God, then this scum of murmuring boils up. Murmuring is very evil, it springs, 1. From Pride; Men think they have deserved better at Gods hands, and when they begin to swell they spit Poyson. 2. Distrust; Men believe not that God can make a Treacle of Poyson, bring good out of all their troubles, therefore they murmur; Psal. 106.24. They believed not his word, but murmured. Men murmur at Gods Providences because they distrust his Promises; God hath much ado to bear this Sin, Numb. 14.27. this is far from submission to Gods Will.

3. Discomposedness of Spirit cannot stand with quiet submission to Gods Will. When a Man saith, I am so encompassed with trouble that I know not how to get out; Head and Heart are so taken up that a Person is not fit to pray. When the strings of a Lute are snarled, the Lute can make no good Musick; so when a Christians Spirits are perplexed and disturbed, he cannot make Melody in his Heart to the Lord. To be under a discomposure of Mind, is as when an Army is routed, one runs this way, and another that, the Army is put into disorder; so when a Christian is in an hurry of Mind, his Thoughts run up and down distracted, as if he were undone; this cannot stand with patient submission to Gods Will.

4. Self-apology cannot stand with submission to Gods Will; instead of being humbled under Gods hand a Person justifies himself. A proud Sinner stands upon his own defence, and is ready to accuse God of unrighteousness, which is as if we should tax the Sun with darkness: This is far from submission to Gods Will. God smote Ionahs goard, and he stands upon his own vindication; Ionah 4.9. I do well to be angry to the death: What, to be angry with God? And to justifie this, I do well to be angry. This was strange to come from a Prophet, and was far from this Prayer Christ hath taught us, Thy Will be done.

Quest. 4. What this patient submission to Gods Will is?

Answ. It is a gracious frame of Soul, whereby a Christian is content to be at Gods dispose, and doth acquiesce in his Wisdom; 1 Sam. 3.18. It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good: Acts 21.14. The will of the Lord be done. That I may further

illustrate this, I shall show you wherein this submission to Gods Will lyes; it lyes chiefly in three things.

(1.) In acknowledging Gods hand; seeing God in the Affliction: Iob 5.6. Affliction ariseth not out of the dust; it comes not by chance. Iob did eye God in all that befel him; Iob 1.22. The Lord hath taken away: He complains not of the Chaldeans, or the influence of the Planets, he looks beyond second Causes, he sees God in the Affliction, The Lord hath taken away. There can be no submission to Gods Will till there be an acknowledging of Gods hand.

(2.) Patient submission to Gods Will lyes in our justifying of God: Psal. 22.2. O my God I cry unto thee, yet thou hearest not, thou turnest a deaf ear to me in my affliction; ver. 3. But thou art holy. God is Holy and Just, not only when he punisheth the Wicked, but when he afflicts the Righteous. Though God put Wormwood in our Cup, yet we vindicate God, and proclaim his Righteousness. As Mauritius the Emperour, when he saw his Sons slain before his eyes, Iustus es Domine, Righteous art thou O Lord in all thy wayes. We justifie God, and confess he punisheth us less than we deserve; Ezra 9.13.

(3.) Patient submission to Gods Will lyes in the accepting of the punishment; Lev. 26.41. And they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity. Accepting of the punishment; that is, taking all that God doth in good part. He who accepts of the punishment, saith, Good is the Rod of the Lord; he kisseth the Rod, yea blesseth God that he would use such a Merciful severity, rather to afflict him than lose him. This is patient submission to Gods Will.

This patient submission to Gods Will in Affliction showes a great deal of Wisdom and Piety. The skill of a Pilot is most discerned in a storm, and a Christians Grace in the storm of Affliction; and indeed this submission to Gods Will is most requisite for us while we live here in this lower Re[gap]gion; in Heaven there will be no need of Patience, no more than there is need of the Star light when the Sun shines. In Heaven there will be all joy, and what need of Patience then? It requires no Patience to wear a Crown of Gold, but while we live here in a Valley of Tears, there needs patient submission to Gods Will, Heb. 10.36. Ye have need of patience.

1. The Lord sometimes layes heavy Afflictions upon us; Psal. 38.2. Thy hand presseth me sore. The word in the Original for afflicted, signifies to be melted. God sometimes melts his People in a Furnace.

2. God sometimes layes divers Afflictions on us: Iob 19.17. He multiplies my wound. God shoots divers sorts of Arrowes.

(1.) Sometimes God afflicts with Poverty. The Widow had nothing left her save a pot of Oyl, 1 Kings 17.12. Poverty is a great Temptation. [gap], Menand. To have an Estate boyled away almost to nothing, is hard to Flesh and Blood; Ruth 1.20. Call me not Naomi but Mara: I went out full and the Lord hath brought me home again empty. This exposeth to Contempt. When the Prodigal was poor, his Brother was ashamed to own him: Luke. 15.30. This thy Son; he said not this my Brother, but this thy Son; he scorned to call him Brother. When the Deer is shot and bleeds, the rest of the herd push it away; when God shoots the Arrow of Poverty at one, others are ready to push him away. When Terence was grown poor, his Friend Scipio cast him off. The Muses (Iupiters Daughters) the Poets feign, had no Suitors because they wanted a Dowry.

(2.) God sometimes afflicts with Reproach▪ Such as have the light of Grace shining in them, yet may be eclipsed in their Name. The Primitive Christians were reproached as if they were guilty of Incest, saith Tertullian. Luther was called, A Trumpeter of Rebellion. David calls reproach an heart-breaking; Psal. 69.20. this God lets his dear Saints be oft exercised with. Dirt may be cast upon a Pearl; those Names may be blotted which are written in the Book of Life. Sincerity though it shields from Hell, yet not from Slander.

(3.) God sometimes afflicts with loss of dear Relations; Ezek. 24.16. Son of man behold I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: This is like a pulling away a Limb from the Body. He takes away an holy Child; Iacobs Life was bound up in Benjamin, Gen. 44.30. and that which puts Teeth into the Cross, and is worse than the loss of Children, is, when they are continued as living Crosses; where the Parents expected Honey, there to have Wormwood. What greater cut to a Godly Parent than a Child who disclaims his Fathers God! A Corrosive applyed to the Body may do well, but a bad Child is a Corrosive to the Heart. Such an undutiful Son had David who conspired Treason, and would not only have taken away his Fathers Crown, but his Life.

(4.) God sometimes afflicts with a [gap], infirmness of Body; scarce a well day. Sickness takes away the Comfort of Life, and makes one in Deaths oft, thus God tryes his People with various Afflictions, so that there is need of Patience to submit to Gods Will. He who hath divers Bullets shot at him needs Armour; when divers Afflictions assault, we need Patience as Armour of Proof.

3. God sometimes lets the Affliction continue long, Psal. 74.9. as it is with Diseases, there are some Chronical, that linger and hang about the Body several years together; so it is with Affliction, the Lord is pleased to exercise many of his precious ones with Chronical Afflictions, such as lye upon them a long time; so that in all these Cases we need Patience and submissiveness of Spirit to Gods Will.

VSE I. It reproves such as have not yet learned this part of the Lords Prayer, Thy Will be done; they have only said it, but not learned it. If things be not according to their Mind, if the Wind of Providence crosseth the Tide of their Will, they are discontented and querulous, where is now submission of Will to God? To be displeased with God if things do not please us, is this to lye at Gods feet, and acquiesce in his Will? This is a very bad temper of Spirit, and God may justly punish us by letting us have our Will. Rachel cryed, Give me Children, or I dye, Gen. 30.1. God let her have a Child, but it cost her her Life; Gen. 35.18. Israel not content with Manna (Angels Food) they must have Quails to their Manna, God punished them by letting them have their Will; Numb. 11.31. There went sorth a wind from the Lord, and brought quails: ver. 33. And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, the wrath of the Lord was kindled against them, and the Lord smote them with a great plague. They had better been without their Quails than had such sower sawce to them. Many have importunately desired the Life of a Child, and could not bring their Wills to Gods to be content to part with it, and the Lord hath punished them by letting them have their Will; the Child hath lived and been a burden to them. Seeing their Wills crossed God, their Child shall cross them.

VSE II. Of Exhortation. Let us be exhorted whatever troubles God doth exercise us with, aequo animo ferre, to resign up our Wills to God, and say, Thy Will be done: Which is fittest, that God should bring his will to ours, or we bring our will to his? Say as Eli, 1 Sam. 3.18. It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good: And as David, 2 Sam. 15.26. Behold here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him. It was the saying of Harpulas, Placet mihi quod. Regi placet, that pleaseth me which pleaseth the King: So should we say, that which pleaseth God pleaseth us: Thy Will be done. Some have not yet learned this art of submission to God, and truly he who wants Patience in Affliction, is like a Souldier in Battle who wants Armour.

Quest. When do we not as we ought submit to Gods Will in Affliction?

Answ. 1. When we have hard thoughts of God, and our Hearts begin to swell against him.

2. When we are so troubled at our present Affliction that we are unfit for Duty. We can mourn as Doves, but not pray or praise God. We are so discomposed that we are not fit to hearken to any good Counsel; Exod. 6.9. They hearkened not to Moses for anguish of spirit. Israel were so full of grief under their present burdens, that they minded not what Moses said, though he came with a Message from God to them; They hearkened not to Moses for anguish of spirit.

3. We do not submit as we ought to Gods Will, when we labour to break loose from Affliction by indirect means. Many to rid themselves out of trouble run themselves into Sin. When God hath bound them with the cords of Affliction, they go to the Devil to loosen their bands. Better it is to stay in Affliction, than to sin our selves out of Affliction. O let us learn to stoop to Gods Will in all afflictive Providences.

Quest. But how shall we bring our selves to this Christian Temper in all Occurrences of Providence, patiently to acquiesce in Gods Will, and say, Thy Will be done? We know not what Tryals Personal or National we may be exercised with. We seem now to be under the Planet Saturn, which hath a malignant Aspect. Our Ship is steer'd so strangely, that we are in danger on one hand of the Sands, on the other hand of the Rocks. If Affliction comes how shall we keep a Christian Decorum, how shall we bear things with equanimity of mind, and say, Thy Will be done?

Answ. The means for a quiet resignation to Gods Will in Affliction is;

1. Judicious Consideration; Eccles. 7.14. In the day of adversity consider. When any thing burdens us, or runs cross to our desires, did we but sit down and consider, and weigh things in the ballance of Judgment, it would much quiet our Minds, and

subject our Wills to God; In the day of adversity consider. Consideration would be as Davids Harp, to charm down the evil Spirit of frowardness and discontent.

Quest. But what should we consider?

Answ. That which may make us submit to God in Affliction, and say, Thy Will be done, is,

1. To consider that the present state of Life is subject to Afflictions, as a Seamans Life is subject to storms: Ferre quam sortem omnes patiuntur nemo recusat: Iob 5.7. Man is born to trouble; he is heir apparent to it; he comes into the World with a cry, and goes out with a groan. Ea lege nati sumus. The World is a place where much Wormwood grows; Lam. 3.15. He hath filled me with bitterness, Hebr. Bammerorim, with bitternesses, he hath made me drunk with wormwood. Troubles arise like sparks out of a Furnace. Afflictions are some of the Thorns which the Earth after the Curse brings forth. VVe may as well think to stop the Chariot of the Sun when it is in its swift motion, as put a stop to trouble; the consideration of this our Life is exposed to eclipses and sufferings should make us say with Patience, Thy Will be done. Shall a Mariner be angry that he meets with a storm at Sea?

VSE V. Comfort to the people of God. (5)

2. Consideration, God hath a special hand in the disposal of all Occurrences that fall out. Iob eyed God in the Affliction, chap. 1.21. The Lord hath taken away: He doth not complain of the Sabeans, or the Influences of the Planets, he looked beyond all second Causes, he saw God in the Affliction, and that made him chearfully submit, Blessed be the name of the Lord. And Christ looked beyond Iudas and Pilate, he looked to Gods determinate Counsel in delivering him up to be Crucified, Acts 4.28. this made him say, Matth. 26.39. Father, not as I will, but as thou wilt: 'Tis vain to quarrel with instruments. VVicked Men are but a Rod in Gods hand; Isa. 10.5. O Assyrian the rod of my anger. VVhoever brings an Affliction, God sends it: The consideration of this would make us say, Thy Will be done; what God doth he sees a reason for. VVe read of a wheel within a wheel, Ezek. 1.15. the outward wheel which turns all, is Providence; the wheel within this wheel, is Gods Decree; this believed would rock the Heart quiet. Shall we mutiny at that which God doth? VVe may as well quarrel with the works of Creation, as the works of Providence.

3. Consideration, which may make us humbly to submit to Gods VVill is, that there is a necessity of Affliction; 1 Pet. 1.6. (If need be) ye are in heaviness. It is needful some things be kept in brine. Afflictions are needful upon several accounts.

(1.) To keep us Humble. Oft times there is no other way to have the heart low but by being brought low: 2 Chron. 33.12. When Manasseh was in affliction, he humbled himself greatly. Corrections are Corrosives to eat out the proud flesh; Lam. 3.19. Remembring my misery, the wormwood and the gall, my soul is humbled in me.

(2.) It is necessary that there should be Affliction, for if God did not sometimes bring us into Affliction, how could his power be seen in bringing us out? Had not Israel been in the Egyptian Furnace, God had lost his glory in their deliverance.

(3.) If there were no Affliction, then many parts of Scripture could not be fulfilled. God hath promised to help us bear Affliction, and Psal. 37.24, 39. how could we experience Gods supporting us in trouble, if we did not sometime meet with it? God hath promised to give us Joy in Affliction, Iohn. 16.20. how could we taste this honey of Joy, if we were not sometimes in Affliction? Again, God hath promised to wipe away tears from our eyes, Isa. 25.8. how could God wipe away our tears in Heaven, if we never shed any? So that in several respects there is an absolute necessity that we should meet with Affliction, and shall not we quietly submit, and say, Lord, I see there is a necessity of it; Thy Will be done.

4. Consideration, to make us submit to Gods VVill in Affliction is, that whatever we feel, it is nothing but what we have brought upon our selves; we put a Rod into Gods hand to chastise us. Christian, God layes thy Cross on thee, but it is of thy own making. If a Mans field be full of Tares, it is nothing but what he hath sown in it: If thou reapest a bitter crop of Affliction, it is nothing but what thou thy self hast sown. The cords that pinch thee are of thy own twisting; Me me adsum qui feci. If Children will eat green Fruit, they may thank themselves if they are sick; if we eat the forbidden Fruit, no wonder to feel it gripe. Sin is the Trojan Horse that lands an Army of Afflictions upon us; Ier. 4.15. A voice publisheth affliction: ver. 18. Thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee, this is thy wickedness. If we by Sin run our selves into arrears with God, no wonder if he set Affliction as a Sergeant on our back to arrest us. This may make us patiently submit to God in Affliction, and say, Thy Will be done. VVe have no cause to complain of God, it is nothing but what our Sins have merited. Ier. 2.17. Hast not thou procured this unto thy self? The

Cross though it be of Gods laying, it is of our own making; say then as Mica 7.[gap]9 I will bear the Indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him.

5. Consideration, to cause submission to Gods Will in Affliction; God is now about to make an Experiment, he doth it to prove and try us; Psal. 66.10. Thou O God, hast tried us as Silver is tried, thou laidst Affliction upon our Loyns. If there were no Affliction, how should God have an Opportunity to try Men? Hypocrites can sail in a Pleasure-boat, serve God in Prosperity; but when we can keep close to God in times of danger, when we can trust God when we have no Pawn, and love God when we have no smile; here is the trial of Sincerity! This may make us say, Thy Will be done. God is only trying us, what hurt is in that? What is the gold worse for being tried?

6. Consideration, to make us submit to God in Affliction, and say, Thy Will be done, is, that in all our Crosses God hath a kindness for us; as there was no Night so dark, but Israel had a Pillar of Fire to give Light; so there's no Condition so cloudy, but we may see that which gives Light of Comfort: David would sing of Mercy and Judgment, Psal. 101.1. This may make our Wills chearfully submit to Gods, to consider, in every Path of Providence we may see a Footstep of kindness.

Quest. What kindness is there in Affliction, when God seems most unkind?

Answ. 1. There is kindness in Affliction, in that there is love in it; [gap], Chrysost. Gods Rod and Gods Love may stand together, Heb. 12.6. Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, Whom he cockereth above the rest, so Mercer: As Abraham when he lift up his hand to sacrifice Isaac, loved him; so when God afflicts his People, and seems to sacrifice their outward Comforts, yet loves them: The Husbandman loves his Vine when he cuts it and makes it bleed; and shall not we submit to God? shall we quarrel with that which hath kindness in it, which comes in love? The Chyrurgion binds the Patient, and launceth him, but no wise Man will quarrel with the Chyrurgion, it is in Love, and in order to a Cure.

2. There is kindness in Affliction, in that God deals with us now as Children, Heb. 12.7. If you endure Chastening, God deals with you as Sons; God had one Son without sin, but no son without stripes. Affliction is a Badge of Adoption, 'tis Dei Sigillum, saith Tertullian, it is Gods Seal by which he marks us for his own. When Munster that holy Man lay sick, his Friends ask'd him how he did? he pointed to his Sores, saying, hae sunt gemme Dei, these are the Jewels with which God decks his Children; shall not we then say? Thy Will be done. Lord, there's kindness in the Cross, thou usest us as Children, the Rod of Discipline is to fit us for the Inheritance.

3. There is kindness that God hath in all our Afflictions left us a Promise; in the most cloudy Providences the Promise appears as a Rainbow in the Cloud.

(1.) That we shall have Gods promise with us, Psal. 91.15. I will be with him in Trouble. It cannot be ill with that Man with whom God is: I will be with him, i. e. to support, sanctify, sweeten; Gods presence is a sweetening ingredient into every Affliction. I had rather be in a Prison and have Gods Presence, then be in a Pallace and want it.

(2.) Promise, that he will lay no more upon us then he will enable us to bear, 1 Cor: 10.13. God will not try us beyond our strength; either God will make the Yoak lighter, or our Faith stronger; may not this make us submit our Wills to God when Afflictions have so much kindness in them? In all our Trials God hath left us promises, which are like Manna in the Wilderness.

4. This is great kindness that all the Troubles that befal us shall be for our profit, Heb. 12. He [gap] for our profit.

Quest. But what profit is in affliction?

Answ. 1. Afflictions are disciplinary, they teach us Schola Crucis, Schola Lucis: Many Psalms have this Inscription Maschil, a Psalm giving Instruction: Affliction may have this Inscription upon it Maschil, an Affliction giving Instruction, Mica. 6.9. Hear ye the Rod. Luther saith he could never rightly understand some of the Psalms till he was in Affliction, Iudg. 8.16. Gideon took Thorns of the Wilderness and Briars, and with them he taught the Men of Succoth: God by the Thorns and Briars of Affliction teacheth us.

(1.) Affliction shows us more of our own hearts then ever: Water in a Glass-Vial looks clear, but set it on the fire and the Scum boils up: When God sets us upon the fire, then we see that Corruption boils up which we did not discern before. Sharp Afflictions are to the Soul as a soaking Rain to the House, we know not that there are such holes in the House, till the shower comes, and then we see it drop down here and there; so we before did not know that there were such unmortified Lusts in the Soul, till the storm of Affliction comes, then we spy unbelief, impatience, carnal fear,

we see it drop down in many places. Thus Affliction is a sacred Collyrium, it clears our Eye-sight; the Rod gives Wisdom.

(2.) Affliction brings those sins to Remembrance, which before were buried in the Grave of Forgetfulness; Ioseph's Brethren for twenty Years together were not at all troubled for their sin in selling their Brother, but when they came into Egypt and began to be in straits, then their sin in selling their Brother came into their Remembrance, and their Hearts did smite them, Gen. 42.21. They said one to another, we are verily guilty concerning our Brother. When a Man is in distress, now his sin comes fresh into his Mind, Conscience makes a Rehearsal Sermon of all the Evils which have passed in his Life, now his expence of precious time, his Sabbath-breaking, his slighting of the word, come into his Remembrance, and he goes out with Peter and weeps bitterly. Thus the Rod gives Wisdom, it shows the hidden evil of the heart, and brings former sins to Remembrance.

2. There is Profit it Affliction, as it quickens a Spirit of Prayer, premuntur justi ut pressi clament. Ionah was asleep in the Ship, but at Prayer in the Whales Belly; perhaps in a time of health and prosperity, we pray'd in a cold formal manner, we put no coals to the Incense, we did scarce mind our own prayers, and how should God mind them, now God sends some cross or other to make us stir up our selves to take hold of God: When Iacob was in fear of his life by his Brother, then he wrestles with God and weeps in prayer, and would not leave God till he had blessed him, Hos. 12.4. 'Tis with many of Gods Children as with those who formerly had the Swe[gap]ting sickness in this Land, 'twas a sleepy disease, if they slept they died, therefore to keep them waking they were smitten with Rosemary Branches; so the Lord useth Affliction as a Rosemary Branch to keep us from sleeping, and to awaken a Spirit of Prayer, Isa. 26.16. They poured out a Prayer, when thy Chastening was upon them; now their Prayer pierced the Heaven: In times of Trouble we pray feelingly, and we never pray so fervently as when we pray feelingly, and is not this for our profit?

3. Affliction is for our profit, as it is a means to expectorate and purge out our sin, Isa. 77.9. By this th[gap]refore shall the iniquity of Iacob be purged; [gap], Arist. Affliction is Gods Physick to expel the noxious humour, it cures the Imposthume of Pride, the Feaver of Lust, and is not this for our profit: Affliction is Gods File to fetch off our Rust, his flail to thresh off our Husks: The Water of Affliction is not to drown us, but to wash off our Spots.

4. To be under the black Rod is profitable, in that hereby we grow more serious and are more careful to clear our Evidences for Heaven: In times of Prosperity when the Rock poured out Rivers of Oyl, Iob 29 6. we were careless in getting, at least clearing our Title to Glory; had many no better Evidences for their Land then they have for their Salvation, they were but in an ill case; but when an hour of Trouble comes, we begin to look after our spiritual Evidences, and see how things stand between God and our Souls; and is it not for our profit to see our Interest in Christ more cleared then ever?

5. Affliction is for our profit, as it is a means to take us more off from the World; the world oft proves not only a Spiders Web, but a Cockatrice Egg; pernitious worldly things are great Inchantments, they are [gap]etinaculaspei, Tertul. they hinder us in our passage to Heaven; if a Clock be over-wound it stands still; so when the heart is wound up too much to the world, it stands still to Heavenly things; Affliction sounds a retreat to call us off the immoderate pursuit of earthly things; when things are frozen and congealed together the only way to separate them is by Fire; so when the heart and the world are congealed together, God hath no better way to separate them then by the Fire of Affliction.

6. Affliction is for our profit, as it is a Refiner, it works us to further decrees of Sanctity, Heb. 12.10. He for our profit, that we might be partakers of his Holiness. The Vessels of Mercy are the brighter for scouring; you pour water on your Linnen when you would whiten it; God pours the waters of Affliction upon us to lay our Souls a whitening: The Leaves of the Fig-tree and Root are bitter, but the Fruit is sweet: Afflictions are in themselves bitter, but they bring forth the sweet fruits of Righteousness, Heb. 12.11. This may make us submit to God, and say, Thy Will be done; there's kindness in Affliction, it is for our spiritual profit.

5. There's kindness in Affliction, in that there is no condition so bad but it might be worse; when it is duskish it might be darker; God doth not make our Cross so heavy as he might, he doth not stir up all his Anger, Psal. 78.38. He doth not put so many Nails in our Yoak, so much Wormwood in our Cup as he might; doth God chastise

thy Body? he might torture thy Conscience; doth he cut thee short? he might cut thee off: The Lord might make our Chain heavier; Is it a burning-Feaver? it might have been the burning Lake: Doth God use the Pruning Knife to lop thee? he might bring his Axe to hew thee down. Ezek. 47.3. The Waters were up to the Ankles: Do the Waters of Affliction come up to the Ankles? God might make them rise higher, nay, he might drown thee in the Waters; this may make us submit quietly and say, Thy Will be done, because there is so much kindness in it; whereas God useth the Rod, he might use the Scorpion.

6. There is kindness in Affliction, in that your case is not so bad as others; they are alwaies upon the Rack; they spend their Years with sighing, Psal. 31.10. Have you a gentle fit of an Ague? others cry out of the Stone and Strangullion: Do you bear the wrath of Men? others bear the wrath of God; you have but a single trial, others have them twisted together; God shoots but one Arrow at you, he shoots a Shower of Arrows at others; is there not kindness in all this? We are apt to say, never any suffered as we; was it not worse with Lazarus, who was so full of Sores that the Dogs took pity on him, and licked his Sores? Nay, was it not worse with Christ, who lived poor and died cursed? May not this cause us to say, Thy Will be done; there is kindness in it; that God deals not so severely with us as others.

7. There is kindness in Affliction, in that (if we belong to God) it is all the Hell we shall have; some have two Hells, they suffer in their Body and Conscience, here is one Hell, and another Hell is to come, unquenchable Fire; Iudas had two Hells, but a Child of God hath but one Hell; Lazarus had all his Hell here, he was full of sores, but had a Convoy of Angels to carry him to Heaven when he dyed: Say then, Lo, if this be the worst I shall have, if this be all my Hell, I will patiently acquiesce, Thy Will be done.

VSE V. Comfort to the people of God. (6)

8. There is kindness, in that God gives gracious supports in Affliction; if he strikes with one hand he will support with the other, Deut. 33.27. Vnderneath are the everlasting Arms. There is not the least Trial, but if God did desert us, and not assist us with his Grace, we should sink under it: The Frown of a great Man, the fear of a Reproach; Peter was frighted at the Voice of a Maid, Mat. 26.69. O therefore what Mercy is it to have Christ strengthen us, and as it were bear the heaviest part of the Cross with us. One said, I have no ravishing Joys in my sickness, but I bless God I have sweet supports: and should not this cause submission to Gods Will, and make us say, Lo, if thou art so kind as to bear us up in Affliction, that we do not faint, put us into what Wine-press, thou pleasest, Thy Will be done.

9. There is kindness in Affliction, in that it is preventive.

(1.) God by this stroke of his would prevent some sin; Paul's Thorn in the Flesh was to prevent his being lifted up in Pride, 2 Cor. 12.7. As Affliction is sometimes sent for the punishing of sin, so sometimes for the preventing of sin: Prosperity exposeth to much evil. 'Tis hard to carry a full Cup without spilling, and a full Estate without sinning. Gods People know not how much they are beholding to their Affliction, they might have fallen into some Scandal, had not God set an Hedge of Thorns in their way to stop them; what kindness is this. God lets us fall into sufferings to prevent falling into Snares; say then, Lord do as it seems good in thy sight, Thy Will be done.

(2.) God by Affliction would prevent Damnation, 1 Cor. 11.32. We are corrected in the World, that we may not be condemned with the World. A Man by falling into the Briars is saved from falling into the River: God lets us fall into the Briars of Affliction that we may not drown in Perdition: It is a great favour when a lesser punishment is inflicted to prevent a greater: Is it not Clemency in the Judge when he lays some light Penalty on the Prisoner, and saves his life; so when God lays upon us light Affliction, and saves us from wrath to come; as Pilate said, Luke 23.16. [gap], I will chastise him and let him go; so God chastiseth his Children and lets them go, frees them from eternal torment: What is a drop of sorrow the Godly tast, to that sea of Wrath the Wicked shall be drinking of to all Eternity; O what kindness is here, may not this make us say, Thy Will be done; it is preventing Physick.

10. There is kindness, in that God doth mix his Providences, Hab. 3.2. In Anger he remembers Mercy: Not all pure Gall but some Honey mixed with it. Ashurs Shoes were Iron and Brass, but his Foot was dip'd in Oyl, Gen. 33.24. Affliction is the shoo of Brass, but God causeth the Foot to be dipp'd in Oyl. As the Limner mixeth with his dark shadows bright Colours; so the wise God mingles the dark, and the bright Colour, Crosses and Blessings. The Body is afflicted, but within is Peace of Conscience; there is a Blessing: Ioseph was sold into Egppt, and put in Prison; there was the dark side of the Cloud: Iob lost all that ever he had, his Skin was clothed with Boils and Ulcers;

here was a sad Providence, but God gave a Testimony from Heaven of Iobs Integrity, and did afterwards double his Estate, Iob. 42.10. The Lord gave Iob twice as much. Here was the goodness of God seen towards Iob. God doth checquer his works of Providence, and shall not we submit and say, Lord if thou art so kind mixing so many bright Colours with my dark Condition, Thy Will be done.

11. There is kindness in Affliction in that God doth moderate his Stroke, Ier. 30.11. I will correct thee in Measure. God will in the day of his East-wind stay his rough wind, Isa. 27.8. The Physician that understands the Crasis and temper of the patient, will not give too strong Physick for the Body nor will he give one Dram or Scruple too much. God knows our frame he will not over-afflict, he will not stretch the strings of his Viol too hard least they break; and is there not kindness in all this? may not this work our hearts to submission? Lord if thou usest so much gentleness and correctest in measure, Thy Will be done.

12. There is kindness in Affliction, in that God often sweetens it with divine Consolation, 2 Cor. 1.4. Who comforteth us in all our Tribulation: After a bitter Potion, a lump of Sugar. God comforts in Affliction,

(1.) Partly by his Word, Psal. 119.50. This is my Comfort in my Affliction, for thy Word hath quickened me. The Promises of the word are a shop of Cordials.

(2.) God comforts by his Spirit. Philip Landtgrave of Hesse said that in his troubles, se divinas Martyrum consolationes sensisse, he felt the divine Consolations of the Martyrs. David had his Pilgrimage-Songs, Psal. 119.54. and St. Paul his Prison-Songs, Act. 16.25. Thus God candies our Wormwood with Sugar, and makes us gather Grapes of Thorns. Some of the Saints have had such ravishing Joys in Affliction, that they had rather endure their Sufferings, then want their Comforts: O how much kindness is in the Cross! In the Belly of this Lyon is an Honey-Comb; may not this make us chearfully submit to Gods Will, when God lines the Yoak with Comfort, and gives us honey at the end of the Rod?

13. There is kindness in Affliction, in that God doth curtail and shorten it, he will not let it lye on too long, Isa. 57.16. I will not contend for ever, least the Spirit should fail before me. God will give his People a Writ of Ease, and proclaim a Year of Jubilee▪ the wicked may plow upon the backs of the Saints, but God will cut their Traces, Psal. 129.4. The Goldsmith will not let his gold lye any longer in the Furnace then till it is purified. The Wicked must drink a Sea of Wrath, but the Godly have only a Cup of Affliction, Isa. 51.17. and God will say, Let this Cup pass away. Affliction may be compared to Frost, it will break and Spring Flowers will come on, Isa. 35. Sorrow and sighing shall fly away. Affliction hath a Sting, but withal a Wing, sorrow shall fly away; this Land Flood shall be dryed up; if then there be so much kindness in the Cross, God will cause a Cessation of trouble, say then, Fiat Voluntas tua, Thy Will be done.

14. Vlt. There is kindness in Affliction, in that it is a means to make us happy, Iob 5.17. Behold, happy is the Man whom God correcteth. This seems strange to flesh and blood that Affliction should make one happy; when Moses saw the bush burning and not consumed, I will (s[gap]ith he) turn aside and see this strange sight, Exod. 3.3. So here is a strange sight, a Man afflicted, yet happy: The World counts them happy who can escape Affliction, but happy is the Man whom God correcteth.

Quest. But how do Afflictions contribute to our happiness?

Resp. 1. As they are a means to bring us nearer to God; the Loadstone of Prosperity doth not draw us so near to God as the Cords of Affliction: VVhen the Prodigal was pinch'd with want, then saith he, I will arise and go to my Father, Luke 15.18. The Deluge brought the Dove to the Ark: The Floods of Sorrow make us hasten to Christ.

2. Afflictions make us happy, as they are Manuductions to Glory. The Storm drives the Ship into the harbour: Happy is that Storm which drives the Soul into the Heavenly harbour; is it not better to go through affliction to glory, then through pleasure to misery? not that afflictions merit glory, no cross ever merited, but that which Christ endured; but they do disponere, fit, and prepare us for glory. Think, O Christian, what Affliction leads to, it leads to Paradise, where are Rivers of Pleasure always running; may not this make us chearfully submit to Gods VVill, and say, Lord if there be so much kindness in Affliction, if all thou dost is to make us happy, Thy Will be done.

7. Consideration, It is Gods ordinary course to keep his People to a bitter Diet-Drink, and exercise them with great Trials: Affliction is the beaten Road all the Saints have gone in: The lively Stones in the Spiritual building have been all hewn and polished: Christs Lilly hath grown among the Thorns, 2 Tim. 3.12. All that will live

Godly in Christ Iesus shall suffer persecution. 'Tis too much for a Christian to have two Heavens, that is more than Christ had. It hath been ever the lot of the Saints to encounter with sore tryals; Both of the Prophets, Iam. 5.10. Take my brethren the Prophets for an example of suffering affliction: And of the Apostles, Peter was Crucified with his Head downward, Iames beheaded by Herod, Iohn banished into the Isle of Patmos, the Apostle Thomas thrust thorow with a spear, (who was chosen Apostle in Iudas room) Matthias stoned to death, Luke the Evangelist hanged on an Olive-tree. Those Saints of whom the World was not worthy did pass under the Rod, Hebr. 11.36. Christs Kingdom is Regnum Crucis, this is the way God hath alwayes gone in, such as God intends to save from Hell, yet he doth not save from the Cross; the consideration of this should quiet our Minds in Affliction, and make us say, Thy Will be done. Do we think God will alter his course of Providence for us? Why should we look for exemption from trouble more than others? Why should we think to tread only upon Roses and Violets, when Prophets and Apostles have marched through the Bryars to Heaven?

8. Consideration, God hath done that for thee Christian, which may make thee content to suffer any thing at his hand, and say, Thy Will be done.

(1.) He hath adopted thee for his Child. David thought it no small Honour to be the Kings Son in Law, 1 Sam. 18.18. what an Honour is it to derive thy pedigree from Heaven, to be born of God; why then art thou troubled, and murmurest at every slight cross? As Ionadab said to Amnon, 2 Sam. 13.4. Why art thou, being the Kings Son, lean? So why art thou who art Son or Daughter to the King of Heaven, troubled at these petty things? What the Kings Son, and look lean? This may quiet thy Spirit, and bring thy Will to Gods; he hath dignified thee with Honour, he made thee his Son and Heir, and will entail a Kingdom on thee.

(2.) God hath given thee Christ. Christ is communis thesaurus, a Magazine and Storehouse of all Heavenly Treasure; a Pearl of Price to enrich, a Tree of Life to quicken. He is the quintessence of all Blessings, why then art thou discontented at thy Worldly Crosses? They cannot be so bitter as Christ is sweet, as Seneca said once to Polybius, Why dost thou complain of hard Fortune, salvo Caesare, is not Caesar thy Friend? So is not Christ thy Friend? He can never be poor who hath a Mine of Gold in his Field; nor he who hath the unsearchable Riches of Christ: Say then, Lord, Thy Will be done, though I have my Cross, yet I have Christ with it. The Cross may make me weep, but Christ wipes off all tears; Rev. 7.17.

(3.) God hath given thee Grace. Grace is the rich embroidery and workmanship of the Holy Ghost; it is the sacred Unction; 1 Iohn 2.27. The Graces are a Chain of Pearl to adorn, and Beds of Spices which make us a sweet odour to God; Grace is a distinguishing Blessing. Christ gave Iudas his Purse, but not his Spirit; may not this quiet the Heart in Affliction, and make it say, Thy Will be done. Lord, thou hast given that Jewel which thou bestowest only on the Elect. Grace is a seal of thy Love, it is both Food and Cordial, it is an earnest of Glory.

9. Consideration, When God intends the greatest Mercy to any of his People, he brings them low in Affliction. God seems to go quite cross to Sense and Reason, when he intends to raise us highest, he brings us lowest. As Moses Hand before it wrought Miracles▪ was Leprous, and Sarahs Womb, before it brought forth the Son of the Promise, was Barren. God brings us low before he raiseth us; as Water is at the lowest ebb before there is a Spring tyde.

(1.) It is true in a Temporal Sense: When God would bring Israel to Canaan, a Land flowing with Milk and Honey, he first leads them through a Sea and a Wilderness; when God intended to advance Ioseph to be the second Man in the Kingdom, he casts him first into Prison, and the Irons entred into his Soul, Psal. 105.18. God usually lets it be darkest before the Morning-Star of deliverance appears.

(2.) It is true in a Spiritual Sense. When God intends to raise a Soul to Spiritual Comfort, he first layes it low in desertion, Isa. 12.1. as the Limner layes his dark colour first, and then layes his gold colour on it, so God first layes the Soul in the dark of desertion, and then he layes his golden colour of Joy and Consolation: May not this make us chearfully submit, and say, Thy Will be done. Perhaps now God afflicts me, he is about to raise me, he intends me a greater Mercy than I am aware of.

10. Consideration, The excellency of this frame of Soul to lye at Gods feet, and say, Thy Will be done.

(1.) A Soul that is melted into Gods Will shows variety of Grace. As the holy Oyntment was made up of several Aromatick Spices, Myrrh, Cinnamon, Cassia, Exod. 30.23. so this sweet temper of Soul, submission to Gods Will in Affliction, hath in it

a mixture of several Graces. In particular it is compounded of three Graces, Faith, Love, Humility. 1. Faith: Faith believes God doth all in Mercy, that Affliction is to mortifie some Sin, or exercise some Grace, that God corrects in Love and Faithfulness, Psalm 119.75. the belief of this causeth submission of Will to God. 2. Love: Love thinks no evil, 1 Cor. 13.5. Love takes all God doth in the best sense, it hath good thoughts of God, this causeth submission, Thy Will be done. Let the Righteous God smite me (saith Love) it shall be a kindness, yea, it shall be an excellent oyl which shall not break my head. 3. Humility: The humble Soul looks on its Sins, and how it hath provoked God, he saith not his Afflictions are great, but his Sins are great, this makes him lye at Gods feet and say, I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, Micah 7.9. Thus a submissive frame of Heart is full of grace, it is compounded of several graces, it pleaseth God to see so many graces at once sweetly exercised; he saith of such a Christian, as David of Goliahs Sword, 1 Sam. 21.9. None like that, give it me.

(2.) He who puts his fiat & placet to Gods Will, and saith, Thy Will be done, shows not only variety of grace, but strength of grace. It argues much strength in the Body to be able to endure hard weather, yet not be altered by it; so to endure hard tryals, yet not faint or fret, shows more than ordinary strength of grace. You that can say, you have brought your Wills to Gods; Gods VVill and yours agree, as the Copy and the Original; let me assure you, you have out-strip'd many Christians who perhaps shine in an higher orb of knowledge than you. To be content to be at Gods dispose, to be any thing that God will have us, shows a noble heroick Soul. It is reported of the Eagle it is not like other Fowls, they when they are hungry make a noise, the Ravens cry for food, but the Eagle is never heard to make a noise though it wants meat, and it is from the nobleness and greatness of its Spirit: The Eagle is above other Fowls, and hath a Spirit suitable to its Nature; so it is an argument of an holy gallantry and magnitude of Spirit, that whatever cross Providences befal a Christian, he doth not cry and whine as others, but is silent, and lyes quietly at Gods feet. Here's much strength of Grace in such a Soul, nay, the height of Grace. VVhen Grace is crowning, it is not so much to say, Lord, Thy Will be done, but when Grace is conflicting, and meets with crosses and tryals, now to say, Thy Will be done, is a glorious thing indeed, and prepares for the garland of honour.