The whole-armour of GodThe vvhole-armor of God

§. 18. Of too light regard of Crosses.

Two extremes (whereunto we are very prone to run,¹ the Preacher, and which much hinder this perfect work of patience) are noted by^b and by^c the Apostle:⟨p. 182⟩ one is, too light regard, the other is, too great fear of such crosses as God layeth on men: for some despise them, as matters not much to be regarded (so much the notation of the original^d words imply:) other faint and sink under the burden of them, as if they were unsupportable, not to be endured (so much also the notation of the^c other original words imply:) They look not to God who smiteth: these fix their eyes too fast upon his Justice and wrath. It is commonly stupidity of mind, or stubbornness of will, that maketh men fall into the former.⁶ They, who are by nature stupid and blockish, have not a spiritual sense of crosses, but are like to men dead drunk, (Pro. 23. 33.) they endure many troubles, but receive no good by any trouble. Such were those Israelites of whom^h Jeremiah complaineth: and