Secondly, Faith in the greatest extremities suggesteth, that we are under the hand of God,1 who correcteth in measure, and for our profit, who hath determined the time and weight of our afflictions, and by his blessing will turn them to our good: who doth proportion our evils according to the strength we have, or which he ⟨p. 348⟩will give, not according to our deservings, and also continue our afflictions in great wisdom, faithfulness and mercy. Even as the Physician only can prescribe what quantity of physic is to be taken, with what change, & how long the course or diet is to be continued: so the Lord only doth appoint the measure, variety and continuance of troubles, wherewith he is pleased to exercise us. Wicked men cannot set the time, nor measure out the quantity of such measures, whereof they are instruments; to the godly for they would know no mean, nor ever make an end. They may be fit executioners of Gods will herein, when they be set too, and taken off, according to his appointment: but unfit determiners what is to be inflicted, or how long it must be endured. Nor are we our selves to appoint the quality of our Chastisements; or the terms and seasons wherein and how long they shall be continued: for we would taste only, (if at all) of the milder physic, or sap but lightly of bitters potions, when necessity requires we should take deep. The patient is not to be trusted with the searching and dressing of his own wound, if painful to be handled. Now seeing it is the Lord, great in mercy, infinite in wisdom, abundant in love and tender in compassions, who doth mingle our cup, why should we fear or faint? If Jacob had held or tended Joseph in prison, would he have used him roughly,2 or kept him overlong? No no: much less will God; (who is more merciful then any Father, and more pitiful then any Mother) hold us overlong, or deal rigorously with us: but ordering all corrections by his Fatherly providence, he will in his good time make them work together for good,3 & not for evil unto us. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered, Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value, then many sparrows.
Secondly, Faith in the greatest extreamities suggesteth, that we are vnder the hand of God,1 who correcteth in measure, and for our profit, who hath determined the time and weight of our afflictions, and by his blessing will turne them to our good: who doth proportion our euils according to the strength we haue, or which hee ⟨p. 348⟩will giue, not according to our deseruings, and also continue our afflictions in great wisdome, faithfulnesse and mercy. Euen as the Physition only can prescribe what quantity of physicke is to be taken, with what change, & how long the course or diet is to be continued: so the Lord only doth appoint the measure, varietie and continuance of troubles, wherewith hee is pleased to exercise vs. Wicked men cannot set the time, nor measure out the quantitie of such measures, whereof they are instruments; to the godly for they would know no meane, nor euer make an end. They may be fit executioners of Gods will herein, when they be set too, and taken off, according to his appointment: but vnfit determiners what is to be inflicted, or how long it must be endured. Nor are wee our selues to appoint the qualitie of our Chastisements; or the termes and seasons wherein and how long they shall be continued: for we would tast onely, (if at all) of the milder physicke, or sap but lightly of bitters potions, when necessitie requires we should take deepe. The patient is not to bee trusted with the searching and dressing of his owne wound, if painfull to be handled. Now seeing it is the Lord, great in mercy, infinite in wisdome, aboundant in loue and tender in compassions, who doth mingle our cup, why should we feare or faint? If Iacob had held or tended Ioseph in prison, would he haue vsed him roughly,2 or kept him ouerlong? No no: much lesse will God; (who is more mercifull then any Father, and more pittifull then any Mother) hold vs ouerlong, or deale rigorously with vs: but ordering all corrections by his Fatherly prouidence, hee will in his good time make them worke together for good,3 & not for euill vnto vs. But the very haires of your head are all numbred, Feare yee not therefore, yee are of more value, then many sparrowes.
- 1Psal. 31.25. Isaiah 27.8. Heb. 12.8.11. Jer. 46 28. 1 Cor. 10.13. Psal. 103 10.Psal. 31.25. Esay 27.8. Heb. 12.8.11. Jer. 46 28. 1 Cor. 10.13. Psal. 103 10.
- 2Isaiah 49.1 5.Esay 49.1 5.
- 3Lam. 3.32.33. Math. 10.30.31
