A treatise of faith divided into two parts. The first showing the nature, the…A treatise of faith diuided into two parts. The first shewing the nature, the…

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.