And when Shimei cursed David, Abisha would have had the king to have given him leave to have slain him: but David would not suffer ⟨p. 248⟩it, but said,1 He curseth even because the Lord hath bidden him curse David; who dare then say, wherefore hast thou done so? In whose example we may see a pattern of quietness of mind. When a cross cometh it is a hard thing to be patient; but we must draw our selves thereunto by consideration of Gods especial providence. Thirdly, when outward means of preservation in this life do abound, as health, wealth, honour, riches, peace, and pleasure, then we must remember to be thankful; because these things always come by the providence of God. Thus Job was thankful both in prosperity and adversity: The Lord, saith he, gave, and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord. 2Indeed to be patient in every estate and thankful to God, is a very hard matter: yet will it be more easy, if we learn in all things that befall us in this life, never to sever the consideration of the things that come to pass from Gods providence. For as the body and the soul of man (though we see only the body) are always together, as long as a man liveth: so is Gods providence joined with the thing done: wherefore as we look on the thing done, so we must also in it, labour to see and acknowledge the good pleasure & appointment of God. As for example: a mans house is set on fire, and all his goods consumed; this very sight would make him at his wits end: but now as he beholds this event with one eye, so with the other eye he must at that very instant look upon Gods blessed providence. When a man beholds and feels the loss of his friends, he cannot but grieve thereat, unless he be more senseless then stock or stone: yet that he may not be overwhelmed with grief, he must ever with one eye look at the pleasure of God herein. This practise will be an especial means to stay the rage of any headstrong affection •r all our afflictions. In the world the manner of men is if health• wealth and ease abound to think all is well: but if cros•es come, as loss of friends, & loss of goods, then men cry out, as being straught of their wits: the reason is, because they look only at the outward means, and tie Gods providence to them; not being able to see any goodness or providence of God out of ordinary means.
And when Shemei cursed Dauid, Abisha would haue had the king to haue giuen him leaue to haue slaine him: but Dauid would not suffer ⟨p. 248⟩it, but said,1 He curseth euen because the Lord hath bidden him curse Dauid; who dare then say, wherefore hast thou done so? In whose example we may see a patterne of quietnesse of minde. When a crosse commeth it is a hard thing to bee patient; but we must drawe our selues thereunto by consideration of Gods especial prouidence. Thirdly, when outward meanes of preseruation in this life doe abound, as health, wealth, honour, riches, peace, and pleasure, then we must remember to be thankefull; because these things alwaies come by the prouidence of God. Thus Iob was thankfull both in prosperitie and aduersitie: The Lord, saith he, gaue, and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord. 2Indeede to bee patient in euery estate and thankefull to God, is a very harde matter: yet will it be more easie, if we learne in all thinges that befall vs in this life, neuer to seuer the consideration of the things that come to passe from Gods prouidence. For as the bodie and the soule of man (though we see only the bodie) are alwaies togither, as long as a man liueth: so is Gods prouidence ioyned with the thing done: wherefore as we looke on the thing done, so we must also in it, labour to see and acknowledge the good pleasure & appointment of God. As for example: a mans house is set on fire, and all his goods consumed; this very sight would make him at his wits end: but now as he beholds this euent with one eie, so with the other eie he must at that very instant looke vpon Gods blessed prouidence. When a man beholds and feels the losse of his friendes, he cannot but greiue thereat, vnlesse he be more senselesse then stocke or stone: yet that he may not be ouerwhelmed with griefe, he must euer with one eie looke at the pleasure of God herein. This practise wil be an especiall meanes to stay the rage of any headstrong affection •r all our afflictions. In the world the maner of men is if health• wealth and ease abound to thinke all is well: but if cros•es come, as losse of friendes, & losse of goods, then men crie out, as beeing straught of their wittes: the reason is, because they looke onely at the outward meanes, and tie Gods prouidence to them; not beeing able to see any goodnesse or prouidence of God out of ordinarie meanes.
- 1•. Sam. 16.10.
- 2Job. 1.22.Iob. 1.22.
