A Golden Chain

I. First, he bereaveth his own children of outward prosperity, yea he will load them with crosses; and yet he will make a good supply by giving patience. David is driven out of his kingdom by his own son: a heavy cross: yet the Lord ministereth an humble and patient spirit, so as he was content to speak, ^cIf the Lord thus say, I have no delight in thee: behold here I am, let him do to me as seemeth good in his eyes. So likewise Christian Martyrs are bereaved of all outward safety, and laid open to the violence and persecution of tyrants; yet inwardly they are stablished by the power of the might of God, when they are most weak they are most strong, and when they are most foiled, then they obtain victory. II. Secondly, the Lord cuts off the days of this life, and for recompense to his own elect gives life eternal,^d The righteous is taken away for the evil to come. This is manifest in Josiah, of whom it is said, ^eBehold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be put in thy grave in peace, and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. III. Thirdly, God takes away the feeling of his love, and the joy of the holy Ghost for a season: and then in the room thereof he kindles an earnest desire and thirsting with groans and cryings unto heaven, to be in the former favour of God again. This was Davids case, when he complained and said, ^fMy voice came to God when I cried, my voice came to God and he heard me: in the day of my trouble I sought the Lord, my sore ran and ceased not in the night: my soul refused comfort. I did think upon God and was troubled: I prayed and my spirit was full of anguish. Selah. The like was the estate of the Church making her moan unto God in Isaiah,^g O Lord, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways? and hardened our hearts from thy fear? Return for thy servants sake, and for the tribes of thine inheritance. IV. Fourthly, God grants his servants the holy means of salvation, namely preaching, prayer, sacraments, and holds back the efficacy of his spirit for a time. In this case they are like the corn field that is ploughed & sowed with good corn: but yet for a time, it never gives rooting beneath, nor so much as a show of any blade appears above. Thus the spouse of Christ, when she comes into his wine-seller, she falls into a swoon;