I. That the afflictions of the faithful, come not by chance, but by the counsel & providence of God, which disposeth all things in a most excellent sort. Gen. 45.4,5. It was God that sent Joseph into Egypt. 2. Sam. 16. 10. The Lord biddeth Shimei curse David. Psal. 119.71. It was good for me, that I was afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes. Hence it is evident, that afflictions to the godly are inevitable. Act. 14.21. By many afflictions you must enter into the kingdom of god. Mat. 7.14. The gate is straight, and the way narrow that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Joh. 16.20. In the world ye shall have troubles.
II. That albeit afflictions are grievous, yet are they good & profitable. For they are helps, whereby men being humbled for their sins before god, obtain peace, and holiness of life. 2. Cor. 1.9. We received sentence of death in our selves, because we should not trust in our selves, but in God, which raiseth the dead. Isaiah 26. 16. Lord, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer, when thy chastening was upon them. Hos. 5.15. I will go, and return to my place, till they acknowledge their fault, and seek me: in their affliction they will seek me diligently. Psal. 78.34. When he •lue them they sought him, and they returned, and they sought God early. Jer. 31.18. I have heard Ephraim lamenting thus, Thou hast corrected me, and I was chastised as an untamed calf: convert thou me, and I shall be converted. Heb. 12.11• No chastisement for the present seemeth joyous, but grievous: but afterward, it bringeth the quiet fruit of righteousness unto them, which are thereby exercised. Psal. 30.5. Weeping may abide at evening, but joy cometh in the morning. Joh. 15.2. Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 1. Pet. 1.6. Wherein ye rejoice, though now for a season (if need require) ye are in heaviness through many tentations. 2. Cor. 1.4. The God of all comfort, which comforteth us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any affliction, by the comfort wherewith we our selves are comforted of God. Rom. 5. 3. We glory in afflictions, knowing that affliction bringeth patience. Heb. 2. 10. He did consecrate the Prince of their salvation through affliction.
I. That the afflictions of the faithfull, come not by chance, but by the counsell & prouidence of God, which disposeth all things in a most excellent sort. Gen. 45.4,5. It was God that sent Ioseph into Egypt. 2. Sam. 16. 10. The Lord biddeth Shemei curse Dauid. Psal. 119.71. It was good for me, that I was afflicted, that I might learne thy statutes. Hence it is euident, that afflictions to the godly are ineuitable. Act. 14.21. By many afflictions you must enter into the kingdome of god. Mat. 7.14. The gate is straight, and the way narrow that leadeth vnto life, and fewe there be that finde it. Ioh. 16.20. In the world ye shall haue troubles.
II. That albeit afflictions are grieuous, yet are they good & profitable. For they are helps, whereby men beeing humbled for their sinnes before god, obtaine peace, and holines of life. 2. Cor. 1.9. We receiued sentence of death in our selues, because we should not trust in our selues, but in God, which raiseth the dead. Esay 26. 16. Lord, in trouble haue they visited thee, they powred out a praier, when thy chastening was vpon them. Hos. 5.15. I will goe, and returne to my place, til they acknowledge their fault, and seeke me: in their affliction they will seeke me diligently. Psal. 78.34. When he •lue them they sought him, and they returned, and they sought God earely. Ier. 31.18. I haue heard Ephraim lamenting thus, Thou hast corrected me, and I was chastised as an vntamed calfe: conuert thou me, and I shall be conuerted. Heb. 12.11• No chastisment for the present seemeth ioyous, but grieuous: but afterward, it bringeth the quiet fruit of righteousnes vnto them, which are thereby exercised. Psal. 30.5
