Paul. The preservatives of patience, are first strength by the holy Ghost. Phil. 4. 13. I am able to do all things through the help of Christ, which strengtheneth me. Phil. 1. 20. It is given to you for Christ, that not only ye should believe in him, but also suffer for his sake. 2. An holy meditation which is manifold.
1. That the afflictions of the faithful come not by chance, but by the counsel and 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 strait and the way narrow that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. John 16 20. In the world ye shall have troubles.
2 That albeit afflictions are grievous, yet are they good and profitable. For they are helps, whereby men being humbled for their sins before God, obtain peace and ⟨p. 173⟩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. Esa. 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 flue them they sought him, and they returned, and they sought God early. Jerem. 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 see•eth joyous, but grievous: but afterward it bringeth the quiet fruit of righteousness unto them which are thereby exercised. Psa. 30. 5. Weeping may abide at evening, but joy cometh in the morning. John 15. 2. Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth ••re fruit. 1. pet. 1. 6. Wherein ye rejoice, though now for a season (if need require) ye are in heaviness through many temptations. 2. Cor. 1. 4.
Paul. The preseruatiues of patience, are first strength by the holy Ghost. Phil. 4. 13. I am able to do all things through the helpe of Christ, which strengtheneth me. Phil. 1. 20. It is giuen to you for Christ, that not onely ye should beleeue in him, but also suffer for his sake. 2. An holy meditation which is manifold.
1. That the afflictions of the faithful come not by chance, but by the counsell and 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 streight and the way narrow that leadeth vnto life, and few there be that find it. Iohn 16 20. In the world ye shall haue troubles.
2 That albeit afflictions are grieuous, yet are they good and profitable. For they are helpes, whereby men being humbled for their sinnes before God, obtaine peace and ⟨p. 173⟩holinesse 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. Esa. 26. 16. Lord, in trouble haue they visited thee, they powred out a prayer when thy chastening was vpon them. Hos. 5. 15. I will go and returne to my place, till they acknowledge their fault and seeke me: in their affliction they will seeke me diligently. Psal. 78. 34. When he flue them they sought him, and they returned, and they sought God early.
