Remains of that reverend and learned divine, John Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplain in…Remaines of that reverend and learned divine, Iohn Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplaine in…

I answer, never any escaped, but they had it either ¹inward or outward, sooner or later, though they have been Gods dearest children: Heb. 12. 29. even our God is a consuming fire, that is, he is ²zealous of his glory, to burn up and purge out by afflictions, the corruptions of his children: and in 1. Pet. 1. 17. every one to whom he is a Father, ³shall be judged, that is, afflicted without respect of persons, according unto their works: so Job 34. 11. he rewards men according to their works: ⁴only this must be added, the more we judge our selves, and the deeper we go in humiliation, the lesser God will afflict us. David humbled himself so far that God sent him word, that all his sins were pardoned. Yet what measure of affliction ⟨p. 277⟩David did need, that his heart might be more broken, that he shall have; and every one else that belongs unto God: so Ahab's feigned humiliation did defer, and lessen his punishment; I say, lessen it only, for notwithstanding he was slain. Hezekiah tasted of some afflictions, yet because he humbled himself, a great shower of Gods vengeance fell not upon him; humiliation is a means to break the shower, and still the wind, and calm the waves of the wrath of God.

I answer, never any escaped, but they had it either ¹inward or outward, sooner or later, though they have beene Gods dearest children: Heb. 12. 29. even our God is a consuming fire, that is, he is ²