Answ. 1Diseases are suffered to put us in mind of infirmities in the root, which we knew not before; for if these should not sometimes break forth into a disease, we would think our nature were pure: therefore God suffers them to break ⟨p. 162⟩forth into diseases.2 Who would have thought that Moses had been passionate? certainly himself did not know himself at the waters of strife: that the seeds of anger should be in the meekest man in the world? who would have thought that David whose heart smote him for cutting off the lap of Sauls garment,3 that so mild a man should have cruelty in him? and yet after that, he committed murder. Who would have thought that Peter, 4who made such protestations of love to Christ, that though all men forsook him, yet he would not, yet after that should deny his Master, and forswear him? all which was to show us, that it is useful for us sometimes to have our corruptions break out, to put us in mind what inward weaknesses we have unknown and unsearched in us, and that we may know the depth of our corruption. Gods children are gainers by all their infirmities and weaknesses,5 whereby they learn to stand stronger. Here is a main difference betwixt the slips of Gods children, and the ordinary evil courses of others: they grow worse and worse, the oftener they fall into sin, the more they are settled upon their dregs. But Gods child hath the remainders of corruption in him from whence he hath infirmities, and whence he breaks into diseases: but notwithstanding, corruption is a looser hereby; for the oftener he falls into sin, it is the weaker and weaker: for the more he sees the root of it, the more he hates it, resolves and strives against it; till it be consummated ⟨p. 163⟩by Repentance and Sanctifying grace. Let no man therefore be too much cast down for infirmities, though ofttimes they break out,6 if thereupon we find a renewed hatred, Repentance and strength against them: for God looks not so much how much corruption there is in us, as how we stand affected to it, and what good there is: whether we be in league with it, and resist it. It is not sin that damns men, but sin with the ill qualities: sin unconfessed, not grieved for, and unresisted, else God hath holy ends in leaving corruption in us, to exercise, try us, and keep us from other sins, Therefore sin is left uncured.
Answ. 1Diseases are suffered to put us in minde of infirmities in the roote, which we knew not before; for if these should not sometimes breake forth into a disease, we would thinke our nature were pure: therfore God suffers them to breake ⟨p. 162⟩forth into diseases.2 Who would have thought that Moses had beene passionate? certainely himselfe did not know himselfe at the waters of strife: that the seeds of anger should be in the meekest man in the world? who would have thought that David whose heart smote him for cutting off the lap of Sauls garment,3 that so milde a man should have cruelty in him? and yet after that, he committed murther. Who would have thought that Peter, 4who made such protestations of love to Christ, that though all men forsooke him, yet he would not, yet after that should denie his Master, and forsweare him? all which was to shew us, that it is usefull for us sometimes to have our corruptions breake out, to put us in minde what inward weakenesses wee have unknowne and unsearched in us, and that wee may know the depth of our corruption. Gods children are gainers by all their infirmities and weakenesses,5 whereby they learne to stand stronger. Heere is a maine difference betwixt the slips of Gods children, and the ordinarie euill courses of others: they grow worse and worse, the ofter they fall into sin, the more they are setled upon their dregs. But Gods child hath the remainders of corruption in him from whence he hath infirmities, and whence hee breaks into diseases: but notwithstanding, corruption is a looser hereby; for the ofter he falls into sinne, it is the weaker and weaker: for the more he sees the roote of it, the more he hates it, resolves and strives against it; till it be consummated ⟨p. 163⟩by Repentance and Sanctifying grace. Let no man therefore be too much cast downe for infirmities, though ofttimes they breake out,6 if thereupon we finde a renewed hatred, Repentance and strength against them: for God looks not so much how much corruption there is in us, as how we stand affected to it, and what good there is: whether we be in league with it, and resist it. It is not sinne that damnes men, but sin with the ill qualities: sin unconfessed, not grieved for, and unresisted, else God hath holy ends in leaving corruption in us, to exercise, trie us, and keepe us from other sinnes, Therefore sinne is left uncured.
- 1Why •od suffers diseases and infirmities to remain in usWhy •od suffers diseases and infirmities to remaine in us
- 2Numb 20.12.
- 31 Sam. 24.5.
- 4Mat. 26.33.69, &c.
- 5That Gods children are gainers by their affliction and weaknesses.That Gods children are gainers by their affliction and weakenesses.
- 6In what case we may be comforted, though infirmities break out.In what case we may be comforted, though infirmities breake out.
