Prototypes, or, The primary precedent presidents out of the book of Genesis showing, the…Prototypes, or, The primarie precedent presidents out of the booke of Genesis shewing, the…

For God is able to deliver us out of all crosses, and will do it, and he will so sanctify them to us, that it may be more for our profit than if it were removed, and can give, as in Jobs case he did, so blessed an issue, that our selves shall confess it was but our folly, not to be willing to continue under them according to his will. Had not Job cause to unwish his former wishes, when the Lord did make so large an addition of happy days unto him? Above all, we must consider of our worthiness to be damned, that we may not think much of crosses, and labour so to rest upon God for the escape of damnation, that afflictions which are but for a short season, may not seem unto us extreme. Look upon our Lord Jesus Christ, what sufferings were comparable to his? Yet we never meet with any weariness of life, or wishing of death in him. Look upon S. Paul too, Never man had feeling of greater tribulation, and he tells us, that he took pleasure in necessities, afflictions, tribulations; but that he wished himself dead, that he might be free from his crosses, we never read.

For God is able to deliver us out of all crosses, and will do it, and he will so sanctifie them to us, that it may be more for our profit than if it were removed, and can give, as in Iobs case he did, so blessed an issue, that our selves shall confesse it was but our folly, not to be willing to continue under them according to his will. Had not Iob cause to unwish his former wishes, when the Lord did make so large an addition of happy dayes unto him? Above all, we must consider of our worthinesse to be damned, that we may not thinke much of crosses, and labour so to rest upon God for the escape of damnation, that afflictions which are but for a short season, may not seeme unto us extreame. Looke upon our Lord Iesus Christ, what sufferings were comparable to his? Yet we never meet with any wearinesse of life, or wishing of death in him. Looke upon S. Paul too, Never man had feeling of greater tribulation, and he tels us, that hee tooke pleasure in necessities, afflictions, tribulations; but that he wished himselfe dead, that hee might be free from his crosses, wee never reade.

Let us follow the virtues of godly men, but let their weaknesses be our warnings. And that we may not distaste life for any crosses that befall us therein, let us often renew our faith in Gods gracious promises, to give us an happy issue out of all, and to bring us safely to his heavenly kingdom. Moreover, if sometimes these fainting fits do gather upon us, and our minds be overtaken with this tiredness of spirit, let us learn though to be humbled, yet not to be discouraged. We conclude not against Elijah, Moses, Rebekah, Job, that they were not truly sanctified, because they were imperfect in patience; Why should we make such untrue, and uncharitable, and indiscreet conclusions, either against our selves, or others with whom we live? As an extenuating of faults to make them seem nothing, and make our hearts hard under them, is to be condemned, so an over-aggravating of them to make our selves seem no children, making our case worse then ever any mans before, is likewise to be condemned; Satan is author of both these follies, and the effect of the latter is to drive us from God, as well as of the former, and all things are ill used when they tend to keep us from coming to God, and trusting in him. So much of Rebekkahs good and bad, now of the good and evil occurrents that befell her.