A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle general of St.…A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle generall of St.…

¹Now the Lord is said to try men divers ways.

¹Now the Lord is said to try men divers waies.

1. 1God tries men six ways.God tryes men six wayes.

First, by observing their ways: and so to try or search them, is nothing else, but to take notice of them and their estates: and so the word may be taken, Psal. 139.1, 2, 3.

First, by observing their waies: and so to try or search them, is nothing else, but to take notice of them and their estates: and so the word may be taken, Psal. 139.1, 2, 3.

Secondly, God proves men when he bestows special blessings upon them, Exod. 16.4.

Secondly, God proves men when hee bestowes speciall blessings upon them, Exod. 16.4.

Fourthly, praise and applause is sometimes as the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold, Prov. 27.21.

Fifthly, one special way, by which God tries men, is by false Prophets, and that is, by suffering their dreams, or signs, or words to come to pass, Deu. 13.1

Fiftly, one speciall way, by which God tries men, is by false Prophets, and that is, by suffering their dreams, or signs, or words to come to passe, Deu. 13.1

Sixthly, God tries men by afflictions and tentations, so commonly it is meant, and so here: now God hath two furnaces of afflictions; there is the furnace of his fury, Ezech. 22.21, 22. &c. The other is the furnace of mercy, and this is here meant.

Sixtly, God tries men by afflictions and tentations, so commonly it is meant, and so here: now God hath two furnaces of afflictions; there is the furnace of his fury, Ezech. 22.21, 22. &c. The other is the furnace of mercy, and this is here meant.

Now the trial in affliction is not simply or properly the affliction it self,¹ but certain specialties of consideration in the affliction: and thus God tries us, ⟨p. 65⟩1. First, when he sends many crosses one in the neck of another, and some of them of longer continuance, Dan. 11.33, 35. and so in Jobs case. 2. Secondly, when he sends upon our spirits strange and unwonted terrors, Exod. 20.20. 3. Thirdly, when he smites some eminent men with sore, and unexpected judgements, Dan. 11.34. 4. Fourthly, when he delayeth or withholdeth expected favours, Deu. 8.2. 5. Fifthly, when he gives but a little help, Dan. 11.34. 6. Sixthly, when he leaves us to our selves, and withdraws the special working of his spirit, 2 Chron. 32.31. 7. Seventhly, when he suffers us to fall into the same miseries that wicked men do, yea sometimes making our condition to be as the beasts of the field, Eccles. 3.17, 18, 19.

Now the tryall in affliction is not simply or properly the affliction it selfe,¹ but certaine specialties of consideration in the affliction: and thus God tries us, ⟨p. 65⟩1. First, when he sends many crosses one in the neck of another, and some of them of longer continuance, Dan. 11.33, 35. and so in Iobs case. 2. Secondly, when hee sends upon our spirits strange and unwonted terrors,

Now the consideration of this doctrine of Gods melting,¹ and trying men may serve for four Uses:

Now the consideration of this doctrine of Gods melting,¹ and trying men may serve for foure Uses:

1. 1Uses.Vses.

1. First, there is a great comfort in it, and that four ways:¹

1. First, there is a great comfort in it, and that foure waies:¹

1. 1Comforts in our t•••ls.

1. For first it is a comfort, that God makes so much account of men, as to think them worthy the melting or trying: even this favour Job wonders at, Joh 7.18.

1. For first it is a comfort, that God makes so much account of men, as to think them worthy the melting or trying: even this favour Iob wonders at, Ioh 7.18.

2. Secondly, it is comfortable, that it is Gods wont to try his servants, it hath been Gods custom to do so. It is no strange thing, if he try us, he doth no more than what he hath done to them that were dear unto him, Heb. 11.36.

2. Secondly, it is comfortable, that it is Gods wont to try his servants, it hath been Gods custome to doe so. It is no strange thing, if he try us, hee doth no more than what hee hath done to them that were deare unto him, Heb. 11.36.

3. Thirdly, it is especially comfortable, if we consider out of other Scriptures the manner of Gods compassion and care for his people, when they be in the furnace. For

First he appoints their time how long they shall tarry there, and beyond that time they shall not be in the furnace, Dan. 11.35.

Secondly, the Prophet Malachi says, he sitteth down himself by the furnace to tend it, and to look to them, Mal. 3.2. or if he be upon any occasion urged to be absent, the Prophet Isaiah says, he flies, and returns, Isaiah 31.9. and ult. &c.

Secondly, the Prophet Malachy saies, he sitteth down himself by the furnace to tend it, and to look to them, Mal. 3.2. or if he be upon any occasion urged to be absent, the Prophet Esay saies, he flies, and returnes, Esay 31.9. and ult. &c.

Thirdly, if they have any suit to God, or make any moan while they live in the furnace, they are sure to be heard, no time like it for the hearing of prayer, Zach. 13.9.

Thirdly, if they have any sute to God, or make any moane while they live in the furnace, they are sure to be heard, no time like it for the hearing of prayer, Zach. 13.9.