Four godly and fruitful sermons two preached at Drayton in Oxford-shire, at a fast,…Foure godlie and fruitful sermons two preached at Draiton in Oxford-shire, at a fast,…

And a cause hereof is,¹ that he giveth men thereby to understand, that he taketh knowledge of their ways, to the end they should take knowledge of his judgements, when they see them directed so just against their faults, and affections. And by this means as reprobates are left without excuse, the elect are much furthered to repentance, when their corrupt wills, their unlawful desires, and sinful delights are crossed: when they behold Gods visible hand, and righteous hand: when he showeth them the nature and quality of their offences, by the manner and proceeding of his corrections: & that was the true cause why the Lord laid this stroke on David at this time, rather than any other, viz: that he might more speedily and evidently see his fault, and more soundly and heartily repent for the same. Which ⟨p. 52⟩maketh for our instruction,² if we would have comfort in any thing that we possess, let us use it well: neither let our hearts deceive us; whether it be honour, or goods, or children, if we dote upon them, and make Gods of them, we are likely to be deprived of them: the Lord can take from us our power, ³the joy of our honour, the pleasure of our eyes, and the desire of our hearts, even our sons, and our daughters. When men love to be commanders, God can take their authority from them: if they stand upon their honour and reputation, he can soon make it wither and vanish: if the delights of their eyes do content them, he can quickly remove those from them: finally, if they set their affections immoderately upon their children, and lift up their souls unto them, (as the words are in the original) that is, make them the desire of their hearts, God can suddenly bereave them of their children, or so bring it to pass, that they shall have little comfort in them.

And a cause heereof is,¹ that he giueth men thereby to vnderstand, that he taketh knowledge of their waies, to the end they should take knowledge of his iudgements, when they see them directed so iust against their faults, and affections. And by this meanes as reprobates are left without excuse, the elect are much furthered to repentance, when their corrupt wils, their vnlawfull desires, and sinfull delights are crossed: when they behold Gods visible hand, and righteous hand: when he sheweth them the nature and qualitie of their offences, by the manner and proceeding of his corrections: & that was the true cause why the Lord laid this stroake on Dauid at this time, rather than any other, viz: that he might more speedily and euidently see his fault, and more soundly and heartily repent for the same. Which