3. Consider also,1 That Afflictions be Gods most effectual means, to keep us from straggling out of the way to our Rest. If he had not set a hedge of Thorns on the right hand, and another on the left, we should hardly keep the way to Heaven:2 If there be but one gap open without these Thorns, how ready are we to find it, and turn out at it? But when we cannot go astray, but these Thorns will prick us, perhaps we will be content to hold the way. When we grow fleshly, and wanton, and worldly, and proud, what a notable means is Sickness, or other Affliction, to reduce us? It is every Christian, as well as Luther, that may call Affliction, one of his best School-masters. Many a one, as well as David, may say by experience, Before I was afflicted, I went astray: but now have I (sincerely) kept thy Precepts: Psal. 119.67. As Physicians say of bodily destruction, so may ⟨p. 444⟩we of spiritual, That Peace killeth more then War. Read Nehem. 9. Their case is ours. When we have prosperity we grow secure and sinful: Then God afflicteth us, and we cry for mercy, and purpose reformation: But after we have a little Rest, we do evil again, (Vers. 28.) Till God take up the Rod again, that he may bring us back to his Law: (vers. 29.) And thus prosperity, and sinning, and suffering, and repenting, and deliverance, and sinning again, do run all in around: Even as Peace breeds Contention; and that breeds War;3 and that, by its bitterness, breeds Peace again. Many a thousand poor recovered sinners may cry, Oh healthful sickness! Oh comfortable sorrows! Oh gainful losses! enriching poverty! Oh Blessed Day, that ever I was afflicted! It is not only the pleasant streams, and the green pastures; but his Rod and Staff also that are our Comfort: Psal. 23. Though I know it is the Word and Spirit that do the main work; Yet certainly the Time of Suffering is so opportune a season, that the same word will take then, which before was scarce observed: It doth so unbolt the door of the heart, that a Minister or a godly man may then be heard, and the Word may have easier entrance to the Affections.4 Even the Threats of Judgment will bring an Ahab, or a Nineveh, into their sackcloth and ashes, and make them cry mightily unto GOD. Something then will the feeling of those Judgments do.
3. COnsider also,1 That Afflictions be Gods most effectual means, to keep us from stragling out of the way to our Rest. If he had not set a hedg of Thorns on the right hand, and another on the left, we should hardly keep the way to Heaven:2 If there be but one gap open without these Thorns, how ready are we to finde it, and turn out at it? But when we cannot go astray, but these Thorns will prick us, perhaps we will be content to hold the way. When we grow fleshly, and wanton, and worldly, and proud, what a notable means is Sickness, or other Affliction, to reduce us? It is every Christian, as well as Luther, that may call Affliction, one of his best School-masters. Many a one, as well as David, may say by experience, Before I was afflicted, I went astray: but now have I (sincerely) kept thy Precepts: Psal. 119.67. As Phisicians say of bodily destruction, so may ⟨p. 444⟩we of spiritual, That Peace killeth more then War. Read Nehem. 9. Their case is ours. When we have prosperity we grow secure and sinful: Then God afflicteth us, and we cry for mercy, and purpose reformation: But after we have a little Rest, we do evil again, (Vers. 28.) Till God take up the Rod again, that he may bring us back to his Law: (vers. 29.) And thus prosperity, and sinning, and suffering, and repenting, and deliverance, and sinning again, do run all in around: Even as Peace breeds Contention; and that breeds War;3 and that, by its bitterness, breeds Peace again. Many a thousand poor recovered sinners may cry, Oh healthful sickness! Oh comfortable sorrows! Oh gainful losses! enriching poverty! Oh Blessed Day, that ever I was afflicted! It is not onely the pleasant streams, and the green pastures; but his Rod and Staff also that are our Comfort: Psal. 23. Though I know it is the Word and Spirit that do the main work; Yet certainly the Time of Suffering is so opportune a season, that the same word will take then, which before was scarce observed: It doth so unbolt the door of the heart, that a Minister or a godly man may then be heard, and the Word may have easier enterance to the Affections.4 Even the Threats of Judgment will bring an Ahab, or a Nineveh, into their sackcloth and ashes, and make them cry mightily unto GOD. Something then will the feeling of those Judgments do.
- 1§. 4.
- 2Itaque statuamus eos in media & vegeta valetudine aegrotare, qui valetudine abutuntur: contra eos aegrotos bene habere qui ad Deum ex animo convertuntur, & ab ipsis morbis petunt adversus peccata medicinam. Sadeel in Psal. 32. pag. 27.
- 3Most Christians can unfold Mr Herberts Riddle by experience; A poor mans Rod when thou dost ride; Is both a weapon and a guide.
- 4Psa. 119.71 75
