Answ. 1. Who ever is the instrument, the Affliction is from God, and the provoking cause from thy self: And were it not fitter then that thou look more to God and thy self? 2. Didst thou not know, that the best men are still sinful in part? and that their hearts are naturally deceitful, and desperately wicked, as well as others? And this being but imperfectly cured, so far as they are fleshly, the fruits of the flesh will appear in them, which are strife, hatred, 1variance, emulations, wrath, seditions, heresies, envyings, &c. So far the best is as a brier, and the most upright of them sharper then a thorny hedge: Learn therefore a better use from the Prophet, Micah 7.4, 5, 6, 7. Trust not (too much) in a friend, nor put confidence in a guide; Keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom, &c. But look rather for the Lord, and wait for the God of thy Salvation. *It is likely thou hast given that Love and Trust to Saints, which was due only ⟨p. 455⟩to God, or which thou hast denied him: and then no wonder if he chastise thee by them. Or perhaps the observation of the excellencies of Grace hath made thee forget the vileness of Nature; and therefore God will have thee take notice of both. Many are tender of giving too much to the dead Saints, that yet give too much to the living without scruple. Till thou hast learned to suffer from a Saint, as well as from the Wicked▪ and to be abused by the Godly, as well as the Ungodly, never look to live a contented or comfortable life, nor never think thou hast truly learned the Art of Suffering. Do not think that I vilify the Saints too much in so saying. I confess it is pity that Saints must suffer from Saints; And it is quite contrary to their holy Nature, and their Masters Laws;3 who hath left them his Peace, and made Love to be the Character of his Disciples, and to be the first, and great, and new Commandment. And I know that there is much difference between them and the world in this point. But yet, as I said, they are Saints but in part; and therefore Paul and Barnabas may so fall out, as to part asunder; and upright Asa may imprison the Prophet: (call it persecution, or what you please). Josephs Brethren that cast him into a pit, and sold him to strangers for a slave, I hope were not all ungodly. Jobs wife and friends were sad comforters.
Answ. 1. Who ever is the instrument, the Affliction is from God, and the provoking cause from thy self: And were it not fitter then that thou look more to God and thy self? 2. Didst thou not know, that the best men are still sinful in part? and that their hearts are naturally deceitful, and desperately wicked, as well as others? And this being but imperfectly cured, so far as they are fleshly, the fruits of the flesh will appear in them, which are strife, hatred, 1variance, emulations, wrath, seditions, heresies, envyings, &c. So far the best is as a brier, and the most upright of them sharper then a thorny hedg: Learn therefore a better use from the Prophet, Micah 7.4, 5, 6, 7. Trust not (too much) in a friend, nor put confidence in a guide; Keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom, &c. But look rather for the Lord, and wait for the God of thy Salvation. *It is likely thou hast given that Love and Trust to Saints, which was due onely ⟨p. 455⟩to God, or which thou hast denied him: and then no wonder if he chastise thee by them. Or perhaps the observation of the excellencies of Grace hath made thee forget the vileness of Nature; and therefore God will have thee take notice of both. Many are tender of giving too much to the dead Saints, that yet give too much to the living without scruple. Till thou hast learned to suffer from a Saint, as well as from the Wicked▪ and to be abused by the Godly, as well as the Ungodly, never look to live a contented or comfortable life, nor never think thou hast truly learned the Art of Suffering. Do not think that I vilifie the Saints too much in so saying. I confess it is pity that Saints must suffer from Saints; And it is quite contrary to their holy Nature, and their Masters Laws;3 who hath left them his Peace, and made Love to be the Character of his Disciples, and to be the first, and great, and new Commandment. And I know that there is much difference between them and the world in this point. But yet, as I said, they are Saints but in part; and therefore Paul and Barnabas may so fall out, as to part asunder; and upright Asa may imprison the Prophet: (call it persecution, or what you please). Josephs Brethren that cast him into a pit, and sold him to strangers for a slave, I hope were not all ungodly. Jobs wife and friends were sad comforters.
- 1Gal. 5 19▪ 20, 21.
- *If we could use our Friends as Friends, God would make them our helps and comforts: But when once we make them our gods by excessive love, delight, and trust, then he suffers them to prove Satans to us, and to be our accusers and tormentors: It is more safe to me to have any creature a Satan then a God; to be tormented by them then to Idolize them.
- 3Joh. 14▪ 27. & 13 34.35. & 15.12, 17. Mat. 22.37, 39 1 Joh. 3.11, 14 17, 18▪ 23, & 4.7, 11, 12, 20, 21, &c. Act. 15 38, 39 2 Chron. 16.10. & 15.17. Psa. 41.8, 9. Read Psa. 55.12, 13, 14.
