6. They were cut off with such great severity for a very small offence, if reason may be permitted to sit as Judge in the case. They were made monuments of divine vengeance only for taking fire to burn the Incense, from one place, when they should have taken it from another. And this they did (say some) not purposely, but through mistake, and at such a time, when they had much work lying upon their hands, and were but newly entered upon their new employment. Now notwithstanding all this Aaron held his peace. It may be, at first, when he saw his Sons devoured by fire, his heart began to wrangle, and his passions began to work: but when he considered the righteousness of God on the one hand, and the glory that God would get to himself on the other hand; he presently checks himself, and lays his hand upon his mouth, and stands still and silent before the Lord. Though it be not easy in great afflictions with Aaron, to hold our peace; yet it is very advantageous: which the Heathens seemed to intimate, in placing the Image of Angeronia, with the mouth bound upon the Altar of Volupia, to show, that they do prudently and patiently bear, and conceal their troubles, sorrows and anxieties, they shall attain to comfort at last. What the Apostle saith of the distressed Hebrews, after the spoiling of their goods, Ye have need 1of patience: the same I may say to you, who have lost your house•, your Shops, your Trades, your all: you have need yea, you have great need of patience. Though thy mercies are few, and thy miseries are many; though thy mercies are small, and thy miseries are great; yet look that thy spirit be quiet, and that thou dost sweetly acquiesce in the ⟨p. 168⟩will of God. Now God hath laid his fiery Rod upon your 2backs, it will be your greatest wisdom to lay your hands upon your mouths, and to say with David, I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, because thou didst it. To be patient and silent under the sharpest Providences, and the sorest Judgements, is as much a Christians glory, as it is his duty. The patient Christian feels the want of nothing. Patience will give contentment in the midst of want. No loss, no cros•, no affliction will fit heavy upon a patient soul. Dionysius saith, that this benefit he had by the study of Philosophy, viz. That he bore with patience all those alterations and changes that he met with in his outward condition.
6. They were cut off with such great severity for a very small offence, if reason may be permitted to sit as Judge in the case. They were made monuments of divine vengeance only for taking fire to burn the Incense, from one place, when they should have taken it from another. And this they did (say some) not purposely, but through mistake, and at such a time, when they had much work lying upon their hands, and were but newly entred upon their new employment. Now notwithstanding all this Aaron held his peace. It may be, at first, when he saw his Sons devoured by fire, his heart began to wrangle, and his passions began to work: but when he considered the righteousness of God on the one hand, and the glory that God would get to himself on the other hand; he presently checks himself, and layes his hand upon his mouth, and stands still and silent before the Lord. Though it be not easie in great afflictions with Aaron, to hold our peace; yet it is very advantageous: which the Heathens seemed to intimate, in placing the Image of Angeronia, with the mouth bound upon the Altar of Volupia, to shew, that they do prudently and patiently bear, and conceal their troubles, sorrows and anxieties, they shall attain to comfort at last. What the Apostle saith of the distressed Hebrews, after the spoyling of their goods, Ye have need 1of patience: the same I may say to you, who have lost your house•, your Shops, your Trades, your all: you have need yea, you have great need of patience. Though thy mercies are few, and thy miseries are many; though thy mercies are small, and thy miseries are great; yet look that thy spirit be quiet, and that thou dost sweetly acquiesce in the ⟨p. 168⟩will of God. Now God hath laid his fiery Rod upon your 2backs, it will be your greatest wisdom to lay your hands upon your mouths, and to say with David, I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, because thou didst it. To be patient and silent under the sharpest Providences, and the sorest Judgements, is as much a Christians glory, as it is his duty. The patient Christian feels the want of nothing. Patience will give contentment in the midst of want. No loss, no cros•, no affl•ction will fit heavy upon a patient soul. Dionysius saith, that this benefit he had by the study of Philosophie, viz. That he bore with patience all those alterations and changes that he met with in his outward condition.
- 1Heb. 10. 34, 36.
- 2Psalm 39. 9. See my M•l• Ch•ist•a•, under the smarting rod, where the excellency of patience & the evil of impatience, is largely set forth.Psalm 39. 9. See my M•l• Ch•ist•a•, under the smarting rod, where the excelle•cy of pati•nce & the evil of impatience, is largely set forth.
