Thirdly, The Rod is used to prevent further folly, mischief, and misery, Prov. 23. 13, 14, With-hold not correction from the Child; for if thou beatest him with the Rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the Rod, and shalt deliver his Soul from Hell. It is said of the Ape, that she huggeth her young ones to death, so many fond Parents by not correcting their Children, they come to slay their Children. The best way to prevent their being scourged with Scorpions in Hell, is to chastise them with the Rod here: So God takes up the Rod, he afflicts and chastiseth his dearest Children, but 'tis to prevent soul-mischief and misery, 'tis to prevent pride, self-love, ⟨image 16⟩worldliness, &c. Paul was 1one of the holiest men that ever lived on earth, he was called by some, an earthly Angel, and yet he needed the Rod, he needed a thorn in the flesh to prevent pride, witness the doubling of those words in one verse, least I should be exalted above measure, least I should be exalted above measure. If Paul had not been buffeted, who knows how highly he might have been exalted in his own conceit? Prudent Physicians do often give their Patients Physic to prevent Diseases; & so doth the Physician of souls by his dearest Servants, Job 33. 17, 19. 2He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain. That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide ⟨image 17⟩pride from man. Afflictions are the Lords Drawing-Plasters, by which he draws out the core of pride, earthliness, self-love, covetousness, &c. Pride was one of mans first sins, and is still the root and source of all other sins. Now to prevent it, God many times chastens man with pain, yea, with strong pain upon his bed, Job 34. 31, 32. Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have born chastisement, I will not offend any more. That which I see not, teach thou me; if I have done iniquity, I will do no more. The burnt Child dreads the fire. Sin is but a bitter sweet; 'tis an evil worse than Hell it self. Look as Salt brine preserves things from, putrefying & as salt Marshes keep the Sheep from rotting; so sanctified Rods, sanctified Afflictions, ⟨image 17⟩preserves and keeps the People of God from sinning. But,
Thirdly, The Rod is used to prevent further folly, mischief, and misery, Prov. 23. 13, 14, With-hold not correction from the Child; for if thou beatest him with the Rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the Rod, and shalt deliver his Soul from Hell. It is said of the Ape, that she huggeth her young ones to death, so many fond Parents by not correcting their Children, they come to slay their Children. The best way to prevent their being scourged with Scorpions in Hell, is to chastise them with the Rod here: So God takes up the Rod, he afflicts and chastiseth his dearest Children, but 'tis to prevent soul-mischief and misery, 'tis to prevent pride, self-love, ⟨image 16⟩worldliness, &c. Paul was 1one of the holiest men that ever lived on earth, he was called by some, an earthly Angel, and yet he needed the Rod, he needed a thorn in the flesh to prevent pride, witness the doubling of those words in one verse, least I should be exalted above measure, least I should be exalted above measure. If Paul had not been buffetted, who knows how highly he might have been exalted in his own conceit? Prudent Physitians do often give their Patients Physick to prevent Diseases; & so doth the Physitian of souls by his dearest Servants, Job 33. 17, 19. 2He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain. That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide ⟨image 17⟩pride from man. Afflictions are the Lords Drawing-Playsters, by which he draws out the core of pride, earthliness, self-love, covetousness, &c. Pride was one of mans first sins, and is still the root and source of all other sins. Now to prevent it, God many times chastens man with pain, yea, with strong pain upon his bed, Job 34. 31, 32. Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have born chastisement, I will not offend any more. That which I see not, teach thou me; if I have done iniquity, I will do no more. The burnt Child dreads the fire. Sin is but a bitter sweet; 'tis an evil worse than Hell it self. Look as Salt brine preserves things from, putrefying & as salt Marshes keep the Sheep from rotting; so sanctified Rods, sanctified Afflictions, ⟨image 17⟩
- 12 Cor. 12. 7, 8, 9.
- 2Job 40. 4, 5. Hos. 2. 6, 7.
