A29709:180
A word in season to this present generation, or, A sober and serious discourse…
A word in season to this present generation, or, A sober and serious discourse about the favourable, signal and eminent presence of the Lord with his people in their greatest troubles, deepest distresses, and most deadly dangers : with the resolution of several questions, concerning the divine presence, as also the reasons and improvements of this great and glorious truth ... / by Thomas Brooks ...A word in season to this present generation, or, A sober and serious discourse about the favorable, signal and eminent presence of the Lord with his people in their greatest troubles, deepest distresses, and most deadly dangers : with the resolution of several questions, concerning the divine presence, as also the reasons and improvements of this great and glorious truth ... / by Thomas Brooks ...
London: printed for Dorman Newman, 1675
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Seventhly, the Lord will be signally present with his 1People in their greatest troubles, deepest distresses, and most deadly dangers; because such times are commonly times of great and sore temptations; when •ods hand is heaviest then Satan will be busiest; the Devil is never 2more violent in his temptations, than when the Saints are under afflictions. Jam. 1. 2. My Brethren, count it all joy, when ye fall into divers temptations (that is, afflictions.) Verse 12. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation (that is affliction.) 2 Pet. 2. 9. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation (that is, out of affliction.) Now, affliction is called temptation, not in the vulgar sense, as temptation is put for an occasion or inducement to sin, but in its proper and native signification, as its taken for probation and trial; thus God is 3said to tempt Abraham, that is, he did try and prove the faith, the fear, the love, the obedience of Abraham. Afflictions are called temptations, partly, because as afflictions will try what mettle we are made off, so will temptations, and partly because as afflictions are burden me and grievous to us; So are temptations. But mainly afflictions are called temptations, because in time of affliction ⟨p. 125⟩Satan will be sifting and winnowing of the Saints Now he will make use of all his devices, methods, depths, 4darts, yea fiery darts, that he may vex, afflict, trouble, grieve, wound, torture, and torment those dear hearts that God would not have grieved and wounded, and therefore now the Lord steps in and stands by his People, and by his favourable, signal, and refreshing presence he bears up their heads above water, and keeps their hearts from fainting and sinking, under Satan's most dangerous and desperate temptations. When a City is besieged, and the enemies have raised their batteries, and have made breaches upon their walls, and their provisions grow low, O then if ever there is need of succour and relief! So here. But,