A word in season to this present generation, or, A sober and serious discourse…

and to note this the Hebrews and Greeks both express chastening and teaching by one and the same word [Greek or Hebrew] musar [Greek or Hebrew], because the latter is the true end of the former, according to that in the Proverb, Smart makes wit, and vexation gives understanding. Job 36. 8. And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction. Verse 9. Then be showeth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded. Verse 10. He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity. Sanctified afflictions open mens ears to discipline, and turn them from iniquity, which is a piece of learning that a Christian can never pay too dear for; Affliction is verus Scripturae commentarius, An excellent comment upon the Scripture; Afflictions make way for the word of the Lord to come to ¹the heart. Bernard had a brother of his, who was a riotous and profane Soldier; Bernard gives him many good instructions, and admonitions, &c. but his brother slighted them, and made nothing of them; Bernard comes to him, and puts his hand to his side, One day (saith he) God will make way to this heart of yours by some spear or lance: and so it fell out; for going into the wars, he was wounded, and then he remembers his brothers instructions and admonitions, and then they got to his heart, and lay upon it to some purpose. Job 33. 16. Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction. Oculos quos peccatum claudit, poena aperit, ²The eyes that sin shuts, afflictions open. The cross opens mens eyes, as the •asting of honey did Jonathan's. By correction God seals up instruction, God sets on the ⟨p. 23⟩one by the other, as when a Schoolmaster would have a lesson learned indeed, he sets it on with a whipping. As Gideon taught the Elders of the city and the men of Succoth with the thorns and briars of the wilderness, so ³God teaches his People by affliction many a holy and happy lesson. By afflictions, troubles, distresses, and dangers, the Lord teaches his People to look upon sin as the most loathsome thing in the world, and to look upon holiness as the most lovely thing in the world. Sin is never-so bitter, and holiness is never so sweet, as when our troubles are greatest, and our dangers highest.