Besides the reasons in the Text, there are other reasons, why God will have it so.
1. That they may be more compassionate, and more sensible of the weaknesses of others: for likeness of condition breeds sympathy in affection. Men are apt to pity those in the like condition with themselves; so our Lord took our nature upon him, that he mighty pity us; he took flesh and blood upon him, he was tempted in all things like unto us, but without sin, that so he might succour those that are tempted: So his servants, many of them are much tempted, which may breed in them a sympathy of affection to others, that are in such a condition.
2. God will have it so, that Ministers may have the more experience of the Truths they preach to others concerning an afflicted condition; those that have had no sickness, or other affliction, cannot preach ⟨image 149⟩from experience of such truths that concern such a condition; they cannot preach so feelingly and savoury as others; when they have been under affliction, they will know what affliction is, both in the nature of it, and the comforts of it, and Gods gracious assistance therein, and so they may speak comfortably, and be enabled to comfort others, as the Apostle Paul speaks.
3. God is pleased so to order it sometimes for their humiliation, to keep them low, that so they may not be lifted up by reason of extraordinary manifestations and impartments; thus St. Paul had given him a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet him, lest he should be exalted above measure, 2 Cor. 12.7. A thorn was given him, &c. ('tis twice repeated both in the beginning and end of the verse) that so this thorn in the flesh, might keep out pride in the heart, that so they may have a more low, meek, and humble frame of spirit, and thereby fitted and prepared for greater services. And
4. That they may be also more conformable to those they have to deal with. Israel desires Moses to speak to them, (and not God) why? because he was like unto them, and would therefore compassionate them; from whom they therefore desired to receive the commands of God. Thus it pleaseth God to deal with his servants, that as they may pity those they have to deal with, so likewise to draw the affections of their people unto them, to make them more loving, and the more to attend on their Ministry, seeing they are so fleeting, and going away;
Besides the reasons in the Text, there are other reasons, why God will have it so.
1. That they may be more compassionate, and more sensible of the weaknesses of others: for likeness of condition breeds sympathy in affection. Men are apt to pity those in the like condition with themselves; so our Lord took our nature upon him, that he mighty pity us; he took flesh and bloud upon him, he was tempted in all things like unto us, but without sin, that so he might succour those that are tempted: So his servants, many of them are much tempted, which may breed in them a sympathy of affection to others, that are in such a condition.
2. God will have it so, that Ministers may have the more experience of the Truths they preach to others concerning an afflicted condition; those that have had no sickness, or other affliction, cannot preach ⟨image 149⟩from experience of such truths that concern such a condition; they cannot preach so feelingly and savory as others; when they have been under affliction, they will know what affliction is, both in the nature of it, and the comforts of it, and Gods gracious assistance therein, and so they may speak comfortably, and be enabled to comfort others, as the Apostle Paul speaks.
3. God is pleased so to order it sometimes for their humiliation, to keep them low, that so they may not be lifted up by reason of extraordinary manifestations and impartments; thus St. Paul had given him a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet him, lest he should be exalted above measure, 2 Cor. 12.7. A thorn was given him, &c. ('tis twice repeated both in the beginning and end of the verse) that so this thorn in the flesh, might keep out pride in the heart, that so they may have a more low, meek, and humble frame of spirit, and thereby fitted and prepared for greater services. And
4. That they may be also more conformable to those they have to deal with. Israel desires Moses to speak to them, (and not God) why? because he was like unto them, and would therefore compassionate them; from whom they therefore desired to receive the commands of God. Thus it pleaseth God to deal with his servants, that as they may pity those they have to deal with, so likewise to draw the affections of their people unto them, to make them more loving, and the more to attend on their Ministry, seeing they are so fleeting, and going away;
