An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters…

It will not be unnecessary, for the clearing of this Scripture, to subjoin a reason, why in the Old Testament, or under the old Covenant, there was so much stumbling at the afflictions and troubles of the righteous; for it put even a David, a Jeremiah, and a Habakkuk ¹hard to it, for an answer, when they saw such under sufferings; the reason was this, because God in those times, made more special temporal promises to his people, in case of obedience, than he hath done in the time of the Gospel. Read Deut. 28. Levit. 27. and other places, where you shall find, how all the promises run upon things, that concern the outward man; they shall be blessed in their basket and in their store, they shall have this and that, and all outward things abundantly; and the curse threatened, was the loss and deprivation of those outward blessings in case of disobedience: For God did win and carry them on, in that non-age of the Church, by outward and temporal promises; hence they were much troubled and offended, when they saw righteous men under heavy pressures and breaking afflictions. Now since the coming of Christ in the flesh, and the pouring out of those special spiritual blessings upon his people, by the Holy Ghost, he doth not feed us so much with these outward hopes, or enjoyments. Therefore in the Gospel, we read what hard meat he giveth his people: foretelling them plainly, If any will follow me, let him deny himself, ⟨p. 43⟩and take up his cross: There is scarce such a word in all the old Testament as that: he which will follow me, shall find a cross, and be sure of persecution; They were but children, such words and sights might terrify them; therefore they were (as it were) dandled on the knee, and allured by sensible comforts, a land flowing with milk and honey, if they did obey; and they heard of rods and stripes in case of stubbornness and disobedience; Say to the righteous, it shall be well with him, for they shall eat the fruit of their doings: Woe to the wicked, it shall be ill with him, &c. Isa. 3. 10, 11. David saith (indeed) many are the troubles of the righteous, but (it is not put among the terms of their state or service) It is not said, if ye will be righteous, ye shall have trouble. Moses never told them, If any will be my disciple, let him take up his cross, &c.