An exposition with practical observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…

That the more we see of the indignation of God in any affliction, the sorer is the affliction.

As the love and smiles of God comfort the Saints, more then all the outward comforts he heaps upon them, a little with much sensible love, is to us huge mercy. So the disfavour and frowns of God, trouble the Saints more then all the troubles, which he heaps upon them. A little with much sensible disfavour, is to us a heavy cross. Let trouble increase, yet if displeasure abate, the spirit of a man will bear and stand under it, though his flesh and outward man fall under it. Though the furnace should be heated seven times hotter, yet if the Lord do but let down one beam or ray of his love into the soul, all that burning fire will be but like a warm Sun. But when the scorchings of indignation mingle with affliction, this is dreadful. The anger of a fool (saith Solomon) ⟨p. 566⟩is very heavy; yet that is not so much as a feather to a millstone or a mountain, compared with the anger of God. And though believers are freed from that anger and indignation which he darts upon his enemies, yet they to sense, yea & to their present opinion, may be dealt with as enemies. And though the indignation which God pours upon his own people, and that upon the wicked, be as different as their states are; yet the one may be under as much temporary pain and sorrow as the other is. For as an hypocrite may for a time taste as much of the goodness of God, and feel as much joy in his service, and sometimes more, then a man who is godly and sincere, so also may one who is godly and sincere, taste more of the displeasure of God for a time, and feel as much sorrow in his sufferings, and sometimes more, then a wicked man.

As the love and smiles of God comfort the Saints, more then all the outward comforts he heaps upon them, a little with much sensible love, is to us huge mercy. So the disfavour and frowns of God, trouble the Saints more then all the troubles, which he heaps upon them. A little with much sensible disfavour, is to us a heavy crosse. Let trouble increase, yet if displeasure abate, the spirit of a man will bear and stand under it, though his flesh and outward man fall under it. Though the furnace should be heated seven times hotter, yet if the Lord do but let down one beam or ray of his love into the soul, all that burning fire will be but like a warm Sun. But when the scorchings of indignation mingle with affliction, this is dreadfull. The anger of a fool (saith Solomon)