It is a grave and weighty observation of Chrysostom. 1Nothing (saith he) should be grievous and bitter to a Christian, but to provoke the displeasure of God. Avoid that, and no affliction or trouble whatever can cast down such a prudent Soul; but even as a spark is easily extinguished in the Sea, so will the favour of God extinguish those troubles. It is with such a Soul (saith he) as it is with the Heavens; we think the Heavens suffer when they are over-spread with clouds, and the Sun suffers when it is eclipsed; but there is no such thing, they suffer not when they seem to suffer. Tranquillus Deus, tranquillat omnJa. Every thing is well, and shall be well, when all is well betwixt us and God. The great consolation of the Saints lies in this, that all that concerns them is in the hands of their father. Pene desperassem nisi Christus esset caput EcclesJae. I had utterly despaired (said Luther) had not Christ been head of the Church. When he that performs all things is our God, even our God that delights in our prosperity, that rejoices over us to do us good, what ample security is here in the greatest confusions and dangers? When one told Bouromeus that there were some ⟨p. 216⟩that laid wait for his life, his answer was, An Deus est in mundo pro nihilo? What, is God in the World for nothing? And as notable was the reply of SilentJarJus in a like case, si Deus mei curam non habet, quid vivo? If God take no care of me, how do I live, how have I subsisted hitherto? Though it seems a Romance to many (saith a late grave Author) yet we must either quit the Scripture,2 or give credit to this, that the most infallible Rules for one to raise his fortune and ensure a destiny that can control the stars, are given forth there (viz. in the Scriptures) where that evidently is found, Sapiens dominabitur Astris, & quomodo unusquisque faber potest esse fortunae suae. A good man may even be his own Carver. O that we would but steer our course according to those rare politics of the Bible, those divine Maxims of Wisdom. Fear nothing but sin. Study nothing so much as how to please God. Warp not from your integrity under any temptation. Trust God in the way of your duty. These are sure Rules to secure your selves and your Interest in all the Vicissitudes of this life.
It is a grave and weighty observation of Chrysostome. 1Nothing (saith he) should be grievous and bitter to a Christian, but to provoke the displeasure of God. Avoid that, and no affliction or trouble whatever can cast down such a prudent Soul; but even as a spark is easily extinguish'd in the Sea, so will the favour of God extinguish those troubles. It is with such a Soul (saith he) as it is with the Heavens; we think the Heavens suffer when they are over-spread with clouds, and the Sun suffers when it is eclipsed; but there is no such thing, they suffer not when they seem to suffer. Tranquillus Deus, tranquillat omnJa. Every thing is well, and shall be well, when all is well betwixt us and God. The great consolation of the Saints lyes in this, that all that concerns them is in the hands of their father. Pene desperassem nisi Christus esset caput EcclesJae. I had utterly despair'd (said Luther) had not Christ been head of the Church. When he that performs all things is our God, even our God that delights in our prosperity, that rejoyces over us to do us good, what ample security is here in the greatest confusions and dangers? When one told Bouromeus that there were some ⟨p. 216⟩that laid wait for his life, his answer was, An Deus est in mundo pro nihilo? What, is God in the World for nothing? And as notable was the reply of SilentJarJus in a like case, si Deus mei curam non habet, quid vivo? If God take no care of me, how do I live, how have I subsisted hitherto? Though it seems a Romance to many (saith a late grave Author) yet we must either quit the Scripture,2 or give credit to this, that the most infallible Rules for one to raise his fortune and ensure a destiny that can controul the stars, are given forth there (viz. in the Scriptures) where that evidently is found, Sapiens dominabitur Astris, & quomodo unusquisque faber potest esse fortunae suae. A good man may even be his own Carver. O that we would but steer our course according to those rare politicks of the Bible, those divine Maxims of Wisdom. Fear nothing but sin. Study nothing so much as how to please God. Warp not from your integrity under any temptation. Trust God in the way of your duty. These are sure Rules to secure your selves and your Interest in all the Vicissitudes of this life.
- 1Chrys. Home in 2 Cor. 7Chrys. Hom• in 2 Cor. 7
- 2••thor of […] fulfil•••g of scripture. ••ar. pag. •3.••thor of 〈…〉 fulfil•••g of ••ripture. ••ar. pag. •3.
