A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

That it is the Will and Pleasure of God that many of his Saints be in a condition ¹in this world, wherein they stand in need of being ministered unto. Hereof as to the distinction of persons, why these shall be poor, afflicted, tempted, tried in the Fire and not others, no direct reason can be given but the Sovereignty of God which is to be submitted unto. And those whose especial Lot it is to be thus exercised, may do well to consider always; (1) That this Will and Pleasure of God is accompanied with infinite Wisdom and Holiness, so as that there is no unrighteousness therein. (2) That they shall not be final losers by their poor afflicted condition. God will make all up unto them both here and to Eternity. And if there were no more in it but this, that they are brought thereby unto a clearer foresight of, and more earnest longings after Eternal Rest and Glory, they have a sufficient recompense in their hands for all their sufferings. (3) That God might have put them with others into such Pastures here only to have been fatted against the day of slaughter. Let them but consider how much Spiritual and Eternal Mercies wherein they are interested do exceed things Temporal, they will find they have no cause to complain. (4) Whereas it is for the Glory of God and the Benefit of the Church that some should be peculiarly in an afflicted condition, they ought even to rejoice that God hath chosen them to use them as he pleaseth unto those Ends. But for the thing it self the Reasons of it are revealed and manifest. For (1) God hereby gives Testimony unto all, that the good things as they are esteemed of this world, are no Tokens or Pledges of his Love, and that he hath better things in store for them whom he careth for. He doth hereby cast contempt on the desirable things of the world, and testifieth that there are better things to be received even in this life, than whatever is of the number of them. For had not God better things to bestow on his Saints in this world than any the world can afford, he would not with-hold these from them, so far at least as that they should be straightened in their want. Wherefore in this Dispensation of his Providence he doth testify unto all, that internal spiritual mercies, such as his Saints enjoy, are incomparably to be preferred above all things of that kind wherein he keeps them short, 2 Sam. 23. 5.

That it is the Will and Pleasure of God that many of his Saints be in a condition