Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…

This a man in particular may apply to himself, men ¹when they are in trouble, or under some affliction are apt presently to say, O I shall be always thus, I shall never see better days; my brethren this is a great fault in us; But to keep to the matter in hand, the way to comfort-you is to remember that God is of a merciful nature, he will not take his children at advantage, but he considereth what they are able to bear, and so dealeth tenderly with them, for he knoweth what they are, that they are but flesh, therefore will deal with them according to their strength, for he is a merciful God, So likewise for things you want, and complain of, still remember this that God is merciful.

This a man in particular may apply to himself, men ¹when they are in trouble, or under some affliction are apt presently to say, O I shall be alwayes thus, I shal never see better dayes; my brethren this is a great fault in us; But to keep to the matter in hand, the way to comfort-you is to remember that God is of a merciful nature, he will not take his children at advantage, but he considereth what they are able to bear, and so dealeth tenderly with them, for he knoweth what they are, that they are but flesh, therefore will deal with them according to their strength, for he is a merciful God, So likewise for things you want, and complain of, still remember this that God is merciful.

1. 1Comfort for every Christian in particular in affliction.

But it will be objected, we see God is not so rich in ⟨p. 26⟩mercy to all the saints as you speak of, many of his own children are poor, they are beneath, and not above, mean in gifts, and mean every way, where is then the riches of his mercy? Again many of his children are sorely afflicted, who have worse entertainment in the world then they? upon whom are afflictions more heaped then upon those that serve God with an upright heart?