12. It shows us the happy condition of every Child of God; All things work for his good, the best and worst things: Psal. 112.4. Unto the upright ariseth light in darkness. The most dark cloudy Providences of God have some Sun-shine in them*. What a blessed condition is a true Believer in! when he dyes he goes to God, and while he lives, every thing shall do him good; — affliction is for his good. What hurt doth the fire to the gold, only purify it? What hurt doth the Fan to the Corn, only separate the Chaff from it? What hurt do Leeches to the body, only suck out the bad blood? God doth never use his staff, but to beat out the dust. Affliction doth that which the Word many times will not, it opens ⟨p. 71⟩the ear to Discipline, Job 36.10. When God lays men upon their backs, then they look up to Heaven. Gods smiting his people is like the Musicians striking upon the Viol, which makes it put forth a melodious sound. How much good comes to the Saints by affliction? when they are pounded and broken, they send forth their sweetest smell. Affliction is a bitter root, but it bears sweet fruit, Heb. 12.11. It yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousness. Affliction is the High-way to Heaven; though it be Flinty and Thorny, yet it is the nearest way. Poverty shall. starve our sins; sickness shall make grace more healthful*, 2 Cor. 4.16. Reproach shall cause the Spirit of God, and of Glory to rest upon us, 1 Pet. 4.14. [Greek or Hebrew]; death shall stop the Bottle of Tears, and open the Gate of Paradise. A Believers dying day, is his ascension day to glory. Hence it is, the Saints have put their afflictions in the Inventory of their riches, Heb. 11.26. Themistocles being banished his own Country, grew afterwards in favour with the King of Egypt, whereupon he said, Periissem, nisi periissem, I had perished, if I had not perished. So may a Child of God say, If I had not been afflicted, I had been destroyed; if my health and estate had not been lost, my soul had been lost.
12. It shews us the happy condition of every Child of God; All things work for his good, the best and worst things: Psal. 112.4. Vnto the upright ariseth light in darknesse. The most dark cloudy Providences of God have some Sun-shine in them*. What a blessed condition is a true Believer in! when he dyes he goes to God, and while he lives, every thing shall do him good; — affliction is for his good. What hurt doth the fire to the gold, only purifie it? What hurt doth the Fan to the Corn, only separate the Chaffe from it? What hurt do Leeches to the body, only suck out the bad bloud? God doth never use his staff, but to beat out the dust. Affliction doth that which the Word many times will not, it opens ⟨p. 71⟩the ear to Discipline, Job 36.10. When God lays men upon their backs, then they look up to Heaven. Gods smiting his people is like the Musicians striking upon the Viol, which makes it put forth a melodious sound. How much good comes to the Saints by affliction? when they are pounded and broken, they send forth their sweetest smell. Affliction is a bitter root, but it bears sweet fruit, Heb. 12.11. It yeeldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousnesse. Affliction is the High-way to Heaven; though it be Flinty and Thorny, yet it is the nearest way. Poverty shall. starve our sins; sicknesse shall make grace more healthfull*, 2 Cor. 4.16. Reproach shall cause the Spirit of God, and of Glory to rest upon us, 1 Pet. 4.14. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉; death shall stop the Bottle of Tears, and open the Gate of Paradice. A Believers dying day, is his ascension day to glory. Hence it is, the Saints have put their afflictions in the Inventory of their riches, Heb. 11.26. Themistocles being banished his own Country, grew afterwards in favour with the King of Egypt, whereupon he said, Periissem, nisi periissem, I had perished, if I had not perished. So may a Child of God say, If I had not been afflicted, I had been destroyed; if my health and estate had not been lost, my soul had been lost.
- 12 Branch.
- *[Greek or Hebrew]. Plato.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Plato.
- *Languor corporis salutom animae parturit.
