2. The second heart-quieting consideration, is, That afflictions work for good: Jer. 24.5. Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the Land of the Chaldeans for their good. Judahs captivity in Babylon, was [Greek or Hebrew] for their good. Psal. 119.71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted*. Which Text, like Moses his Tree, cast into the bitter waters of affliction, ⟨p. 25⟩may make them sweet and wholesome to drink of. Afflictions to the Godly are medicinable. Out of the most poysonful D•ug God extracts our salvation. Afflictions are as needful as Ordinances, 1 Pet. 1.6. No vessel can be made of Gold without fire; so it is impossible that we should be made vessels of honour, unless we are melted and refined in the furnace of affliction. Psal. 25.10. All the paths of the Lord are mercy; his bloody paths are mercy. As the Li••er intermixeth bright colours with dark shadows; so doth the wise God mix mercy with judgement. Those afflictive providences whi•h seem to be prejudicial, are beneficial: Let us take some Instances in Scripture. Joseph's brethren threw him into a pit, afterwards they sell him, then he is cast into prison, yet all this did work for his good: His abasement made way for his advancement; he was made the second man in the Kingdom. Gen. 50.20. Ye thought evil against me, but God meant it to good. Jacob wrestled with the Angel, and the hollow of Jacobs thigh was out of joint, this was sad; but God turned it to good, for there he saw Gods face, and there the Lord blessed him, Gen. 32.30. Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, for I have seen God face to face. Who would not be willing to have a bone out of joint, so he might have a sight of God? King Manasseh was ⟨p. 26⟩bound in Chains, this was sad to see a Crown of Gold changed into Fetters; but it wrought for his good, for, When he was in affliction he besought the Lord, and humbled himself greatly, and the Lord was entreated of him, 2 Chr. 33. 11, 12. He was more beholding to his Iron Chain, than to his Gold Chain; the one made him proud, the other made him humble. Job was a spectacle of misery, he lost all that ever he had, he abounded only in boils and ulcers, this was sad; but it wrought for his good, his grace was more proved and improved;
2. The second heart-quieting consideration, is, That afflictions work for good: Ier. 24.5. Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Iudah, whom I have sent out of this place into the Land of the Chaldeans for their good. Iudahs captivity in Babylon, was 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 for their good. Ps•l. 119.71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted*. Which Text, like Moses his Tree, cast into the bitter waters of affliction, ⟨p. 25⟩may make them sweet and wholsom to drink of. Afflictions to the Godly are medicinable. Out of the most poysonful D•ug God extracts our salvation. Afflictions are as needful as Ordinances, 1 Pet. 1.6. No vessel can be made of Gold without fire; so it is impossible that we should be made vessels of honour, unless we are melted and refined in the furnace of affliction. Psal. 25.10. All the paths of the Lord are mercy; his bloody paths are mercy. As the Li••er intermixeth bright colours with dark shadows; so doth the wise God mix mercy with judgement. Those afflictive providences whi•h seem to be prejudicial, are beneficial: Let us take some Instances in Scripture. Ioseph's brethren threw him into a pit, afterwards they sell him, then he is cast into prison, yet all this did work for his good: His abasement made way for his advancement; he was made the second man in the Kingdom. Gen. 50.20. Ye thought evil against me, but God meant it to good. Iacob wrestled with the Angel, and the hollow of Iacobs thigh was out of joynt, this was sad; but God turned it to good, for there he saw Gods face, and there the Lord blessed him, Gen. 32.30. Iacob called the name of the place Peniel, for I have seen God face to face. Who would not be willing to have a bone out of joynt, so he might have a sight of God? King Manassah was ⟨p. 26⟩bound in Chains, this was sad to see a Crown of Gold changed into Fetters; but it wrought for his good, for, When he was in affliction he besought the Lord, and humbled himself greatly, and the Lord was entreated of him,
- *[Greek or Hebrew]. Theod.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Theod.
