Seven sermons on several select subjects preached

Answ. In six particulars.

First, Gods Afflicting Rod doth comfort us, as it gives us Instruction: where it doth teach, it doth comfort, Micah 7.14. Teach thy people with thy Rod. How doth the Rod teach? why it teaches with Instruction: so it teaches with Comfort. Luther saith, There were many Psalms in the Bible he never rightly understood till he was in Affliction. The Rod teaches to know God aright; and is not that matter of comfort? 2 Chron. 33.11. When Manasseh was afflicted, then he knew the Lord was God. And the Rod it teaches a man to know himself; he sees that corruption working in his heart, that he never could ⟨p. 33⟩discern before. The Eyes that Sin shuts, Affliction opens. The Rod gives Wisdom; it is a teaching Rod; and thus Gods Rod comforts. What though it makes us weaker, so it makes us wiser?

Secondly, Gods Afflicting Rod hath comfort in it, as it is a token of special favour he bears towards us, Rev. 13.19. We think God cannot favour us, unless he hath us in his Lap; yet he doth love and favour us, when he gives us the bitter Diet-drink of Affliction. Gods Rod, and Gods Love, they both stand together: Thus the Rod comforts, it brings us a token of Gods Love: It is no love in God to let men go on in sin, and never smite; this was no love. Is it any love to your Child, to let him take his course, and to let him run into the water and drown if he will? To be without the Rod of Gods Discipline, it is a sign of a Bastard Child, and a brandmark of Reprobation, Heb. 12.8. If God will let any fall upon the Rock