The child's portion, or, The unseen glory of the children of God asserted and…

2. That it is the duty of the People & Church of God to see and adore him in all that which they suffer in this world. This truth, well thought of, would be of special use to quiet our tumultuous thoughts in evil times. We are ready to think this comes from men, from enemies; and our hearts are apt to rise against them, and against God too that he helps us not: Whereas this should stop our thoughts, and silence our murmurings, to consider that men are but instruments, they can do nothing against God; this evil therefore is from him, Amos▪ 3. 5. Shall there be evil in the City, and the Lord hath not done it? There is a vastly different effect upon the hearts of men: Between looking upon instruments, and no further, and looking upon them as instruments, eying withal the hand that manageth them. Abishai looks no further than Shimei, and is in a rage▪ Shall this dead dog curse my ⟨p. 220⟩Lord the King? David sees God sending Shimei, and saith, Let him alone, God hath bidden him; it may be the Lord will look upon my afflictions, &c. According as the principal efficient is Judged of, accordingly we shall enquire into the causes of our sufferings: If we think Men or Devils to be so, we shall then take it to be their rage and malice, and if we rest here, this will stir up our anger, and so put us exceedingly out of frame: But if we discern it to be of God, we shall then discern his holy displeasure, enkindled by sin, which will tend to humble us, and drive us to Repentance. Whenever therefore we see the Axe cutting, and feel the Rod s••arting, let us say, this could not be without an hand to wield them: When the wicked persecute the Righteous, say this is the Lord, who is holy […] his ways, and just in all his works.

2. That it is the duty of the People & Church of God to see and adore him in all that which they suffer in this world. This truth, well thought of, would be of special use to quiet our tumultious thoughts in evil times. We are ready to think this comes from men, from enemies; and our hearts are apt to rise against them, and against God too that he helps us not: Whereas this should stop our thoughts, and silence our murmurings, to consider that men are but instruments, they can do nothing against God; this evil therefore is from him, Amos▪ 3. 5. Shall there be evil in the City, and the Lord hath not done it? There is a vastly different effect upon the hearts of men: Between looking upon instruments, and no further, and looking upon them as instruments, eying withal the hand that manageth them. Abishai looks no further than Shimei, and is in a rage Shal this dead dog curse my