But it should seem that this sentence is contrary to that which is written [else where] in the holy Scripture: which is, that all the miseries and adversities which we suffer in this earthly life, proceed of sin,§50 and consequently Gods curse. Howe can these things agree, that we should be blessed when God chastiseth us, and yet nevertheless that all the miseries which come unto us from his hand, are as many signs of his displeasure, and that we have off ended him, and that he curseth us? For whence come our happiness and our joy, but from God? And on the contrary part, when God is against us, we see our life is cursed. Again when we feel that God is angry with us by his punishing of us, it should seem there is small blessedness in that. But we have to §60mark here, how Eliphas hath an eye to the intent and end whereat God aimeth when he chastiseth men. True it is that God doth us well to understand, that he abhorreth sin, and in very deed the order which he appointed at the making of the world, is troubled when he handleth us not like a father. Ye see then how all the adversities of this life show us some sign of Gods curse, to the end that thereby we should understand, that sin displeaseth him, and that he hateth and abhorreth it, and can not bear with it, because he is the fountain of all righteousness. But yet for all this, after that God hath so declared the hatred which he beareth against sin: he will also have us to perceive how he draweth, exhorteth, and summoneth us to repentance. And so, doth God scourge us? It is a token then that he is loth we should perish, and that he doth rather provoke us to return unto him. For corrections are records that God is ready too receive us too mercy, if we acknowledge our faults and ask him forgiveness unfeignedly. Seeing the case standeth so, we must not think it strange that Eliphas should say, that the man is happy whom God chastiseth. But we must bear in mind the two points that I have touched, whereof the one is, that so soon as any adversity befalleth us, the wrath of God must come before our eyes, so as we may understand that he cannot away with sin: and thereupon we must consider the rigour of his justice, so as we may be heartily sorry that we have offended. Behold at what point we ought to begin.
But it shoulde seeme that this sentence is contrarie to that which is written [else where] in the holie Scripture: which is, that all the miseries and aduersities which wee suffer in this earthly life, proceede of sinne,§50 and consequently Gods curse. Howe can these things agree, that wee should be blissed when God chastizeth vs, and yet neuerthelesse that al the miseries which come vnto vs from his hand, are as many signes of his displeasure, and that wee haue off ended him, and that hee curseth vs? For whence come our happinesse and our ioy, but from God? And on the contrarie part, when God is against vs, wee see oure life is cursed. Againe when wee feele that God is angrie with vs by his punishing of vs, it shoulde seeme there is small blissednesse in that. But wee haue to §60marke heere, howe Eliphas hath an eye to the intent and ende whereat God ameth when he chastizeth men. True it is that God doth vs well to vnderstand, that he abhorreth sinne, and in verie deede the order which he appointed at the making of the worlde, is troubled when hee handleth vs not like a father. Yee see then how all the aduersities of this life shewe vs some signe of Gods curse, to the ende that thereby wee shoulde vnderstande, that sinne displeaseth him, and that hee hateth and abhorreth it, and can not beare with it, bycause hee is the fountayne of all rightuousnesse. But yet for all this, after that God hath so declared the hatred which hee beareth against sin: he will also haue vs to perceiue how hee draweth, exhorteth, and summoneth vs to repentance. And so, doth God scourge vs? It is a token then that he is loth wee should perishe, and that hee dothe rather prouoke vs to returne vnto him. For corrections are recordes that God is readie too receiue vs too mercie, if wee acknowledge oure faultes and aske him sorgiuenesse vnfeynedly. Seeing the cace standeth so, wee muste not thinke it straunge that Eliphas shoulde saye, that the man is happye whome God chastyzeth. But wee must beare in mynde the two points that I haue touched, whereof the one is, that so soone as any aduersitie befalleth vs, the wrath of God must come before our eyes, so as wee may vnderstand that he cannot awaye with sinne: and therevpon wee must consider the rigour of his iustice, so as wee may bee heartely sorie that wee haue offended. Beholde at what poynte wee oughte to beginne.
