A77618:112
The silent soul, with sovereign antidotes against the most miserable exigentsThe silent soul, with soveraign antidotes against the most miserable exigents
The silent soul, with sovereign antidotes against the most miserable exigents: or, A Christian with an olive-leaf in his mouth, when he is under the greatest afflictions, the sharpest and sorest trials and troubles, the saddest and darkest providences and changes, with answers to divers questions and objections that are of greatest importance, all tending to win and work souls to be still, quiet, calm and silent under all changes that have, or may pass upon them in this world, &c. / By Thomas Brooks preacher of the Word at Margarets New Fish-street London, and pastor of the Church of Christ meeting there.The silent soul, with soveraign antidotes against the most miserable exigents: or, A Christian with an olive-leaf in his mouth, when he is under the greatest afflictions, the sharpest and sorest trials and troubles, the saddest and darkest providences and changes, with answers to divers questions and objections that are of greatest importance, all tending to win and work souls to bee still, quiet, calm and silent under all changes that have, or may pass upon them in this world, &c. / By Thomas Brooks preacher of the Word at Margarets New Fish-street London, and pastor of the Church of Christ meeting there.
London: printed by R.I. for John Hancock, 1660
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Seventhly, A holy, a prudent Silence, doth not exclude nor shut1 out the use of any just or lawful means, whereby persons may be delivered out of their afflictions. God would not have his people so in love with their afflictions, as not to use such righteous means as may deliver them out of their afflictions. Mat. 10. 23. But when they persecute you in this City, flee ye into another. Act. 12. When Peter was in prison, the Saints thronged together to pray (as the original hath it) vers. 12. and they were so instant and earnest with God in prayer, they did so beseech and besiege the Lord, they did so beg and bounce at Heavens gate, vers. 5. that God could have no rest, till by many miracles of power and mercy, he had returned Peter as a bosom-favour ⟨p. 62⟩to them, Act. 9. 23, 24, 25. And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: But their laying await was known of Saul: and they watched the gates day and night to kill him. Then the Disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. The blood of the Saints is precious in Gods eye, and it should not be vile in their own eyes. When providence opens a door of escape, there is no reason why the Saints should set themselves as marks and bu•s for their enemies to shoot at. 2 Thes. 3. 1, 2. The Apostles desire the Brethren to pray for them, that they may be delivered from unreasonable ([Greek or Hebrew] absurd) and wicked ([Greek or Hebrew] villainous) men; for all men have not faith. It is a mercy worth a seeking, to be delivered out of the hands of absurd, villainous, and troublesome men.
Seventhly, A holy, a prudent Silence, doth not exclude nor shut1 out the use of any just or lawful means, whereby persons may bee delivered out of their afflictions. God would not have his people so in love with their afflictions, as not to use such righteous means as may deliver them out of their afflictions.