A77618:118
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.
Why must Christians be mute and silent under the greatest afflictions, the saddest providences, and sharpest trials that they meet with in this world? I answer,
Why must Christians bee mute and silent under the greatest afflictions, the saddest providences, and sharpest trials that they meet with in this world? I answer,
Reas. 1. That they may the better hear and understand the voice of the Rod. As the word hath a1 voice, the spirit a voice, and conscience a voice, so the Rod hath a voice. Afflictions are the rod of Gods anger, the rod of his displeasure, and his rod of revenge; he gives a commission to this rod to awaken his people, to reform his people, or else to revenge the quarrel of his Covenant upon them, if they will not beat the rod, and kiss the rod, and sit mute and silent under the rod. Micah 6. 9. The Lords voice crieth unto the City, and the man of wisdom shall see thy ⟨p. 68⟩name: hear ye the Rod, and who hath appointed it. Gods Rods are not mutes, they are all vocal, they are speaking, as well as smiting; every twig hath a voice: Ah soul! saith one twig, thou sayest it smarts; well, tell me, is it good provoking of a jealous2 God? Ah soul! saith another twig, thou sayest it is bitter, it reacheth to thy heart; but hath not thine own doings procured these things? Ah soul! saith another twig, where is the profit, the3 pleasure, the sweet that you have found in wandering from God? Ah soul! saith another twig, was4 it not best with you when you were high in your communion with God, and when you were humble and close in your walking with God? Ah Christian, saith