A81235:130
Correction, instruction or, a treatise of afflictions
Correction, instruction or, a treatise of afflictions: first conceived by way of private meditations: afterward digested into certain sermons, preached at Aldermanbury. And now published for the help and comfort of humble suffering Christians. By Tho. Case, M.A. sometimes student of Ch. Ch. Oxon. now preacher of the Gospel in London.Correction, instruction or, a treatise of afflictions: first conceived by way of private meditations: afterward digested into certain sermons, preach'd at Aldermanbury. And now published for the help and comfort of humble suffering Christians. By Tho. Case, M.A. sometimes student of Ch. Ch. Oxon. now preacher of the Gospel in London.
London: printed by J.M. for Luke Fawn, 1652London: printed by J.M. for Luke Favvn, 1652
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.
The twentieth and the last Lesson which God teacheth by affliction, 1is ⟨p. 109⟩How to prize and long for Heaven. In our prosperity, when the Candle of God shines in our Tabernacles, when we wash our steps in butter, and the Rock poureth us out Rivers of Oil, 2we could set down with the present World, and even say, with the Disciples, 3though not upon so good an account, It is good for us to be here; let us here build us Tabernacles, while life is sweet, death is bitter; and Heaven it self is no temptation, while the World gives us her friendly entertainments: But when poverty, & imprisonment, reproach, and persecution, sickness, and sore Diseases, do not only pinch but vex our hearts with variety of aggravations; we are not so fond of the Creature, but we can be content to entertain a partly with death, and take Heaven into our considerations. Not that merely to desire to be in Heaven, because we are weary of the World, is an Argument of grace, or a Lesson that needs divine teaching, self-love will prompt as much as that comes to. But because ⟨p. 110⟩like foolish Travellers, we love our way though it be troublesome, rather then our Country, God by this Discipline taketh off our hearts by degrees from this present World, and maketh us look homeward: being burdened we groan, 2 Cor. 5.4. and with the Dove, we return to the Ark when the World floats round about us; when David was driven from his Palace, then woe is me that my Pilgrimage is prolonged: 4so the Septuagint renders it. We should be contented like the Israelites with the Garlic and flesh-pots of Egypt, if God did not set cruel Taskmasters over us to double our Burdens: and when God hath thus lessened our esteem of the World, he discovers to us the excellency of heavenly comforts, and draws out the desires of the soul to a full fruition: when shall I come and appear in thy presence? EVEN SO come Lord Jesus. Affliction puts Heaven into all those notions which make it Heaven indeed.