A81235:164
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.
When we say God teacheth 1. Inwardly. 2. Clearly. 3. Experimentally. 4. Powerfully. 5. Sweetly. 6. Abidingly. It is not so to be understood:1
- 1Cantions.
First, 1As if God taught All at first, viz. either All Truths, or All of any truth: God doth not teach all his Lessons at the first entrance into the School of Affliction; at least not usually, (for we dare not limit God:) The fruit of Affliction is not gathered presently: No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous, 2nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Teaching is the fruit of affliction, and fruit is not gathered presently; it must have a ripening time: And therefore ⟨p. 152⟩O thou discouraged Soul, say not God doth not teach thee at all, if he do not teach thee all at once: The entrance of thy Word giveth light: God lets in light by degrees: Usually God teacheth his children, as we teach ours, now a little and then a little; 3somewhat this week, and more next week; somewhat by this affliction, and more by the next affliction, and more by a third, &c. It is not to be despised if God discover to the Soul the need of divine Teaching, and engage the heart in holy desires, and longings after it; so that the afflicted Soul can say in sincerity, My Soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.4
First, 1