Thirdly, 1That Deliverance out of trouble is not enough to evidence or make a man happy: It is not said, Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, AND DELIVEREST HIM out of trouble; but, Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest and teachest: A man may get rid of the affliction, and yet miss of the blessing. All the bread which men may eat without the sweat of their brows is not therefore hallowed; abundance may flow in without labour, and yet not without ⟨p. 189⟩a curse. A woman may be delivered from the pain of child bearing, and yet lie under the curse of child-bearing: an easy travel is not an infallible symptom of a state of reconciliation: 2If there be not faith in Christ, who hath born, and born away, the Curse; a speedy and easy deliverance is no more then God indulgeth the brute creatures; for by him the Hinds do calve, and the wild Asses bring forth their young: *A miscarrying womb may be a mercy, when a mature and facile birth may be in judgment. A man may leave his chains and his blessing behind him in prison; and the fire of a Fever may be extinguished, when the fire of Hell is preparing for the sinner. It is good to be thankful for, but extremely dangerous to be contented with, a bare deliverance. I shall conclude this branch with this note, which alone might have stood for a distinct observation or corollary, That those prayers in troubles are not best heard which are answered with deliverance; but ⟨p. 190⟩those prayers are best heard which are answered with instruction. Even of our blessed Saviour it is said, In the days of his flesh he offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying. and tears, unto him that was able ta• save him from death, and WAS HEARD, 4in that he feared, Hebr. 5.7. How was he heard? not in that, save me from this hour, Joh. 12.27. but in that, Father glorify thy name, Vers. 28. not in deliverance, but in instruction; for, for that he giveth thanks, Psal. 16.7. […] will bless the Lord who hath GIVEN ME COUNSEL; My REINS ALSO INSTRUCT ME in the night season. His Father taught him and strengthened him (vers. 8.9, 10, 11.) in his passion, and this was the hearing of his supplications. That is the best return of prayers which works our good, when not our wills; and when God doth not answer in the Letter, if he answer in the Better, we are no losers by our prayers:
Thirdly, 1That Deliverance out of trouble is not enough to evidence or make a man happy: It is not said, Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, AND DELIVEREST HIM out of trouble; but, Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest and teachest: A man may get rid of the affliction, and yet miss of the blessing. All the bread which men may eat without the sweat of their brows is not therefore hallowed; abundance may flow in without labor, and yet not without ⟨p. 189⟩a curse. A woman may be delivered from the pain of child bearing, and yet lie under the curse of child-bearing: an easie travel is not an infallible symptome of a state of reconciliation: 2If there be not faith in Christ, who hath born, and born away, the Curse; a speedy and easie deliverance is no more then God indulgeth the bruit creatures; for by him the Hindes do calve, and the wild Asses bring forth their young: *A miscarrying womb may be a mercy, when a mature and facile birth may be in judgment. A man may leave his chains and his blessing behinde him in prison; and the fire of a Feaver may be extinguish'd, when the fire of Hell is preparing for the sinner. It is good to be thankful for, but extreamly dangerous to be contented with, a bare deliverance. I shall conclude this branch with this note, which alone might have stood for a distinct observaetion or corollary, That those prayers in troubles are not best heard which are answered with deliverance; but ⟨p. 190⟩those prayers are best heard which are answered with instruction. Even of our blessed Saviour it is said, In the days of his flesh he offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying. and tears, unto him that was able ta• save him from death, and WAS HEARD, 4in that he feared, Hebr. 5.7. How was he heard? not in that, save me from this hour, Joh. 12.27. but in that, Father glorifie thy name, Vers. 28. not in deliverance, but in instruction; for, for that he giveth thanks, Psal. 16.7
- 13 Branch Informat. Deliverance not enough to argue a man happy.
- 21 Tim. 2.15
- *Hos. 9.14 Calvin understands it as a prayer for them, not an imprecation against them; hic coram Deo, se off•rt […] quasi deprecatorem. In Loc.Hos. 9.14 Calvin understands it as a prayer for them, not an imprecation against them; hic coram Deo, se off•rt 〈…〉 quasi deprecatorem. In Loc.
- 4Sancti ad salutem per omnia ex audiuntur, sed non ad voluntatem. Aug. in Epist. Johan. tract. 6.
