Correction, instruction or, a treatise of afflictions

2. In reference to our selves; it is a merciless mistake, sometimes ⟨p. 186⟩even of Gods own children, to sit down under affliction, especially if sore and of long continuance, and conclude, God doth not love them, because he doth correct them. It seems to be the very case of the believing Hebrews; they judged themselves out of Gods favour, ¹because under Gods frowns: not at all beloved, because so greatly afflicted; under many and sore persecutions, as you may see, Chap. 10.32, 33, 34. And therefore it is that upon which the Apostle (after he presented them with a large catalogue and list of the primitive Martyrs before Christ, in the eleventh Chapter) bestows the twelve first verses of the twelfth Chapter, sc. to prove by reasons drawn from nature, &c. instances taken out of Scripture; the first whereof is that unparalleled and astonishing instance of Jesus Christ, the firstborn, the ^*Son of Gods loves and delights: I say, to establish this as a Conclusion of unquestionable verity, namely, That Gods LOVE and Gods ROD may stand together. The truth is, ⟨p. 187⟩my Brethren, there is nothing can make a man miserable but sin: It is sin that poisons our afflictions: The sting of death is sin: ³and so we may say of all other evils, which militate under Death as Soldiers under their General; The sting of sickness is sin; and the sting of poverty is sin; and the sting of imprisonment and banishment is sin: & sic in caet. Take the sting out, which is purchased by the blood of Christ, and evidenced by Divine Teaching, and they cannot hurt nor destroy in all Gods holy mountain, Isai. 11.4. And therefore let no children of God be rash to conclude hard things against themselves, and take heed of making evidences of Wrath where God hath made none. Let Christians on both sides look further then the affliction it self; the Holy Ghost having long since determined this controversy by a peremptory decision: