A81235:240
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.
1. Learn, in the time of your peace and tranquillity, to lay to heart the sufferings of the rest of your brethren that are in the world. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them: 1Think of them that are in prison, whose feet are hurt in the stocks, and the irons do enter into their soul, with the very same affection and affliction of spirit, as if you your selves lay bound in chains by them in the same dungeon; put your Souls in their Souls steads: and content not your selves with those loose, and fruitless, and transient glances, which those that are at ease in Zion do usually cast upon men in misery; 2a cold Lord have mercy on them, and there's an end: Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and that you may know you are not to confine your compassion to prisoners ⟨p. 218⟩only, it follows, And them that suffer adversity, &c. Learn to sympathize with all the people of God under any adversity whatsoever; hide not your eyes, and shut not up your bowels of compassion, from any that are in a suffering condition; and that upon this account, As being your selves in the body: If the duty respect thy brother, the motive respects thy self; thou art yet in the body: and while you remain in the flesh, you cannot promise your selves one hours exemption from troubles; but are exposed to the same common calamities which attend a state of mortality; as it is an argument of comfort to them that are in affliction, 3that their temptations and trials are common to men. God doth not single them out to encounter with unparalleled affliction: so on the other side it is an incentive to compassion to them that are free, to consider that they are liable to the same temptations, & therefore should measure out the same compassions to their suffering brethren, that they ⟨p. 219⟩would expect in the same trials: not knowing how soon the cup of trembling may be put into their own hand: to be sure, insensibleness of other mens miseries will hasten it: They put far away the evil day; 4