A81235:241
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.
they lay not the affliction of the Church to heart, it never cost them an hours sleep, they abated nothing of all their sensual excesses; they never turn aside to shed one tear over bleeding Zion in secret: what follows? why, saith God, therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive, 1and the banquet of them that stretched themselves shall be removed: as if God should have said; As I live, because you have not pitied your brethren in captivity, you your selves shall be ⟨p. 220⟩led away captive, and the next turn shall be yours; and there you shall learn by experience, what it is to be plundered, and what it is to lie in chains; what it is to have cruel Taskmasters set over you, what it is to want bread; you shall banquet it no more: you shall feel by sense what you would not feel by sympathy. And therefore, Christians, set your hearts to the afflictions of the Church and people of God; it is the great duty which the times call for; and I am afraid God is now visiting England and London for the neglect of this duty: We are verily guilty concerning our brethren, in Germany, in Ireland, in England, and Scotland, &c. in that we saw the anguish of their souls, when they besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us: We have not grieved their sorrows, nor wept their tears, nor sighed their groans, nor bled their blood; and therefore may fear, lest God should say unto us also, even unto us, With the next that go into captivity, ⟨p. 221⟩they shall go into captivity: with the next that are plundered and spoiled, London shall be plundered and spoiled; with the next that shall be imprisoned, you shall be taken prisoners; with the next that shall be slain with the sword, you shall be slain with the sword; you wives shall be made widows, and your children shall be made fatherless, and your dwellings shall cast you out, and be left desolate: And therefore let us look to it, and know in this our day the things of our peace, before they be hid from our eyes: Show compassion, that you may not need compassion, or, if you need it, you may find it.
they lay not the affliction of the Church to heart, it never cost them an hours sleep, they abated nothing of all their sensual excesses; they never turn aside to shed one tear over bleeding Sion in secret: what follows? why, saith God, therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive,