A81235:86
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.
Thirdly, It is an easy life: It is an easy life to have all provisions brought in to a man without any care or trouble; why such is the privilege of a Believer; he hath a quietus est, that supersedes all his cares. In nothing be careful, 1but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Faith leaveth a Believer nothing to do but to pray and give thanks; to pray for what he wants, and to give thanks for what he hath; that is all he hath to do. It is true, Believers must labour and travel in the use of means, as well as the rest of the sons ⟨p. 66⟩of Adam: but, first, it is without care; 2in nothing be careful; without anxious, heart-dividing, Soul distracting care: O that is the thorn, the sting, which the sin of man and the curse of God hath thrust into all our labours, care and distraction; and this faith pulls out: so that now all the labour of faith is an easy labour, like the labour of Adam in Paradise: Faith useth means, but trusteth God; obediently closeth with the Providence of means, but sweetly leaveth the Providence of success to God. Yea, Faith can trust God, when there are no means to use, and say, Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the Vines, the labour of the Olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat, the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls; 3yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my Salvation. Faith can live upon God, when there is a famine upon the whole Creation: The Peace of God is as a Court of Guard, to fence the heart ⟨p. 67⟩from all surprises of fear and trouble: In nothing be careful, but in every thing pray and give thanks, 4and the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. As faith enjoyeth God in all things in the greatest abundance, so she can enjoy all things in God in the deepest want.