Secondly, For what we have lost, we complain when God taketh away such a child, or such a comfort, or blasteth such a confidence of ours, as our affections were much set upon, and in bitterness of heart speak unworthily of God and his dispensations, see 2 Sam. 18 33. we hate going back a degree or two, and count it miserable to be once happy, &c. but oh Christians remember when any thing is lost 'tis a wonder all is not gone; Job lost all, and yet blessed God, Job 1. 23. *abstulit sed & dedit, He took, but he gave first: That we were once happy, showeth we have not always been miserable, our Pilgrimage might have been wholly evil and uncomfortable, shall we receive good and not evil at the hands of the Lord, Job 2. there is much gone, but somewhat left, that little that is left is more then we have deserved; many in the world would be glad of our Relics, hath he taken ought from us? he might have taken more, he taketh part that giveth all; all is his own, he reserved the property to himself; as much right as we had to our comforts was long since forfeited: If God hath lent us blessings and demand them again, shall we grudge them to the right owner? 'tis needful now and then that God should take our comforts from us, when we have gotten a carnal pillow under our heads, we are apt ⟨p. 452⟩to fall into a deep sleep, and dream many a fond dream till God take it from under us; he withdraweth comforts to see how we will take it, and bear up upon our great and everlasting hopes, Heb. 10. 33. Ye took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, &c. you will say that was by Martyrdom, but your loss by an ordinary providence; and will not you let God take us willingly as thieves and persecutors, you have the same encouragements, a better and enduring substance.
Secondly, For what we have lost, we complain when God taketh away such a child, or such a comfort, or blasteth such a confidence of ours, as our affections were much set upon, and in bitterness of heart speak unworthily of God and his dispensations, see 2 Sam. 18 33. we hate going back a degree or two, and count it miserable to be once happy, &c. but oh Christians remember when any thing is lost 'tis a wonder all is not gone; Job lost all, and yet blessed God, Job 1. 23. *abstulit sed & dedit, He took, but he gave first: That we were once happy, sheweth we have not always been miserable, our Pilgrimage might have been wholly evil and uncomfortable, shall we receive good and not evil at the hands of the Lord, Job 2. there is much gone, but somewhat left, that little that is left is more then we have deserved; many in the world would be glad of our Relicks, hath he taken ought from us? he might have taken more, he taketh part that giveth all; all is his own, he reserved the property to himself; as much right as we had to our comforts was long since forfeited: If God hath lent us blessings and demand them again, shall we grudge them to the right owner? 'tis needful now and then that God should take our comforts from us, when we have gotten a carnal pillow under our heads, we are apt ⟨p. 452⟩to fall into a deep sleep, and dream many a fond dream till God take it from under us; he withdraweth comforts to see how we will take it, and bear up upon our great and everlasting hopes, Heb. 10. 33. Ye took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, &c. you will say that was by Martyrdom, but your loss by an ordinary providence; and will not you let God take us willingly as thieves and persecutors, you have the same incouragements, a beter and enduring substance.
- *Sencea.
