N01078:27
The just man's prerogative. A sermon preached privately, Sept. 27. 1706. on a solemn…
The just man's prerogative. A sermon preached privately, Sept. 27. 1706. on a solemn occasion; for the consolation of a sorrowful family, mourning over the immature death, of a pious son, viz Mr. Simeon Stoddard, who was found barbarously murdered, in Chelsea-Fields near London, May 14. 1706. / By S. Willard. ; [Two lines from II Samuel]
printed by B. Green. Sold by Nicholas Boone, 1706
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
6. There is no Affliction that over-takes a Child of God, but what proceeds from his Love. We ascribe Love to God, sometimes on the account of his Beneficence, and this is common to Good and Evil, Math. 5.45. He maketh his Sun to shine on the Evil, and the Good, and causeth his rain to fall on the Just and the Unjust. Sometimes to his Benevolence, or purpose of everlasting good to them; and this is peculiar to Some, and every true Believer hath an interest in this Love: yea this is it that Governs all the Providences that pass over them. Is it Love that moves him to afflict them, Heb. 12.6. Whom the Lord Loveth he chasteneth. It is Love that presides in the Affliction it self, as to kind, degree, and continuance. It is not because God hates them that he Afflicts them, nor ⟨p. 14⟩is it because he Loveth the Wicked, that they prosper; for, Psal. 92.7. When all the Workers of iniquity prosper, it is that they may be destroyed for ever. Now as Love is an affection that contrives and pursues the best good of the object of it, so it cannot willingly do it any Evil, for it is contrary to it: and though there may be the Anger of God at his Children manifested in the Affliction, yet it is the Anger of Love, the Displeasure of a Father, and not of an Enemy, Psal. 89.30. &c. I will chasten them, &c. but my loving kindness I will not take from him.
And if we consider what are the things that he designs and accomplisheth thereby, we shall be farther assured of it; for, all that he intends by it, in regard of them, will come under those heads.