The Fourth Plea.

The Fourth Plea.

Me thinks I could be content with Gods hand (saith one) so far as I see the hand of God in a thing I can be content: but when men deal so unreasonably and unjustly with me I know not how to bear it, I can bear it that I should be in Gods hands, but not in the hands of men: my friends or acquaintance when they deal so unrighteously with me, Oh this goes very hard unto me, that I know not how to bear it from men.

For the taking away of this reasoning, first, Though they be men that bring this cross upon you, yet they are Gods Instruments, God hath a hand in it, and they can go no further ⟨p. 171⟩then God would have them go. This was that that quieted David when Shimei curst him, (saith he) God hath a hand in it, though Shimei be a base wicked man yet I look beyond him to God. So, is there any of your friends that deal injuriously with you, and cross with you, look up to God and see that man but as an instrument in Gods hands.

For the taking away of this reasoning, first, Though they be men that bring this crosse upon you, yet they are Gods Instruments, God hath a hand in it, and they can go no further ⟨p. 171⟩then God would have them go. This was that that quieted David when Shimei curst him, (saith he) God hath a hand in it, though Shimei be a base wicked man yet I look beyond him to God. So, is there any of your friends that deal injuriously with you, and crosse with you, look up to God and see that man but as an instrument in Gods hands.