left Reprobate to euery good Worke. As for euill of Punishment Let God forsake them with Saul 1 Sam. 28 6 7.8 1 Samuel 28. verses 6 7 8. they will forsake God and runne from his presence like Cain turne Vagabonds Genesis 4. verse 16. Gen. 4.16 If the Euill of Sinne pursue them and their owne Conscience haue raysed a Heu and Cry against them with Achitophell they flye to a Halter for Remedie and for feare of Hell leape into Hell Outward Crosses do them no good Esay 1.5.7 Esay 1. verses 5 7. I haue smitten them yet they haue not turned vnto me is an olde Complaint nay much hurt Ahaz in his Affliction transgresseth more and more 2 Chro. 28 22. The wicked King cries out This euill comes from the Lord shall I serue him any longer 2 Kings 9 33. 2 Kings chap. 6. verse 33. Iobs Wife will Curse God Iob. 2.6 and Dye Iob 2. 9. Is their Credite crackt They grow as shamelesse now as they were gracelesse before proclayming their sinnes as Sodome and fearing neyther God nor Man Is their state impouerished The stick not to put foorth their handes to vnlawfull shiftes adding Sin to Affliction In the Diseases of their Bodies with Asa they seeke not vnto God 2 Chro. 16.12 but trust to the Physitian In extreamity of paine they soone loose themselues and their patience like the raging Sea they vomit out their owne shame In Death they goe away lumpishly as Nabal or ridiculously with a Sardonicall Laughter or desperately like that Gallant M. Perkins in gouernment of the tongue who spurring his Horsse till hee sprang aside into the water as hee was tumbling ouer the Bridge cryed out Horse Man and all to the Diuell All this is but the beginning of Sorrow Isaiah 66.24 Death giues them vp to the Gnawing of that worme which neuer dyet the burning of that Lake which shall neuer slake and the scorching of those flames that shall neuer cease Death cuts off their Hope which endeth with their Life and giues life to those Torments which shall neuer end Thus is their Life Miserable their Death Lamentable their End Damnable The last Grape which I shall plucke from this Goodly Cluster and presse forth is An Exhortation to Patience vnder the Crosse If all things shall worke for thy Good why dooest thou murmure and mutine against God because hee followes thee with a Succession of Crosses Thy Afflictions are many and great tedious and greeuous say not thou with Caine Gen. 4.13 My punishment is Greater then I can beare Genes 4. verse 13. Whateuer euill it bee that lyes so heauie whether on thy Bodie Name or State whether inward Temptation or outward Tribulations is it not for thy Good Wilt thou be such an Enemy to thine owne Soule as to repine at thine owne Good The Cup is bitter I but happily the lesse toothsome the more wholesome Thy teeth are set an edge with eating sowre Grapes this bitter Aloes must set them right Thou canst happily make a shift to turne ouer a draught of Worme-wood Beere euery morning next thy heart Is it not bitter as Gall Is it not distastfull to the Palate Why doest thou drinke it Oh the Phisitian assures me it 's for my good Thou sufferest the Surgeon to launce thy raging vlcer to lay a sharpe Corazine which may eate downe the dead flesh It stings cruelly smarts terribly yet thou endurest it patiently Why The Surgeon tells thee it is good for thee If the Grand Phisitian of thy Soule prescribe a bitter draught next thy heart murmure not if that skilfull Soule-Surgeon clap on a Coraziue murmure not hee assures thee it 's for thy Good Stay not here neither this will teach thee to vndergoe thy trouble not onely patiently but chearefully according to that of the Apostle Reioyce in Tribulation Why Tribulation brings forth Patience Patience Experience Rom. 4.3.4 5. Experience Hope that maketh not ashamed Oh the sweete Fruite that growes from this bitter roote S. Iames. 1.23 Iames seconds Paul My Brethren count it great ioy when you fall into diuers tentations knowing that the trying of your faith bringeth foorth Patience and let Patience haue her perfect worke Set before your eyes that Mirrour of patience remember Iob when crosses came thronging thick and threefold one vpon the necke of another like a showre of haile-shot Luke 21.19 yet the Holy man possesses his soule by his patience Set before you that Mirrour of Mirrours the Sauiour of the vvorld how willingly did hee drinke of that bitter Potion Mat. 26.39 Iames. 1.13 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation for vvhen he is tryed hee shall receiue the Crowne if life which the Lord hath promised to them that loue him Thou art now in the furnace waite till the drosse bee consumed thou art now in the Scouring-house stay till the soile be wiped off then shalt thou bee translated from this valley of teares to that Region of ioy where all sinne shall bee wiped from thy soule all sorrow from thy heart all teares from thine eyes that ioy shall no man take from thee FINIS Gentle Reader I thought good to fill vp this vacant Page with this Table All things worke for the best to the Godly whether Good Supreme God consider'd in his Nature Atributes Workes Either of Mercy Iudgement Or By meanes without means Against means Subordinate Persons Angels Men in their ordinances Ciuill Magistrates Ecclesiasticall Ministers Things Gifts of Minde Ornaments of Body Gifts of Fortune so termed Euill Sinne whether That of our first Parents That which flows thence Originall Actuall Smaller in the Vnderstanding Errours Will. Passions grosser Punishment Inward Spirituall Dissertion Horror of Conscience Generall All Affliction Outward Priuat euill of State Pouerty Name Ignomy Persons Diseases Death National Plagues Publike A Post-script Gentle Reader if I seeme to breake off abruptly and to doe my worke by halues the truth is my desire was to present this my first and imperfect essay to the world for a tast onely If it may finde fauour acceptation I shall be encouraged to perfect what is left vnfinished if not little said soone amended Errata For bee read is Pag. 1. line 4. for his read this p 3. l. 6. read to p. 4. l. 3. read the crowne p. 7. l. 10. read gastred p. 27. line last read make p. 44. l. 1. read lockes p. 51. l. 26. read him p. 56. l. 18. them l. 19. read Lo-ammi p. 64.13
crowned til the last These Sampsons make foule hauocke of their Enemies many terrible slaughters and massacres do the Philistms suffer from their hands during their life but the dead which they slay at their death Iudg. 16.30 are farre more then those which were slaine in their life They bow downe with all their might the pillars of the clay Cottages fall and at once they are auenged of all their Aduersaries Thus is the day of Death better to them Eccles 7.3 then the day of their Birth being indeed the Doomesday of their misery their Birth-day of Glory As for their Carkasses which they leaue behinde them as the Snake his skin in the thicket that they might renew their strength as an Eagle are they not committed as Good seede into the Granary of the earth there to die that they may bee quickned Shall not those leaues which fall in this Autumne at the spring of the Generall Resurrection sproute forth againe 1 Cor. 15.42 Sowen they are in Corruption but shall be raised in Incorruption sowen in dishonour but shall bee raised in Glory With theser very eyes shall I see my Redeemer sayd Iob. 17.26.27 that Mirror of Patience As prîuate and personall miseries so publicke and Nationall Calamities aduance their Good Put the case some strange iudgement ouertake a People which threatens nothing but Ruine Desolation Deuastation a iudgement the very sound whereof would make any Mans eares to tingle that heares it a sweeping storme that beares all downe before it when the Lord it should seeme intends To cut roote and branches Isaiah 9.14 head and taile and wipe out their name from vnder Heauen this makes for them many waies Sometimes they are housed before the storme Tender hearted Iosiah 2 King 22.20 1 King 14.13 2 King 20.19 good Abijah vpright Hezekiah were they not all Gathered to their Father in peace and as the Prophet speaks more generally of the Righteous taken away from the euill to come Isaiah 57.1 Sometimes they are shrouded from the storme Noah rides safely in a well-pitch'd Arke when the whole world was couered with the waters of the Deluge Gen. 7.23 Lot escapes with his wife Gen. 19.21.22 and finds a shelter in Zoar when Sodome and Gommorah were turned into Ash heapes Sometimes they haue a Calme in the midst of the storme Exod. 10.23 There was light in Goshen when all Aegypt was clouded with a thicke and grosse darkenesse Gideons fleece was dry Iudg. 6.39 when all the earth was wet The Mourners in Ierusalem Ezek. 9.6 were secured in that Generall massacre When Israel was led into captiuity then was Ieremy set at liberty The Prophet finds more fauour with the Princes of Babel Ier. 40.4 then from the Peeres of Israel Sometimes as vsually it fals out they are enwrapped in the Common Calamities yet that is in mercy to them which to others becomes a iudgement For first God euer threatens before he strikes The storme hanges and houers a long time ouer their heads ere it fal The messengers of God summon them to Repentance lay open there sins denounce iudgement As Ionah to Nineueh yet forty dayes and Niniueh shall bee destroyed Ionah 3.4 These peales sounded in their eares those visions presented to their eyes rouze them from the deepe sleepe of Security and now how doe they bestirre themselues considering their wayes ransacking their hearts renouncing their sinnes Preparing to meete their God with Ashes on their heades Sackcloth on their backs Feares in their eyes Sorrow in their hearts Prayers in their lips and ropes in their hands Secondly admit the Sentence bee irreuocable the Iudge be inexorable his wrath vnplacable they haue ioyn'd in the sinnes and therefore must share in the plagues of their Nation euen this is in fauour they are but corrected heere that they might not bee condemned heereafafter These plagues may kill them but cannot hurt them they may rent the garments of their bodies but their soule is invulnerable they do but shorten their misery and hasten their Glory Yea euen that Spirituall iudgement which of all others is most fearefull makes to their aduantage If the Golden Candlesticke bee remoued from one Nation is it not giuen to another The Gospell like the Sea it looseth ground in one place getteth footing elswhere If the Sun set to one Horizon it ariseth to another The falling of the Iewes was the rising of the Gentiles when they were cast off with a Lo-ruhamah a Lo-anni Hos 1.8.9 to vs that were not the people of God was it said Yea are the Sons of the liuing God When the shaddowes of the Euening were stretched ouer Asia the day dawned to vs in Europe If our vnworthinesse should depriue vs of this light Quod omen Deus Auertat it would doubtsly bee giuen to a Nation that shall bring foorth better fruits adorning the glorious Gospell of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ with their holy and Christian Conuersation which wee haue soulely blemished with our horrible and hainous Abominations Thus you see what a rich Mine of Consolation is heere conueighed vnto vs a Mine that cannot be exhausted The Well is deepe the deeper we go still the sweeter it is It is not the weake Backet of our shallow Capacity though let downe neuer so often that can dreine this Spring Much water haue we drawn vp already and perhaps the Reader may thinke too much yet nothing in comparison of what is left behinde What is a drop to the Ocean May I not safely and boldly conclude now All thinges all Good God Angels Men the ordinances of men Ciuill Ecclesiasticall gift of body Ornaments of the minde and estate All euill of sinne Originall Actuall smaller grosser of punnishment inward spirituall disertion horror of minde outward priuate miseries on their goods good name or persons publike calamities temporall spirituall iudgements all worke for the best of those that loue God Ere I proceed to the application of the point I must cleare the way by remouing some scruples which otherwise will lye as so many rubs to blocke vp our passage How does all euill worke for the Good of Gods chosen when euen Good things proue sometimes snares to the Righteous Psa 30 6.7 Was not the man after Gods owne heart puffed vp with his prosperity I said I shall neuer be moued Was not Hezekiah sicke of the same disease 1 Kings 10.15.17 who tooke so deepe a surfet of plenty that the Prophet was forced to minister a sharpe purgation To this I answere For the most part as the Lord conferres his fauours vpon them so hee giues them Grace to make a right vse of them as he wrings to them waters out of a full Cup so hee giues them a steady hand to carry this Cup without spilling Ioh. 1.10 If they be hedged in with blessings as sometimes Iob this hedge serues as awal of brasse wherby the suggestions
Panacea Christiana OR A CHRISTIANS SOVERAIGNE SALVE FOR EVERY SOARE DELIVERED In Two seuerall SERMONS and now digested into one Treatise published for the vse of all distressed Christians Esaiah 50.4 The Lord hath giuen me a tongue of the Learned that I should know how to Minister a word in time to him that is weary AVGVSTIN Tam bonus est Deus vt nullo modo permitteret malum nisi inde nosset elicere bonum LONDON Printed by Isaac Iaggard for Robert Bird and are to be sold at his Shop in Cheapeside at the Signe of the Bible 1624. TO THE RIGHT Honourable Sir EDWARD COOKE Knight one of his Maiesties most Honourable Priuy Councell Right Honourable BEsides those common enducements which preuaile with others your Honours more then ordinary zeale and affection to Learning and Pietie there are some priuate obligations which haue mooued me to consecrate the first fruits of my Labours to your Patronage It was their command to whom I owe not obedience and respect only but my-selfe also that first exposed these lines to the censure of the World and then shrouded them vnder the shelter of your Winges For the subiect matter Vtinam tam commodum quam accomodum as it suites well with the times so I presume it will not bee vnwelcome to your Honour A word in his place as the Wiseman obserues is like Apples of Gold Pro. 25 11. with pictures of Siluer If this Theame bee not now seasonable when will it bee The Church of God goes to wracke abroad many miseries and calamities presse vs sore at home our sinnes threaten more and worse Satan rageth because his time is but short his Instruments flourish the wicked are in their ruffe the godly vnderfoot despised trampled vpon The old complaint is not vniustly renewed that it fals out Bonis malè malis benè Well with the Bad ill with the Good Is it not now high time to minister a word of comfort to them that mourn in Sion What greater comfort then this Oracle from Heauen All shall worke to the Best of them that loue God Of which number the Church of God hath good cause to esteeme your Honor who haue tasted with your Brethren this bitter Cup and therefore can rellish these Sweetes the better For my part I know not how to testifie my respects otherwise then in these kind of Presents and my hearty prayers for the encrease of your Honour and Happinesse which shal neuer be wanting from Your Honors most humble obseruance Th Hering To the Reader GEntle Reader This smal Tractate was so penned as Preached and so Preached as thou mayest easily guesse it was neuer intended for ostentation but for aedification Jf thou look'st for many Citations and Quotations of Authors thou deceyuest thy Selfe It was my Ambition J confesse to draw water out of the fountains rather then out of the streames Dulcius ex ipso fonte bibuntur aquae Man purposeth but God disposeth The truth is violence and importunity wrung this for the Presse which was intended soly for the Pulpit I know there is great difference betweene a liuing vice and a dead Letter as betweene a body animated and a painted body I know this Criticall and Censorious Age will giue but harsh entertainment to such a rude and vnpolished Treatise and deeme it more fit to be suppressed in a corner then to be published to the World yet my comfort is A Widdowes Mite will find acceptation with the Searcher of the heart Besides J had rather seeme too forward in putting out my Masters money to the Bankers then to vndergo the Doome of an euill Seruant for smothering his Talent in a Napkin All Starres are not of the same magnitude yet euery Starre shines in his owne Orbe If some beames of Comfort conueyghed in these cursorie Meditations may warme and enliuen any poore drooping disconsolate Christian J haue my ayme let God haue the Honour and Glory As all things so this J hope shall worke to the Best Read and consider Farewell T. H. Panacea Christiana OR A CHRISTIANS soueraigne Salue for euery Sore ROM 8.28 For wee know that all things worke together for good to them that loue God to them who are the called according to his purpose HOweuer the whole Scripture as S. 2. Tim. 3 16. Paul to his Scholler Timothy be giuen by diuine inspiration and is profitable to teach to improue to correct to instruct in righteousnesse that the man of God may be made perfect to all good workes Yet as in the large folio of the booke of Nature though euery Creature carry in it the sparkles of the power goodnesse and prouidence of the Creator those rayes shine out more brightly in some more dimmely in others so in the lesser Epitome of the Scripture albeit all the parcels of sacred Writ breath forth one and the selfe-same diuine truth in a most sweete and heauenly harmony yet in some passages the Spirit of God takes to himselfe as it were the winges of an Eagle soaring aloft aboue the capacity of the highest in others he creepes as it were on the ground stooping to the shallow conceit of the meanest Sometimes he couers himselfe with thick clouds Ps 8.18 12. darknes is his Pauillion other whiles he speaks to vs familiarly Exod. 33 11. as to his seruant Moses face to face mouth to mouth The new Testament by the consent of all in this respect carries the preheminence beyond the old The glosse must bee clearer then the text Among the Apostles Paul outstrips his fellowes who for his labour or his learning was euer held the chiefest of the Apostles Among the Epistles of Paul his to the Romans if such invaluable Iewels may be valued one with another if one star may differ from another in glory bears the name from the rest whether we respect doctrin of faith or good manners matter of instruction or exhortation of confutation or consolation so largely discussed so pithily pressed so wisely managed In this Epistle this chap. is of most admirable vse being placed as the Sun in the midst of the Firmament and containing in it a rich Mine of cōsolation In this chap. this verse is placed as the heart in the midst of the body that giues life to all the members There are two professed enemies which lay perpetual siege to the bulwarke of true Christian consolation Sinne and Affliction These like troublesome guests and vnwelcome Inmates so disturbe the peace of the Saints while they lodge in these cottages of clay that it makes them weary of their houses and themselues to putting them oft to Rebeccaes complaint Gen. 27.46 Would to God I were dead These are those Sanaanites and Hittites which are perpetuall goades in their sides perpetuall prickes in their eyes Numb 33.55 Here is that Gall and Wormwood which embitters all the sweets this world can affoord To shut vp in a word here is that Coloquintida which matres
righteous are exalted the City shall flourish If their Cup ouerflow their Brests bee full of Milke and their Bones full of Marrow there wordly Wealth makes them rich in good Workes 1. Tim. 6.18 to doe good and to distribute they forget not Now they are Eies to the blind Clothes to the naked Iob 31 17 18 19 20. c. Feete to the lame their Morsels are neuer eaten alone the loines of the poore shall blesse them My promise was not to dwel on this branch which requires not confirmation but onely illustration Why should I waste the time in prouing what none denies Here 's the maine Scruple a Quaere not easily assoyl'd What do all euil things turne to their good I All euill too by accident whether of Sin or Punishment of Sinne whether that of our first Parents or what flowes from thence That of our first Parents Our Apostacie from God in the first Adam made way for the incarnation of the Second Had wee not fallen in Adam wee could neuer haue stood in Christ Our Happinesse at the first was put into our owne hands but how easily were we beguiled by that wily Serpent like little Children that will part with Gold for a Nut-shelle to let goe God Heauen our Soules and all for an Apple Whereas now this Iewell is kept vnder looke and key in the Bosome of God conueighed to vs by our Head Christ Iesus and as soone may Satan pull Christ their Head out of Heauen as snatch a rib a member a limbe from his body Loe how we haue gayned by our lossel our Happinesse is enlarged confirmed we may triumphingly conclude with the Philosopher 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wee had perished if we had not perished That which flowes from our first Parents whether Originall Corruption or Actuall Transgression Originall Corruption howeuer it sticke close to all the sonnes of Adam as an Hereditary Leprosie bred in the flesh wil not our of the bone Wel may it bee subdued rooted out it cannot be If it doe not Regnare it will Inhabitare So hath it fretted into our Nature as the Leprosie eate into the walles that it cannot be scraped out till the house be pulled downe like that poysoned Vestiment which the Poets faine was giuen to Hercules that would not off till it had torne the skinne from the flesh and the flesh from the bone This tainture sieges on the wholeman in the vnion of the Soule to the Body and therefore cannot be extirpated eradicated till the finall separation of the Body from the Soule This Fomes Malorum workes for their Good many waies It serues to humble them it lets them see that they carry in them the Spawne of all Sinne the sourse of all Impiety lurkes in their vile Nature that by Nature they are Slaues to sinne Vassals to Satan Daenen eti priusquam nati Aug. Firebrands of Hell heyres of Condemnation that they are naught starke naught worse then naught Now the first step to Christianity is Selfe-Deniall If any man will be my Disciple he must deny himselfe and follow me If the recognition of this poyson and venom which lurketh in the Nature of Man and renders him more odious in the sight of God then a Toade Snake or Serpent can be hateful to vs doe not make him out of loue with himselfe I know not what will Certainly Paul was not enamored with his owne worth when he cryeth out In me that is in my flesh there dwelleth no good thing Rom. 7. ver 18. It driues them to Christ with lamentable sighes and groanes O miserable man that I am who shall deliuer me from this body of Death Thankes bee to God thorough Iesus Christ our Lord Rom. 7 24 25. verses These diseased creatures sicke as life can hold how eagerly doe they run vnto the Physitian accounting it a most singular Happinesse if they may with the poore Woman in the Gospell but steale a touche of the Hemme of our Sauiours Garment Luk. 8 43 44 that so this Issue of blood may bee stanched and this Spring of Corruption dryed vppe which of it selfe like a seething pot Ezech. 16 16. Ezech. 24 6 7 is euer sending vp a filthy Scumme and like the raging Sea is euer foaming out myre and dirt Esa 57 20 21 Actual transgressions the cursed fruit sprowting from that roote of Bitternesse whether Lesser or Greater are made vsefull to the Elect. Smaller in the Vnderstanding Errours and doubting occasions them to get a surer resolution a scrupulous mind I meane not of such as are more nice then wise which makes doubts where none is and seeke knots in a Bulrush Like those trees which are shaken of the Northerne windes take deeper root and stands firmer The doubting of some few make for the satisfaction of many The Corinthians staggering in that high point of the Resurrection 1. Cor. 15. gaue a hint to Paule for the wiping out of all scruples both in themselues and others No truths more cleare now then those which haue beene heretofore most controuersall In the Affections Their proanenesse to anger wrath dissention Aemulation secret heart-burning open distaste These humaine frailties make them more wary more watchfull Acts. 15.39 Paule and Barnabas fall at variance their discord breakes into a rent or separation this separation tended much to the spreading of the Gospell Howsoeuer these slips let them see their owne weaknesse now they know they are but men now they learne to curbe their exorbitant passions and will not be not so foolish as to lay the reines on the neckes of those vnruly horses which if they once get head will indanger their owne necke and their Masters too I but what shall we thinke of the greater euills Grosse sinnes howsoeuer they seeme to make Hauocke of the graces of the Spirit like a Thiefe in the Candle wasting all or like some blazing Comets prodigiously portending ruine and desolation to that Soule which is so fouly ouer-taken yet out of this Ranke poison the Grand Physitian fetches a Soueraigne Treacle vsing the blood of the Scorpion to cure the sting of the Scorpion This turnes to their owne good the good of their Brethren To their owne Good many wayes making them more humble more meeke more wise more cautelous more wary and more Zealous These foule Enormities whereby they become Publike scandals to God and Man are those stinging Coraziues which eate downe that Pride of heart and selfe-conceitednesse to too much ouerweening their owne worth A sinne which though it make little noise in the eares of the world yet appeares farre more odious and abominable in the sight of God then those Carnall fleshly sins which the world censures so deepely Secondly as it make them more humble in themselues Gal. 6.1 so it renders them more gentle to their Brethren If any man be fallen by occasion into any fault restore such a one with the Spirit of meeknesse is the Iniunction of
new sinne is as it were a new Snake euery renewed act of sinne giues a new stab euery stab more mortall then the biting of a Serpent or sting of an Adder Prou. 23.32 Yet euen those teares are the foode of Angels those sighes sweet musicke in the eares of God that griefe the ioy of heauen By this rough tract thorny path their feete are guided into the way of Peace those Agonies make way for the Prince of Peace who came not to Call the righteous Mat. 2.17 but sinners to Repentance Sinners Mar. 11.28 that labour and are laden with the weight of their sinnes to them he giues that peace which passeth all vnderstanding Philip. 4.7 Both these put together carry an Image of Hell Spirituall disertion is that poena Damni punishment of losse Anguish of minde is that poena sensus punishment of sense an estate little differing from that of the Damned saue onely in Degree and Continuance By these Gates of Hell many times the deerest Saints of God saile to Heauen If these inward Euils which doe pierce thorough our very soules become thus profitable much more those outward miseries which though great enough in themselues are but Flea-bitings in comparison of the other May it please you to see this fulfilled in the Generals in the Particulars Generally all outward affliction works to their good whoeuer plowes not with the Heifer of the Spirit shall neuer vnfold this Riddle How meate comes out of the Eater Sweet out of the Sowre Iudg. 14 18. Hony out of the Lyon Rom. 5 3 4. Tribulation brings forth Patience Patience Experience Experience 1 Cor. 4 17. Hope that maketh not ashamed The light momentarie affliction of this life cause to vs a far more excellent an eternal weight of Glory This Lesson the Holy ones learne in the Schoole of Experience that howeuer no affliction but is greeuous for the time not ioyous Hebr. 12 11. yet after it brings the quiet fruit of peace to them that are thereby exercised They finde more solid ioy in suffering for Christ Hebr. 11 25. then in all the pleasures of sin which last but for a season Gods Sheepe thriue best in Salt marshes his Corne is parest from Chaffe when it is vnder the Flaile his Gold freest from drosse when cast into the fiery furnace these stars shine brightest in the darkest night their feete tread surest in the roughest way The Prodigall spend-thrift thinks not of Home till hee was pinched with Famine Luke 15 17. brought to a morsell of bread Hagar was proude and pierke in the house of Abram but gentle and tractable in the wildernesse Ionah lyes snoring and snorting in the ship watching and praying in the Whales belly Those noble Vines planted with Gods owne hand would run wilde into Luxuriant branches and bee ouergrowne with many noisome lustes were they not euer and anone pruned with some sanctified trouble In their affliction they will seeke mee early Hosea 5.15 While the Sunne-shine of Peace and Prosperity lasted God sent his Prophets rising vp early and lying downe late stretching out their hands and throats al the day long but these deafe Adders stoppe theyr eares at the voice of the Charmer till the Aule of Afflictions come then their eares are boared then they seeke them as eagerly as he sought him earely Let mee then for the Generall conclude with Ieremy Lamen 3 27. It is good for a man to beare the yoake from his youth Psal 119.71 with Dauid It is good for vs that we are afflicted with Paul All things worke together for the good of them that loue God For the Particulars Priuate Publike Calamities make all for the best too Priuate whether in their Estate or in their Name or on theyr Persons In their Estate Are they pinched with want and penurie Dan. 1 12. fed with pulse and water as Daniel this lets them see Prou. 15 16. a little vvith the feare of the Lord is better to the righteous then great riches to the vngodly Howeuer poore in this world yet they are rich in God and this corporall pouerty fittes them for the Kingdome of God They haue a Feast which the world knows not of Besides whether I beseech you hath better experience of the Loue Goodnesse and Care of his Heauenly Father he that wallowes in his wealth and sacrifices to his owne Net or he who is fedde from hand to mouth as it were from heauen Who will not preferre the course fare brought to Elijas by those straunge Catorers the Rauens before all the dainties which were serued vp to Ababs Table 1 Kings 17.6 In their Good Names If their reputation be blacke with infamy if some stinking Fly be falne into that sweete Oyntment which makes it putrifie either this staine is drawne vpon themselues deseruedly or some dirt is cast in their faces by the hand of Malice or Enuy. What comes through their owne default they beare it patiently improue it profitably These are the thoughts wherewith they entertaine themselues What is it such a hell to bee in disgrace with Men that a man had as good be halfe hanged as haue his credit cracke oh what a hell is it to be out of fauour with God to be shamed discarded before Men and Angels at the Generall Assise of the whole World What Malice or Envy casts vpon them if for a good cause 1 Peter 4.14 they glory in that shame counting it the greatest grace in all the world to suffer disgrace for vvell-doing Euils on their persons vvhether Diseases or Death For Corporal deformities God often recompences outward defects with a supply of inward Grace If Naaman the Syrian had not beene a Leaper in his body the Leprosie of his soule I feare had neuer beene cured How many flocking to Christ for the cure of their bodies obtained the saluation of their Soules like Saul who seeking for Asses stumbled on a Crowne 2 Cor. 4 16. As the outward man decayes so the inward is strengthened Could we performe in our health what we promise on our sicke-bed wee should liue more like Angelles then Men. Death it selfe that King of Terrors to a natural man Iob. 14 18. as the Philosopher obserues of all fearfull things the most fearefull to them is but the Gate to Life The Sting of this Serpent is pulled out and they dare lay it in their bosome It vvas first threatned as a Curse The soule that sinnes shall Dye Gen. 2.17 it is now turned to a Blessing If wee had our hope in this life onely 1 Cor. 15 19. We were of all men the most miserable Blessed are they that dye in the Lord Reuel 14.13 for they rest from their labours and theyr Workes follow them Their whole life is a continuall Combate with the world the flesh and the diuell euery day they bring home new Spoyles new Trophees but are neuer
of Sathan are Baraccadoed out If at any time the tempter sollicites to any vnlawful suites they retort that of Ioseph Gen. 39.9 How shall I commit this great euill and sinne against God that God who hath laden mee with his blessing whose mercies are renewed vpon mee euery morning and euery moment If at any time they are left to themselues it is but for probation for humiliation to let them see their owne weakenesse the worlds vanity Gods goodnesse Their owne weakenesse to leane with the whole weight and stresse of their bodies vpon those broken reeds and hollow Canes of Aegypt The worlds vanity which as the Wiseman speakes of riches taketh to herselfe the wings of an Eagle Prou. 15 5. If shee stoope not to vs we cannot catch her if she ierke from vs wee cannot hold her No glasse so brittle as the glassy Sea of this world Gods goodnesse that held them vp so long from falling that kept them from perishing in the fall But this is not my condition will some weake soule pretend I am no whit bettered by my Crosses Scruples of minde or Comforts I find my heart too much elated in my prosperity too much deiected in aduersity I am neuer wel full nor fasting Let the Sunne shine who more briske Let it be ecclipsed my iniurious diffidence and distrust of Gods prouidence secret murmurings and open repinings get ground vpon me and like ill weeds grow so fast that I feare mee the seede of Grace is in a manner choaked stifled Alas Answer silly Soule Iudge not thy selfe according to appearance while the fits lasts The mist of temptations haue now clouded thy soule A blind man is not fit to iudge of colours The water is now trobled the mud raised it is impossible to see clearely The Physick may happily work churlishly and for a Fit trouble the Patient more then the disease it self Tell mee doest thou not bewayle thy diffidence impatience Doest thou not striue and struggle against them with might and maine Be of good comfort we are not to deale with a rigid Master but with a tender Father that interprets the desire for the deede and accepts of the will for the worke Striue manfully waite patiently thou shalt see and feele that as all other crosses so this which of all other thou esteemest to bee the greatest crosse shall worke for thy Good Hitherto wee haue satisfyed the Scruples of weake Christians now we are to grapple with a peruerse generation If all things all euill Obiection 2 yea euill of sinne if all sinne worke for the best of them that Loue God What doe I thwarting my Corrupt Naiure What do I striuing against the streame Why should I curbe and checke my vnbrideled Appetite Heereafter I will let loose the reines to all licentiousnes hereafter I will Gratifie the flesh and humor it in all things now may I follow the swing of my licentious desires now may I sinne that Grace may abound all will make for my Good The Apostle checkes this malepart misconstruction Answere with a strange detestation What Shall I doe euill Rom. 6.1 that good may come thereof God forbid If any such hellish Suggestions be raised in our hearts snib them O snib them with a Get thee behind me Satan Math. 16.23 for thou vnderstandest not the things of God Wilt thou surfet thy Body Quae Dei sunt non sapis that the Physitian may purge it Wilt thou quaffe off a cup of ranke Poyson because the Antidote is at hand Wilt thou breake thy head that the Surgeon may clap on a Plaister Wilt thou sheath thy sword in thine owne flesh Mountebanke-like because there is a Balsome wil heale vp the wound Some broken legges and armes by a stiffe and hard Callus are made stronger then they were before wilt thou wilfully thrust thy legge or shoulder out of ioynt expecting the like successe What is if this be not to Tempt the Lord Iude 4. and to turn his grace into wantonnesse Nay rather Remember O man how the glorious Gospel of God will bee stained the Spirit of God greeued the euill Spirit solaced the weak discouraged the wicked emboldned thy Religion questioned and thy Saluation hazarded If this will not fright thee Remember hee that hath promised mercy to the penitent hath not promised Repentance to the obstinate Repentance is not at thy becke or whistle thou mayest as well command the Winde to blow the Sun to shine as conuert thine owne heart Remember that true and vnfeigned repentance may secure vs from eternall torments but cannot alwayes secure vs from Temporall Chastisements In these Cases remissa culpa retinetur poena howeuer God may forgiue the sinne the punishment he will not forgiue Dauids fault was remitted yet hee smarts soundly for his folly 2 Sam. 12.13 14. his sweet meat had sowre sawce By that time thou hast beene as well scourged as Dauid as well scorched as Dauid thou wilt take heede of committing the like error or thrusting thy finger into the same fire Now the Coast is cleered all obstacles remoued Obiections answered what should let vs from descending to Application This fountaine branches it selfe into three streames and yeeldes matter of Instruction Consolation Exhortation It ministers Instruction to the Godly Instruction to the Wicked Hearken vnto me yee that feare the Lord. Beholde here an infallible ground to euince the certainty of your Saluation If all things aduance your Good what can impeach it What blocke can lye in your roade to Heauen The greatest rub is Sinne. Sin indeede is that Wall of partition that separats betweene vs and our God It is Sinne that hindereth good thinges from vs. Esay 55 2. Ier. 5.25 Luke 16.26 Sin is that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that vaste gulfe which intercepts the free and familiar entercourse of his fauours and our prayers the reciprocall exchange or commutation whereof are the onely Nerues and Sinewes that hold life and soule together But if sinne it selfe whither Great or Small further theyr Good what can hinder it There is a Viperous generation lately sprung vp an Egge of that Cockatrice Pelagius being as we supposed long since chilled is newly hatched new warmth and life put into it insomuch that it hath broken forth into a flying Serpent It 's strange and admirable to consider how many Learned Rabbins no small Clerkes wise enough if not too wise in their owne conceites bend their wits busie their braines to stagger the Saints and to beate them from their Hold contending tanquam pro Aris focis that As for a matter of life and death Nothing is more sure then that wee cannot be sure of our Saluation What else meane those large Volumes touching the Apostasie of the Saints De Apostasia Sanctorum As if a man might be this day an Heyre of Heauen the next a firebrand of Hell This houre a member of Christ the next a limbe of Satan to Day
Woe to them that offend any of these little ones it were better that a Milstone were hanged about theyr neckes and that they were cast into the Sea Math. 18 6. Would to God that Romish Strumpet that hath dyed her Garments in the redde blood of the Saints Reu. 17 4 6. would but take this to hart and consider whateuer Massacres and Treacheries she intends for euill Gen. 50.20 shall be turned as Ioseph to his Brethren concerning their malicious proiects against his person to their Good I perswade my selfe out of very malice shee would cease to be malicious and out of very spight shee would cease to bee spightfull shee would intend them no Euill that she might do them no Good The maine vse of all is for Consolation Is the best still working for vs till we get Heauen What-euer changes or chances befall vs howeuer we be tumbled and tossed too and fro as a Leafe shaken with the winde or as the stubble scattered before the Whirle-winde Howeuer we may bee counted the Off-scouring of the world 1 Cor. 4 13 the scumme of the earth heere is our comfort this hard measure lastes but for a short season Wee are now labouring vnder the Bricke-killes in Aegypt Deut. 32.10 wee are now trauailing thorow a vast and Roaring Wildernesse no meruayle if we be stung with Fiery Serpents Euery day will bee better then other euery day we approach neerer Canaan then other Our light may bee ecclipsed for a time the Sunne will breake foorth Light is sowen for the righteous and ioy for the vpright of heart Psalme 97 11. He that leades vs into Temptation wil not suffer vs to be foyled in our Temptations Our crosses are Sanctified our flesh mortified sinne subdued Grace encreased our Glorie shall be perfected Heere is our Comfort in all our crosses losses in all troubles and tryals in all our dangers and distresses we are sure to come off faire and gaine by the Bargaine 2. Tim. 3.13 But it shall not bee so with the vngodly they waxe worse and worse deceyuing and being deceyued It is a sure rule in the Schooles Contraria iuxta se posita magis Elucescunt Contraries mutually opposed lend a lustre each to other I hope therfore it will not be altogether 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nor much beside our marke to shew you briefely and distinctly that as all things turne vnto the good of the Good so all things work the bane of the Bad. As all things further the Saluation of the one so all things helpe forward the Condemnation of the other The one like the Bee sucke good out of euill draw Hony out of the sowrest Herbe The other like the Spider sucke venom from the sweetest Flower and turne good into euill 〈◊〉 1.15 Nothing so Good which they corrupt not nothing so Holy which they defile not God he is the chiefe Good yet his Mercy makes them presume his Iustice driues them to dispayre his Grace they turne into Wantonnesse his Patience encreases their sinne and doubles their damnation while they treasure vp vnto themselues Wrath against the day of Wrath Rom. 2. verse 5. They feare him slauishly for his Greatnesse and hate him vnfeignedly for his Goodnesse If God the Father offer himselfe as a Creator they rebell against him If God the Sonne offer himselfe as a Redeemer they Crucifie the Lord of Glory to themselues dayly Heb. 6. verse 6. If God the holy Ghost offer himselfe as a Sanctifier they resist despight the Spirit of Grace Hebrew 10. verse 29. The Angels are vexed with beholding their abominations Magistrates serue for their Terror If thou do ill feare Rom. 14.4 for he beareth not the Sword for naught it is either to curb thee or to cut thee off Ministers are euer raking in their sores rubbing their gall'd backs which makes them kicke and winche storme and fume like Mad men What entertainement can they looke for but that Salutation with which Ahab welcommed the Prophet 1. Kings chap. 22. verse 8. 1 King 22.8 I hate this man because he neuer speakes good vnto me but euill Or as the Deuils greeted our Sauiour Marke 1. verse 24. Art thou come to torment vs before our time The Word of God is vnto them the Sauour of Death vnto Death 1 Cor. 2.16 this Light is as the shadow of death their sore eyes cannot endure the glaring of the Sunne The beating of those radiant beames on Ionahs head Ionah 4.8 neuer vexed him halfe so much as those heauenly Rayes which a edarted from the Sunne of Righteousnesse torments their harts You cannot deuise a greater plague then to let them fry in that flame So it fares with temporal good things Their Honour prooues but like the Stoole of Eli 1 Sam. 4.18 as a steepe Pinacle from whence they breake their neckes Make Saul a King he will proue a Tyrant make Balaam a Prophet he will proue a Wizard a Sorcerer make Iudas an Apostle he wil proue a Traitor a Deuill Their strength is peruerted and giues them an aduantage beyond their Neighbours to powre in strong drinke to follow after strange flesh and to shew them selues the Diuels Nazarites strong to shedde innocent bloud Their Beautie is set foorth as traps and snares to catch fooles By this Beagle they hunt for the precious Soule of a man Prou. 6.26 Their fauour with Great men is as a Sword put into a mad mans hand whereby they wound themselues him that gaue it him and all that comes neere them If those Beggers get on Horse-backe they take a pride to see their Masters Lacquey it on foot Let Haman bee promoted Ester 3.8.9 the Iewes must be crushed Ester 3. verses 8 9. Let Doeg insinuate into Saul Abimelech with his Brethren shall soone be cut off 1 Sam. 22 9 1 Sam. 22.9 Their Wealth makes them as churlish as Nabal as cruell as Diues not a crumme can bee spared for Lazarus As sottish as Ahashuerosh and Haman Ester 3.15 who fate surfetting and quaffing in the Pallace of Sashan when the Israel of GOD were weeping mourning in the Cittie Ester 3 verse 15. Their Wit makes them geering Ishmaelites and scoffing Iulianistes They vvill rather loose their Friend nay their Soule nay their God then their Iest and if all Trades fayle they can liue by their Wits Thus all Good things become euil to them much more all Euill The sinne of their first Parents is set vppon their score Originall Corruption strippes them of all Grace and Goodnesse renders them Slaues to Sinne Vassalles to Satan bindes them as it were in chaines to condemnation Lesser sinnes make way for Greater Grosse sinnes make them publike Scandals odious to God and man ten-fold more the Children of the Diuell Thereby their harts become hardned crusted 1 Tim 4 2. theyr Consciences seared as with hot Irons and themselues stigmatized with that Brand of Caine and of Iudas being