54 Qiaeliions,alidCafes ofCasfcience about 4fli6iions. Chap.7 I V. Fourthly, in that the Holy Ghoi+ is prefent with us, and powerfully of ifteth and comfor teth us in all our affid}ions, whereby we are enabledboth to bear and overcome, (Mat. S. z4: Exod. z.23. aKd 14. Io. 'Pfal. 118.18. 2Cor. 4. 8, 9. Alm. 8.35. 2 Cor. 1. 5, 7. PP/. 94. t 9. wed 46. 4. and that he gives firength alfo, See Ifa,. 4o. 29, 30, 31. Pfal. 41. 1, 3. 2 Thef, 3. 3. Ij' 41. 1 0, 13, 14. Pfal. 46.1, 2, 3. GN( ufes to moderateour grief for world- ! V. Jy Fifthly, by giving affli&sfpiritual s no more then isneceffary ef for hisown glory and our falvarion. For 1. He takes no delight in our fufferings, but ufes all means to prevent ourpunilLment, La ;. 3.33. Ifa. 28. 21. Mich. 7. 18. 2. The meafure of our afflictions exceeds not neceflìty, and therefore firlî he corre c}s us gently , and if that prevail, he proceeds no fur- ther. ¡ 3. By Gods corrections and medicineswe may guelfe at the greatneffe of our faules and rievbus difeafes, 4. Our treat afflielions argue that our tins are great, either in their own nature, or as they are aggravated by circumftances. ' I. Sixthly, (kris love appears in the ends of our afflrdtrons, whichare his own glo y, and our _.00d. For the fitft, 1 rt. As aSouldier, behaving himfelf valiantly in fight, the honour returnes aJfó to his Captain : fowhen we fight manfully againft temptations and afflilions, Gol our General is glorified thereby : and thatin the mani- fellation of his power andgoodneffe, affiliingus in our afflictions, zCor. 12.9. and 4. 7. Pf. 44.3, 5, 6, 7, 8. 2 Cor. zo. 17. If r. 25.3,4. ISam. 2.6. ?fal. 5o. t 5. z. God is glorified in our affliélions, as they are trials of our fpiritual gra- ces, john 21. 19. Pfal. 44.22. Thirdly, that God by our affli&ions Both much advance the good of cur neighbours, and that 1. As they learn by them to feare God in his judgments, r 'Pet. 4.17. 2. As they ferve to rellrain them from committing the like fin, which they fee punifhed in us : Thus God feverely chaflened Mofes and Aaron for their dillruft, that others might beaware of the like : foDavid for his adultery : Lou wife for lookingback, Luke 17.32. Sot Cor. 10.6,1 T. 3. As they ferve to manife(t Gods graces in us, and fo make us examples of piety untothem, and Pre fidents for theirimitation. So vlbrahams trial in of- fering Ifaac, Gen. 22.2. Mofeswas tried both with profperity and adverfity, FI.G. is. 25. So jam. 5. II. Ails 5. 41. Jam. 5. 8, Io. Mat. 5. 12. Phil. t. 13, 14. 4. As they are Partners of humane frailty, whilefl inour afflidtions we bewray impatience : For this will comfort a man whenhe beares his Croffe with much weakneffe andimperfee-tion, in that he obferves that Gods dear children, yea, and great Worthies have(hewed the like frailty, as job 3. fer. 20.18. 5. As theyare occafioned hereby to acknowledge and magnifie Gods power, appearing in our weakneffe, hiswifdom in our foolilhne(fe,and his goodncffe,and the vertue of his graces In our frailty, and naturalcorruption, 2 Cor..t.I s, 6. As our hearts are made tender by afflietions, io that we are apt topity others in the like miferics : as alto becaufe after weare delivered, we are the bet- ter able fromour own experience, tocomfort others, with thole confalations, wherewith ourselves have been comforted. So l'fal. 34. 4, 5. 2 Cor.1.4. So it was in Chrift, Heb.z. t 8. Quefl. How will it appear that afiaiont cannot hurt the children of God? a.4nfw.'
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=