Downame - Houston-Packer Collection BX5133 .D76 C551 1608 v.1

76o Spirítmeillaifigliats no infalliblefignes ofGods hatred. uous than the afiliaions ofthe bodie; and that the torments ofconfcience caufed by theweight offinne, and the appre_ henfionofGods fearefull wrath, are as it were Gods three.. [}ringedwhip, in refpea ofthe gentle rodof outwardaffli_ &ions; for aforroafisllminddriethvp thebones,as it is Pro.' 7. i 2.and thef fiirit ofaman mayfasflaine his other infirmities, but awoundedfpirit mho can 6eare?as the Wife man fpeaketh,Pro. i8.i4.Neuertheles,though thefe correaionsare more (harp and grieuous,than the outward of lid}ions ofthebodie,yet it cannot be denied but that thefe alfo are the chaflifernents which our heauenlyFather inflié}eth vpon his children:fom_ times forhis owne glorie, and fometime for their triall or chaf}ifement,when more light corre6}ion will notreclairne them. For firs} thofe places ofScripture before quoted, are fpoken generallie ofall af8ió ionswhatfoeuer, and therefore arenot to be rearained to the outwardafflió}ions of thebo- dic, feeingtheyextend themfclues alfato the afílié}ions of themind; neither doth our heauenlie Father correa all a- like,but force he rebuketh onelie byhisword, andgoethno further when as this reclainieth them ; but ifthis will not preuaile, heegoeth a f}ep further, and chaltifeth themwith gentle correaion,as withoutwardcroffes andof liátions;but ifthis will notreforme them, hee takethhis whippe intohis hand, wherewith hee grieuouflie fcourgeth them,to the end theymay more fenfiblie talk ofhis difpleafure, and amend that which is ainiffe; and this he doth by making them feele the weight offinne,andapprehend his wrath and heauiedif- pleafure, which by their finnes theyhaue iuf}1y incurred;and yet notwithfiandingall thishe f}111 remaineth their gracious Father, who feekethnot theirdefiru&ionbut their reforma- tion.Neither need this dealingofour heauenlyFather feeme firange veto vs,feeingearthlie parents take the fame courfes with their children whom they tenderlie loue;for when they offend them, they firfi feeke their amendment bywordsand fatherly admonitions; and when this will doe no good they proceed to blowes,andb a gentle manner docorrea them; and ifthis preuailenot with them, then theyvfe more fhappe andLucre chaf}ifernent; but ifall this bee to no purpofe, then That ourfpiri- tuall afe6tions are no fguesof Godshatred. Pro. 17. It. Peo.18.14. Heb.1t.F.

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