;ccíßul aít1 And is henot gracious and merciful, and cloth not Mercy rejoyce againft judgment ? The meafure of Grace (as the 7ewifh Rabbins fay) is ever larger than the meafure of judgment, for one Croft we have many Blefngs. And (hall we receive good, much good at his hand, and not a little evil ? If we have his Heavenly Graces, how much may we bate of Earth and its Comforts ? if Sin, the greateft burden of all be taken off in a Pardon, may we not eafily bear the leffer ones ? Thus Mr.Greenbam told his Son in Law, complaining of his Croffes, When Affli6iion lyetb heavy, Sin lyeth light : If guilt press not, any thing may be born, nay, is not he gracious and merciful in the very Affliction ? Doth he not fupport with one hand, whileft he finites with another ? St.Paul glories in his Infirtnites,Ihat the power of Chriff may refs' upon him, 2 Cor. 12. 9. And the No- ble Potamenia being threatned to be cafe into a Spond. Ve(fel of burning Pitch, begged, That ¡he might Annal' not be cart in all at once, but piece -meal, that they Ann. 320> might fee how much Patience the unknown Chrzjt had given unto her ; and icth he not male all work, together for good ? What are the iffues of Afi1ion to Believers, but the purgation of Sins, trials of Grace, peaceable fruits of Righ- teoufnefs, and inward joys and experiences of Gods Goodnefs ? Let Faith but call up the reckoning, and it will appear, That he afftiá s us in Love and Faithfulnefs, and therefore it muff needs be well taken ; the wounds of filch Friend being better than the kiffes of the 319
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=