Ver. 3. the E pi file to the Romans. S r L. Firft, that Gods children are fubje& to troubles in this world. Se- condly, the troubles of Gods children are helpers of their joy. T r M. Of what forts are she trouble' of the faitbfull ? S t L. Of two forts: force be com- mon to them with other men of the world. Some be proper and peculiar to godly themfelves. Thefe common af- fli &ions or troubles, are ficknefle , po- verty, reproach, famine, plague, warre, banifhnaent, pain, anguifh, and fisch like. Thefe common troubles they all come from God, who is the author of all of hil;ions: for there is no evil in the City, but the Lord hash done it, Amos 3.6. Secondly, they come by meanes of our lins. Man fuffereth for lin, Lam. 3. Thirdly, to the end, to correec for finne pail, to prevent finne to come, to hum- ble for finneprefent, to make tryall of patience, to whet our prayers, to teach us love and compall-ton towards others. Secondly, the proper and peculiar trou- bles, they be either fuch as happen for righteoufneffe fake, that is, for a good caufe,namely,for defence of the truth,or for wel- doing; thefe troubles be cal- led perfecutions. Or fuch foul- af$i&i ons as arife from the apprehenfion of Gods fierce wrath for finne, which is called confli& of confcience. Thefe of hi &ions doe arife from the weak mire of faith, diftruftingGods promifes and mercies : and alto from the malice of Satan,aggravating their finnes and Gods Juflice. The reafon why God cloth thus aflli& his children, is, firfi, for a more efpeciall triall of their faith,alfo by their conftancy to ftrengthen others which be weak, and to reprove the wicked world. Laftly, for the greater manife flation of Gods glory , who maketh known his power in their infirmity, 2 Cor. r 2. Now as concerning the ufe of this, it is to warne us to look for al- fli &ions, and that every foul is to pre- pare for tribulations, as Mariners pre pare againft a form, and Souldicrs a- gainst the day of battell. Thus the godly have prepared them- (elves for troubles, and being under 135 them have rejoyced ; 'examples thereof in the Apoffles, Aels 5.41. the beice- ving Hebrews, Heb. io. and the bleffed Martyrs. True it is indeed, that fome of Gods Children have been heavy and fad forafiliftions, as David, Nehemiah, ]ercmy, and Job ; but yet they are joy - full too; their outward man was heavy, their inwardis joyfull ; one man at one time may have contrary affe &ions in divers refpees, both lädneffe and joy. T t m. Tea, but tribulations, are evil I IS r L. They be fo ; howbeit Gods Children rejoyce in them, not as they are evil, but as by the clemency of God they are made good and profitable ; for all things work for .good to them. Rom. 3. 28. For firft by them God fbeweth forth his power and goodnefs in them, by defending, fnpporting and comforting his children. Secondly, our daily faults are corrè&ed by them, and we provoked to amendment of our fin- full lives,i Cor.se. Thirdly, they pull down our pride and haughtinefsof na- ture,Job 33. 16,17. Fourthly, they re- (train the wanton lafcivioufnefs of the herb. Fifthly,our fluggifhnefs and floth is (haken off by afili &ions. Sixthly, they difcover our weaknefre of firength for humbling us, Pfalm 39. r r. Scvcnthly, they put us in rcmembranc; of our mortality, being meffengers and fore. ru nners of death. Eightly, by mean es of afll coons, many confeffions of faith arewrung out of us. Ninthly, byaf li- ¿tions,the malice of Satan and the world are better known and avoided, as in Jobs afflieionss Tcnthly,they ftirre up theminde to more fervent prayers,Pfal. 39.12. Lafily, they exercife and work encreafc of patience, experience, hope : hence it is that the godly take matter of comfort,even in their grievous evils. Tr m. What ale mu) be made of this whole d &Urine concerosingtroubles? S I L. It doth teach us, that a true beleever is an happy and joyful! man in every efrate;. therefore all fhould covet to be fuch. Secondly, this doarint cor- reð the opinion of the woridlings, who think it an unhappy .shing to he affli &ed, and thofé men accurfed which N 2 be
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