the E a le to the Romans. Veríe 26,zß. p. 97 She ff fh is weak; Secondly, afHi &ions ons, z Tim. 3: 12. tkefe places prove and croffes inward and outward, be- alto that other infirmities which be but cauft thefe ferve to declare our weak- effects and confequences of finfull in- neffe as trials of it.Thirdly,perturbati- firmities, are likewife common to all on & vexation of fpirit,arifingthrough Chriflians.It appeareth alto by reafon the greatneffe of croffes and tribulati- grounded upon holy Scripture ; for ons; whence it is, that even the faithful lince our fan&ification is imperfe &,and themfelves are void of counfell often- our life a warfare, and Satan and the times, and know not which way to world have leave given them to tempt; turn them :as it fared with lehofaphat, when three nationsbanded againft him, and with Elifraes fervant when he law therefore it cannot be, but that all be- leevers mutt be liable to infirmities of all forts,fo long as they live het`e. the Aramites hoft. T i na. But hoar then is it written, that T i vs. What is meant by the word Chriff bath healed all our infirmities ? Mat. [Help ?] 8.17. Efay 53.45. S 1 L. It would be better tranflated S i L. Chrift hath taken and healed [helpeth together :] for it is a fpcech bor- our infirmities of fin , by removing rowed from two or more perlons , which being to take or lift up fome from us the guilt and curfe,but not the corruption : and ofaflliEtions, by fan - heavy burthen, do mutually one help &ifying them unto us, that they may another, by ftanding one over againft not be punifhments, but tryals and another,each at one end of the burthen: others take it to be a metaphor taken exercifes unto us.Secondly, in the end, at the day of-die refurre&ion, we (hall from tick perfons, or infants, or old be wholly and fully freed from all rotten houfes, which cannot Rand un- infirmities,both fins and tears ; in the leffe they be propped up. The meaning mean fpace they are left remaining in of the Apofile is, that the faithfull are the Saints,for excellent good purpofes many times. fo faint under the burthen and u fes. of the croffe, as, that they would lan. T 1 n-: Tellusthen what rife we are to guifh,if the holy Spirit of God did not make ofourinfirmities, and of the Voíirine fupport them mightily by an efpeciall concerning them ? aid and prefence, as it were handing S 1 L. It is no fmall comfort to over againft them, to bear the burthen Gods children being under infirmities with them that they fink not. of all forts, that none are exempted. If Ti Ni. What Doeirines will arife from Chrift would have his Apoftles to be the words thusexpounded? comforted with this, that fo the ,Pro - S i L. Two: the firft do&rine is,that phets were perfecuted, Mat. 5. i 1, 12. all men (none exempted, no not the then let every Chriftian that bath any Apofiles themfelves) are fubje& to all affli &ion, labour to make this his coni- manner of infirmities in this life, out- ward and inward, as appeareth in this, that the Apoftle faith [Our infirmities,] fort, that others are fo dealtwithall, r Pet.5.9. Secondly, by the knowledge and fènfe of thefe infirmities, the pray- putting himfelf in the number ofthofe ers of Gods children are much whet - who are liable to weakneflcs. It appea- ted and quickned, alto their faith and reth alto by the teftimony of Scripture, witneffing, that in many things we fin patience much tryed, as gold is tryed in the furnace, 1 Pet. T. 7. 2 Corr 2.8. all,7am. 3.2. i King.8. 46. i lob. 5.7. Laftly,they ferve greatly to humblethe Thefe places prove finful infirmities to faithfull, and to corre& the vain pride be common to all ; and where it is of their hearts, z Cor. 12. 7. left after written, that we are to enter into the the example ofPeter forgetting his in- kingdome of heaven through many firmities, they do fall into fecurity, by tribulations ,AEi.14.zz.and that hethat.i prefuming too much on their own will live godly muff fuffer aflli &i- ftrength : and very certain it is , that when-
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=