OUR first Encounters with Life, are Tears and Bonds; and the next Lesson we are afterwards to learn, is to take up our Cross, and fol­low him, whose whole life, was a Life of suffering from the Cradle to the Grave, and from his Birth to his Burial.

Desarts and Mountains were the Schools of the Prophets, and wild honey the diet of Him, who (by the Testimony of the Son of God) was the greatest of those that were born of women. They loved their Sack-cloth, more then their Silks, and the watching of their Body, was the Sleep of their Soul. Neither was there any stop between them and heaven in the pouring out of their mournfull speeches, and wrestling Prayes; and though no day arose without its Cloud, yet did they no way value the blowes and frownes of a stormy world, having once attain'd the true Olympus, whose Ayr was so calm and clear.

It was well said of a School- Divine, That the Tears of the righteous, were the smiles of their soul. When the Marble weeps, it washeth away the Dust. In our chiefest sorrow (which should be for sin) is healing; penitential Tears being the oyl of the Sanctuary: why then should we make it our study to shun that sorrow, which will save us from [Page 2]destroying? As Pliny calls Sickness, the Sum of Philosophy [if we could but perform that in our health, which we then promise] So Afflictions are the best Remedy, to make us know our selves, when we are in the full Career of worldly Pompe.

Stars never shine more glorious, then when they are near Dark Clouds: Without Afflictions and Tryals, God will not be familiar with us. Those Trees which are not pruned, will first leave to bear, and then die. Yea, Nature it self, would decay and perish, if not dressed, and purified by the same hand that first made her. He that is not favoured with Crosses and Visitations, is (by St. Paul) ac­counted no Heir of the heavenly Jerusalem. With­out Diseases, we know not the benefit of a Physi­cian; and God often useth to visit us with his cor­rections, that he himself may become a Cordial. Before I was afflicted I went a stray (saith that Prince­ly Prophet) And sure there is none of Gods Rods that we can well want. The waters of Bethesda healed not untill the Angel had stirred them; and though worldly Tears be the waters of Marah, yet there is a Tree to sweeten them.

Thus are we chatechiz'd for Eternity; 'tis that which all the Fathers so often inculcate; 'tis that which all the Saints have found the benefit of. Gods house of Correction was their School of Instruction. The justest man [then alive] was fought against by his Terrors, Job 6.4. He that walked before him in truth, and with a perfect heart, had his bones broken by the anger of the Almighty, Isa, 38.13. Yea, the man after Gods own heart, was so wasted with [Page 3]grief, as that, His moisture was turned into the drought of summer, Psal. 32.3, 4. Nay, his own son [though without sin] must bleed upon the Cross, and those whom he hath chosen for himself, be tryed in the Furnace of Affliction, Isa. 48.10.

The Dung-hill of this world, will annoy thee, while thou dwellest in this house of clay. The just have not only an Egypt of sin to encounter with, but Israel even in Canaan is not in rest. Nay, our Saviour himself, first tasted the bitter Gall of the unmercifull Cross, before he eat of the Hony-comb. It is thus that our Sorrows must be turned into Sweets. The corn is not separated but by threshing, nor men drawn nearer to heaven by worldly impe­diments so much as by tribulation.

Sharp Sauces beget good Appetites; and the Thorns (at last prove Roses, in the same place, where inno­cence hath sighed so much.

But oh! how basely do we startle at every trou­ble? How do we endeavour to dry up those Tears, before they have sufficiently cleansed our filthiness? whereas Afflictions should not be resisted, but with great Pre-caution. What part soever God hath ap­pointed us, we must be contented to act it faithfully. If it be long, it is usually light; if grievous, it can­not last, Dies dolorem minuit, time will wear it out; we can never loose our selves in the pure and inno­cent Tracts of vertue. Grave nihil est homini, quod fert necessitas, that which is necessary cannot be any way burthensom.

Besides, It is Gods Prerogative, and not thine, [Page 4]to chuse thy condition; whither to be sick or heal­thy; a mourner, or afflicted. Is it his pleasure to to make thee the Drunkards Song, or a Reproach to Abjects; envy not those Shimeis, which thus rail on thee, considering whose doing it is; bite not the stone, but look unto him that throwes it; keep close to thy Station, and thou shalt find no small comfort at last; patience will digest thy misery. Sure all is not lost; after a little forbearance, we shall come out from these vapours of Calumnie, as the Sun out of a Cloud at noon-day.

The Afflictions of man (I confess) are more moving then of any other creature, for he only is a stranger here. All things else are at home: but Ardua florifera Crux, The painfull Cross shall at last be crowned with Palms and Flowers. A joyfull heart will (at last) prove the fruit of his innocence, though grief and sorrow be the Bud and Prim-rose thereof; our Mansion is in heaven, where our Savi­our is gone to prepare a place for us.

The Martyrs were wont to mitigate their pain, with the thought of home, and immortality; eve­ry punishment (as Tiburtius faith) being poor, where a good conscience keeps us company. When we shall be freed from this dark Lant-horn of flesh and frailty, and when we shall be raised from death, we shall not grieve so much, because the joyes of this life were not real, as we shall rejoyce, because they were none at all.

That lump of misery (holy Job) whose spirit was nothing but patience, as his body was nought but Sores, retained alwayes his Affections in an equal [Page 5]Resignation, Came I naked into of the world? so shall I go out, Job 1.21. There is as much valour to be shewed in a Bed as in an Army: But alas! though we cannot avoid Evils, how are we afraid to bear them!

Indeed, we interpret out Afflictions amiss, and therefore are cast down; we take every whipping to be an effect of Anger, when it is a sign of Love. God makes us sick in our body, to cure some disease in our Soul. Can we attain to Tabor, before we pass by Calvary? Shall we not first tast Gall with our Saviour, before we receive the sweet benefits of his blessed Resurrection? Ah! is there any such precious thing to be gotten in the world, that we should forsake Jesus in the wilderness of Temptati­on, and please our selves in the vain and transito­ry hopes of our own unbridled Fancies? How do we know whither in desiring to be delivered from Affliction, we do not ask of God to take away a gift, which is necessary to our salvation? seeing that Malady, or Affliction, which makes us di­state worldly pleasures, gives us a disposition to tast the joyes of Heaven.

The brave and happy men of this world enjoy their wishes, but their Ship doth perish in the har­bour, as it is sporting; whereas God [by his infi­nite Providence] gives Tempests to his Elect, that he may work a miraculous Calm, by his Almighty Power. And though the waters seem to reserve their choler, to vent it only upon the Ship which carries just persons, yet is it alwayes accompanied with that happy and comfortable voice, It is I, be not afraid.

[Page 6] God takes off his own people from the ilness of their wayes, By hedging them up with Thorns, Hos. 2.6. But it is to bring them into a Bed of Roses, and by the wormwood of this world to shew the sweetness of himself. He is pleased to draw the Instruments of his Power out of the Objects of our Infirmities: where he comes, the Tempest ceaseth; and they know Jesus very ill, who (with his Di­sciples) in the Storms of Affliction, take him for an Illusion, and cry out for fear of his presence, which should make them most rejoyce.

Affliction opens the eyes of man, and makes him come to himself, that he may the better return to God; and it is a great offence to break that glass, which representeth us to our selves, by a friendly correction. Why should I be afraid to shew my heart stark naked to him, whose Arrowes no soon­er pierce, but heal; who tells us, Afflictions and Scourges in this life, are like to be our portion. And shall we think to speed better then our Ma­ster? who at last intends us a Crown, will turn our water into wine; and (according to Sampsons, Ridle) Out of the Eater shall come meat, and out of the strong sweetness. David had forty years Reign for seven years Banishment: and Joseph (though thirteen years under a Cloud, through false im­prisonment) reigned fourscore years a King in Aegypt. And surely Gods ends are no other, then to wean us from the world, to draw us nearer to himself; to humble and to prove us, that he may do us good at the later end, Deut. 8.16.

[Page 7] Oh Happy Afflictions to keep the heart plia­ble, and tender towards our God! yea thrice happy is he who can say (with the Prophet) Re­membring mine Affliction, and my misery; the wormwood and the Gall; my soul hath them still in Remembrance, and is humbled in me. Lam. 3.19, 20. And hence is it that the Apostle also bids us, Call to remembrance the former dayes in which after we were illuminated, we endured a great fight of afflicti­ons: partly whilest we were made a gazing stock both by reproaches and afflictions, Hebrews 10.32, 33.

God is thus pleased to mind us of the frailty of our condition, since when we are in Prosperity, we are ready to kick the heel, and forget him. Where did Adam take his Fall, but in Paradice [the midst of the Trees of pleasure?] Where is the poor Bee more subject to be drowned, then in a Pot of honey? Neither are we ever nearer a Surfeit, then in the midst of Delicacies.

We find Flowers to be ever sweetest after a Shower, yea to drop the sweetest water, when fire is under them. The Gold loseth its dross by refining, and the Corn its Chaffe by the Flail. Who then would not be willing to be under Gods pruning knife, that he may bring forth more fruit? John 15.2. Who would not be content to sit (with Job) on the Dung-hill, bereav'd of all his goods and comforts, when they shall be redoubled; yea not only to receive manifold more in this life, but everlasting life hereafter? Luk. 18.30. Surely none (me thinks) should repine to drink of [Page 8]Christs Cup here, since at last it will be sweetned with such good Ingredients.

It was the saying of one, that all the pleasures injoyed by all men of the world, were not worth one hours in Heaven; the thought whereof made that great Marquess Galeaceus Caracciolus (though rich, and of much esteem in the world) so strongly to with-stand those, who tempted him to return to his own Countrey. Alas! (said he) let their riches perish with them, who esteem all the gold in the world, worth one dayes society with Jesus Christ, and his holy Spirit!

Answerable whereunto is that sweet and hea­venly language of the Apostle; I account not (saith he) the Afflictions of this life, worthy to be compa­red with the glory which shall be revealed in us, Rom. 8.18. Yea, He esteemed all things but loss, for the excellency of Christ, for whom he had suffered the loss of all things, accounting them but dung, that he might win Christ, Phil. 3.8. He well knew, that comfort was not the standing dish of a Christian in this life; nor Cordials to be fit, but for those that are fainting.

Raw flesh (saith a Reverend Bishop) is noisome to the stomack, and yields no good nourishment be­fore it be sodden; so are we to God, before we are soked and boiled in Afflictions. Christ died, and bled, and wept for our souls, and shall not we suf­fer a little with him, since it is especially for our own advantage at last? Which of the Saints of the world, was without Crosses and Tribulations, and shall we think to escape that which no man could ever avoid?

[Page 9] The Disciple it seems made too much hast back from the Sepulcher to find Christ, Joh. 20.10, 11. but Mary standing there weeping, saw her Saviour. And certainly, he that sigheth not here with him, as a Pilgrim, shall never rejoyce with him here­after as a Citizen. Was it not he (our Captain) who shew'd us the way? He that could make Ora­tors out of those that were speechless, had nor one word to say against the Revilers. He which could command Frogs and Flies to overthrow mighty Ar­mies, would not have one Disciple to draw his Sword. He that was without spot by his unparal­lel'd Sufferings, took away our stains, and through his innocency anvanc'd the Standard of the Cross. He that was the Fountain of Glory, descended to the lowest abasements. He that had life at com­mand, was ravished by the Object of his death, and transported by the Idea of his Sufferings.

Shall we not then love that Cross, which he hath cherished as his Spouse? Surely, we shall never be worthy of him, untill we bear, as well the Ensigns, of his War, as the Ornaments of his peace.

Let our care be, that we suffer not for evil doing which is the way not to carry the Cross of our Lord, but of the bad Thief. Neither-be thou troubled for suffering for thy Innocency, which is greater honor, then to suffer for a direct Offence. Christ was not the less the King of Heaven, for suffering himself to be crowned with Thorns in this world; nor his Servants the worse, for the Reproaches of his ene­mies, which he long since told them they must ex­pect.

[Page 10] The Viper would sooner light upon St. Paul, then the Barbarian; Neither do Pirates use to set upon empty Ships, but pursue those which are richly loa­den. Satan is quiet with those that he hath got in­to his possession; his Temptations are a sign that God loves, where he hates; and though he should winnow thee with the Fan, and bruise thee with the Flail, yet thy faith shall not fail: but at last be sure the Salt-sea of thy Tears shall become a flou­rishing Field, as it did to Gods people of old. The Cloud which appeared to Ezekiel, carried with it storms, and winds, but it was withall incompassed with a golden Circle; to teach us, that Storms of Afflictions, are at last accompanied with bright­ness and felicity; and the greatest losses with the best advantages.

Our Saviour chose the places of delight for suffer­ing of pains, and never looked upon those dainty Sweets, but to draw out of them most bitter Sor­rows. Gardens indeed were made for Recreations, but our Saviour there finds only Desolation; The Plants whereof did groan, the Roses seemed flowers of death, and the Springs belonging to them, fountains of Tears, sweat, and blood. Heaven wore mourning on the Cross, all the Citizens of heaven wept over his Torments; The Earth qua­ked, the stones rent themselves, Sepulchers open­ed, the dead arise; only Jesusdies immovable upon his Thron of patience.

Who then alas! can chuse, but be astonished at the tranquillity of his Spirit, that amongst those great convulsions of the world, which accompanied [Page 11]him all his life, and moved all about the Cross at his death: amongst such bloody dolours, insolent cries, and unsufferable Blasphemies [bleeding, weeping, and praying] he should shew such a sereni­ty of Spirit in the very gulf of Afflictions, to which all the sufferings in the world, are but so many Flea­bitings.

This (indeed) was that bloody Sacrifice, which hath been expected from all Ages. And what soul is not ravished with admiration, and carried be­yond it self, to behold those spectacles of horrour, that bottom of endless goodness and mercy! Its a great way of Remedy, Similes aliorum respice casus, mitius ista feres; to compare our condition with those, whose sufferings we find to be greater.

And can we think on a deeper Pattern of griefes and sorrow? what though we receive no comfort from the Creature, is it not enough that we have it from the Creator? The infusion of the least piece of his Cross [I mean a true interest in his merits and Passion] being able to make the bitterest afflictions of this world to become sweet and plea­sant. And can we think on that depth of gries and sorrow his soul was in, when he cryed out, My God! my God! why hast thou forsaken me? praying three times, when his soul was heavey unto the death, that the cup might pass from him; and shall not we suffer a little for his sake?

Mingle then thy Sighs with the sufferings of thy Saviour; and O what sweetness shalt thou find in Afflictions! Lay all thy sortows on him, who was not only the greatest of Sufferers, but is the best of [Page 12] Physicians. Cast thy self at the feet of his mercy, who commanded us to deny our selves, shewing us the way of taking up our Cross, and our Thorns shall then become Roses, in the same place where thou hast sighed so much: and out of their sharpness shall we compose a Crown of Glory. Make thy ca­lamities familiar with thee, whereby they will be­come the less troublesom; avoid the effect, or disanull the cause, with a mature Judgement, and arm thy self against all such violent incursions, as may invade thy mind.

Thy Saviour wrought out thy salvation in an E­state of Baseness, and oughtest not thou [in thy way to glory] to be conformable to thy head, and pass through an Estate of misety? we are chosen to a portion of Afflictions, as well as to Grace and Glory; Whosoever will live godly in Iesus, must suffer persecution; and therefore to frame a Religi­on that hath no trouble with it, is to frame an Idol.

Happy sure are they then, who improve all ad­vantages to advance their chiefest good; who la­bour to grow better by Crosses, as well as blessings, & learn to make a sanctified use of every thing: which I confess it is no easie thing to flesh and blood, seeing Religion is a Mystical and spiritual thing, and the Tenents thereof seem Paradoxes to carnal men; as that a Christian is the only free man, whilest other men are slaves; that he is the only rich man, though never so poor in the world; that he is the only Beautifull man, though (outwardly) never so de­formed; that he is of great esteem, though never so much reviled, reproacht and defam'd; and that [Page 13]he only is the happiest man, who can rejoyce in the midst of his miseries.

And as Children deal with nuts, so should wise men with Afflictions, to break the shell, and eat the Kernel. The Rod indeed hath a voice, and we ought to hear it; but where God strikes with his Rod, he supports with his Staffe. The Diamond (if intervening the Load-stone) hinders its action; so the sweetness of Affliction (if sanctified by the Au­thor thereof) shall work for good (as shall all things else) to those that fear him. The Barren woman wisheth for the hour of Child-bearing, which though painfull, is but short, and afterwards joyfull.

And is it not very convenient that in this world the punishment should be greater then the Reward, to let us know, that in the other, the Reward shall be greater then our Sufferings. Never had we been happy, if we had not been miserable; Periisses, nisi periisses; had we not been thus sick, we had died. Infelicity brings us this happiness, to make the rest of our life the Sweeter, and our expectation here­after the greater.

Temptation and misery is that which only tries a Christian (as Sea-men are) in the Tempests of this world. Vulnus non penetrat animam, A wound hurts not the soul. Neither is Affliction other then the Cross, and Hammer to beat Repentance the nearer to our heart; it being Gods end [who is the Author of our distress, and whose Almighty power (guided by a most wise Providence, tempered with a fa­therly love, intends nothing at last, but what may work for his glory, and our good] thus to deal [Page 14]with us, lest we should take the place of our banish­ment here for our Countrey, and the Earnest of our Inheritance for a full payment.

The world (indeed) brings us pleasures in golden Cups, and like the Strumpet (the wise man mentions) whose lips drop honey, and whose words are sweeter then oyl, but her feet go down unto death, and many strong men have been slain by her, Pro. 5.3, 5. Our great Adversary first brings us on the Pinacle (with our Saviour) promising us, all that we can see, but all this while takes advantage against us. But Gods dealing is otherwise, he first gives us Corrosives, be­fore he administer his Cordials; he first humbles be­fore he exalts us: untill at last, he gives us occasion to say with that princely Prophet, Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; thou hast put off my Sack-cloth, and girded me with gladnesse, Psalm 30.11.

Let Patience then so far perfect it self, as to make us willing to look as well upon our Sufferings as de­lights.

Use renders all things easie; and that which in the beginning seems full of trouble and affright­ment, becomes a pleasure in the end. Poyson kills, and yet how have some been nourished thereby? Holy Job having encountred with an Army of furi­ous Evils, and languishing upon a Dung-hill (the very sink of corruption and uncleanness) under grievous Ulcers and Diseases; and after the loss of all his Children and substance, was not at all affright­ted, but played with the worms, and made that which his uncharitable friends esteemed for ven­geance [Page 15]and misery, to be his meditation and mirth. While he retained his Integrity, he could not miss of joy: and though Corruption was his Father, the worms his mother, and soars had throughout encom­passed him, yet through this loathsom Veil-shin'd the beautifull and healing hand of a mercifull God.

Weak then was that saying of Democritus, It is good to learn what to suffer, but not to suffer them. Evils indeed fore-seen lose much of their Edge. But of a more Heroick Temper seemed that Speech of Bion, It is a great evil not to be able to bear Evils; a good man by his Conflicts being made a Spectacle to the world, to men, and to Angels, and by an en­during patience and over-comming sufferance, not only receives the glorious Olive Branch, but wearies the hands of those that beat him.

One of the Philosophers being highly provoked to impatience; Ah! (said he) vex me as much as thou canst, thou shalt never make me to give thee an ill word. How wholesome then is that pati­ence and innocent forbearance which prevents sin and sorrow [the consequent of it] whereas it would prove but an ill course, Clavum expellere clavo, to right one injury by offering another? Revenge ne­ver conquers malice, which you must overcome with goodness.

The Heathen could say, that the Gods were well pleased to see good men contending with Adversity. Art thou then contemned, rejected, despised of the world? art thou forsaken of thy friends, & do thy kin­dred stand gazing on thee afar off? yet comfort thy [Page 16]self, go on merrily: as it was said of Agar in the wilderness, God sees thee, he takes notice of thee; and as he can relieve, so he will (in time) vindicate thee. If thou canst but find faith to believe it, he will find means to effect it.

A Tyrant (as the Ancients held) was the best Sacrifice to Jupiter; and his best Object was a con­tented mind. Our Sufferings are but toies, (saith Seneca) Behold (saith he) a Spectacle worthy of God, a man patient, and contented with his E­state.

The poor Sheep is patient as well when the Fleece is shorn, as when it groweth upon her back; and shall not we be patient, when we meet with Crosses, as well as when we receive Blessings? Shall we not lay our mouth in the dust, and be silent, when we meet with evil from that hand, which makes us to abound with all good, when we injoy all, and when we are stript of all. If thou canst not now indure so little, how wilt thou be able to suffer Eternal Flames hereafter? If a little suffering make thee impatient, what will hell fire do in ano­ther world?

Assure thy self, thou shalt not have two Paradises. It is impossible to enjoy the delights and pleasures of the world, and to Reign with thy Saviour in hea­ven. Now are thy pains profitable, thy tears ac­ceptable, and thy sighs and groans audible; yea a thousand years of the sharpest pennance here, far less then one hours grief hereafter.

If then the divine Providence think it fit, to write bitter things against thee; if he please to keep thee [Page 17]from putrefaction, by steeping thee in brinish Tears of the Sea of this world, be not dismayed; for how should God wipe away thy Tears in Heaven, if on earth thou shed them not? or how should heaven be the place of our Rest, if that on earth we were not troubled?

He to whom in all our pressures, dangers, and Af­flictions, we ought to have recourse, and from whose hand rewards are to be expected, can turn our chains of Iron into silver. When St. Paul wisheth much hap­piness unto Felix, he reserved his Bonds and Im­prisonments to himself, Acts 26.28. Those golden fetters he thought too worthy, or else a burthen too heavy for Felix to undergo.

Whatsoever falls upon us from the hand of the Almighty, is a Diamond. Content [which was Saint Pauls Elixir] turns the rudest mettal into smooth and ductible gold. Heaven doth not alwayes own and prosper its own quarrel; but makes our enemies oftentimes to assail us hardly; seeking in our losses the revenge of our sins, or increase of our patience; & many are the Ship-wracks where into the wind of fortunate Success would other wayes carry us.

Neither (since prosperous Victories (if ill manag­ed) bring forth more damage with them, then defeat­ments do) should we unavisedly question that Provi­dence, which watcheth over all our Designs: there be­ing not more stars in the firmament, then their are eyes over all our Actions. And if God seem sometimes to sleep in the midst of our mise­ries, it is to the end to save us with more wonder, & make more evident Tastimonies of his love, snrely [Page 18] Innocence is not alwayes a shelter; the vertuous of­ten die with thirst, whilest others more undeser­ving, surfeit with earthly blessings, and as well abu­sing the benefits, as provoking the Justice of their Creator.

A day will come, which will put our condition in­to a better fortune: God only for a time shewing himself with the malice of the wicked, as we use to deal with Serpents, from whom we take their venome, and crush their heads. He can make the flesh of Vipers to assist in Cordials; he can make our weak­nesses also to be strength only for a time: he puts his marks upon us, lest we should straggle from him.

The heats of Affliction are but the chafing of the Wax, to seal us to him. These Spots are but the Letters wherein he writes his own Name, and con­veyes himself unto us. If he please to send us Sickness, let us esteem our spiritual health before that of the body. It was St. Johns wish, That Gaius might prosper in health, even as his soul prospers. For if the soul be lean, the body is amiss, and if the Soul wither, the verdure of the body is but an Illusion, and the godliest man but a fearfull Ghost.

Is this thy body then wearied with Afflictions? No matter, so thy soul be at peacefull Rest. The Spouse said, I sleep, but my soul waketh. The Inno­cent is no way able to lose his joy, neither the guilty able to receive any Comfort. If thy course Robes trouble thee, remember the swadling Cloths of thy Saviour. If thy Bed uneafie, yet it is not worse [Page 19]then his Manger. And yet [besides all this] he suffered all the pains and forrows which we de­served.

Expect not then to be more gently treated, then the best and wisest of men, then the Apostles and Saints, nay, then the Son of the Eternal God, the Heir of both the worlds, and the Lord of men and Angels, who was also the King of Sufferings. But all this being well considered, thou hast great reason to sit down, and warm thy self by thy own fire; and feed upon content at home, when thy little misfortune troubles thee.

And this thou shalt the more easily do: if thou survey all the States and Families of the world, and if thou enlarge thy thoughts, by thinking, how that in the most beauteous and splendid Fortune, so ma­ny cares and interruptions are to be found: and that however Poverty and hardships fasten not on the Favourites thereof, yet Sickness and innume­rable Cares are still at their heels: yea, the chief Prince or Protector of a Nation, sits often times upon a Tribunal with great Ceremony and ostentati­on, and yet something in his Breast causeth him to sigh deeply.

But methinks, I hear thee say, is the Glory of heaven no perfecter in it self, but that it needs a foil of Depression and Ingloriousness to set it forth in this world? Is the joy of heaven no perfecter in it self, but that it needs the sowerness of this life to give it a tast? No surely, this is the course which those glorious souls which now inhabit Eternity, have taken. Tum maxime cum novitas excitat pala [Page 20]Those things tast sweetest which are stained with most cost and difficulty. Never is the corn more clean, then when it hath past the Flail; never is gold more approved, then when it comes from the Touch-stone.

It is reported of Alexander the Physician, that he would have Lapis Lazuli fifty times washed, before it were used; and it is the Will of the great Physician of our souls, to have us often tried in the fire of Affliction; and to tast that honey, which proceeds only from bitter hearbs. That Cor­dial which succeeds an unpleasant Potion, must needs be welcome to fainting a soul.

And as a help hereunto, we have the Example of Christ and his Apostles; of Moses and all the wise men of all Ages of the world; who (well understanding how to distinguish good from evil) did for a short time here, chuse a sad and melancho­ly way to Felicity, rather then the broad, pleasant, and easie way to misery.

Neither may we expect all fair dayes here, with­out some clouds, and the tast of the bitter waters of this world. Thou must sometimes sit mourning with the Pelican; thy beauty must be strewed with Ashes, and spend some time in solitude and darkness, in putting off all our gorgious Ornaments, and putting on Sack-cloth; in eating the bread of sorrow; in lying in the dust, in weeping, in fasting, in kneeling and praying, in smiting the Breast, and in prostrating our selves to the ground, to wel­come those who have undertaken the profession of Jesus Christ.

[Page 21] Where shouldst thou expect to find thy Savi­our, but on the Cross; and in what posture wouldst thou rather have him to find thee then in sighing and groaning; in lifting up of eyes and hands to heaven; in fervency of prayer [the devoutest temper of the soul] and in an humble, penitent, contrite and broken heart­edness?

After which gloomy Night of sorrow, the chearfull and refreshing day-light, will be the more welcome. If Iesus be thy Physician, its no matter how long thou art sick: no matter if thou canst say (with Jacob) he is in thy Affti­ction, though thou see him not. What though our Bones are parched, and our moisture con­sumed through our daily complaining, shall we (with Hagar) cry out for water, when we are nearest the Fountain? or shall we fear drowning whilst Christ is in the Ship, though he seem a sleep?

For though God be pleased thus to bring his Children on their knees, and to wring from them the penitent Tears of confession, yet doth he well know how to withdraw his heavy yoak, and after the lowest Ebb of sorrow, to send us the highest Spring of comfort.

The soul of every Saint consists of sacred Riddles and holy Contradictions; sometimes rea­dy to sink with grief; then again, lifted up with joy. Sometimes (with Job) sitting in the dust, and complaining, Why he was made a mark to shoot at, but presently is assured, That his Re­deemer [Page 22]lives, and that he shall again see God. Sometimes (with David) he sits on the house­top, like a sparrow, mourning like a Dove, and chattering like a Crane. Then again, Singing and making melody in his heart.

Oh happy Storm, which can thus bring us from the waters of Babylon into so joyfull a Calm! who would not for a time endure Hell to injoy Heaven? Hadst thou not been afflicted, thou hadst gone a stray. Ah how pleasantly wouldst thou have sung a Requiem to thy sick Soul? How securely miscarried with a fair wind? and how sweetly have perished in thy sins, had not the breath of Gods anger a little stopt thee? who crosseth thee in thy expectation, whereby to bind thee faster to himself, and respects thy good more then thy appetite.

Alas! This world is not strew'd with Roses, neither have we any surer way to reach to hea­ven, then by a crown of Thorns; or to receive the honour of the day, then by enduring the heat thereof. It is a saying that Iamblichus cites out of Pythagoras, That every good thing consists of substance and use, and not of meer knowledge. Learned Aphorisms heal not the diseased, but bitter medicines. A skilfull Physician profits not the sick, unless he falls to practise; nor is that soul saved, which can reason subtily, and dis­course elegantly, but doth no good works. Those only that bring their Talents home with in­crease, shall be made Rulers over Cities. And who more fit to receive a Reward, then he that hath run hardest for it?

[Page 23] Had we not been told by the words of Truth, that all things have the like event here on earth, Eccles. 2.15. and that the best may suffer as well as the worst [thoug Afflictions to the one, are tryals, to the other punishments] we had some cause to droop and hang down our heads: But since true piety [though the best policy] is not alwayes attended with Prosperity, we may safely conclude, that no Magician or Sooth-sayer, no Astrologer or Enchanter, shall be able to spell any such meaning [as to Gods displeasure] out of that hand-writing which seems to be directed against those, who (through the heavy loads of Afflictions seem to be forsaken of God, as well as of man) Why are we troubled? why are we cast down?

Did we not know that all the felicity of man in this world is a dream, (it comes on we know not how; and when it vanisheth, we cannot so much as discern, whether it is gone; that what­soever in this world we call fruition, is but Face-acquaintance, and all temporal possessions, but a looking on) we might in some case, have cause of sorrow: But since all things pass away in an unperceived motion; and when we sup­pose our best enjoyments to be fast lockt in our Armes, they creep from us in a mist or smoak, (which steals out at the Chimney-top, after it hath fouled it within) why do we sigh, and groan, and moan, and sink under the burthen of what will one day lead us to an incomparable weight of Glory? 2 Cor. 4.17, 18.

[Page 24] Were not Suffering of the first Statutes of the great Magna Charta in Heaven, and will surely find us out, whether we be born in Pur­ple, or under the Spiders Web; inhabit we Pa­laces, or live in Cottages, we might (like that poor flower (which shuts it self at the Suns ab­sence) sit down, and weep under a cloud of sorrow. But seeing the supream and eternal Wisdom [which is the Master and Deviser of this worldly Drama] assigns us our parts as well of suffering as pleasure; Why should we mur­mure? Why do we repine?

May we consider further, that the life of man is a mavrelous Comody, wherein the greatest part of our Actions are plaid under a Curtain. The rich man and the poor meet in this world; the one abounding in Treasure; the other lo­den with miseries and Ulcers; though their Ends are often as different, as their lives are contra­ry, the one falling into a Gulf of fire, the o­ther into an Abyss of delights; which should keep us as from repining at the hand of a merci­full God, so from rash censuring of such as are in extremity: as if God had forgotten them in a time, which he chooseth purposely for the shewing of his special Mercy.

But here mayst thou ask me, Why then is man [the only Creature intended to happiness] thus born to trouble, as the sparks flie upwards? Why through the house of Tears he thus travels to the Mansion of joy? or why he alone [being capa­ble of Beatitude] is thus made subject to misery? [Page 25]I answer, Because he is born for vertue, the rea­diest way to attain Eternity. He attributeth no­thing that is good to any thing here below, but wholly referreth it to God, from whom (as from the fountain) all things proceed.

And though it may seem a Paradox (though true in Phylosophy) That no man is rich, but he that is poor, according to the common account; yet no wise man did ever describe felicity without vertue; or true happiness, without being at­tended with such Afflictions, as direct us in the wayes of holiness; it being no evil to be wretched, but to be vicious and impatient; nei­ther may we think, that vertue depends wholly on Prosperity and a god fortune.

Indeed to those who know not their Saviour, nor meditate how far he hath got the victory, and taken away the sting of suffering (yea of death it self) as their life cannot be pleasant, so their sufferings can no way be comfortable; they are the most unwelcom Messengers that ever knockt at their doores: and not only make a Belshazar to tremble, but a Saul to fall prostrate on the Earth, 1 Sam. 28.28. Yea, such black clouds of sorrow many times overtake us, as that (with Jacob) we often rend our cloths, and will needs (with grief) go down into our Graves.

But our only wise Physician well knows, that to find out either our Distempers, or our Cures, and to discern al the sad omens of our Afflictions, and all the prodigious causes of our troubles and [Page 26]miseries, we must search deeper then the skin, and superficies of our maladies; the poisons of malignity of our Nature, being not only deeply diffused, but reaching to the very heart, and hidden in the most retired Cells of our Souls.

Alas! We have but one life, and we see a thousand instruments of death, ready to take it away, and to let out our innocent souls; We have but a little breath, and how quickly is it gone? O God, thy first breath breath'd a soul into me, and shall thy breath so soon blow it out a­gain, through lodes of troubles? I see thy hand upon me, but I dare not ask thee why it comes, or what it intends? whether thou wilt bid me stay longer in this body, or bid me meet thee this day in paradice: only makeme willing at all times [Jesus himself having made the way, and gone before] to pay my homage, and drive on with comfort (no way daunted with the storms of a wearisom life) towards those joyes which will at last lead me into unspeakable liber­ty.

Let me still bless thee for that Affliction which thus speaks nothing but mercy. Let me hear thy voice thus calling unto me: I must correct thee, but I will not hurt thee; my hand shall lie gent­ly upon thee: with gracious respites will I visit thee. If I send thee Crosses, I will give thee patience; if I visit thee with Afflictions, I will give thee a willing submission, and a readiness to kiss the Rod, and the hand that holds it, yea, [Page 27]a constant dependance on that Arm, which makes thee smart.

O God! Let me ever thus feel thy Rod, ra­ther then lose thy Affliction! the plain sense of our suffering is, that thou maist bring us to Repentance. It is not to consume our pure gold, but to refine us from that dross, we have [as men] contracted. It is but to open our eyes that we may the better return to him who seems sometimes to withdraw his comforts. Though the Nurse be often withdrawn, the bet­ter to win the Childs affection: and the Sun of Righteousnesse not seen of us, though bright (be­hynd the clouds of Tryals and Temptations) yet at last how doth our barrenness yield a plen­tifull Harvest? And as the Sun-shine of Gods countenance, doth ripen our Graces, so doth cloudy weather advantage their growth in humi­lity, mourning and self-denial.

And it is no small mercy from God, that in our journey to Canaan, we pass through the wilderness of this worlds temptations, and in the way to Zion, we pass through the valley of Baca: whilst we have Christ as a cloud and pil­lar to direct us: God is not tied alwayes to bring is to heaven by one and the same road; neither is it any matter, if in stead of Jacobs Ladder, ye are transported thither in Eliahs fiery Cha­iot, it being the goodness of God to give us patience, courage and constancy [which are our highest conformity to Christ our Saviour] to attend his help, though in the last and darkest [Page 28] watch of the night; his relief coming in the best time.

As Stars appear brighest at Noon-day to those who (with Joseph) are in deep pits: so divine Providence appears lightest to those who are ne­cessitated to make a cordial of the poison of the worlds contempts and reproaches. The Royal Title over our Saviours head, was never more glorious, and deserved, then when he was hanging upon the Cross; seeing on that [as a King on his Throne] he most conquered both over his, and his Churches enemies. Nei­ther were his sufferings the least of his solemnities and glories; his Father being never better pleased with him, then when he cryed out, my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Neither is it any Argument, that because God punisheth out faults, he hates our persons; whose Rod and staffe lifted up against us, is not to drive us from him, but as a Shepherds Crook, to draw us nearer to him, Psalm 23. Though those (indeed) that are strangers to the Cross of Christ, and understand not the Afflictions of Christians to be as mysterious as their faith, suppose they must needs be Murtherers, on whose hands they see such Vipers hanging, Acts 28.4. and no way considering, that God ma­ny times loves most, where he most rebukes; and that they have often times most of his heart, from whom he most hides his face [as to tem­poral prosperity and on whom his hand lies heaviest, as to visible chastisements, Heb. 12.5.

[Page 29] He takes the safest course with his Children; that they may not be condemned with the world, he makes the world to condemn them; that they may not love the world, he makes the world to hate them; and that they may be crucified to the world, he makes the world to be crucified to them.

And hence it is that they meet with crosses, and abuses, and wrongs in the world, because God will not have them perish with the world.

In this way of Affliction it is, that God doth chiefly manifest himself to our soul; hereby the soul unites it self most to Christ; whereas in times of Prosperity it scatters and looseth it self in the Creature, there being an uniting power in Afflictions to make the soul gather it self to God.

The bitterest things in religion are sweet. And as Gods children are strengthned, and learn to stand by their falls; so (like tall Cedars) the more they are blown, the deeper they are root­ed; and after all outward storms and inward de­clinings, this is the issue, They take root down­ward, and bring footh fruit upwards.

And since there is nothing of God which can please the world, this should make us to quiet our hearts in the midst of its unwelcome and tempestuous storms, & to account it a greater fa­vour from God, when the Michals of the world scoff at us; for when they are offended at us, God is delighted with us; yea, happy are those, who find themselves amended by those bitter [Page 30] potions which [in bad times and by evil men] a good God administers to us for our health; and whereby he intends better to improve us to his service; when (coming out of this fiery Fur­nance) we shall shine more bright, then ever we did with the love of Christ.

What if some men fancy to themselves a li­berty, first to mock us, and after to nail us to the Cross? What though they stick not (amidst our many Agonies) to give us gall and vinegar to drink, to load us with cruel contempts, and virulent speeches, and scandalous reproaches? What if our Enemies walk with haughty looks, triumphant spirits, and threatning eyes, whilst we are full of tears, sighs and sorrows? What if false witnesses arise, and lay to our charge things that we never knew, rewarding us evil for good, and hatred for our good will? What though we are put to pains in our profession, to troubles for a good conscience, and to many hardships in the world? Yet, O let us labour for contentment, because otherwise we can no way be made con­formable unto Christ our Saviour.

Neither is it any matter if proud and merci­less men mingle their scornfull smiles with our Tears. It is no matter if Davids Abjects make mouths, and wag their heads upon us; If the great Favourites of the world curse us, so long as God pities us in all our troubles; who will not stay too long, lest we put forth our hand unto wickedness. Neither suffer the rod of the wicked to remain alwayes on the lot of the righte­ous, Psal. 125.3.

[Page 31] Jobs misery did not lessen his innocency: nei­ther are the servants of the most high God troubled, though they are judged here, so as they may not be condemed with the world; they triumph in their sufferings, they dance in their dust; yea, they account their ashes their beauty, and the waters of Marah to be their wine and refreshing.

Affliction is part of Cods husbandry, and tends no less to the amendment of our souls, then manuring doth to the advantage of the earth? And may we still humble our selves as well in submission to, as the acknowledgement of his divine and afflicting hand. And, Oh, that we could hide and abhor our selves in dust and ashes before his presence, who only can pity and repair us!

But miserable and unhappy are those who (af­ter so much sharp eye-salve) see not their need of a Physician! for after the long applications of such rough medicines which the world af­fords, not to own their distempers, were (in­deed) a contempt to the wisest and gentlest Physician; whose Judgements are mercifull, and whose severities only the fruits of his lo­ving kindness, that he chuseth rather to punish us, then to destroy and forsake us.

A Christian is here in his Nonage, and no way fit to have all he hath a title to; yet why should he murmure, seeing so much is alotted him, as will give him passage to heaven? if Po­verty be good, he shall have it; if disgrace be [Page 32]good, he shall meet with it; if Crosses be good, he shall have them; if misery be good, it shall follow him; yet all tending towards his good. If he be in want, he hath contentment; if un­der suffering, he hath patience; all things are his, as well what he wants, as what he hath.

It is the desire (indeed) of many men, to be in Canaan as soon as they are out of Aegypt: but God will lead us through the wilderness of Temptations and Afflictions, untill we come to Heaven. As the Spring follows the winter, so will glory follow our Affliction, which is hid with Christ; and though now clouded with the malice of wicked men, and our own infirmities, we shall (at last) appear glorious in the eyes of God, and his Angels, if in a Christian meekness, we submit to his Will.

The which should serve to comfort us whilest we remain in this unfortunate region [this land of blackness] wherein the Inhabitants sit in the shadow of death, and a thick darkness [for a time] obscures the glorious Sun-shine of all our comforts; and such calamities accompany some, as that [between fear of death and tor­ments of life] Vivere noluerit, mori nescierit; To live he would not, to die he cannot. And surely he cannot be of flesh, who is unsensible of what wrings so many true Tears from our eyes, and so many Icie sighs of grief and sorrow from our heart.

The necessity also thereof should invite us to patience; all the Saints of God having passed [Page 33]and profited thereby; and seeing by those Affli­ctions [which are no less profitable then grie­vous and troublesome] we are humbled, purged and instructed; and there is no life so holy, nor place so secret, wherein they may be avoided, Oh grudge not then to sow in Tears, since thou shalt reap in joy! By flight thou canst not over­come, but by patience thou wilt be stronger then all thy enemies.

It is no great matter for a man to be devout and fervent, when he feeleth no heaviness, but by Chastisements he is tryed how much he hath profited in Gods School; whereas our Reward will be the greater, so our vertues will more o­penly appear to the world, and by the sharpness of our Tryal, our good deeds will be the more esteemed.

Adversity discovereth how much vertue each one hath: It maketh us not frail, but shews us what we are. And God takes away the bladders of this world that we may learn to swim without them. Such as he most loves, he useth to re­buke and chasten, Rev. 3.19. Our comfort is, that all our Troubles are determined by the wise Counsel and providence of God for our good, yea as blessings to us, and shal increase our Crown of Glory. The deeper our die is in Affliction, the better shall we wear our scarlet Robes in Heaven.

Lazarus was not bad enough for Christ to cure, whilest he was sick, who intended to revive him from death, to make the glory of the Miracle the greater. Neither are we fit Objects for our [Page 34]Saviour to delight in, while we are sick with the vanities of the world, untill we are mortified with Afflictions from above. Surely had there been any better, or more profitable way for the health of man then suffering, Christ would have shewed it by Word or Example: who plain­ly exhorteth all those that follow him, to the bearing of his Cross.

Oh happy Burthen! which we shall [at last] put off with Eternal comfort! strike on then thy mercifull rod, O God! which thou sendest [not to procure our sports, yet these thou pros­peredst to thy servant Jacob, but] to work the dicovery of our wounds, by the humble mani­festation of our sins unto thee.

And Oh, that we could but mak a wise im­provement of our Crosses, whereby to have recourse to vertue, to God, and our selves! In all worldly mutations, let us acknowledge and kiss the divine hand; let us not fear to walk in that way which lead to a Kingdom. If thou bear thy Cross unwillingly, thou increasest thy load, and makest for thy self a new burthen. But if thou bear it willingly, it will bear thee, and lead thee to thy desired end, to wit, where there shall be an end of suffering [which here there shall not] and where there shall be an e­verlasting reward laid up for those that fight the good fight of faith. If that Farmer who gave Ataxerexes a dish of cold water, was rewarded with a golden Goblet, how much more likely are they to receive a Crown, who have denied [Page 35]themselves, taken up their Cross, and followed their Master? Be sure as the glory is his, so shall the Reward be eternally thine.

Oh here, here will be a certain Harbor and recess from all the temptations of the world, and from all the clamours and reproaches of our enemies! In this Ark shall we cut through all the waves of this troublesome life, without detriment or putrefaction; in this withdrawing Room (though too seldom frequented) shines that happy star which will lead us to the King of life.

Here (by having recourse to the spring of life) may we sweetly bath and refresh our wearied souls. Near this white, may we stand secure; and having passed the rough and unpleasant Mountains of this world; having sat down un­der its troubles, and spent our breath with much gasping and weariness, on this Hill may we feed our eyes with the beautifull Prospect and fresh­ness of these eternally green and flowery Plains.