not tliis make us say, " Thy will be done ?" It is preventing j>liysic.
A. 12. Tlioie is kindness, in lliat God dotli mix his providences ; Hal), iii. 2., In anger he remembers mercy. Not all jiure gall, but some honey mixed with it. A- sher's shoos were iron and brass, but his foot was dipped in oil, Dent, xxxiii. 2i. Affliction is the shoe of brass, but God causeth the foot to be dipped in oil. As the limner mixeth with his dark shadows bright colours, so the wise God mingles the dark and bright colours, crosses and bless- ings. The body is afflicted, but within is peace of conscience ; there is a blessing. Joseph was sold into Egypt, and put in prison ; there was the dark side of the cloud. Job lost all that ever he had, his skin was clothed with boils and ulcers ; here wits a sad providence. But God gave a tcj^timouy from heaven of Job's integrity, and did afterwards double his estate. Job xlii. 10., "The Lord gave Job twice as much ;" here was the goodness of God seen towards Job. God doth chequer his works of providence, and shall not we submit and say. Lord, if thou art so kind, mixing so many bright colours with my dark condi- tion, " thy will be done."
A. 13. There is kindness in affliction, in that God doth moderate his stroke, Jer. xxx. II., " I will correct thee in measure." God will in the day of his east-wind stay his rough wind, Isa. xxvii. 8. The physician that understands the crisis and temper of the patient will not give too strong physic for the body, nor will he give one drachm or scruple too much : God knows our frame, he will not over-afflict, he will not stretch the strings of his viol too hard, lest they break. And is there no kindness in all this ? May not this work our hearts to sub- mission ? Lord, if thou usest so much gen- tleness, and correctest in measure, " thy will be done !"
A. 14. There is kindness in affliction, in that God often sweetens it with divine con- solation : 2 Cor. i. 4., " Who comfortcth us in all our tribulation." After a bitter po- tion, a lump of sugar. God comforts in af- fliction.
(I.) Partly by his word, Ps. cxix. 50^ " This is my comfort in my affliction, for
thy word hath quickened me." llie pro- mises of the word are a shop of cordials.
(2.) God comforts by his Spirit. Philip, langrave of Hesse, said, that in his troubles, Se (liuinas martyrum consulationes sensisse^ — he felt the divine consolations of the mar- tyrs. David had his pilgrimage-songs, Ps. cxix. 54., and St. Paul his prison-songs. Acts iv. 25. Thus God candies our worm- wood with sugar, and makes us gather grapes off thorns. Some of the saints have such ravishing joys in affliction, that they had rather endure their sufferings than want their comforts. O how much kindness is in the cross ? In the belly of this lion is an honey-comb. May not this make us cheer- fully submit to God's will, when God lines the yoke with comfort, and gives us honey at the end of the rod ?
A. 15. There is kindness in affliction, in that God doth curtail and shorten it. He will not let it lie on too long, Isa. Ivii. 16., " I will not contend for ever, for the spirit should fail before me." God will give his people a writ of ease, and proclaim a year of jubilee ; the wicked may plough upon the backs of the saints, but God will cut their traces, Ps. cxxix. 4. The goldsmith will not let his gold lie any longer in the fur- nace than till it be purified. The wicked must drink a sea of wrath, but the godly have only a cup of affliction, Isa. li. 17., and God will say, " Let this cup pass a- way." Affliction may be compared to frost, it will break, and spring-flowers will come on, Isa. XXXV. 10., *' Sorrow and sighing shall flee away." Affliction hath a sting, but withal a wing, — sorrow shall fly away, — this land-flood shall be dried up. If then there be so much kindness in the cross, God will cause a cessation of trou- ble : say then Jiat voluntas tua, " thy will be done*"
A. 16. Tliere is kindness in affliction, in that it is a means to make us happy. Job v, 17., " Behold, happy is the man whom GoJ correcteth." This seems strange to flesh and blood, that affliction should make one happy. When Moses saw the bush burn- ing and not consumed, " I will (saith he) turn aside and see this great sight," Exod. iii. 3.: so here a strange sight, a man af- flicted, yet happy. The world counts them
502
OF THE THIRD PETITION IN THE LORD'S PRAYER.
liappy wlio can escape affliction, but happy is the man whom God correctcth.
Quest. But how do afflictions contribute to our happiness ?
Ans. 1. As they are a means to bring us nearer to God ? The loadstone of prosperity dotl) not draw us so near to God, as the cords of affliction ; when the prodigal was pinched with want then saith he, " I will arise and go to my father," Luke xv. 18. The deluge brought the dove to the ark : the floods of sorrow make us hasten to Christ.