[3.] Not only is the venom gone, but every condition is useful, and hath a blessing in it to the godly. We know this by faith : Eom. viii.
Qu. ' flue'? — Ed.
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28, ' We know that all things work together for good to them that love God,' Ps. cxix. 71, 'It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes ; ' and ver. 25, ' I know, 0 Lord, that thy iudgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.' Our wise and faithful God would not bring it upon us if he did not know how to make a good use of it. By this we may discern whether God chasten us in anger, yea or no, whether our crosses be curses. The cross which maketh thee better than thou wert, it cometh with a blessing, and as a blessing. It is not the sharpness of the affliction that we should look to, but the improvement. If it be improved, the bitter waters are made sweet ; if we are more godly, wise, and religious. All God's dispensations to his people are good, and tend to good. Luther hath a saying. Qui trihulantur sacras literas melius intelligunt, securi et fortunati eas legunt sicict Ovidii carmen — Those that are in trouble understand the scriptures better ; the secure and prosperous read them as a piece of Ovid. It maketh us more serious, keepeth us in a relish of spiritual things. While God is striking, we feel the grief, and would fain shift off the cross ; but when we see the end, then we acknowledge it is good to be afflicted. If God write his law upon our hearts by his stripes upon our backs, and so light a trouble maketh way for so great a benefit, we should not grudge at it. Our happiness doth not consist in outward comforts, riches, health, honour, civil liberty, or comfortable relations, but in our acceptance with God and enjoy- ment of God. Good is to be determined by its respect to true happiness. Affliction therefore taketh nothing from our happiness, but addeth to it, as it increaseth grace and holiness, and so we are more approved of God, enjoy more of God.
3. Impatiency at what is past, or a fretting dislike of God's dispen- sations. Now by faith we are persuaded both of the greatness and goodness of God, and so our murmuring is prevented.
[1.] Faith has an esteem of the greatness of God. God is too great to be questioned. The more we see the greatness and majesty of God, the more is our pride checked : Job xxxv. 5, 6, ' Look unto the heavens, and see, and behold the clouds which are higher than thou. If thou sinnest, what dost thou against him ? or if thy transgressions be multi- plied, what dost thou unto him ? ' It is a swelling against God's sovereignty, that he should have the disposal of us at his pleasure. Hab. ii. 4, ' Behold, his soul which is lifted up, is not upright in him ; but the just shall live by his faith.' The lifting up oi' the heart is opposed to living by faith. The lifting up of the heart is a proud, murmuring, conceited disposition under trouble, taxing and censuring his proceedings ; such a soul will make defection ; Heb. x. 38, ' Now the just shall live by faith ; but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.' Pride will not suffer the heart to submit to the will of God, and so scorneth to bear the cross of Christ. But now faith, that relieth upon God and his promises, suffereth God to take his own way, and that waiting upon God in his way is a sure path to a blessed issue. Pride is conceited of its own wisdom and power, as if we could secure ourselves better than by waiting upon God. Pride hath no opinion of God, or his dealings ; but faith, which is an high esteem of God, referreth all to him.
356 SERMONS UPON JOHN XIV. 1.
[2.] Of the goodness of his conduct. Faith persuadeth us, witli quietness and security, to cast ourselves into God's hands, who will tfuide all tilings well. Observe Christ's submission in his trouble : Mat. xxvi. 39, 'He prayed, saying, 0 my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt;' And David's, 2 Sam. xv. 25, 26, ' The king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city : if I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me again, and show me both it and his habitation ; but if he thus say, I have no delight in thee ; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.' All discontents come from unbelief; we do not believe God's providence and fatherly care, but act as gentiles ; nor his love in Christ ; for if we did, we would let him alone to bring his children to heaven in his own way. Many times that is best for us which we do not think best for us. Peter was best pleased when upon Mount Tabor : Mat. xvii. 4, ' Lord, it is good for us to be here.' But Christ had other work for him to do.