In all cases of extremity we should have a double eye : one to look upon our grievances and troubles, and another to look upon the issue and event of them. Why do men in time of dangerous sickness take bitter physic, which is almost death unto them ? Why do they then undergo Buch things as they loathe at other times ? Is it not because they rest upon the skill of the physician ? And shall we then in our distresses distrust God for our souls, when we will trust a weak and mortal man with our * Tliat is, the Syrians. Cf. 2 Kings vi. 17.— G. VOL. V. S
274 THE PRIVILEGES OF THE FAITHEUI,.
bodies? If conceit be so strong in earthly things, as indeed it is, then faith is much stronger, when it grounds itself upon the truth of the word. When God exorcises us with poverty or other alHictions, this should teach us submission to his providence in any condition, saying. Lord, do with me what thou wilt, only let this poor soul be precious in thine eyes ! Thou hast promised that howsoever these afllictions lie heavy upon me, yet in the end, all shall turn out to my good ; therefore dispose of thy servant at thine own pleasure ; I resign all to thee !
Here is the rejoicing of a Christian, which makes him cheerfully pass through any affliction ; he knows that good is intended in all that befalls him. With what alacrity did Joseph say unto his brethren, ' Ye sold me hither, but God hath turned it to the best, that I should preserve and nourish you all, and save much people alive, who otherwise were like to have perished with famine,' Gen. xlv. 5. This made Job so patiently to say, ' The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh ; blessed be the name of the Lord,' Job i. 2L
This is the ground of all true contentation.* I have learned, saith St Paul, 'in all estates to be content : to be rich and to be poor, to abound and to be in want,' Philip, iv. 11 ; and why so ? Whatsoever his estate and condition was, God turned it to the best. Shall any man dare to mislike of God's allowance ? Doth not he know better what is good for us than ■we can possibly imagine what is good for ourselves ?
This likewise should teach us not to take offence at the reproach and disgrace which is cast upon God's children ; for ' mark the righteous,' saith David, ' and behold the upright : the end of that man is peace,' Ps, xxxvii. 37. The issue of their trouble is ever quietness. Take not one piece of a Christian man's life by itself, but take it altogether, and then thou shalt see the truth of this doctrine. To see Joseph in the dungeon and in his irons, we haply may be offended, and call God's providence in question ; but beholding him in his honour and advancement, we cannot but conclude him a happy man. So if we look on Job sitting with sores on the dunghill, there is matter of offence ; but to see him restored again, and blessed with a greater estate than he had before, this is matter of praising God. If we consider of Christ abased, and hanging upon a cross, so there will be scandal ; f but look on him exalted to glory, far above aU dignities and powers, and then the scandal is soon taken away. Let us therefore lay one thing to another when we eye God's people, and w-e shall see a blessing under their greatest curse. Those things which are contrived by man's witt may argue great folly if one part be not annexed to the other. Therefore look to the whole work towards his servants, and then thou shalt never be offended at their condition.
Use 5. This also is a ground of Christian boldness in Iwhj courses, when a man is fully resolved, that come what will come, God wall turn all to his good. It encourages him cheerfully to go through any difficulty. What is the reason of the fearfulness and dastardness of most men, but only this, that if we do this or that duty, or abstain not from this or that good action, then this cross and this dipleasure by such and such a person will be brought upon me. The wise man saith, that ' the fear of man bringeth a snare, but he that trusteth in the Lord shall be exalted,' Prov. xxix. 25. Let us not, regarding the fear of man, neglect our duty to God, for he can turn the hearts of the kings on the earth to seek the welfare of his poorest creature,
* That is, 'contentment.' — G. J That is, 'wisdom.' — G.
t That is ' oflfence.'— G.
THE PRIVILEGES OF THE FAITHFUL. 275
and make thy very enemies to be thy friends. He that for sinister ends will offend his Maker, may well be excluded to the ' gods whom they have served,' Judges x. 14. Go to the great men, whose persons you have obeyed for advantage, to your riches, to your pleasures, which you have loved more than God or goodness : you would not lose a base custom, a superfluity for me ; therefore I will not own you now. Such men are more impudent than the devil himself, that will claim acquaintance with God at last, when they have carried themselves as his enemies all their days. God wants not means to maintain his, without being beholden to the devil. He hath all help hid in himself, and will then shew it when it shall make most for his own glory. He deserves not to live under the protection of a king, that will displease him for fear of a subject. The three children in Daniel said, ' Know, 0 king, that our God can deliver us out of thy hands ; but if he will not, yet, nevertheless, we \iill not fall down and worship thine image,' Dan. iii. 5, seq. ' The righteous are bold as a lion,' saith the wise man, Prov. xxviii. 1 ; ' the Lord is his strong tower,' Ps. Ixi. 3. "What need we fear any creature, when we have him on our side who hath both men and devils at his back ? *