Then he comes to the consolation, the sum whereof is, that none loseth by God's afflictions, but rather they are gainers, and great gainers. This he shews by two comparisons, both taken from a husbandman, who when he hath sowed will not harrow it always, but will give every ground sufficient labouring and manuring ; who will sow seed, and every seed, and fit seed, in measure, time, and fit place. And then he shews, when God doth give this discretion to a husbandman, how much more doth he abound therein, who, John XV. 1, is called an husbandman; yea, he is the best husband- man who knows times and seasons, when to begin and when to make an end. This is the ground, as the wise husbandman's discretion teaches him how, when, and how much to plough his ground, and when and what seed * That is, • cares for.' — G.
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to SOW ; so God is much more the greatest and wisest husbandman, who knows when and how much to afflict us ; when to begin and when to make an end ; when to sow, and how to make fruitful.
The second work of the husbandman is taken from the purging of his grain, where he shews the labourer will take and use fit instruments to cleanse it with. First, cummin, a cart-wheel is not turned about upon it ; then, secondly, the fitches shall not be thrashed with a thrashing-instru- ment. Thirdly, then the third he shews as having most need, shall have the wheel to go over it ; yet he shews the wheel shall not always go over it, nor break it so as to have any hurt by the pressure, for it shall lose nothing thereby but the chaff.
Now having declared thus much, then he shews, this discretion of wisdom in husbandry°comes from the Lord of hosts, ' who is wonderful in counsel,' knowing with the height of deliberation and knowledge how to do all things. And then ' excellent in working,' to make all things frame to a good, sweet, seasonable, and happy end.
Before I come to the particulars, see in general he applies both compari- sons to one and the same end, to evince* us of this great truth. As Pharaoh had his vision and dreams of the seven ears and seven lean kine doubled unto him, which two were but to confirm one thing that Pharaoh must be assured of ; so here he deals in drawing us the right way to find comfort.
' Give ear, and hear my voice ; hearken, and hear my speech,' &c.
Doct. 1. Hence observe, the only way to quiet ones heart, and pacify one in all distresses, is to hearken ivhat God says. Therefore he goes over and over with it, ' give ear ;' * hearken,' and ' hear my voice,' for this shall quiet your souls, and bring you much quiet and peace of mind. In afflic- tions we toss, turmoil, and trouble ourselves more than we need. We cry out. Oh, none were ever so vexed and crossed as we are ! and so say, Oh, I shall never get an end of this cross ! this affliction will make an end of me ! And then God comes to us to parley with us in this slumber, and hath much ado to wake us. He loves us best, and shews us this is our best way to find ease, to hear his voice.
lleasons, 1. First, Because God's word will work faith, which does purify the heart, overcome the world, and quenches the fiery darts of Satan.
2. Secondly, It will teach a man wisdom, whence and why it comes, and that struggling with God is in vain, and that in so doing we shall have the worse. The greatest hurt of our crosses comes from passion and distemper ; for if we put no more in crosses than God puts in, all should be well ; but we put in other things, our own impatience, false fears, fretting, and carnal reason, which makes this good purge of our heavenly Father's providing, be so bitter and heavy unto us. This we should by all means strive against, and make a good use of affliction, such as God would have and intends.
3. Thirdly, It will be a means to work patience in the heart. All the Scriptures are written to work patience in us ; for God would have us sub- mit, and our proud hearts can hardly be brought to stoop. This is the end of all.
4. Fourthly, If we hearken to God, this will make us go to God and pray, and prayer will bring comfort and ease to the heart ere long ; but if we hearken to the flesh, the further we run this way, the more we plunge ourselves in misery. God, you know, bids us come to him, and says
* That is, ' conviDce.' — G.
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Wait a while, and all shall be well ; he will come flying with deliverance when the hour is come. Thus, if a man do pray and wait, he shall be heart-whole quickly. What saith the apostle in this case ? Phil. iv. 7, * And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.' As though he should say. You think the cross causes this disquietness, carking and caring ; but if you trust, wait, and pray, you shall have quietness and ease in the most bois- terous afflictions.