A commentary vpon the Epistles of Saint Paul to Philemon, and to the Hebrewes together with a compendious explication of the second and third Epistles of Saint Iohn. By VVilliam Iones of East Bergholt in Suffolke, Dr. in Divinity, and sometimes one of the fellowes of the foundation of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge.

VERSE 11.

THe event and issue of afflictions is amplified by a compari∣son of the times.

1. He shewes the present asperity of afflictions: then the future utility.

No Child takes pleasure in correction: for the time it is irkesome and unpleasant: but when he comes to yeeres of discretion, he pray∣ses God for it, that he was not permitted to live as he listed, but was kept within the bounds of piety. So Gods chastisements are not joy∣ous for the time,* 1.1 to the flesh, though the spirit then rejoyceth, as some have clapt their hands for joy in the flames of fire: yet to the flesh no affliction is comfortable: sicknes, imprisonment, banishment, death is not joyous. Children cry out, ô good Master! good Father! So wee cry out for paine, Oh my head, my backe, &c. Oh good Iesu— Afterwards, when the paine is removed, the heart purged, and they feele the comforts of the spirit, It yeeldeth the peaceable fruit of righ∣teousnesse: Of an holy and righteous life lead in the feare of God: it breeds quietnesse of conscience, the peace that passeth all under∣standing.

It procures eternall rest and quietnesse in heaven, where wee shall be free from all calamities, 2 Cor. 4. pen.

The time of affliction is the seeds time, the harvest comes after∣ward: as hee said of vertue, amara radix, dulcis fructus, may most truly bee said of afflictions: the beginning is as bitter as gall or worme-wood; but the end shall bee sweeter than hony. A sicke man will drinke bitter potions for health: a Merchant will endure stormes and tempests for wealth.* 1.2 A woman endures great paine and sore travell, for the joy of a man Child.

A Husbandman will sow in winter, that hee may reape in har∣vest: so let us be willing to sow in teares in this life of affliction: that we may reape in joy in the life of rest and quietnesse.

This fruit is amplified by a description of the persons to whom it brings this fruit: non castigatis, sed exercitatis: by them we are ex∣ercised to all goodnesse.

God rewards us opportunè, afterwards: abundè, fruit: integrè, of righteousnesse: juste, to them that be exercised.

One action makes not an exercise: he is not a Souldier that hath fought once: a wrastler, that hath wrastled once; a Marrinour, that hath sayled once: habitus acquiritur crebris actionibus. So hee is not exercised with afflictions, that hath beene once afflicted. We must be exercised by many chastisements: through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdome of God. God will exercise us dayly. The body that wanteth exercise is corrupt, and if we be not exercised with afflictions, we shall grow naught.

There are two exercises for the faithfull: the Scripture, Hebr. 3.14. and affliction. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, sayes Saint Chrysost. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: exercise makes a man valiant and invincible. He that is not used to running, cannot run well: use makes perfectnes.

This might mitigate the paine of affliction: it is but an exercise that God useth for our good.

In all afflictions, let us not look so much on the time present, as on the time to come. All our comfort is in this word afterwards.

The cutting and lanching of a man; the putting of long tents in∣to the soare of a man is not joyous for the present: but when the dead flesh is taken out, the soare cured—the health that comes afterwards bringeth joy: eadem est ratio disciplinae, qua medicinae.

No apprentiseship for the time is very joyous: many of them work hard and fare hard, they have many a heavy blow, are weary of their lives, thinke every yeere two till they be out of their Ap∣prentiseship. The joy comes afterwards, when they be free men, when they set up for themselves: by Gods blessing, some prove Mayors, Aldermen, or the chiefe men in the towne where they have served.

No childbirth is joyous for the present: when a woman travaileth she hath sorrow; but when she is delivered of the child, she remembreth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is borne into the world. The seed time for the most part is not very joyous: the husbandman endures much cold and raine, and his seed for the present seemes to be lost: when harvest comes, then comes the joy. So the seed of righteousnesse is sowen in affliction in this life, the great joy shall be at the generall harvest, in the life to come:* 1.3 then all weeping and wayling shall bee cast out: then we shall not know what sicknesse meanes: then shall we have joyes that neither eye hath seene, nor eare heard, neither entred into the heart of man to conceive. Let this bee as sugar to sweeten af∣flictions to us, 2 Cor. 4. ult.

Now followes the conclusion of this point: wherein hee ex∣horteth them to courage, Ver. 12. to constancy, Ver. 13.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Act. 5.41.
• * 1.2

  Ioh. 16.21.
• * 1.3

  Luk. 16.25.