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A Further necessary Use which we must make of the present Doctrine is this:* 1.1 To inform us why the People of God do suffer so much in this life. What wonder? when you see their Rest doth yet Remain: They are not yet come to their Resting place. We would all fain have conti∣nual prosperity, because it is easie and pleasing to the flesh; but we consider not the unreasonableness of such de∣sires. We are like children, who if they see any thing which their
appetite desireth, do cry for it: and if you tell them that it is un∣wholesom, or hurtful for them, they are never the more quieted: or if you go about to heal any sore that they have, they will not endure you to hurt them, though you tell them, that they cannot otherwise be healed: their Sense is too strong for their Reason; and therefore Reason doth little perswade them. Even so is it with us when God is afflicting us. He giveth us Reasons why we must bear them; so that our Reason is oft convinced and satisfied: And yet we cry and complain still; and we rest satisfied never the more. It is not Reason, but Ease that we must have: What cares the flesh for Scripture and Argument, if it still suffer and smart? These be but winde and words, which do not remove or abate its pain. Spiritual remedies may cure the spirits maladies; but that will not content the flesh. But methinks Christians should have another pallate then that of the flesh, to try and relish providences by: God hath purposely given them the Spirit, to subdue and over∣rule the flesh. And therefore I shall here give them some Reasons of Gods dealing in their present sufferings, whereby the equity and mercy therein may appear: And they shall be onely such as are drawn from the reference that these afflictions have to our Rest; which being a Christians Happiness, and ultimate End, will direct him in judging of all estates and means.
§. 1.