Graphautarkeia, or, The Scriptures sufficiency practically demonstrated wherein whatsoever is contain'd in Scripture, respecting doctrine, worship or manners is reduced to its proper head, weighty cases resolved, truths confirmed, difficult texts illustrated and explained by others more plain.

Thirdly, The considerations which should stay, bear up, and comfort the spirits of Saints in their afflictions, and under persecutions.

Cons. First, That it is their portion, which God appointed them in this life, as a privi∣ledg, and that too, for such-ends: See them last before.

2dly, That such who are so exercised, are blessed, and happy, and so pro∣nounced in Scripture: a seal of their sonship, and Gods choice love to them, and of their salvation.

Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth; &c. for he maketh sore, and bindeth up, &c. Job 5. 17, 18.

Blessed is the man whom thou chasteneth, O Lord, and teachest, &c. Psal. 94. 12.

Whom the Lord loveth, he correcteth: even as a father the son, in whom he delighteth, Prov. 3. 12.

He who spareth his rod, hateth his son: but he who loveth him, chasteneth him, Prov. 13. 24.

Blessed are they who mourn, for they, &c. Blessed are they who are persecu∣ted for righteousness sake, &c. blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and per∣secute, and say all manner of evil against you falsly for my sake: rejoyce, and be exceeding glad, Matth. 5. 4, 10, 11, 12.

Blessed are ye who hunger now, &c. who weep now, &c. But wo unto them who are rich, &c. who are full, &c. who laugh now, &c. when all men speak well of you, Luke 6. 21, 22, 24, 25, 26.

In nothing terrified by your adversaries, which is to them an evident token of perdition: but to you of salvation, and that of God; for unto you it is given, &c. not only to believe on him; but also to suffer for his sake, Phil. 1. 28, 29.

If ye be without chastisements, &c. then are ye bastards, and not sons, Heb. 12. 8.

Blessed is the man who endureth tentations: for when he is tryed, &c. James 1. 12.

We count them happy who endure, &c. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, James 5. 10, 11.

If ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid, 1 Pet. 3. 14.

If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye: for the, &c. 1 Pet. 4. 14.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten, Rev. 3. 19.

Blessed are the dead, who dye in the Lord (or, for the Lords sake), Rev. 14. 13.

3dly, That God well knows the design and ways of Satan, and all the adver∣saries of believers: and that they can do no more, or proceed further a∣gainst the Saints, than what God permits: he turns about their pur∣poses.

Laban pursued Jacob, &c. and God came unto Laban the Syrian in a dream in the night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob from good to bad (or, either good or bad), &c. It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yester-night; saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob, Gen. 31. 8, 23, 24, 29.

When Esau was coming against Jacob with four hundred men, and Jacob was afraid; yet God changed Esau his heart; so that when he met Jacob, he embraced him, &c. which made Jacob say to Esau, I have seen thy face as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me, Gen. 32. 6, 7, 8. ch. 33. 3, 4, 10.

And the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob, Gen. 35. 5.

Josephs brethren when they saw him, &c. conspired against him to slay him. And they said one to another, behold this dreamer cometh, Come now there∣fore and let us slay him, &c. and we shall see what will become of his dreams, &c. All which God prevented, and purposed better things, Gen. 37. 18, 19, 20, &c. ch. 39. ch. 50. 19, 20.

The King of Egypt designed the weakening of Israel, and preventing their increase. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied, Exod. 1. 9, 10, 11, 12, 20.

And the Lord said, I have surely seen the afflictions of my people, &c. for I know their sorrows, Exod. 3. 7. Act. 7. 34.

Pharaohs design in pursuing Israel, God knew, atd prevented Pharaoh, and overthrew him, Exod. 14.

The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil: my lust shall be satisfied upon them: I will draw my sword, mine hand shall destroy (or, re possess them). Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea did cover them, they sank as lead, &c. who is like unto thee, O Lord! Exod. 15. 9, 10, 11.

Balak his design was to have Balaam to curse Israel; yet God over-ruled him, so that he could not but bless Israel, Numb. 22. ch. 24. 10, 11, 12, 13. ch. 23.

Saul designed to kill David, made many attempts, and pursued him, yet could never effect it: God prevented him, 1 Sam. 18. ch. 19. ch. 23. ch. 24. ch. 26.

Ahitophel gave counsel against David, but God brought it to nought, and suffered not his enemies to bring their design to pass, 2 Sam. 17.

The king of Assyria came against Samaria, and said, The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people who follow me. But God prevented him, 1 Kings 20. 1, 2, to the 21.

The enemies of Israel set themselves to hinder the building of the Tem∣ple, asked who commanded them to do it, wrote to the king against it: but God prevented their purpose, and brought forth the contrary effect: Ezra 5. ch. 6.

When Israel were building, the adversaries conspired together to come to fight against Jerusalem, to hinder it, &c. And when our enemies heard that it was made known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, we returned, &c. Neb. 4. 7, 8, 9, 11, 15.

Hamans great design was to destroy Mordecai and all the Jews, and it went on far; but God then turned it quite about: Esther 5. chap. 6. chap. 7. chap. 8.

Job could not be touched by Satan any farther, or otherwise than so far as God gave him leave, Job 1. 9, 10, 11, 12. ch. 2. 4, 5, 6.

He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot per∣form their enterpise. He taketh the wise in their own craftiness, &c. They meet with darkness in the day, and grope in the noon, Job 5. 12, 13, 14.

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? the kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord, &c? yet have I set my king upon my holy hill, &c. Psal. 2. 1, 2, 4, 6.

He hath ordained his arrows against the persecutors. Behold, he travelleth with iniquity, hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falshood; he made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch he made: his mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing come down upon his own pate, Psal. 7. 13, 14, 15, 16. Psal. 9. 16.

They intended evil against thee, they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform, Psal. 21. 11.

Thou preparest a table for me in the fight of mine enemies, Psal. 23. 5.

The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations, Psal. 33. 10, 11.

By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not tri∣umph over me, Psal. 41. 11.

Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath thou shalt restrain, Psal. 76. 10.

When Israel were but few in number, &c. when they went from one na∣tion to another, &c. he suffered no man to do them wrong; yea, he re∣proved kings for their sake, &c. Psal. 105. 12, 13, 14, 15.

If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose

up against us: then they had swallowed us up quick, Psal. 124. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

There are many devices in the heart of man: nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand, Prov. 19. 21.

There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against the Lord, Prov. 21. 30.

Be quiet, fear not, &c. because Syria, &c. have taken evil counsel against thee, saying, Let us go up against Judah, and vex it, &c. Thus saith the Lord God, It shall not stand, nor shall it come to pass, Isa. 7. 4, 5, 6, 7. Micah 4. 11, 12, 13.

Associate your selves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces, &c. Gird your selves, and ye shall be broken in pieces, &c. take counsel together, and it shall come to nought: speak the word, and it shall not stand, for God is with us, Isa. 8. 9, 10.

O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, &c. I will send him against an hypo∣critical nation, &c. howbeit he meaneth not so, &c. It is in his heart to de∣stroy and cut off nations, not a few, &c. wherefore it shall come to pass, when the Lord hath performed his work, &c. I will punish the fruit, &c. Isa. 10 5, 6, 7, 12.

Wo unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us, &c? Surely your turning of things up-side down shall be esteemed as the potters Clay, Isa. 29. 15, 16.

Senacherib comes against Jerusalem, and by Rabshakeh proclaims his proud design: but God wonderfully disappointed him, Isa. 36. ch. 37.

Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee, shall fall for thy sake, &c. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, Isa. 54. 15, 17.

When the enemy shall come in like a floud, the spirit of the Lord shall set up a standard against him (or, put him to flight), Isa. 59. 19.

I am with thee, &c. they shall fight against thee: but they shall not pre∣vail against thee: for I am with thee, faith the Lord, to deliver thee, Jer. 1. 17, 18, 19. ch. 15. 20.

Although I have scattered them among the countreys, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countreys where they shall come, &c. I will even gather you from the people, &c. Ezek. 11. 16.

All that the envious presidents and princes could do and devise: against Daniel, could not out him: but he prospered in the reign of Darius, and of Cyrus, and so the three Children, Dan. 6. Dan. 3.

They know not the thoughts of the Lord: for he shall gather them as the sheaves in the floor, Micah 4. 11, 12, 13.

Herod designs the killing of the Child Jesus, he sends to enquire after him, gives order for the slaying of all the children of that age; yet God suffered him not to effect his design, Matth. 2. 1, 2, 3, to the 16.

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing, and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbred: fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows, Mat. 10. 29, 30, 31.

There came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence, for Herod will kill thee. And he said unto them, Go ye, tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day, to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. Nevertheless, I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following, &c. Luke 13. 31, 32, 33.

You shall be hated of all men for my names sake, but there shall not a hair of your head perish: In your patience possess ye your souls, Luke 21. 17, 18, 19.

Then said Pilate, &c. Knowest thou not that I have power to crucifie thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above, Joh. 19. 10, 11,

Against thy holy Child Jesus, &c. to do what thy hand and counsel determi∣ned before to be done, Act. 4. 27, 28.

They took counsel to slay the Apostles: but Gamaliel said, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought; but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found fighting against God, Acts 5. 33, 34, 35, 38, 39, 40.

When Saul was going in his fury to persecute, God meets with him, and stays the persecution, Acts 9. 1, 2, 3, &c.

Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world, Act. 15. 18.

Speak, hold not thy peace: for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city, Act. 18. 9, 10.

Many had conspired and bound themselves with an oath to kill Paul ere they did eat: yet God disappointed them, Act. 23. 12, 13, thence to the end.

God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able, 1 Cor. 10. 13.

4thly, That God orders and determines of the measure, manner, time, and continuance of afflictions and persecutions, and that according to our need

God said unto Abraham, Know assuredly, that thy feed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them, and they shall afflict them four hundred years, &c. But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again, Gen. 15. 13, 14, 15, 16.

And it came to pass at the end of four hundred and thirty years, the self-same

day it came to pass, that all the host of the Lord went out of the land of Egypt, Exod. 12. 40, 41, 51.

God led Israel through the wilderness, that they should not see war and be discouraged, Exod. 13. 17.

Their heart was not right with him, &c. but he being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not; yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath. For he remembred that they were but flesh; a wind which passeth away, and cometh not again, Psal. 78. 37, 38, 39.

I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithful∣ness hast afflicted me, Psal. 119. 75.

It shall come to pass, when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Sion, and upon Jerusalem; I will punish the fruit of the stout-heart, &c. O my people, be not afraid of the Assyrian, he shall smite thee with a rod, &c. For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, &c. Isa. 10. 12, 24, 25.

In measure, when it shooteth forth, thou wilt debate with it: he stayeth his rough wind in the day of his east wind, Isa. 27. 7, 8.

Thus saith the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon, I will visit you, and perform my good toward you, in causing you to re∣turn, &c. Jer. 29. 10. Ezra 1. 1, 2, 3.

I will not make a full end of thee; but I will correct thee in measure, and will not, &c. Jer. 30. 11. ch. 46. 28.

He doth not afflict willingly (or, from his heart) nor grieve the children of men, Lam. 3. 33.

Against thy holy Child Jesus, &c. To do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done, Act. 4. 27, 28.

God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear, 1 Cor. 10. 13.

He was sick, nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him, &c. but on me also, left I should have sorrow upon sorrow, Phil. 2. 27.

Ye greatly rejoyce, though now for a season (if need be) ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations, 1 Pet. 1. 6.

The God of all grace, &c. after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, 1 Pet. 5. 10.

Behold, the Devil shall cast some of you into prison, &c. and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give, &c. Rev. 2. 10.

5thly, That God doth sometimes make enemies, and the persecutors themselves, to acknowledg the Saints innocency when they suffer. And will surely avenge them upon their adversaries.

He will revenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to

to his adversaries: and will be merciful to his land, &c. Deut. 32. 43.

When David had spared Saul, being in his hands, Saul said to David, Is this thy voice, my son David, &c? Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil; and thou hast shewed this day how thou hast done well with me, forasmuch as when the Lord had delivered me into thine hands, thou killedst me not, &c. 1 Sam. 24. 16, 17, 18, 19.

Again, in the like case, Saul said, I have sinned, &c. Behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly, 1 Sam. 26. 21.

Haman, Mordecai's great enemy, forced to honour Mordecai, &c. Esther 6. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.

Haman is hanged upon the same gallows he erected for Mordecai, Esther 7. 9, 10.

He ordained his arrows against the persecutors, Psal. 7. 13.

They have digged a pit for me, into the midst of which they are fallen, Psal. 57. 6.

The righteous shall rejoyce when he seeth the vengeance, &c. so that a man shall say, &c. Verily he is a God who judgeth in the earth, Psal. 58. 10, 11.

The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all who are oppressed, Psal. 103. 6.

Be not afraid, &c. for yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction, Isa. 10. 24, 25.

When thine hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see and be ashamed for envy at thy people (or, towards thy people), &c. Isaiah 26. 11.

All who watch for iniquity, are cut off: who make a man an offender for a word, Isa. 29. 20, 21.

I was wrath with my people, &c. thou didst shew them no mercy, &c. therefore these two things shall come upon thee in a moment, &c. Isa. 47. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

Fear ye not the reproach of men, &c. for the moth shall eat them up like a garment: and the worm shall eat them like wood, &c. Thus saith the Lord, &c. who pleadeth the cause of his people: Behold, I have taken out of thy hand the cup of trembling, the dregs of the cup of my fury, &c. but I will put it into the hands of them who afflict thee: who have said to thy soul, Bow down, &c. Isa. 51. 7, 8, 21, 22, 23.

Your brethren who hated you, &c. he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed, Isa. 66. 5.

God threatens several nations for their insolent insulting over his people the Jews, and for their cruel usages of them: and declares the vengeance he would take against them, Ezek. 25. chap. 26. chap. 35. chap. 36.

Nebuchadnezzar, who had caused Shadrach, Meshech and Abednego to be cast into the fiery-furnace, now said unto them, Ye servants of the

most high God, come forth, &c. and the king promoted them, Dan. 3. 26, 30.

So did Darius, when Daniel by the prosecution of the Presidents and Princes was cast into the lions den: came and said, O Daniel, servant of the living God, &c. And the king commanded, and they brought those men who had ac∣cused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives, &c. Dan. 6. 20, 24.

I have heard the rep•…•…ch of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people, &c. therefore as I live, saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, Ze∣phan. 2. 8, 9, 10, 11.

Whoso shall offend one of these little ones, who believe in me, it were better for him that a milstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drown∣ed in the depth of the sea: Wo unto the world because of offences, Matth. 18. 6, 7, 10. Luke 17. 1, 2.

I send unto you Prophets, &c. some of them you shall kill, &c. that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth from the blood of righteous Abel, &c. All these things shall come upon this generation, Matth. 23. 34, 35, 36.

Shall not God avenge his own elect, who cry day and night unto him? though he bear long with them, I tell you, that he will avenge them speedily, Luke 18. 7, 8.

Pilate himself said of Christ, I find no fault in him, &c. Luke 23. 14.

King Agrippa and Festus both said of Paul, This man doth nothing worthy of death, or of bonds, Acts 26. 30, 31.

In nothing terrified by your adversaries, which is to them an evident token of perdition, &c. and that of God, Phil. 1. 28.

It is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them who trouble you, &c. 2 Thess. 1. 6.

He who leadeth into captivity, shall go into captivity: he who killeth with the sword, must be killed, &c. Here is the patience and the faith of the Saints, Rev. 13. 10.

Babylon is fallen: here is the patience of the Saints, Revel. 14, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.

Thou art righteous, O Lord, &c. because thou hast judged thus: for they have shed the blood of Saints and Prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy, Rev. 16. 5, 6.

6thly, That God will comfort, uphold, and preserve his in all their troubles: and not lay more on them than they can bear.

In that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them who are tempted, Heb. 2. 18. chap. 4. 15. chap. 5. 2.

And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistins, although that was near: for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they fee war,

and they return to Egypt, &c. And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud to lead them the way: and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light to go by day and night, Exod. 13. 17, 21.

Thou shalt not be afraid, &c. for the Lord thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible: and the Lord thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little, Deut. 7. 19, 20, 21, 22.

The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee, Deut. 33. 27.

David was greatly distressed, &c. but David encouraged himself in the Lord, 1 Sam. 30. 6.

Will he plead against me with his great power? no, but he would put strength into me, Joh 23. 6.

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in time of trouble: thou wilt save the afflicted people, Psal. 9. 9. Psal. 18. 27.

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me: thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me: thou preparest a table for me in the sight of mine enemies, &c. Psal. 23. 4, 5.

In the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion, in the secret of his ta∣bernacle shall he hide me: he shall set me upon a rock, &c. when my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up, &c. Wait on the Lord, &c. he shall strengthen thine heart, Psal. 27. 5, 10, 14.

Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them who fear him, &c. to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine, Psal. 33. 18, 19.

The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him; the Lord will not leave him in his hand, &c. the Lord, he is their strength in time of trouble: and the Lord shall help them, and deliver them, &c. Psal. 37. 32, 33, 39, 40.

Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be moved, &c. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the City of God, &c. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved: God shall help her right early, Psal. 46. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suf∣fer the righteous to be removed, Psal. 55. 22.

Bless our God, &c. who holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved: for thou, O Lord, hast proved us, thou hast tryed us as silver is tryed; thou broughtest us into the net, thou laidst afflictions upon our loins: thou hast caused men to ride over our heads, &c. Psal. 66. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.

But he, full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath: for he remembred they were but flesh, a wind which passeth away, and cometh not again, Psal. 78. 38, 39.

He preserveth the soul of his Saints: he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked, Psal. 97. 10.

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them who fear

him: for he knoweth our frame, he remembreth we are but dust, Psal. 103. 13, 14.

If it had not been the Lord, who was on our side, now may Israel say, &c. when men rose up against us, then they had swallowed us up quick, &c. then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: then the proud waters had gone over our soul, Psal. 114. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, Psal. 138. 7.

The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish, Prov. 10. 3.

Thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his di∣stress: a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat; when the blast of the terrible one is as a storm against the wall, Isa. 25. 4.

He stayeth his rough wind in the day of the east wind, Isa. 27. 8.

A king shall reign, &c. and a man shall be a hiding-place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest: as rivers of water in a dry place; as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land, Isa. 32. 1, 2.

When the poor and needy seek water and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst: I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them: I will open rivers in high places, &c. I will make the wilder∣ness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water, Isa. 41. 17, 18, 19.

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, and thorow the rivers they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee: for I am the Lord thy God, Isa. 43. 2, 3.

The Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy on his afflicted, Isa. 49. 13.

Thus saith the high and lofty one, &c. I dwell, &c. with him also who is of a contrite spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones: for I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wrath: for the spirit should fail before me, and the Souls I have made, Isa. 57. 15, 16.

When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him, Isa. 59. 19.

Your brethren who hate you, that cast you out for my names sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear unto your joy, &c. Isa. 66. 5.

Although I have cast them off among the heathen, &c. yet will I be unto them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come, Ezek. 11. 16.

God preserved his in the fiery furnace, and Daniel in the Lyons den, Dan. 3. 25. Dan. 6. 22.

How shall I give thee up? Ephraim, &c! mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together: I will not execute the fierceness of

mine anger: for I am God, and not man, &c. Hosea 11. 8, 9.

Rejoyce not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise: when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light to me, Micah. 7. 8.

The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble, and he knoweth them, &c. Nahum 1. 7.

When they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour, what ye shall speak, Matth. 10. 19.

God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able: but will with the temptations also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it, 1 Cor. 10. 13.

Blessed be God, &c. the God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulations, &c. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consola∣tions also aboundeth by Christ, 2 Cor. 1. 3, 4, 5.

We are troubled on every side, &c. persecuted, but not forsaken, &c. always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus; that the life also of Jesus might be manifest in our body, &c. the inward man is renewed, &c. 2 Cor. 4. 8, 9, 10, 16.

We had trouble on every side, &c. Nevertheless God who comforteth them who are cast down, comforted us, &c. 2 Cor. 7. 5, 6.

I besought the Lord thrice, &c. and he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness, 2 Cor. 12. 8, 9, 10.

At my first answer no man stood with me, &c. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me, &c. And the Lord shall deliver me, &c. 2 Tim. 4. 16, 17, 18.

Every where, and in all things I am instructed, both to be full and to be hungry, &c. I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me, Phil. 4. 11, 12, 13.

See the Saints priviledges in common calamities, Chap. 23.

7thly, That the Saints are near and dear to God in Christ, so that he takes special notice of their afflictions and troubles, and is said to be persecuted and afflicted in their persecutions and afflictions.

And the Lord said, Surely I have seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry, by reason of their task masters: for I know their sorrows, and I am come down to deliver them, &c. Exod. 3. 7, 8, 9.

The Lords portion is his people, Jacob is the lot of his inheritance: he found him in a desert land, &c. He led him about (or, encompassed him about): he kept, he instructed him as the apple of his eye, &c. Deut. 32. 9, 10.

For the Lord saw the affliction of Israel that it was very bitter, 2 Kings 14. 26.

Thou hast considered my trouble, thou hast known my soul in adversity, Psal. 31. 7.

Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee, Psal. 69. 19.

The Lord will not cast off his people: neither will he forsake his inheritance, Psal. 94. 14.

He reproved kings for their sakes, saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm, Psal. 105. 14, 15.

They provoked him, &c. nevertheless he regarded their afflictions when he heard their cry: and he remembred for them his covenant: and repented ac∣cording to the multitude of his mercies, Psal. 106. 43, 44, 45, 46.

I was wroth with my people, &c. and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy: upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid the yoke, Isa. 47. 6.

Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking-child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee: Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hand: thy walls are con∣tinually before me, Isa. 49. 14, 15, 16.

Fear not, for thou shalt not be ashamed, &c. for thy maker is thine husband, the Lord of hosts is his name: and thy redeemer the holy one of Israel, Isa. 54. 4, 5.

For he said, Surely they are my people, children who will not lye: so he was their Saviour: in all their afflictions he was afflicted, and the Angel of his presence saved them: and in his love, and in his pity, he redeemed them, &c. Isa. 63. 8, 9.

Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him: I will surely have mercy on him, saith the Lord, Jer. 31. 20.

I see four men walking in the fire, and they have no hurt: and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God, Dan. 3. 25.

How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel, &c? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled, Hosea 11. 8.

The Lord is good, a strong hold (or, strength) in the day of trouble, and he knoweth them who trusteth in him, Nahum 1. 7.

I am sore displeased, &c. for I was but a little displeased, and they helped for∣ward the affliction, Zech. 1. 15.

He sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he who toucheth you, toucheth the apple of his eye. For behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil, &c. Zech. 2. 8.

The very hairs of your head are all numbred, &c. He who receiveth you, re∣ceiveth me, &c. Matth. 10. 30, 40, 42.

Then shall the king say unto them on his right hand, &c. I was an hungry, and ye gave me meat, &c. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, When saw we thee an hungred, &c? and the king shall answer and say unto them, Ve∣rily, I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the

left hand, depart from me ye cursed, &c. For I was an hungry, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungry? then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch, as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me, Matt. 25. 34, 35, 36, 37, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45.

And Saul yet breathing out threatnings and slaughter against the Disciples of the Lord, &c. he heard a voice, saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why perse∣cutest thou me? and he said, Who art thou Lord? and the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest, it is hard for thee to kick, &c. Act. 9. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. ch. 16. 14, 15.

We are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones, Ephes. 5. 30.

We have not an High Priest, who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities: but was in all points tempted like as we are: yet without sin, Heb. 4. 15. ch. 2. 18. ch. 5. 2.

See Union and Relation between Christ and his Church, Chap. 15.

8thly, That the greater the afflictions and distresses of the Saints have been, the more wonderful have their deliverances been: and then hath Salvation been nearest, when Extremity was highest, and Danger greatest.

When Lot was taken Prisoner and carried away, and all his goods, God by Abraham wonderfully recovered all, and brought him back again, Gen. 14. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16.

Hagar is in such distress for her child, for want of water, that she lays it down and leaves it, that she might not see it dye, and sets far off weeping; then God speaks to her by the Angel: and God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water, &c. Gen. 21. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20.

When the Egyptians oppressed most, and made Israels burthens heaviest, in∣somuch that they despaired, then God came and made known himself, and said to Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharoah: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, &c. I have also heard the groanings of the children of Israel, &c. I will bring ye out from under the burden of the E∣gyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage; and I will redeem you with a stretched-out arm, and with great judgment, &c. Exod. 5. chap. 6. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

And God did so deliver them, after he had shewed many wonders upon the Egyptians, and smote their first-born, Exod. 12. 29, 30, 31, 32, &c.

And the Lord went before them by day, in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way, and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light, &c. Exod. 13. 21.

When Pharoah and his host pursued Israel, so that they reckoned themselves lost, and were in great distress, then the Angel of God which went be∣fore the Camp, removed and went behind them, &c. between the Camp of

the Egyptians and them: and the Lord divided the sea, while Israel passed through, and there drowned all the Egyptians, Exod. 14. 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, &c.

The Lord shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up or left, Deut. 32. 36.

When David was great in distress, because Ziklag was burned, his wives, and the wives of his followers taken away, and all their substance, by the Amalekites, and his men spake of killing him; then God directs him to pursue the Amalekites, and he recovered all again by a wonderful hand, 1 Sam. 30. 1, 2, 3, to the 20.

When king David was in great danger at hand, by the counsel of Ahito∣phel in the time of Absoloms rebellion; God overthrew the counsel, by the counsel of Hushai, and so marvellously preserved David, 2 Sam. 17. 1, 2, 3, &c.

When Elijah fled from Ahab in a time of famine, God commanded the Ravens to feed him, &c. and the Ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morn, &c. when the brook dried up, God sent him to a widow to nourish him; when her meal was out, God caused the barrel of meal not to waste, the cruse of oyl not to fail until the Lord sent rain, 1 King. 17. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, to the 17.

So again, when he fled from Jezebel, and had requested of God that he might dye, the angel comes to him, and gives him bread and water twice, and then enabled him to go in the strength thereof many days, 1 Kings 19. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

When the wife of one of the sons of the Prophets was in distress, because of poverty, and danger of creditors, God by Elisha makes her pot of oyl to increase, to the filling of many vessels, to pay her debts with, 2 Kings 4. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

When Samaria was besieged, and in great distress by reason of the sad famine in it, God on a sudden makes the Assyrians fly and leave plenty behind them in their camp, and so relieved his people, 2 Kings 6. chap. 7.

When Judah was environed, the battel before and behind them, then God delivered them, and overcame their enemies, slew five hundred thousand of them, 2 Chron. 13. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18.

When the Jews were by Hamans procurement appointed to slaughter, and the decree just ready to be executed, and they greatly distressed and helpless: Then God appeared, and delivered in a marvellous manner, Esther 3. chap. 6. chap. 7.

Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress, Psal. 4. 1.

When the Psalmist had reckoned up the sad state Gods people had been re∣duced to, he saith, Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, like a mighty man, &c. and he smote his enemies in the hinder part: he put them to a per∣petual reproach, Psal. 78. 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66.

Thou turnest man to destruction: and saist, Return ye children of men, Ps. 90. 1.

God slew the Assyrians, and saved Judah when they were low, Isa. 36. ch. 37.

I will heal thee, &c. because they call thee an out-cast, saying, This is Zion whom no man looks after: Thus saith the Lord, behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacobs tents, Jer. 30. 17, 18.

God appeared for his, when in the fire, and in the lyons den, and delivered them, Dan. 3. chap. 6.

When Peter through unbelief was sinking in the sea, Christ stretched out his hand, and caught him, and saved him, Matt. 14. 28, 29, 30, 31.

When the Apostles were put into the prison, the Angel of the Lord brought them out, Act. 5. 18, 19.

Peter being imprisoned, in order to his being brought out to the people, and being fettered, and lying between two souldiers; the angel of the Lord came, said, Arise: the chains fell off, the gates open of their own accord, he is delivered, Act. 12. 1, 2, 3, 4, to the 12.

When Paul and Silas was thrust into the inner prison, and their feet fast in the stocks, God made the foundation of the prison to shake, and doors fly open, and delivered Paul and Silas, Act. 16. 23, 24, 26, 29, 30, 39.

Paul, when the Jews went about to kill him, was delivered by the captain, &c. Act. 21. 30, 31, 32.

Paul and his company strangely saved in their voyage by sea, and shipwrack, Act. 27.

9thly, That Afflictions and Persecutions, shall be for the great good of Saints.

It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go unto the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men, and the living will lay it to his heart. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance, the heart is made better, Eccles. 7. 2, 3.

By this shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged: and this is all the fruit, to take away his sin, Isa. 27. 9.

I will bring the third part through the fire, &c. they shall call on my name, and I will hear them. I will say, it is my people, and they shall say, the Lord is my God, Zech. 13. 9.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you and persecute you, &c. rejoyce and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven, Matt. 5. 11, 12.

Whosoever will lose his life for my sake, shall find it, Matt. 16. 25. Joh. 12. 25.

Every one who hath forsaken houses, &c. for my name sake, shall receive an hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting life, Matt. 19. 29. Luke 18. 29, 30.

Blessed are ye who hunger now, for ye shall be filled: blessed are ye who weep now, for ye shall laugh, Luk. 6. 21.

In nothing terrified, &c. which is to them an evident token of, &c. but to you of salvation, and that of God, Phil. 1. 28.

It is a righteous thing with God, to recompence tribulation unto them

who trouble you: and to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord, &c. 2 Thes. 1. 5, 6, 7.

Ye took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in your selves, that ye have in heaven a better and an, &c. Heb. 10. 34.

Moses, &c. choosing rather affliction with the people of God, &c. esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches, &c. for he had respect unto the recom∣pence of reward, Heb. 11. 24, 25, 26.

Now no chastening for the present, &c. nevertheless, afterwards it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousness, Heb. 12. 11.

The tryal of your faith worketh patience, &c. blessed is the man who endureth temptations, for when he is tryed, he shall receive the crown of life, James 1. 3, 12.

We have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, James 5. 11.

Rejoyce, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christs sufferings, that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy, 1 Pet. 4. 13.

These are they who came out of great tribulations, &c. therefore are they be∣fore the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he who sitteth on the throne, shall dwell among them, &c. shall feed them, &c. and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, Rev. 7. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17.

See some of the ends of Gods afflicting his, Chap. 22.

10thly, That God will not always chide, nor suffer his to be under afflictions and persecutions; they shall have an end, he will bring deliverance, and restore joy.

After Israel had been long and sorely oppressed, and afflicted by the Egyp∣tians, the Lord sent Moses for their deliverance: and said, I have surely seen the afflictions of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters, &c. and I am come-down to deliver them out of their hand, &c. and to bring them up out of that land, unto a good land, Exod. 3. 7, 8, 9, 10. chap. 6. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

Yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them to destroy them utterly, &c. but I will for their sakes remember the covenant, &c. I am the Lord, Levit. 26. 43, 44, 45.

For the Lord will judge his people, and repent him for his servants, when he sees that their power is gone, &c. he will be merciful to his land, &c. Deut. 32. 36, 43.

He maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole, Job 5. 18.

And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, &c. also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before, Job 42. 10.

The needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever, Psal. 9. 18.

Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble, &c. to judg the fatherless and

the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress (or, terrifie), Psal. 10. 17, 18.

For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I a∣rise, saith the Lord, I will set him in safety from him who would ensnare him, (or, puffeth at them), Psal. 12. 5.

Sing unto the Lord, O ye Saints of his, &c. for his anger endureth but a moment, &c. weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning, Psal. 30. 4, 5.

The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles, &c. many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord de∣livereth him out of them all, Psal. 34. 17, 19.

I waited patiently for the Lord, &c. he brought me up also out of an hor∣rible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, &c. Psal. 40. 1, 2.

Call upon me in the time of trouble, I will deliver thee, and thou, &c. Psal. 50. 15.

Thou who hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth: thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side, Psal. 71. 20, 21.

I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace to his people: but let them not turn again to folly, Psal. 85. 8.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, &c. he will not always chide, neither will he keep his anger for ever, Psal. 103. 8, 9, 13, 14.

The rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous, lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity, Psal. 125. 2, 3.

They who sow in tears, shall reap in joy: he who goeth forth and weep∣eth, &c. shall doubtless come again with rejoycing, &c. Psal. 126. 5, 6.

The Lord will judg his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servant, Psal. 135. 14.

For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction, Isa. 10. 25.

Though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou com∣fortedst me, Isa. 12. 1.

The Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet chuse Israel, and set them in their own land, &c. and they shall rule over their oppressors, &c. the Lord will give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve, Isa. 14. 1, 2, 3.

God hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted, Isa. 49. 13.

The redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion, &c. they shall obtain gladness and joy. Sorrow and mourning shall flee away, I, I am he who comforteth you, &c. hear now this thou afflicted, &c. I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, &c. thou shalt no more drink it again, Isa. 51. 11, 12, 21, 22.

For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercy will I

gather thee: in a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, &c. Isa. 54. 7, 8.

I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the fouls I have made. For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, &c. and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart. I have seen his ways, I will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him, and, &c. Isa. 57. 15, 16, 17, 18.

In my wroth I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee, Isa. 60. 10.

The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, &c. to bind up the broken hear∣ted, &c. to comfort all who mourn; to appoint unto them who mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, and the oyl of joy for mourning, &c. Isa. 61. 1, 2, 3.

I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end, Jer. 29. 10, 11.

I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord, because they called thee an outcast, saying, This is Zion whom no man seeketh after, Jerem. 30. 17.

He who scattereth Israel, will gather him, &c. I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoyce from their sorrow, &c. Is Ephraim my dear son, &c? I will surely have mercy on him, saith the Lord, &c. As I have watched over them to pluck up, and to break down, &c. so will I watch over them to build, and to plant, saith the Lord, Jer. 31. 10, 13, 20, 28.

For the Lord will not cast off for ever: but though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies: for he doth not afflict willingly, Lam. 3. 31, 32.

Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Now will I bring again the Captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for mine holy name, after that they have born their shame, &c. Ezek. 39. 25, 26.

Come let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us: he hath smitten, and he will bind us up, &c. Hos. 6. 1.

Rejoyce not against me, O mine enemy: though I fall, I shall arise, &c. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, &c. he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness, &c. Who is a God like unto thee, who pardoneth iniquity, &c? he retaineth not his anger for ever: because he delighteth in mercy, he will turn again, he will have compassion upon us, Mic. 7. 8, 9, 18, 19.

Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted, Mat. 5. 4.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye shall weep and lament, &c. but your sorrow shall be turned into joy, &c. ye now therefore have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoyce, Joh. 16. 20, 22.

And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly, Rom. 16. 20.

God is faithful, &c. but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, 1 Cor. 10. 13.

God, who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver, 2 Cor. 1. 10.

It is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them who trouble you: and to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Je∣us, &c. 2 Thes. 1. 6, 7.

What persecutions I endured, but out of them all the Lord delivered me, 2 Tim. 3. 11.

The Lord stood with me, &c. and I was delivered out of the mouth of the Lion, 2 Tim. 4. 17.

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, 2 Pet. 2. 9.

11thly, That afflictions and persecutions have been the lot of Christ himself, and of the Saints in all ages.

The Disciple is not above his Lord, nor the servant above his master: it is enough for the disciple that he be as his Master, &c. If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his houshold? Fear them not therefore, Mat. 10. 24, 25, 26.

If the world hate you, you know that it hated me before it hated you, &c. remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than the Lord: if they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you, Joh. 15. 18, 20.

We are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men, &c. even unto this present hour we both hunger and thirst, and are naked, and are buffetted, and have no certain dwelling-place, &c. being reviled, &c. per∣secuted, &c. we are made as the filth of the world, and the off-scouring of all things unto this day, 1 Cor. 4. 9, 11, 12, 13.

There hath no temptation taken you, but what is common to man, 1 Cor. 10. 13.

For we who live, are always delivered to death for Jesus sake, 2 Corinth. 4. 11.

But as then, he who was born after the flesh, persecuted him who was after the spirit: even so it is now, Gal. 4. 29.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of Witnesses, &c. let us run with patience the race which is set before us, look∣ing unto Jesus the author and finisher of faith, who for the joy which was set before him, endured the Cross, &c. for consider him who endured such con∣tradiction of sinners against himself, lest you be wearied and faint in your minds, Heb. 12. 1, 2, 3.

Take, my Brethren, the Prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction and of patience, Jam. 5. 10.

Hereunto also are ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps, 1 Pet. 2. 21.

Your adversary the Devil as a roaring Lion, &c. whom resist stedfast in

the faith; knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world, 1 Pet. 5. 8, 9.

How long, O Lord, &c. dost thou not judg and avenge our blood on them who dwell on the earth! and it was said unto them, That they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow-servants also, and their brethren which should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled, Rev. 6. 10, 11.