[ 1284] Not to be troubled at Afflictions, because God intends good by them.
SUppose a Man very much in debt, and in such need of Money, that he knew not well how to subsist,* 1.1 without throwing himselfe upon the sa•• charity of o∣thers, that might (if they had but hearts) possibly relieve him, should go to some especiall in••imate friend, and make known unto him the lownesse of his condi∣tion, and crave relief accordingly: Now if this friend of his (which is some∣what strange) should go presently to his Ch••st, and take out a considerable bag of Mony, and throw it at him, and in the throwing of it breake his head, or give him some slight scar; Can it be imagined that he would take it unkindly? No, cer∣tainly; Thus it is that every Affliction that God is pleased to lay upon us,* 1.2 shall work for our good: We may say as Ioseph did to his brethren, Though you intended all this for my hurt,* 1.3 yet God intended and turned it for my good, and will work benefit and advantage to me by it, and promote my spiritual good; that as Afflictions do abound, my Consolations in Christ shall abound much more: Every Affliction, like Ionathans rod, having hony on the top, and therefore let us bear them patiently.