God afflicting his Children to try their sincerity. [ 1130]
AS a Father will sometimes crosse his Son,* 1.1 to try the Childs disposition, to see how he will take it, whether he will mutter and grumble at it, and grow humorous and wayward, neglect his duty to his Father, because his Father seemeth to neglect him; or make offer to run away and withdraw himself from his Fathers obedience, because he seems to carry himself harshly and roughly towards him, and to provoke him thereunto: So doth God oft-times crosse his Children,* 1.2 and seemeth to neglect them, to try their disposition, what mettall they are made of, how they stand affected towards him, whether they will neglect him, because he seemeth to neglect them; cease to depend on him, because he seemeth not to look after them; and say with Ioram's propnane Pursivant, This evill is of God,* 1.3 and why should I depend upon him any longer? or whether they will con∣stantly cleave unto him, though he seem to cast them off; and say with Esay, yet will I wait upon God,* 1.4 though he hide his face from us, and I will look for him, though he look not for us. And with Iob, Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: And with the Heathen,* 1.5 iratum colere numen, to worship even an angry God; and with the Cynick to his Master Antistenes, Nullus tam durus erit baculus, &c. There shall be no cudgel to be found so crabbed,* 1.6 as shall beat me from you.