Gods Judgments, the causes of them to be considered. [ 1147]
LAy a book open before a Child,* 1.1 or one that cannot read, he may stare and gaze upon it, but he can make no use of it at all, because he understand∣eth nothing in it; yet bring it to one that can read, and understandeth the lan∣guage that is written in it, hee'l read you many stories and instructions out of it; It is dumb and silent to the one, but speaketh to, and talketh with, the other: In like manner it is with Gods Iudgments, as S. Augustine well applyes it; All sorts of Men see them,* 1.2 but few are able aright to read them, or to understand them what they say; Every Iudgment of God is a reall Sermon of Reformation and Repentance; every Iudgment hath a voice, but every one understands not this voice; as S. Paul's companions, when Christ spake to him,* 1.3 they heard a voyce and no more. But it is the duty of every good Christian, to listen to the Rod and him that sent it,* 1.4 to spell out the meaning of Gods a••ger, to enquire and find out the cause of the Crosse, and the ground of Gods hiding his face; Why it is that he dealeth so harshly with them, and carrieth himself so austerely towards the••▪