[ 1150] When lighter Afflictions will not serve the turn, God will send heavier.
THe Physitian,* 1.1 when he findeth that the potion, which he hath given his Patient will not work, he seconds it with one more violent; but if he per∣ceive the disease to be settled, then he puts him into a course of Physick; so that Medicè miserè, he shall have at present but small comfort of his life; And thus doth the Surgeon too, if a gentle plaister will not serve, then he applyes that which is more corroding; and to prevent a Gangrene, he makes use of his cauterizing knife, and takes off the joynt or member that is so ill-affected: Even so God, when Men profit not by such crosses, as he hath formerly exercised them with, when they are not bettered by ligher Afflictions, then he sends heavier, and proceeds from milder to sharper courses; if the drosse of their Sin will not come off,* 1.2 hee'l throw them into the melting-pot again and again; crush them harder in the presse, and lay on such Irons as shall enter more deep into their Souls; If he strikes and they grieve not, if they be so foolish that they will not know the Judgment of their God, hee'l bring seven times more plagues upon them, crosse upon crosse, losse upon losse, trouble upon trouble, one sorrow on the neck of another, till they are in a manner wasted and consumed.