Verse 25. And the rain descended, and the flouds came, &c.]
Many are the troubles of the righteous: they come commonly* 1.1 thick and three-fold, one in the neck of another, as Jobs messen∣gers. The clouds return after the rain, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 12. 2. there is a continuall succession of miseries and molestations, from the devil, the world, and the flesh, to them that hear and do the words of 〈◊〉〈◊〉: like the weather in winter, when a showr or two do not clear the air, but though it rain much, yet the sky is still over-〈◊〉〈◊〉 with clouds, which are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 upon the Saints, sometimes in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and lighter 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as the smaller rain, sometimes in pressing and piercing calamities, like storm and hail: The rain fals, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 flouds rise, the winde blows, and many a sharp showr beats upon the Christians building; but like Noahs Ark, it is pitcht within and without: like Mount Sion, it abides for ever immoveable, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 founded upon the Rock of ages. Si nos ruemus, ruet Christus 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Ille 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mundi, said that noble Luther. If we 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Christ shall fall too, that Ruler of the world: and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him fall: I had ra∣ther* 1.2 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with Christ, then stand with Caesar. The devil stirs up a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 against Gods children, saith Ambrose, Sedipse naufragium 〈◊〉〈◊〉, but himself maketh ship wrack. The Church, according to that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Motto. Nec fluctu, nec 〈◊〉〈◊〉 movetur: and yet Ve∣nice hath but one street (they say) that is not daily over-flowed by the sea.