A counterpoyson, or Soverain antidote against all griefe as also, the benefit of affliction and how to husband it so that the weakest Christian (with blessing from above) may be able to support himself in his most miserable exigents : together with the victory of patience : extracted out of the choicest authors, ancient and modern, both holy and humane : necessary to be read of all that any way suffer tribulation.

CHAP. IX.

How it discovers whether we be true beleevers or Hypocrites.

6. SIxthly, that we may experimentally know our selves, and be knowne of others whet••er we be true beleevers or Hypocrites.

First our selves, divers play Alexander on the stage, but few or none in the field. Many can suffer Martyrdome in speculation, who being put to it cannot concoct a foule word. We are all valiant soul∣diers, till we come to ••ight: excellent Philosophers, till we come to dispute: Good Christians, till wee come to master our owne ••usts: but it is opposition that gives the tryall, when Corruptions fight against the graces, and cause Argente to seeme more bright in a sable field. Many while wealth lasts are very honest men and square dealers, at least seeme so; yea, they will maintaine that all hardnesse is to be indured ra∣ther than Conscience violated, or God offended: but ••all they into poverty, and then that they may main∣taine

themselves, they will lye, deceive, steale, proste∣tute their Chastity, sell their consciences, and what not. Even Hazael before hee met with an opportunity, could say, What? is thy servant a dogge? and Balaam could bragge, Though thou wouldst give me thine house full of gold I would not, &c. Yet when it came to the tryall he did as bad, for little or nothing: but a man is in deed what he is in tryall. If with the Pomecitron, Limon, and Oreng-tree, wee are alwayes greene and alwayes fruitfull, Summer and Winter: if our soules shall like of Christ for a suitor when wee finde no other Joynture but the Crosse; we are sure wee are Christians.

2. That others may know us. A souldier is best knowne in the front of a Battle, a Pilate in a storme, a nimble active man in a Race, and a Champion in the lists; How well the strings of an instrument are tu∣ned and set, is best knowne when they are touched by the hand of a skilfull musition. There must be dif∣ferences among you (saith Saint P••ul) that the appro∣ved may be knowne, 1 Cor. 11. 19. For as Thrashing separates the straw, and Wynowing the chaffe from the Corne; So persecution seperates the hypocrite from the company of beleevers, Luke 22. 31. When a s••rving∣man followes two men w••lling together, wee cannot tell which is his m••ste•• till they part: so when the Gospell and outward prosperity goe together, it is hard to judge which is most respected. Our Churches are full (blessed be God) but come we not to please others as the Poet made his Playes, or as Simon Magus was christned for company; or is it not more for feare of the Law, than for love of the Gospell? It is a great questi∣on, untill persecution arising because of the Word, puts it out of question; but then is that of Claudius Tauri∣nensis

more then verified, they worship the dead Saints in a cold profession, while they w••orry the living in a cruell per∣secution: so that if the Bramble had beene the King of Trees, the Vine could not have met with worse usage.

Wee all call our selves Christians: why? it is an honourable thing to be so accounted: but who are such, is knowne onely where the power of godlinesse is in contempt. Where (as S. Austen speaks) a Christian in name will scoffe at a Christian indeed: for Christ, (saith Nazianzen) is stoned by many that are called Christians, th••ugh no otherwise then the Heathen Images are cal∣led Gods, as Justine Martyr notes, or as another hath it, many superstitiously adore the Crucifix that are ene∣mies to the Crosse of Christ.

That Childe (saith old Simem, meaning Christ) is appointed for a signe to be spoken against, that the thoughts of many hearts may bee opened, Luke 2. 34, 35. O how wicked men manifest their hatred and enmity against God and his people so soone as Persecution ariseth, because of the Word! Yea, it would put a wise man into an ex∣tasie to thinke how prophane men in such times will rayle upon those, whom one day they will wish they had imitated; as Justine Martyr speakes.

But its well enough, for by this meanes both the malice of Sathan and the world are better knowne and avoyded. Demetrius the Silversmith resisted Paul, per∣haps not so much for great Diana's sake, as the little Silver shrines by which his gaine came in. The carnall Cape••n••ytes followed Christ while he fed them, Joh. 6. 26. Judas can be content to beare the crosse, so he may beare the bagge: but Job will trust in God though he kill him. Job 13. 15. and David in deepest distresse, or desertion will hang on still, Psal. 43. last. Now who

will not say give me the Bird that will s••ng in winter, and seeke to my window in the hardest frost.

There is no tryall of friendship but in adversity: hee that is not ashamed of my bonds, not d••unted with my checks, not alienated with my disgrace, is a friend for me: one dram of that mans love, is worth a world of incon∣stant formallity. But that friend is false he••rted, who ob∣serveth me onely for his owne ends; like those the Phi∣losopher speaks of, who were not his friends, but friends to his wealth: or like him in Clements, not his, but ••is riches kinsman. For these Waspes that make such Mu∣sicke about the Gally pot, shew it was but the boney▪ h••y came for. And even the most hoggish Gadereans, will worship Christ during the spring-tides of Gods favours, not when they enjoy the light of his countenance, but when his steps drop fatnesse, and their Corne and Wine increaseth.

But alas, they are but bad workes that need rewards to crane them up withall; for neither paine nor losse, much lesse the censure of lewd persons, will trouble a well planted minde.

An Hypocrite like a fresh water souldier, may be Sea∣sicke in a calme, but the sincere Christians stomacke in∣dures all weathers: great changes never change him: Nei∣ther the Kings favours, or honours, nor the Lyons den, could make Daniell lose one dram of his integrity. Nei∣ther the preposterous affection of the Lycaonians, when they would deifie Paul and Barnabas, nor their devillish rage, when they goe about to stone them, could procure either to yeeld one haires breadth; and so of all the Martyrs that noble Army, whom neither the threatnings of fire, nor the faire and large promises of their cunning and cruell adversaries could cause them to shrinke from Christ.

Affliction tryeth whether a man hath grace in his heart or no; Set an empty Pitcher (the resemblance of a wicked man) to the fire, it crackes presently; whereas the fall (which resembles the Childe of God) will abide boyling; Gold imbroydered upon Silke, if cast into the fire, loseth his fashion, but not his weight; Copper lo∣seth his fashion and weight also: Persecution is the sword whereby our Salomon will try which is the true naturall Mother, which the pretended. Afflictions are the waters where our Gideon will try whether we are fit Souldiers to fight the Battell of Faith. A faithfull Wise (said Bradford) is never tryed so to be, untill she be assaulted: nor a faithfull Christian so approved, till pro••ed by affliction. Peace and prosperity hides many a false heart, as the snow drift covers an heape of dung: but when affliction like Simmians ••••ror••, pierceth through the soule, then the thoughts of many hearts are discove∣red: then it appeares plainly, that the love of Gods children was not meritricious, nor their obedience merce∣nary.

Many a man will doe f••r another, that will not suffer for him: slight siusse will shrinke when it comes to wet∣ting: counterfeit c••yne will prove d••osse when it shall be rub'd on the test, or cast into the c••usible. Behold (saith the Angell to the Church of Smyrna) it shall come to passe that the Devill shall cast some of you into Prison, that you may bee tryed, Revel. 2. 10. Strong drinke tr••••th the braine, and hard meat the stomacke. Gold and Silver are tryed in the fire, men in the f••rn••ce of adversity; As the f••rn••ce proveth the Potters Vessell, so doe temptations try mens thoughts; Eccles. 27. 5.

None but a regenerate heart can chuse rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, then to enjoy the plea∣sures of sin. An easie imp••rtunity will perswade Orpah

to returne from a Mother in law to a Mother in nature; from a roylesome journey, to rest; from strangers, to her kindred; from a hopelesse condition, to likelyhoods of con∣tentment: A little intreaty will serve to move nature to be good to it selfe; but to persist in actions of good∣nesse, though tyranny, torment, death and hell stood in our way; this is that conquest which shall be crowned with glory. Nature is like Glasse, bright, but brittle; The resolved Christian like Gold, which if we rub it, or beat it, or melt it, it will endure the teste, the touch, the ham∣mer, and still shine more orient; For Vertues like the Stars, shine brightest in the night, and fairest in the frost of Affliction.

But this is not all: for affliction will try and make knowne the truth and measure of each grace in particu∣lar. A temptation is like a question that examines what is in a man: As Balaam was tryed and examined whe∣ther hee feared God, or loved 〈◊〉〈◊〉 world most? when Ba∣lack told him, am not I able indeed to promote thee to honour? And Joseph no lesse, when in the armes of his tempting Mistresse: but the one basely yeelds, and is casheered for an hypocrite, the other comes off with an holy scorne, and God seales him ch••ste, with a proba∣tus est.

2. Againe secondly, Affliction is a not••ble meanes, to try whether wee have faith or not; The house built upon the sand, carries as good a shew as the house built on the Rock; and in a clear sun-shine day glisters as gal∣lantly: but the windes, and tempests, when they are up, will quickly shew the differen••••. Nothing is more easie then to trust God, when our Barnes and Coffers are full; And to say, give us our daily bread, when wee have it in our Cubbards: But when we have nothing, when wee know not how nor whence to get any thing,

then to depend upon an invisible bounty, this is a true and noble act of faith.

Thirdly, what our wisedome and humillity is. Pla∣to being demanded how hee knew a wise man, an∣swered; * 1.1 When being rebuked hee would not bee an∣gry, and being praised hee would not be proud: Our disposition is never well knowne, untill it be crossed; nor did Proteus ever change shapes, till hee was straigtned and held fast. Magistracy and misery will soone shew what manner of men we be; either will declare us bet∣ter or worse then wee seemed. Indeed, Prosperity (saith one) best discovers vice, but Adversity doth best discover Vertue: but he that is not good in both estates, would not be excellent in either; hee who cannot beare honour with moderation, cannot beare contempt with patience: whereas a true Moses can be a moderate favourite at Court, and a well ••mtented sheepherd in the field can turne and apply himselfe to any condition, and there∣with be content, as S. Paul was; Phil. 4. 11.

5. Fifthly, what patience we have; The Sea when it is calme weather, is as still and quiet, as any river: but let the windes once arise, and you shall soone see a di••∣ference; then appeares nothing but raging, and foaming out myre, and dirt. And that we are indeed, which we are in temptation: for can we not abide a drawing pla∣stor to draine away corrupt bloud, and humours; much l••sse can we finde case in cutting ••ff joynts and members, and pulling out eyes, which Repentance must doe.

6. Sixthly, a man is made knowne whether hee be feeble or strong by the provocation of an enemy: even calme tempers when they have been stirred, have bewray∣ed impetuousnesse of passion. And indeed how shall a man shew his strength, unlesse some burthen be laid upon his backe. Now hee tha•• overcommeth his owne anger

(saith Chilo) overcommeth a strong enemy, but he that is overcome by it, is a whiteliver (saith Hermes) for wrath proceedeth from feeblenesse of courage, and lacke of dis∣cretion; As may appeare in that, Women are sooner an∣gry then men, the sicke sooner then the healthy, and Old men sooner then Young. Againe, its nothing to endure a small tryall or affliction, every Cock-boat can swim in a River, every Sculler sayle in a Calme, every man can hold up his head in ordinary Gusts; but when a blacke storme arises, a tenth wave flowes, deep calls unto deep; Nature yeelds, Spirit faints, Heart fayles; Whereas grace is never quite out of heart, yea, is confident when hopes are adjourned, and expectation is delayed.

7. Again seaventhly, how excellently was Jobs sin∣cerity made known by Sathans malice, when he brought sorth those Angelicall words; What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and not receive evill? Jo•• 2. 10. When he stood like a Centre unmoved, while the circumference of his estate was drawne above, beneath, about him, when in prosperity he could say, if my mouth hath kist my hand; and in adversity, the Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh, blessed be the name of the Lord. Hee was not so like the wicked as they are like dogs that follow the meat, not the man.

8. Againe eighthly, God suffers us to suffer much, more especially to try our perseverance, which is a grace so good and acceptable, that without it there is nothing good, nor acceptable; The Spaniell which sawneth when he is beaten, will never forsake his Master; and Trees well rooted will beare all stormes; The three Children walked up and downe in the fiery flames praysing God; And a Blade well tryed deserves a treble price. How did the Church of Pergamus approve her selfe; Yea, how was she approved of God which hath the sword with two

edges; when she held out in her workes even where Sa∣than dwelt and kept his Throne; I know thy workes (saith God) and that thou keepest my Name, and hast not deny∣ed my faith, even in those dayes when Antipas my faith∣full Martyr was slaine among you, where Satan dwelleth; yea, where his Throne is, and where some maintaine the Doctrine of Balaam, and the Nicholaitans, and teach that men ought to eate things sacrificed to Idols, and to commit fornication, &c. Revel. 2. 13, 14.

But how can I lay downe my life for Christ? when I cannot for his sake, quietly disgest a few reproachfull speeches? he will scarce bare blowes for him; that will not quietly put up, and disgest ill words.

Finally: Affliction, and Persecution, is both a whet∣stone, and a touch-stone to each particular grace: It humbleth the spirits of the repentant, tryeth the faith and patience of the sincere Christian, but hardneth the hearts of the ungodly; for wicked men grow worse after afflictions, as water growes more cold after an heat; yea like some Beasts, they grow mad with baiting; if cros∣ses or losses rush in upon them, they fall to the lan∣guage of Jobs wife, Curse God and dye, or to that of the King of Israels Messenger, Why should I serve God any longer? 2 King. 6. 33.

Notes

• * 1.1

  3. 4.