Uses.

Here we see 1 That God may and doth many times chide either with particular per∣sons or whole nations for their sinnes.* Even Christians as they are subject to sinne, so they are lyable to be chidden, that is, repro∣ved, and threatned for it.

2 That yet this chiding shall not be fore∣ver. With some it ceaseth, because there is no more hope that it will doe any good for the end primarily intended by God, viz. their amendment, Prov. 9.8. Hos. 4.4. Mat. 7.6. With such God ceases to chide, that He may begin to punish, Prov. 29.1. But with His own people and servants He ceaseth to chide, out of His love to them: Page  195because, they repenting He will not any lon∣ger shew His anger against them so much as by chiding.*

This reproves 1 Such as are impatient at Gods chiding that is, at reproofs and threat∣nings out of His word, whether they be used publiquely by the minister of God, or pri∣vately. So Ahab, 1 Kings 22.8. I hate him (Micaiah) for he doth not prophesie good concerning me, but evil, that is, he re∣proves and threatens me. He should rather have hated himself, concerning whom no good could be prophesied. This was Ahab, who had sold himself to work wickednesse. What such entertainers of this act of Gods word may expect, see 2 Chron. 25.16.

2 Such as being of a bitter spirit so give way to it, that they are alwaies chiding, al∣waies reproving and threatning. These are altogether unlike to God. And if they pre∣tend Gods word for it, they make God like unto themselves, contrary to the Doctrine here in hand.

[Object.] Yea but most preachers scarce have any ser∣mons without some reproofs and threatnings.

[Answ.] Answ. These reproofs and threatnings are not intended against persons, but against sinnes, or against persons under that qualifi∣cation, and therefore stick not to the persons Page  196any longer then they are so qualifyed.

This also may minister comfort 1 To them,* with whom God chides for the pre∣sent. He will not alwaies chide. And there∣fore let them set themselves to repent and cast away their sinnes, for which onely God chides. And as soon as they sincerely endea∣vour this (though they be not so throughly purged as to stand before Him, if He should mark every thing that is done amisse) He will cease to chide. Yea as the pillar, which was a cloud and darknesse to the Egypti∣ans, gave light to the Israelites, Exod. 14.20. so the Scripture, which chides a man remai∣ning in his sins, comforts him when he repents.

2 Much more to the godly against the chidings of men. God, to Whom they must stand or fall, speaks peace to them, and not onely blesses when men curse, Psal. 109.28. but blesses the more because of their cursing, 2 Sam. 16.12.

Lastly this should exhort us to imitate God herein.*

Motiv. 1. Unlesse our chiding be princi∣pally for Gods cause, it is railing. Now how can it be for Gods cause, if we chide, when He chides not? Nay indeed Gods cause is one∣ly pretended, that we may vent our own spleen and malice, whereby their hearts are Page  197made sad, whom God would not have to be sad. 2 Instruction and Exhortation are the ordinary food of the soul; Reproofs and threatnings are purging physick, as Comforts are cordialls. The former there∣fore are constantly to be used: these latter onely upon occasion; and Chiding, so long onely, till sinnes be (evangelically) purged out.