HOweuer the whole Scripture ( as S. 2. Tim. 3 , 16. Paul to his Scholler Timothy ) be giuen by diuine inspiration , and is profitable , to teach , to improue , to correct , to instruct in righteousnesse , that the man of God , may be made perfect to all good workes . Yet as in the large folio of the booke of Nature , though euery Creature carry in it the sparkles of the power , goodnesse , and prouidence of the Creator ; those rayes shine out more brightly in some , more dimmely in others ; so in the lesser Epitome of the Scripture , albeit all the parcels of sacred Writ , breath forth one and the selfe-same diuine truth in a most sweete and heauenly harmony ; yet in some passages the Spirit of God takes to himselfe ( as it were ) the winges of an Eagle , soaring aloft aboue the capacity of the highest : in others he creepes ( as it were ) on the ground , stooping to the shallow conceit of the meanest . Sometimes he couers himselfe with thick clouds , Ps. 8.18 , 12. & darknes is his Pauillion ; other whiles he speaks to vs familiarly , Exod. 33 , 11. as to his seruant Moses , face to face , mouth to mouth . The new Testament by the consent of all , in this respect carries the preheminence beyond the old . The glosse must bee clearer then the text . Among the Apostles , Paul outstrips his fellowes ; who for his labour , or his learning , was euer held the chiefest of the Apostles . Among the Epistles of Paul , his to the Romans ( if such invaluable Iewels may be valued one with another , if one star may differ from another in glory ) bears the name from the rest ; whether we respect doctrin of faith , or good manners , matter of instruction , or exhortation , of confutation or consolation ; so largely discussed , so pithily pressed , so wisely managed . In this Epistle , this chap. is of most admirable vse : being placed as the Sun in the midst of the Firmament , and containing in it a rich Mine of consolation . In this chap. this verse is placed as the heart in the midst of the body , that giues life to all the members . There are two professed enemies which lay perpetual siege to the bulwarke of true Christian consolation : Sinne and Affliction . These like troublesome guests , and vnwelcome Inmates , so disturbe the peace of the Saints , while they lodge in these cottages of clay , that it makes them weary of their houses , and themselues to , putting them oft to Rebeccaes complaint , Gen. 27.46 . Would to God I were dead . These are those Sanaanites and Hittites which are perpetuall goades in their sides , perpetuall prickes in their eyes . Numb . 33.55 Here is that Gall and Wormwood which embitters all the sweets this world can affoord . To shut vp in a word , here is that Coloquintida which matres the other herbes , and makes than that tasts cry , Mors in Olla . 2. Kings . ● . 40 Death is the pot . Against both these , Paul addresses his discourse in this chapter , wherein like a valiant champion , expert in the Lords battailes , hauing mustred vp his forces , and marshalled them in battaile array , in the Fore-front , he affronts sinne , the head of this Serpent , in the Rereward , he encounters with Affliction , the taile of this Serpent , the after a long skirmish , wins the field , and sounds the Triumph ; Neither life nor death , things present , nor things to come , shall separate vs from the loue of God in Christ . More plainely , here is an Antidote , a Cordiall proposed an Antidote against the poyson of sin ; a Cordiall against the anguish of the crosse . The Antidote against sin is propounded , verse 1. confirmed verse 2. prosecuted , applyed in the sequel to verse 17. The Cordials to mittigate the anguish of the crosse , are threefold . The first is , drawne from the end of it , our conformity to Christ verse 17. The second from the guide we haue in it , the Spirite helpeth 〈◊〉 infirmities , verse 26. The third is taken from the good issue wee shall haue out of it , verse 28. So that these words carry in them , a soueraigne Cordial against all miseries , crosses , calamities , whatsoeuer , wheresoeuer , how many , how great soeuer , which may or shall vex the Israel of God , while they soiourne in this valley of teares , and vale of misery .

In treating heereof ( that I may acquaint you with my method ) we with consider the connexion first , then the proposition . In the proposition the Circumstance , the substance is obserueable . The Circumstances will lead vs into the consideration of the persons to whom this Cordiall is intended restrained ; ( We ) of the manner how it is deliuered , euidently , confidently ( Wee know : ) for the substance in it you haue first the generality ( all things ) then the Harmony , ( worke together : ) thirdly , the scope or drift of their working ( for good : ) lastly , the description of the parties whom this concerns , from their inward affection ( they that loue God ) from their effectual vocation ( that they are called of God : ) from their eternall election ( that they are called according to his purpose . )

These be the rude lineaments of our present discourse , which wee intend ( by the Diuine Assistance ) to prosecute and pollish ouer with a second , & more accurate draught . That which first offers it selfe to our Meditation , is the Connexion , which shall bee dispatched in a word ( Also : ) this copulatiue particle like some corner stone in a curious structure , knits this verse to the verses immediately preceding ; as if the Apostle had deliuered himselfe more plainely and fully . If this be not sufficient to strengthen your feeble knees , to erect your deiected spirits ; that suffering is the way to glory , that by the Crosse you doe but climbe to this Crowne ; that Mount Caluary lies onely in the rhode to Mount Tabor ; that heerein stands your conformitie to him , who was consecrated your High-Priest by Affliction . If the sweete meditation of the glorie to come , cannot digest the present bitternesse of the Crosse ; if the presence , the assistance of that Spirit of Consolation , that Comforter , who is Comfort it selfe , cannot cheare your disconsolated spirits , nor asswage your sorrow ; adde to the former heape a serious meditation of the power & ouer-ruling Prouidence of your heauenly Father , whereby all things are so wisely disposed , so sweetly carried , so cunningly contriued , that what-euer happens in the world , all worke together for the best of them that loue God , &c. All things and among the rest your afflictions which are so far from preiudicing your fatuation , that they aduance it ; so farre from being ( as your deeme in your weake distempers ) clogges to wedge you to the earth , that they proue after a sort as wings , whereby you soare aloft to heauen : so farre from being Scala inferni , a p●acipice from whence your soules should bee tumbled headlong into the infernall Lake , that indeed they proue to be a Scala coeli , a Iaakobs ladder , vpon whose staires the Angels of God are continually ascending and descending , by which steps the Elect mount into Abrams , bosome . These tall Anakims serue not to tread you as mire vnder their feete , but to lift you vp ( as Kings and Princes ) vpon their shoulders neerer heauen . He that hath but halfe an eye , may now see the drift of the Apostle , which is to reach foorth a strong Cable of Consolation ; vnto those poore Saints and seruants of God ; who sayling in the troublesome Sea of this tumultuous world , hauing encountred with great storms , and now almost ouer-whelmed with the succession of many hideous waues one pressing on another ; are labouring for life , ready to be plunged into the gulfe of despaire . A strong Cable it is , composed of many threds , so twisted together , that all the Diuels in hell shall neuer be able to breake it . Eccle. 4.9.12 Two ( sayth Salomon ) are better then one : a threefold cord cannot easily be broken . In that our Apostle contents not himselfe with one Argument of Consolation , but to the first addes a second , and strengthens the second with a third ; the obseruation is plaine and euident . As , many are the Crosses of the Righteous ; so , their Comforts are many ; the Afflictions of the iust goe not single , but by throngs & troopes : one following on the neck , one treading vpon the heele of another : Velus vnda vndam , as waues seconds waue in the Sea ; neither are their consolations single . Loe here is a double , nay a trebble ground of solid comfort ; Psal. 34 , 19. Many are the troubles of the righteous , but the Lord will deliuer them out of all . Many troubles , many deliuerances ; so many troubles , so many deliuerances ; euery seuerall trouble hath a seuerall rescue , till he be deliuered , not from some , or from few , or from many , but from al. Euery proper temptation hath it owne proper issue . 1. Cor. 10 15. So Zach. 1.21 . Looke how many hornes were raised to push at the Israel of God , so many Carpenters were appointed , so many hammers lifted vp to breake those hornes in pieces . Iohn . 16 , 33. In the world you shall haue trouble ; ( there 's the crosse . ) In me you shall haue peace ; there 's the comfort . Act. 14 , 22 , Through many tribulations you must enter into the kingdome of heauen . Tribulations , many Tribulations ; there 's many crosses ; these tribulations minister a passage by which we get heauen ; there 's many comforts , if with Paul wee haue terrors without , and terrors within , we shal finde comforts without and comforts within : if we be distressed on all sides with him , with him wee shall be comforted on all sides . Notable to this purpose is that of the same Apostle , 2 Cor. 4.8 , 9. We are afflicted on euery side : there 's crosse vpon crosse : yet not in distresse , there 's comfort . Hee goes on , wee are in doubt , but despaire not : we are persecuted , but not forsaken , cast downe , but wee perish not , &c. It is very remarkable to obserue how the crosses & comforts , with which that chosen vessell was laded , poised , and ballanced each other : yet in the end , verse 17. the comfort infinitely weighs downe the crosse , and therfore he cals it a light affliction , but a weight of glory . Let mee shut vp the proofe of this point with the Epiphonema of the same Apostle . 2 , Cor. 1,3 . Blessed bee the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ , who comforts vs in all our tribulations , that as our suffering for Christ hath abounded , so our ioy might abound much more .

You haue seene God doing his part : our parts now must follow . This serues ( that I may descend from the confirmation of the point vnto application , which is the life of all teaching ) to minister matter of Thankfulnesse , of Instruction , of Meditation . Of Thankfulnes first . How should euery Christians hart be rauished with this consideration and transported euen beyond it selfe , with the gratefull acknowledgement of so high a fauour ? The God of Consolation is no niggard of his Cordials ; he pinches not , he spares not , but giues vs into our bosome a good treasure shaken together pressed downe , running ouer & wilt thou show thy selfe a niggard in the retribution of Thankes ? Is Gods hand opened & thine shut ? Is Gods heart enlarged and are thy bowels strained ? Shall the Creator giue vnto the Creature a Cup of Consolation , a Cup brimfull an ouer-flowing Cup , and shall not the Creature take vp ( with the Princely Prophet ) the cup of saluation ? Will ye thus requite the Lord , O ye foolish people and vnthankfull ? Si ingratum dixeris omnia dixeris . Giue vnto the Lord all ye his Saints ; Giue vnto the Lord . Psal. 29.1 . What will you giue ? thankes : what lesse can ye giue ? not verball only , but reall ; not in word alone , but in deed and in truth , as the Apostle wishes the Ephesians to walke worthy of their vocation : such is my counsel to all that haue tasted of this sweete marrow and fatnesse ; Ephes. 4.1 . Walke worthy of so great Consolation .

It serues secondly , for instruction , to make vs enamored with the booke of God , that rich wardrobe , and aboundant store-house of diuine comforts . If any be merry , Iames. 5.13 . let him sing Psalmes , if afflicted let him pray , and read too . Whether should wee go for light but to the Sunne ? Psal. 42.1 . for water but to the Wel-head ? Lo here is that fountaine of consolation : As the Hart brayeth after the riuers of water , so let thy disconsolated soule pant and thirst after these Christall streames of liuing water , Psal. 46.4 . which issuing from the threshold of the Sanctuary , makes glad the Citty of our God Heere bee those Apples of Paradise , those flaggons of Wine , Cant. 2.5 . the true Aqua vitae , which can fetch vs againe in our deepest swoundes , which alone can refresh vs in our greatest Agonies . Heere is the oyle of gladnesse , the balme of Gilead ; heere wee may sucke , and be delighted ; heere wee may milke and be satisfied . As for all other waters , either they are but streames issuing from this fountaine , & howeuer pure in the head , yet may bee corrupted in the channels or pipes through which they are conueyed vnto vs : or if they flow from any other spring , they are not liuing , but dead waters : not sweete but bitter streames , corroding not comforting the bowels into which they descend . All these comforters are miserable comforters , Phisitians of no value , drugges of no vertue . These sacred volumes are not vnfitly resembled by one of the Ancients , to an Apothecaries shop , richly furnished with salues for euery sore , with receits and remedies for euery malady . Our care and wisedome must induce vs so familiarly to acquaint our selues with the seuerall compositions , that in all our extremities , we may be able on a sodaine to fetch and cull out proper salues for any sores ; fit receites against any distemper . Psal. 119.92 . I had fainted in my affliction ( saith the Princely Prophet ) if thy word had not stayed me vp . A wise man will haue his plaister ready , though his head bee not broken as yet .

The last vse serues for meditation . If there bee such store of comforts suggested to vs on earth , what thinke you is reserued for vs in heauen ? The greatest measure of consolation we can haue here , is nothing in comparison of what wee shall haue ther. The disproportion is only not infinite : heere wee haue but the first fruites , there is the haruest ; here our comfort is but in the seed , there is the full croppe ; heere wee haue but the earnest , there is the inheritance ; heere but a few sparkles , there is the flame ; heere but a few drops , there is the Ocean . Now it is distilled into our narrow mouthed bottle , as we are capable to receiue it , drop after drop ; then wee shall bee bathed ; yea , drenched ouer head and eares in a Sea of comfort . This ioy is so great , that it cannot enter into vs , but wee must enter into it . Mar. 25.21 . So much that phrase of speech implyes : Well done good and faithfull seruant , enter into thy masters ioy . There is fulnesse of ioy , there are riuers of pleasures for euermore : such comforts as eie hath not seene , eare hath not heard ; neither euer can the heart of man conceiue ; Lord , Giue vs euermore of this Comfort . So much , if not too much of the connexion . We come now to the words in themselues considered ; where the circumstances first offer themselues to our meditation : the first is , the person to whom this priuiledge is entailed ; ( wee . )

Wee that are made partakers of the Diuine nature ; wee that are borne not of water but of the Spirit ; Wee that are aduanced to bee a holy Nation ; a peculiar people , a Royall Priest-hood : We that haue tasted of the bitter waters of Marah , We know &c. There lies a notable Emphasis , ( if you marke it ) in this particle Wee ; it is a word of restraint , and shuts vp the doore against all carnall . Wordlings ; and will not allow them the apprehension of so Diuine truth . This Christian Aphorisme cannot bee conceiued ; much lesse embraced , much lesse digested by a Naturalist . Wisedome hath hid these things from the Wise of this world , Luke . 10.21 . and reuealed them vnto Babes , and Sucklings : to such Babes are desire the sincere milke of the word , that they may grow thereby . The naturall man perceiueth not the things of God ; neither indeed can hee : So Paule , 1. Corinth. 2.14 . He perceiueth not the things of God : there is his inability ; neither can hee , there is an vtter impossibility . As soone may a bruite beast conceiue , discusse , reason , and discourse of the things of men , as a man in his meer naturals , comprehend the things of God . This knowledge is beyond the sphere of Nature ; and wee are guided to it by a higher principle . This is one of those deepe mysteries of Godlinesse , into which the very Angels desire to pry ; an vnwise man knoweth it not , a foole cannot vnderstand it .

These Celestiall thoughts , transcend his dull capacity : tell a worldling of the Peace of God which passeth all vnderstanding ; Philip. 4.7 . 1. Pet. 1.8 . mind him of a ioy which is glorious and vnspeakeable : assure him , there is a royall priuiledge peculiar to the chosen of God ; that All things shall worke together to the best of them that loue God , Act. 17.18 . Act. 20.24 . &c. You shal seeme to him a Barbarian , or ( as the Athenians censured Paule . ) you must passe for a babler and broacher of new Doctrine ; nay , Festus verdict will be your lot , much Deuotion hath made thee mad . If hee himselfe discourse of them , it is but Parrot-like , he speaks by rote , he know's not what ; vttering the Sentence , when he vnderstands not the sense . Let his Wine and Oyle encrease ; Let his Cowes Calue and cease not ; Let him haue his portion in this life , Esaus Patrimony , the fatnes of the earth , & fulnes of bread ; like the Cocke in the Fable hee will preferre one Barley-corne before the richest Iewell which the earth can afford . Giue him Hay , Prouender , Huskes , and Acornes , the Leekes and Onions of Aegypt ; he will not sticke to bid much good may your Spirituall consolations do you ; let mee inioy the present comforts of this life : I shall neither enuy your hopes for the future , nor desire them . Let me haue the Res , the possession and fruition of my desires , take you the Spes , the expectation of I know not what golden Mountaines , which your crackt braines promise to themselues . One Bird in the hand , is better then two in the bush . As our Sauiour spake sometimes to the woman of Canaan , if thou knewest the gift of God , Iohn . 4.10 . and who it is that speaketh vnto thee , thou wouldst haue asked & be would haue giuen vnto thee of the water of the Well of life to drinke freely . So say I vnto thee , O thou silly sottish Muck-worme , if thou couldst but tast the delicacy of this hid Manna , this Angelicall prouision , this super-coelestiall and soule-rauishing consolation , with which the Righteous Man is dayly , hourely , solaced ; how wouldst thou loath the dirt and dung of this world ? 2. Sam. 23.16 . How wouldst thou ( with Davids Worthyes ) breake thorough a whole hoast of Philistims to get but a few drops of the water of this Bethel ; which now is powred forth vnto thee ( as it were ) by pale-fuls , and thou sufferest it to bee spilt on the ground ; nay , tramplest it as mire and dirt vnder thy feete . But what do I wasting my spirits , and abusing your patience , while I direct my discourse to the belly , which hath no eares ? I will now addresse my selfe to the hungry empty soule . Is there any heere whose bowels are kindled , whose affections are enflamed ? Is there any , that longs to haue a share in this inestimable Treature ? That longs to sip of this cup ? I know no surer way , no better counsell can bee giuen him , then to interest himselfe in the society of the Saints . Labour to bee of that communion ; bee one of that Incorporation , and this praerogatiue granted to them , will not bee denyed to thee . If thou bee involued in this ( We ) if made partakers of this Diuine nature , thou shalt bee made partakers of this diuine Consolation : the Saints are indeed the onely true Good-fellowes which haue all things common . This ( Wee ) is not onely an exclusiue particle , to shut the doore against the wicked and prophane hand that would be snatching at these dainty morsels , but also an inclusiue particle , opening the doore wide to the feeble hand of all weake palsie Christians ; for whom God hath spred this Table , furnishings it euen in the wildernes . Least any should thinke this Table common for all commers , tagge and ragge : Paule appropriates it , points vs to the guest inuited , ( We , and wee onely : ) Least any should thinke this Table proper to Paule onely ; hee enlargeth himselfe to shew how it is common to all Christians : ( Wee , and all Wee . ) Hitherto of the parties to whom this truth is intended and entailed ; it is more then high time that wee proceed to the manner how it is deliuered , implyed in the next word ( Know. )

( Wee know : ) a word that imports both the perspicuity and certainety of this diuine Aphorisme . This knowledge was no bare speculation , but a practicall obseruation ; not a meere Notion or naked conception of the braine , but a well grounded and setled perswasion of the heart . Wee know not theorically onely , but really ; not speculatiuely onely , but experimentally ; euery day , euery moment is this Scripture fulfilled in vs , and vpon vs , that all things worke , &c. Againe , ( we know ) that is ; we may know it , we must know it , we shall know it We may know , if we doe not wilfully shut our eyes ; if we do but carefully obserue the carriage of God towards our selues , or any of the Saints , trace him in all his passages , you may easily sent out the print of his footsteppes ; Things reuealed , belong to vs and our Children . Wee ought , we must know it . Euery trade and profession of life , Cittizens , Schollers , Souldiers : the Gentry , Comminalty , Nobility , haue certain prerogatiues annexed to them ( not to touch vppon the highest ranke . ) What man so simple , as to bee ignorant of those priuiledges which are granted by custome or fauour to the meanest occupation ? What a shame were it then for any professed Christian to bee vtterly vnacquainted with so maine a priuiledge proper only to those of that coate ? Proprium Quarto modo ( as Schoolemen deliuer it ) omni Soli semper . Agreeing to all Christians , onely to a Christian , and to a Christian alwayes . Nay , We shall know it . How euer in the times of our ignorance it may be hid from our eyes , that we cannot conceyue it ; howeuer in the time of temptation , our hearts may be so vnsetled , that we cannot but doubt of it , yet sooner or later , first or last , we shall attaine to this plerophory of our Apostle , we shall see clearly , beleeue confidently , and acknowledge feelingly , that All things worke together , &c.

This Mysterie is not reuealed fully at the first dash . The bright lustre of so glorious a light , if it should sodainly breake out vpon us , would doubtlesse dazle our dim Owlet eie-sight . We see it first darkely as in a cloud , confusedly ( as it were ) a far off in processe of time , more clearly , more distinctly , as yeares and experience should teach an aged Scholler .

The reason heereof is euident . This Knowledge is the Mother of all spirituall Courage , Constancie , Patience , and Perseuerance . This is the wise mans harbour , which secures him in the greatest stormes . What though the earth be mooued ? What though the Sea rore & make a noyse ? Psal. 46.2.3 The mountaines be tumbled into the middest of the Sea ? What though the whole world bee in a tumultuous vprore , running into a Chaos of Confusion ? That heart which hath planted it selfe on this Rocke , is no whit affraid of euill tydings , stands as Mount Sion , which cannot bee moued . Why ? It knowes that wise Pilot which sits aboue , does not only see whateuer fals out in the glassy Sea of this world ( amiddest all the weltrings and changes of the same ) but so disposes of euery particular accident , that it turnes to the generall good of his seruants . The Merchant venturer puts to Sea , rides out many a bitter storme , runnes many a desperat hazard , vpon hope of a gainfull returne . The stout Souldier ; takes his life into his hand , runnes vpon the mouth of the Canon , dares the Lyon his owne Den vpon hope of victory . Euery man hazards in his calling , yet are but vncertaine Venturers , ignorant of the issue . The Greedy Aduenturer , seeking to encrease his stocke , loses many times both it , and himselfe . The Couetous Souldier , gaping after spoyle and victory , finds himselfe spoyled , captiuated . But the Christian runnes not at vncertaine , he is sure of the goale when he sets forth . We are sure of the day before wee enter into the field : we may ante victorian Triumpham canere , sound the Triumph before the victory . When we put on our harnesse , wee dare boast as he that puts it off before a stroke be stricken . We know wee shall be more then Conquerours , thorough Iesus Christ . What made that stripling Dauid ( that Noble & Diuine Sparke of Magnanimity ) runne hastily to encounter with that Gygantean Monster , 1. Sam. 17 , 37 Goliah ? He knew Iehouah would close his Enemy in his hand ? What whetted Gedeons valour to march on so boldly with a handfull of men , and a few earthen pitchers , against so numerous an hoast of armed Midianites ? Iudges 7 , 15. He knew the euent , God assured him of victory . What encoraged the three Children , and so animated them , that they ran as willingly into the hot fiery Furnace , as it were to a bed of Doune , or Roses ? They knew theyr God was able to deliuer them . Dan. 3 , 17. Why should we then be affraide ( if our Lord and Master call vs forth ) to grapple with the Goliah of Affliction , to encounter with a whole hoast of crosses , to drinke of the bitter water of Marah , or to vndergo the fiery Tryall ? Lord strengthen our faith , that we quaile not in the day of Battell , but rather by that Eagle eye , piercing through the vncomfortable mistes and clouds of Affliction , we may behold that comfortable close , how this bloud-red Sea shall but minister to vs a passage to our heauenly Canaan Pardon my iust indignation , if in the falling off from this point , I fal foul upon those fresh-watered & white liuer'd Souldiers , who sailing vpon the rough seas of this World , are gashed with euery storme , and frighted with euery gust . The least apparant danger settes them quite besides themselues , & driues them into Dauids dissident conclusion ; I said in my hast all men are lyars : Psal. 116.11 . Or makes them cry out with Peter , Master saue me , Mar. 14.30 . I perish . Whence this ? but because we look only on things which are seene , not on things which are not seene ; 2. Cor. 2.18 . because wee liue by sight and sense , not by faith . ( Hinc illae lachrymae . ) Hence those feares , those feares , those vnlawfull shifts plotted and practised to wind our selues out of such greeuous perplexities . These haue no faith , or at best are but men of little faith , as our Sauiour increpates his Disciples , Mat. 8.26 . if their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were come to full growth to a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : they wold doubtlesse stand still and behold the saluation of the Lord . They wold say with Paul , Exod. 14.17 . we know that al things &c.

Thus are we falne ere wee are aware , into the body of our Discourse , these Skirts and Subburbes haue led vs into the heart of the City . If any thinke I haue dwelt too long in the Portall , let this content them , we are now in the Palace : we haue beene long in cracking the shell , that your appetites might bee whetted to long for the kernell .

( All things : ) Now , few not many , but ( All ) none excepted ( worke together . ) Many and sundry Agents are found in the world , whose course and scope , whose aime and ends , and actions are not the same ; they communicate not their secrets each to other ; yea , their intentions are diuers ; nay aduerse , one thwarting , crossiing another ; yet the ouer-ruling Prouidence of that supreme Moderator and sole Monarch of Heauen and earth , so swaies all subordinate and inferior instruments , that in the midst of their mutuall iarres and oppositions , they conspire in a sacred Harmony ; as if they were entred into a holy league , or some sacred combination for the good of his chosen : where euer they be in respect of their places , whosoeuer in regard of their persons , howsoeuer dis-ioynted in regard of their affections ; all their proiects and practices tend or shall turne to the good of the Elect. If I were discoursing among Philosophers , me thinks they might excellently be shadowed out by the Reuolution of the Heauens . Euery Planet moues in it owne proper Orbe ; their motions are not all alike , but various ; nay , opposite each vnto other . Hence those different Coniunctions , Oppositions , and Aspects , of the Planets ; yet by the wheeling round of the Primum Mobile , they are brought about to one determinate point . If I were to discourse among States-men ; I would wish them to obserue the wise and politicke carriage of a Prouident Prince ; who meeting with opposite factions in his State , while each man takes his owne way , one seeking to vndermine another ; he serues his owne endes , of both so wisely managing the good , so powerfully ouer-awing the bad , that all turnes to the common good : I leaue the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , to the iudicious Reader .

( For good : ) so some Interpreters ; for the Best so others : the former exposition is good and warrantable ; the latter , I take is Best and most Emphaticall . There is a fourefold good incident to mankinde ; Naturall , Ciuill , Spirituall , Eternall . Naturall , which respects the good of our bodies ; the Ciuill , the good of our states ; Spirituall , the good of our soules in this life Eternall ; the happinesse of body and soule both in the life to come . The Naturall good is common to man and beast ; the Ciuill is common to the wicked with the Godly ; onely the Spirituall and Eternall , aduances the righteous as much aboue the prophane , as the Ciuill aduances a Man aboue a Beast . It is apparant enough what Good the Apostle driues at , not euery good but the best good ; not the Naturall or Ciuill good : ( both these vanish as drosse in the furnace of affliction : ) but the Spirituall , the Eternall good , which abides the fiery triall , and as pure Gold is refined , rather then empaired by it . All things shall worke for their good , this is , shall make for the good of their soules , for their eternall good ; shall further their Sanctification , their Saluation ; shal make them more holy heere , more happie hereafter , more gracious on earth , more glorious in heauen .

A Paradox which soundes harsh , and must needs grate the eares of a carnall Nichodemus , a conceit most absurd in the iudgement of flesh and blood , contrary to sense and experience ; no meruaile if a worldling will not subscribe to it . Who more base , who more contemptible in the eye of the world , then the Generation of the Iust ? No men more miserable , so berounded and enuironed with euilles , that they cannot looke beside their miseries : all things conspire to mischiefe them . What a straunge assertion , beyond all beleefe is this of our Apostle , that all things worke to their good . What all things ( sayth the Father ? ) what , all euill ? what , sinne ? what , Affliction ? Immo & peccata . ( He that puts the question , assoyles it ) Yea , all things . A large word , of a wide extent , yet not too large . Generall assertions auaile little , the whole waight of our comfort , lies in the induction of Particulars . Giue mee leaue therefore to run through all things , and to extract this Quintessence of consolation from euery thing .

For Method-sake , we will range them into two Heads ; either they are Good , or Euil . That al Good things turne to the good of them that are Good , will easily be granted of all . Briefely then , all Good , whether supreme or subordinate . Supreme God himselfe , whether we consider him in his Nature or Workes . For his attributes , His Wisedome is their Pilot , his Power their Bulwarke , his Faithfulnesse their Anchor , his Prouidence their Purueighor . His Iustice keepes them from Presumption , his Mercy from Despaire . His Omniscience serues as a Bridle , to curb them from dooing euill . The Face of the Lord is against them that do euill ; Psal. 34 , 16. as a Sparre to encourage them to all good Duties . Mat. 6.4 . He that sees in secret , will reward them openly . In a word , they loue him for his goodnesse , feare him for his greatnesse , and imitate his Holinesse .

As for his Workes , if towardes them in particular , sometimes hee speakes out of the whirlwind ; The Lyon roares , Hosea 3 , 8. then all the Beastes of the field tremble . This rough Dealing , howeuer it perplexe them for a time , yet makes them more carefull to please him , more fearfull to offend him . Vsually he speakes to his owne in a gentle still voice , 1 King . 19.12 13. and discourseth with them in a familiar Language : then they walke with God as Enoch , talke with him as Moses , conuerse with him as Abram , supplicate to him , as Dauid , Iosuah , Samuel , Danie . If towardes Others , generally : Sometimes hee workes by meanes ; then his Glorie shines sufficiently : they ascribe the praise to him , who both appointed the meanes , & gaue the blessing to that meanes he had appointed .