IN this Scripture there are two things to be considered ; the one , The vnfolding of the text . the behauiour of Paul and Silas in the prison ; the other the conuersion of the Iayler . Of the first , I will say no more , The parts two . then may make way and giue light to the second . The occasion hereof was this , that Paul hauing cast the diuell out of a maid that had been possessed thereof , and so had thereby disabled her from bringing in gaine to her masters by diuining and telling of things to come , whereby they had gotten much : they beholding what Paul had done , and how he had sitten in their light thereby ; they forthwith like mad men , drew Paul into the market place vnto the Magistrates , accusing him that he with Silas had troubled the citie .

And by meanes thereof , the people rose vp against them , and the Gouernours commanded them to be beaten with rods , which , when they had done , they cast them into prison , commanding the Iailer to keepe them surely . He cast them into the dungeon or inward prison , and made their feet fast in the stockes . This was the occasion of these words , as it is plainly set downe by Saint Luke in the words going before ; and then he sheweth how Paul and Silas behaued themselues , being thus cruelly and tumultuously handled , as grieuous malefactors , when all may see not onely their innocencie , but also the good , charitable and godly worke , which they did shew on the maid .

It is said , that they receiuing this iniurie at their hands patiently , and being strangers , and so finding no helpe at mans hands , did shew , what account and fauour they were in with God , in that he did not forsake them in their distresse ; but comforted them by his Spirit in token of the goodnesse of their cause , and made them able to testifie the ioy of their hearts by singing Psalmes of thanks to God , declaring thereby that they being innocent , though they suffered as euill doers , yet reioyced in the Lord , that they were counted worthy to suffer for well doing . And this be said of Paul and Silas .

Now , to speake of the Iailer , who was one of them that had his hand among the rest of that barbarous company , and was readie to execute the cruell commandement of those Gouernours , and that also with more rigour then he needed haue done ; it is very specially to be marked how God dealt with him , to make him see his rigourous and vnconscionable handling of his good seruants , by casting a feare vpon him that made him desperate : and not only so , but shewed him mercie by them whom he had vsed cruelly , so that he was conuerted both from that , and from all other his wicked waies , in so strange a manner , that it rang all the citie ouer , that all the rest of them that had been partakers in that odious fact against Gods faithfull seruants , might be prouoked by his example , to turne from their wickednesse also .

But as I said , The sfirst part : The behauiour of Paul and Silas in prison : wherein three things are to be considered . my meaning is not to stand largely vpon both these parts of the text . Noting therefore two or three points in the first , I will lay forth the conuersion of the Iailer more particularly and fully afterwards , which is the second . The things which I haue thought good to shew and lay downe in the first part , are three . The first is of God , comforting and taking part with his deare children in their trouble . The second is of Paul and Silas , and the ioyfulnesse of them in their suffering for well doing . The third is of the wicked Iailer , and what he gained in the end by his crueltie ( God terrifying him deadly by the earthquake ) how bold and vnrulie soeuer he was in the beginning .

Concerning the first , namely , Gods dealing with his , First : that God standeth by his seruants in their troubles . we may see in this Scripture , that he doth not bring his seruants into the briars , I meane great dangers , and then leaue them to shift for themselues how they can , as the manner of the diuell is to do , as also his instruments do , which learne of him . But God vpholdeth and comforteth them in the middest thereof , when a man which looketh but to the outward face of things , would say , they are desolate , they are vndone and vtterly forsaken . This is a point that may be clearly seene heere , as it were in a glasse , for Paul and Silas were brought into many and sore perils for doing their dutie , and for casting the diuell out of the possessed maid ; all the citie both Gouernours and people were against them , so that after scourging they were cast into prison , vntill further sentence should be giuen vpon them . They found no friends in the place : what should I say ? they might ( a man would haue thought ) seuerally haue cried out , and haue made that woful complaint , which the Prophet made in the anguish of his soule , saying : there is no griefe like to my griefe . Lament. 1.12 . And how farre were they off in mans iudgement , from that woe , which is not euery woe , Eccles. 4.10 . when it is said , woe to him that is alone .

But heere we must looke vp higher , and lift vp the eyes of our minds , and behold whether God be absent from them also , or against them as all men were . But we see that to be far otherwise : for we behold him so readie and present at hand , that it might haue been said by him which had a good eye , of Paul and Silas , as Elisha said to his seruant full of feare , when armies of the Aramites were about the house to take him , 2. King . 6.16 . that they had more with them then against them . So the Lord being with Paul and Silas , what hurt could they all do to them , who were against them ? And that was so apparent , that whereas men lying in prison are commonly filled with deadly sorrow , and are at their wits end ; these were in the middest of ioy ; in so much that they expressed the same by singing a Psalme .

Act. 12.11 . Dan. 6.22 . Euen as he did accompanie Peter with an Angell in the like condition , and was present with Daniel in the Lions den , so he was with Paul and Silas at this time . So that though Satan comming first as a tempter to allure to sinne , commeth afterward as an accuser , Matth. 27. to condemne for sinning : and although the high Priests toled Iudas with money and faire allurements to betray his Master ; but when he being wounded in his conscience for his so doing , brought the money againe to them , and complaining in what distresse he was ; they left him in the snare , and bad him shift for himselfe ; yet the Lord doth not so to his .

But if they suffer hardnes for his sake , and at his commandement , yet that may be verified in them , which is written by the Apostle , 2. Cor. ● . 8 . and 6.10 . though they be afflicted on euery side , yet they are not in distresse nor forsaken ; and though they sorrow in the world , yet they alwayes reioyce to God-ward : and though they haue nothing in their penurie ; yet they possesse all things by contentation . And euen when they feele it not , by reason of their weake faith , yet it is with them as it was with Gedeon , when great heauinesse was vpon him , the Angell of God saying to him , Iudg. 6.12 . God is with thee thou valiant man . This is the condition of Gods people , so that as he shewed his presence to Paul and Silas euen in the deep and darke prison , so doth he to all that trust in him , in what affliction soeuer .

Let all such reioyce , saith he in the Psalme , Psalme 5.11 . who knew it so well , yea let them triumph for euer , yea let them that loue thy name ( O Lord ) reioyce : for in what weake estate soeuer they be , Psalme 3.4 . he is their buckler to defend them from their strongest enemies , and when they be most contemptible , yet they may be bold to beleeue it , and to professe their faith and say , they are in honorable account with him . And wheras it is demanded , why then are they so cast downe in their troubles , dismaied and vncomfortable . It is ( I answere ) all long of this , Iohn 20.25 . that they faile in beleeuing , as Thomas did , because he saw not with bodily eyes Christ Iesus in presence ; but when their faith is set on worke , then appeare they more then conquerors , for by it only they preuaile , according to the Apostles words ; This is the victorie that ouercommeth the world , 1. Iohn 5.4 . euen your faith . And this of the first point , namely how God forsaketh not his in their trouble , but standeth by them .

The second is , The second point . How Gods children are affected in their troubles . how the godly are affected in their sufferings ( vnlesse they forget themselues , and faile through their owne default ) and that is as Paul and Silas were , I meane ioyfull and comfortable . No otherwise need they be minded , if they did duely consider their libertie ; nay I say more , if they did well weigh the commandement of the Lord , which is , Phil. 4.4 . that they should do so . For thus he saith : reioyce in the Lord alwaies ( and therefore in tribulation ) and lest he should be thought to speake rashly , and not well aduised , he doubleth his words , saying , againe I say , reioyce . Which commandement if it were obeyed , they might find a great part of heauen ▪ ( that I may speake to their full comfort ) more then they do ▪ heere vpon the earth .

But as it is truly said of Paul and Silas , that they sung for ioy when their feet were pinned in the stockes , and that also in the inward prison ; and so of Dauid the Scripture affirmeth , that when he was in ieopardie of death , 1. Sam. 30.6 . he comforted himselfe in his God ; so there is no let or cause on Gods behalfe , why it should not be so now with the rest of his deare children ; he could willingly afford it them . But as it commeth to passe , that the things that are most precious , are also rare ; so in this one it is most true , that as comfort in affliction , and specially in the greatest , is more worth and more to be accounted of , then gold or the best earthly treasure ; so is it also more hard to be found and enioyed .

How great was the glorie of it in the Martyrs , the Aduersaries themselues being iudges , and in others that in grieuous paines and sicknesse lie comfortable and ioyfull ? And so should it be still , if it were more regarded and better looked to . Why troubles are so vnwelcome to vs . But in that it is not so , what other reason can be alleaged of it , but this , that the Lord vsing his , to a more liberall and full diet , and giuing them more varietie of earthly benefits ; they find such sweetnes and sauour in them , that when wants come or other hardship , they are more hardly borne , and stooped to : ( euen as children daintily brought vp , cannot away with bare and course commons . ) Especially if this be added , that because they are not much encumbred with afflictions , and those that they haue laid on them , be not sore nor grieuous ; therefore when any come vpon them of any waight indeed , they cast them off , as impatient in bearing the burthen .

Psalme 73.14 . Neither let any say to me this , that the children of God are alwaies vnder the crosse , neither are they long without some afflictions , Psalme 126.5 . seeing their life is compared to a sowing in teares . As our outward troubles are many , so are our blessings also . For notwithstanding this ; many are their outward blessings also , especially where the pure preaching of the Gospell is enioyed : for many troubles may be easily swallowed vp , where that is , to helpe to digest them . And yet what poore and weake commendation may be giuen of the ioyfull welcoming of the troubles which are sent to such for the most part ? And this to be true which I say , those times do proue , wherein they haue some load of affliction laid vpon them , for what earnest seeking to God is in them , or patience to beare them ? Indeed , if they continue , or waxe more grieuous , so that they can neither auoid them , neither is there any hope of earthly helpe left vnto them , to come out of them : then perhaps , and not till then for the most part , when they see no other remedy , it may be seene , that God is sought vnto seriously , and then they stirre vp their faith to lay hold of assistance from God with some confidence , when all other helpe faileth .

For example , when by some sore visitation and sicknesse , that is like to be vnto death , God awaketh any of his , ( the disease permitting and giuing libertie to the partie afflicted , for some sicknesse is more violent then other , ) it may be seene sometime , that he lieth more like vnto one that preacheth , and giueth encouragement and exhortation to repentance ioyfully ; rather then as one readie to die : but how rare is this to see ? for in many smaller troubles , perhaps patience will hardly be found . And whereas some of Gods corrections cause sorrow only to the afflicted , without paine to the bodie , as the losse of friends or goods ; some cause sorrow that commeth from paine , as sicknesse and grieuous diseases : it may be that the former may worke some good now or then ; but for the most part , the latter ( if extremitie hinder not ) leaue the best fruit behind them .

Howsoeuer it be , there is no doubt , but that this grace is too much wanting , and the rather it is the lesse sought , seeing we leane too much to temporarie holds and stayes , and for that our hearts runne after earthly things inordinately , as health , riches , peace , &c. though we see by long experience , that there is no hold of them , nor any safe resting in them . And this lingring heere like Lots wife , Gen. 19.26 . must be purged out of vs and chased from vs , or else we shall degenerate from the faithfull in former ages , and shew too truely , that we be not led with their spirit , when we being so nestled heere , can so hardly go out of our selues , to welcome the troubles which God sendeth to weane vs from hence , and do not rather pray that we may reioyce vnder them , and be thankfull in them .

The third thing in this first part of the text , is : The third point : They that pursue Gods seruants ▪ shall haue small cause of reioycing in the end . that euill persons shall haue small cause in the end to reioyce of their hard proceedings against the seruants of God , howsoeuer they pursue them with great delight ; for God will surely take part with them against their enemies . As heere we see in the Iailer , whom he terrified , while Paul and Silas sung for ioy ; in so much that he and other his companions , when they heard it , might see that they had a God that could and would comfort them , when hee himselfe their wicked aduersarie thought he had loaden them with anguish and sorrow ; and that this their God could astonish him with feares and desperatenesse , when they whom he oppressed were merrie .

How God doth this in the world to come , it is cleere enough by that Scripture to the Thessalonians , where it is said ; 2. Thess. 1.6 . That it is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them that trouble his , and to them that are troubled , rest ; when the Lord Iesus shall shew himselfe from heauen with his mighty Angels in flaming fire . Indeed in this world that is not alwaies seene , but yet God doth it euen heere also , while he professeth , Gen. 12.3 . that he will blesse them that blesse his , and curse them that curse his , and while he sheweth fearefull iudgements vpon them who did sore vexe his good seruants , and constraineth other to crie out , and with their owne mouthes to acknowledge , that he plagueth them for their sakes , whom they hated and persecuted .

Examples . For examples of the first kind Zidkiiah is one , the arch-prophet of Baal , who did not only feed Ahab with lies and false messages , as from God , when he demanded of him what the will of God was in a doubtfull and waightie case ; 1. King . 22.25 . but also smote Micaiah the true Prophet of the Lord , and withstood him for speaking the truth . For this very cause he was constrained afterwards with feare to hide him from chamber to chamber . Numb. 16.30 . Another example of the first kind is Corah with his companie , for resisting and rising against Moses the true seruant of God , charging him to be an vsurper of the Priests office , and to take too much vpon him , and himselfe to bee Gods true Priest : for the which , as Moses witnesseth , he was swallowed vp of the earth with those which were of his conspiracie .

Examples of the latter sort , is Pharaoh , who after ten warnings by God in strange punishments , for not letting the people of Israel go to serue the Lord out of his land , but pursuing them still euen into the sea , was in the middest thereof drowned , when he was constrained to confesse that the Lord tooke part with Israel against him , all the Egyptians saying , We will flie from the face of Israel , Exod. 14.25 . for the Lord sighteth for them against the Egyptians . Another example is Iudas , who betraying his Master into the hands of the high Priests for money , was compelled to confesse before them that set him on worke , in a most heauie torment of conscience , casting the money againe before them , Matth. 27.4 . I haue sinned in betraying the innocent blood .

By all these it appeareth , that they shall haue small cause to glorie of their winnings in the end , who offer hard measure to Gods people , the Lord himselfe crying out thus vnto them , Touch not mine annointed , nor do my Prophets no harme . Psalme 105.15 . Neither let any obiect heere , that they know them not to be such , for so they will affirme in their mad mood and raile on them , who yet , when they will speake , as they are perswaded in good aduisednesse , will say of them , as Saul did of Dauid , that he was more righteous then he , 1. Sam. 24.18 . Dan. 6.20 . and as the King of Babylon said to Daniel , thou art the seruant of the most high God . So let faithfull Christians rest in their innocencie , and in the witnesse of a good conscience , and let them count it banquetting cheere , to be accompanied with that ; and their greatest enemies which want it , shall oft count them blessed , and desire to taste of their dainties , howsoeuer they oftentimes set themselues against them . And thus much be said of the first part , and of the three points thereof .

The second followeth , The second part of the text . The conuersion of the Jailer . Three things heere to be marked . and that is concerning the conuersion of the Iailer . For the better vnderstanding wherof , and the vse which we are to make of it , three things are to be marked . The first , what his estate was before his conuersion : the second , the meanes whereby hee was conuerted , and the third , the effects that followed his conuersion , and were proofes and fruits of the same .

His estate before he was turned to God was wicked , as all other mens is : but more laid out in three things , by which we may the easilier iudge of his whole life besides . And these were his crueltie against Paul and Silas , his desperatenes in his affliction , minding to haue killed himselfe , and by consequent his sensuality and drunkennesse in his prosperity while he enioyed it .

The meanes of his conuersion were , partly more remote and further off : partly more neere vnto it . And both of them are seuerally three . Of the first sort was the earthquake , whereby he was astonished and terrified : then Pauls words disswading him from hurting himselfe : and thirdly , how they wrought vpon him , and that was so farre , as that they turned his heart toward them , and he sought to be comforted of them . All these did set him forward , though afarre off , to his conuersion : in so much as , although they wrought it not , yet without these he had neuer come to the other , which were more neere meanes thereof , and did effect it . The latter kind of meanes were also three . First , he desired to know of them how he might be saued . Secondly Pauls answere , that he must beleeue . And thirdly , his teaching him how : whereupon hee receiued and consented to the doctrine , so that he beleeued in the Lord Iesus , and was conuerted .

The effects and fruits of his conuersion follow , and they were also three , which were proofes of it . One , that he was baptised : another was his ioy for so happie a change : and the third his kindnes to them many wayes declared ; as his bringing them out of the loathsome prison into his house , what danger soeuer it had procured to him : his setting of meate before them ; his washing of their stripes ; and with all these the condemning of himselfe for his former crueltie towards them , and his reuenge that he tooke on himselfe for the same .

The estate of the Iailer before his conuersion . Now , according to the parts of this storie , I will proceed to speake of euery one in order . And first , to begin with the estate that he was in before his conuersion , somewhat is to be noted of it in generall , and then his particular sinnes are to be considered . Generally , this is to be obserued , that he being prophane , Ephes. 2 12. and 4.17 . and ( as he shewed himselfe ) ignorant , and without God in the world ; as Paul speaketh of all the Gentiles , I say , it is to be obserued , how vile and wretched we are before God shew his worke of mercie vpon vs : euen filthie and vncleane , stinking in our sinnes , loathsome to God , and euen to men also , who are themselues any better guided and graced .

The which to be true , the saying of Ezechiel doth most cleerely shew : who bringeth God in to speake thus , with many other words to the like purpose , When I passed by thee , Ezech. 16.6 . I saw thee polluted in thine owne blood ; in thy natiuitie when thou wast borne thy nauell was not cut , thou wast not washed in water to soften thee : thou wast not salted with salt , no eye pitied thee , &c. shewing hereby , that before God wash vs and giue life to vs , there is nothing but filthinesse and death . Thus the Scripture brandeth the woman of Samaria , Iohn 4.18 . ( though she afterward brought many to Christ ) with a note of infamie , that she had been an harlot ; that she had been full of ignorance , maliciousnesse , a scorner , &c. And Zacheus , Luke 19.7.8 . though his repentance was famous , had been a sore griper and deceiuer , and Paul had been a persecuter , 1. Tim. 1.13 . a blasphemer and an oppressor .

And such a miserable person was this Iailer . For though there was no direct occasion offered to Saint Luke to lay out his whole wicked course ; yet by the few sinnes that were expressely mentioned to haue been in him , or by necessary consequence , it may be easily gathered that he was such an one : which sins seeing they were setled in him by long custome , as habites and courses of life , they did both rule him , and also drew many like companions to them , to make him a vassall and slaue of the diuell . And so it is with all , though all breake not forth into the same notorious euils .

Well might the Prophet Ieremie therefore say , Lament. 3.22 . it is the Lords mercie that we liue and breath , and are not vtterly consumed . And all may wonder that he will pitie vs , and be patient toward vs , in giuing vs a time of repentance : as they that beleeue do when they find it so , and it should humble the proudest , and shame and feare them that are not so ; euen as it houldeth all in lowlines and abasement euer after , who haue found from him a gracious deliuerance out of such intolerable bondage . And the vse that should be made of the very knowledge of this miserable condition of man , is no lesse then I haue set downe , euen as humble and thankefull walking with God ought alwaies to accompanie those who haue escaped it , as I haue said .

But alas , though there may be seene some such dutie to be practised of the latter , I meane the faithfull ; yet no sparke of shame or sorrow for so great calamity can be perceiued to be in the former , that is , the vngodly : in so much that a man would thinke there were no such vengeance hanging ouer them as I speake of , if he should marke the loosenesse , boldnesse and securitie of such ; and neither any damnation waiting them , either old or yong , men or women : when ( yet ) it is the senselessenes of them through vnbeliefe , that they giuing no credit to the Scriptures , which in euerie place doe proue it to be so ; therefore they feare nothing , no not the greatest woe , till it come vpon them , and that they feele it . This is that which we haue to note of and by the estate of the Iailer in generall .

His particular sinnes . 1. Crueltie . Of his particular sinnes , crueltie is the first , accompanied with adulation and slauerie ; he being readie to put in execution that which was most vniustly commanded him . But besides that , he did ( I say , exercise crueltie vpon the seruants of God , in doing more then he was enioyned . For he was bidden but to keepe them safe ; which he might haue done ; if he had but put them in the common prison . And yet he would not haue done that , if there had been but ciuilitie , especially any dram of compassion in him , but would haue kept them sure in his owne house , they being neither murtherers nor rebels , nor like to be dangerous persons ; but he most cruellie cast them into the bottome of the prison , euen into a dungeon , and yet euen there made their feet fast in the stockes .

The barbarous and sauage act of this Iailer is set downe to withhold all that heare of it from that sinne , and to shame them that practise the same or the like crueltie : not onely for that God hath threatened , Matth. 7.1 . that with what measure men meat it shall be measured to them againe , and that iudgement shall be without mercie to them that are mercilesse , Iames 2.13 . but also seeing it is vnnaturall to be cruell . If any receiue sentence of death for his iust deserts , as Achan : or iniustly , as our Sauiour did , yet if thereto should be added other vexations , as mocking , railing , Iosh. 7.19 . &c. that were crueltie : therefore Ioshua shewed mercie on Achan , to bring him to repentance , when he was adiudged to die ; but the cruell Iewes and souldiers were accused of beastly crueltie , and that most iustly : Matth. 27. vers. 28. &c. when Christ being to be crucified , was also handled despitefully and mocked of them .

Sauls crueltie to his sonne Ionathan , 1. Sam. 14.44 . who would haue put him to death for tasting a little honie with the top of his speare when he fainted , to reuiue himselfe ; was most sauage and vnnaturall . Not vnlike vnto it is that barbarousnes and vnmercifull dealing of step-mothers and step-dames to orphans and poore succorlesse children , whom they vse worse then many a bad man will vse his beast , when yet nature teacheth them that they can neuer shew kindnes and tender compassion enough to their owne children . For which cause the Iewes in vsing correction , were stinted by the Lord , that they should not giue aboue fortie stripes at once . Deut. 25.3 .

And for the same cause , to meete with their crueltie , God commanded that an eye should be put out in him that had done the like ; and a tooth for a tooth , to bridle them . Exod. 21.24 . And how was that seruant dealt with in the Gospell , who being forgiuen ten thousand talents by his Lord , would not forgiue his fellow seruant an hundred pence , but laid hands on him and throtled him , saying , pay me that thou owest ? Matth. 18.28 . His Lord was wroth with him , and deliuered him to the tormentors , till he should pay all that was due to him .

And as all crueltie is fearefull and monstrous , so that which ariseth from enuie and hatred , is diuellish . According to that which Salomon saith : Anger is cruell , and wrath is raging ; Prou. 27.4 . but who can stand before enuy ? But not to say that which yet might to good purpose be said , to make this sinne odious vnto vs , let them who haue aduantage of their neighbours by forfetting their bonds into their hands , and all superiours who may vse poore strangers , fatherlesse ones , and poore seruants at their pleasure , and finally all , whosoeuer they be , beware of hard-heartednesse and crueltie which it bringeth forth , especially of enuie , knowing that they haue a Master and a Superiour in heauen , who will recompence such brutish barbarousnesse , and as they desire that all other should doe the same to them , let them exercise and practise mercie and compassion , kindnesse , gentlenesse , meekenesse , and such like vertues .

His second sin●● Desperatenesse . The second sinne apparently to be seene in the Iailer , was desperatenesse : which was such , that when he arose out of his sleepe by the fearefull earthquake at midnight , and saw the prison doores open , he drew out his sword and would haue killed himselfe , supposing the prisoners had been fled . Such a sinne is this desperatenesse , that when men haue losses , displeasure of their betters , or other great discommodities , or when they be but striken with the feare thereof , they haue no stay of themselues , but without all consideration are carried by it , as by a whirlewind , to very madnesse . Oh , if men be crossed , hauing no grace to vphold them , they are beside themselues , and at their wits end . ] Many maruaile , when the storie is remembred in companie , at the murmuring of the children of Israel , Exod. 16.3 . when they had no food in the second month of their entring into the wildernesse , their store being spent that they brought with them out of Egypt . And it must be confessed , that it was their sinne , that they murmured against God when they were in need . But alas , we who ] are readie to censure them do much worse : for we grudge when we haue no want but abundance , if any thing go against vs . Indeed , while all things go with vs to our hearts desire , and we liue in prosperitie , we can praise God , as though we were not inferiour to the forwardest in religion : but if God lay his hand vpon vs , Iob 1.11 . we will ( as Satan saith in Iob ) euen curse him to his face . Examples want not , euen of such as are of the visible Church . Iudg. 17.2 . The woman spoken of in the Iudges , Micahs mother , when she had lost her money , what was her refuge to the easing of her heart , but cursing ?

2. Sam. 17.23 . When Achitophels counsell was refused of Absalom , which had bin in great account , was he able to put vp that disgrace ? No , but he was so throughly vexed for it , that he recouered not himselfe , 1. Sam. 28.7 . &c. but went and hanged himselfe . Saul had banished the witches out of his land , according to the commandement of the Lord ; yet when he was in a strait ( for all the commandement ) he enquired for one , and asked counsell of her . But oh , that we in this age had learned wisdome and constancie in the seruice of God , to be faithfull to him in our troubles , as we professe it to be our dutie in peace .

But I feare we are not behind the worst of these in the committing of this sin , but before them rather . For they murmured in great distresses ; but we in very small trials , as though we could beare nothing , neither suffer our selues to be crossed in the smallest things : but we flie to our shelter , which is by anger , rage , cursing ▪ impatience or threatnings , if not by worse shifts to auenge our selues , when we should rather be ashamed to be so disguised . Especially considering who we are , and from whence we come ; euen from worse then the dunghill , and should maruell that we be not consumed , rather then thinke much to be touched , yea with the little finger , when we suffer iustly whatsoeuer we suffer , yea the most grieuous calamities : according to the saying of the Prophet in the Lamentations : Wherfore doth the liuing man complaine ? Lament. 3.39 . man suffereth for his sinne .

And this were more fit to be done of vs ( a wise man would thinke ) rather then that we should be led with such frenzie , which I say not is monstrous in them that go for godly , but an vtter shame for those that are meere naturall men , being trained vp vnder true religion , and liuing in the light of the Gospell . And they that cannot submit themselues to this instruction ( which in their owne consciences they cannot but confesse they ought to doe ) let them see their bondage and acknowledge their sin , that so they may make way to the obtaining of pardon and amendment .

The third sinne to be noted in the Iailer , His third sinne : Sensualitie in prosperitie . was the resting and pleasing of himselfe in his prosperitie , when he enioyed it . For this sensualitie is in carnall men , that if they may haue their harts desire in the things that are of price in this world , they are made drunken therewith . And therfore much more he must needs be so , who was a Pagan , and knew nothing of heauen , to hold him within compasse . And although this sin be not expressely said to haue been in him , yet by necessarie consequence , it is gathered to haue been so , by a reason drawne from contraries : for whosoeuer is desperate in his losses , and is brought to his wits end for the same , he ( doubtlesse ) made his prosperitie and the enioying of his goods , Note . his heauen and his paradise .

Euen as the contrarie is said of Iob , that he lost his riches without any great griefe ; therefore he enioyed them ( while he had them ) without any great loue . To be sensuall in prosperitie , a greater sin then to be impatient in aduersitie . And this sinne , to become disguised and made drunken with the commodities which a man enioyeth , is farre worse then to be impatient for the losse of them , and bringeth for●h many greater inconueniences . For such not only loue them , and their pleasures which they follow thereby , 2. Tim. 3.4 . more then God , which is idolatrie ; but also they doe by meanes of them , more boldly commit any sinne , Prou. 18.11 . that they delight in , seeing they make their riches their strong hold . It would not be thought to be true , but that men haue bewrayed what lieth hidden in their hart , by their tongue ; that many , and those of no great patrimony neither , so as they might enioy the estate they liue in heere , they would with all their heart giue ouer all hope or interest in heauen which might possiblie abide them .

And what place is there for instruction in such ? This sinne is called the pride of life ; 1. Iohn 2.16 . namely , to glorie in that which men haue , and that they may heare of no aduersitie , but health , wealth , ease , credit , fauour with their betters , and aduancement aboue others , is their paradise , from the which to be plucked , is vexation to them , and the most deadly tormenting that could befall them . And by these three sins we may gather , what the Iailer was in the whole course of his life , in which these three bare sway , and other sinnes which did accompanie them . And like to him is the condition of all other , while they be strangers and enemies to God ; and yet behold greater abomination then this ; namely , that they waxe hardened in this estate , and worse and worse , rather then fit to be called backe , and to be reclaimed .

Oh therefore , what hope was there either of him , that he might be made a Christian , or of other like vnto him , to be brought backe from such a disguised estate ? And therefore what a wonderfull worke of God is it , to conuert such to a contrarie condition and course , so that neither they would , although they might without punishment , wallow againe in that mire , after they be washed ; neither can they in a long time be pacified nor quiet in themselues afterward , to remember what manner of persons , and how vile and odious they haue been . And seeing the Lord did shew such a worke of mercie vpon this wretched man , let vs see further into it , and by what meanes he brought it to passe , as shall follow in the next Sermon .