Fourthly , The Rod is smarting , grievous , and troublesom ; and so are afflictions to our natures , Heb. 12. 11. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous but grievous . Flesh and blood startles , and is troubled at the least trouble . Affliction is a sort of Physick , that makes most sick . Some write that Tygres will grow mad , and tear their own flesh , Plutarch lib. de superstition● . and rend themselves in pieces , if they do but hear Drums or Tabours sound about them . Were not Job and Jeremiah Job . 3. Jer. 20. such Tygres , who in the day of their afflictions did more than curse the Day of their birth ? O what a bitter cup , what a heavy burden was affliction to them ! Job 10. 1. My Soul is weary of my life . Job 7. 15. My Soul chooseth strangling and death rather than life . Psal. 6. 6. I am weary with my groaning . Psal. 69. 1 , 2 , 3. Save me , O God , for the waters are come in unto my Soul . I sink in deep mire , where there is no standing . I am come into deep waters , where the floods overflow me . I am weary of my crying , my throat is dryed : mine eyes fail , while I wait for my God . Doubtless many good men have sat under Elias 1 Kings 19. 4. his Juniper , wishing themselves out of the World ( if it might stand with Divine pleasure ) that they might rest from their sins and sorrows , and be rid of their many burdens and bondages , looking upon life little better than a Hell , were it not for the hopes of a Heaven hereafter . But ,

Fifthly , When Parents take up the Rod into their hands , they will not lay it down , till Rodolphus the Emperours Motto was , ( Omnia eoe voluntate Dei . ) All must be as God will have it . And this should be every Christians Motto under the Rod. they have subdued the spirits of their Children , and brought them to submit and to kiss the Rod , and to sit still and quiet before them . 'T is so here , when God takes up the Rod , he will not lay it down , till he hath brought us to lye quietly at his feet , Lev. 26. 40 , 41 , 42. If they shall confess their iniquity , and the iniquity of their fathers , with their trespas , which they have trespassed against me , and that also they have walked contrary to me ; And that I also have walked contrary unto them , & brought them into the Land of their enemies ; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled , and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity , Then Will I remember my Covenant with Jacob , and also my Covenant with Isaac , and also my Covenant with Abraham will I remember : and I will remember the Land . When God takes up the Rod , his Children must either bow or break ; they must say , the Jer. 5. 3 , 6. Lord is righteous , they must kiss the Rod of Correction , or else destruction will come like a Whirle-wind upon them .

'T is reported of the Lyon , that he spares those creatures , that fall down before him , and submit unto him ; but as for those that endeavour to run from him , or to contend with him , those he tears in pieces . 'T is just so with the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah , as you may see in that Hos. 5. 14 , 15.

King Edward riding furiously Acts and Mon. in Edward I. after a servant of his , that had highly displeased him , with a drawn Sword in his hand as purposing to kill him ; seeing him submit , and on bended knee suing for his life , did not only put up his Sword , but also spared him , and received him into his favour . The King of Kings will never put up his sword when once he hath drawn it , till his People fall on their knees , & submit unto him . God never left chastising of Ephraim Jer. 31. 18 , 19 , 20. till he had brought him to his bow , till he had made him submit and kiss the Rod. But ,

Sixthly , Afflictions are called a Rod , in respect of the hand that layes them on . Though Affliction be a Rod , it is a Rod in a Fathers hand . John 18. 11. The Sword is in the Judges hand , and the Cudgel is in the Masters hand , but the Rod is in the fathers hand , Heb. 12. 6 , 7 , 8 , 9. When Balaams Ass Num. 22. 29. offended him , he wished for a sword to slay him : But so doth not God ; when we doe most highly provoke him , he doth not take up a Sword to slay us , but only a Rod to scourge us and chastise us , as indulgent Fathers do their dearest Children . But ,

Seventhly and Lastly , Afflictions are called a Rod , in regard of the ends to which they serve . A Rod is not to kill , but to cure ; 't is not for destruction , but for correction . When David gave a full commission to his Souldiers against Absolom , 'T was not to slay him , but to restrain him ; 't was not to ruine him , but to reduce him to his former obedience . The Application is easie . We can as well live without our daily bread , as without our dayly Rod. Now the ends of taking up the Rod are these .

First and more generally , 'T is for the good of the child , and not for his hurt : 'T is so here , God takes up the Rod , but 't is for the good of his People , Gen. 50. 20. But as for you , ye thought evil against me ; but God meant it unto good , to bring to pass , as it is this day , to save much people alive . Divine goodness did so over-master the plotted malignity of Josephs Brethren , as that it made a blessed medicine of a most deadly poyson . Jer. 24. 5. Thus saith the Lord the God of Israel , like these good Figs , so will I acknowledg them that are carried away Captive of Judah , whom I have sent out of this place , into the Land of the Chaldeans for their good . When Israel was dismissed out of Egypt , 'T was with Exod. 11. Gold and Ear-rings . And when Judah was dismissed out of Babylon , 't was with great gifts , Jewels , and all necessary Utensils . So Rom. 8. 28. And Ezra 1. we know that all things work together for good , to them that love God , to them who are the Called according to his purpose . This Text like Moses his Tree , cast into the bitter waters of Affliction , may make them sweet and wholsome to drink of . But ,

Secondly , and more particularly , The Rod is to make the Child sensible of his folly and vanity , Pro. 10. 13. In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found : but the Rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding . So 't is here , God takes up the Rod , but 't is to make his People sensible of their folly and vanity , 't is to make them look up to him , and to look into Conscience , and to look out to their Conversations . Schola Crucis , is Schola Lucis . Gods house of correction is his school of instruction ; his lashes are our lessons , his scourges are our School-masters , and his chastisements are our advertisements . Isa. 26. 9. Psal. 94. 12 Pro. 3. 12 , 13. Job . 36. 8 , 9 , 10. Hence both the Hebrews and Greeks express chastening and teaching by one and the same word ( Musar Paideia ) because the latter is the true end of the former , according to that in the Proverb , Smart makes Wit , and vexation gives understanding . Afflictions are a Christians Looking-Glass , by which he may see how to dress his own Oculos quos peccatum claudit , paena apperit . Greg. The eye that sin shuts , afflictions open . Soul , and to mend whatsoever is amiss : They are Pills made up by a heavenly hand , on purpose to clear our eye-sight . 1 Kings 17. 18. And she said unto Elijah , what have I to do with thee , O thou man of God ? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance , and to slay my Son ? If God had not taken away her Son , her sin had not been brought to remembrance . It was the Speech of an holy man in his sickness , In this Disease ( said he ) I have learned how great God is , and what the evil of sin is ; I never knew to purpose , what God was before , nor what sin was before . The Cross opens mens eyes , as the tasting of Honey did Jonathans . Here ( as that Martyr phrased it ) we are still a learning our A B C , and our lesson is never past Christs Cross , and our walking is still home by weeping Cross . But ,

Thirdly , The Rod is used to prevent further folly , mischief , and misery , Prov. 23. 13 , 14 , With-hold not correction from the Child ; for if thou beatest him with the Rod , he shall not die . Thou shalt beat him with the Rod , and shalt deliver his Soul from Hell . It is said of the Ape , that she huggeth her young ones to death , so many fond Parents by not correcting their Children , they come to slay their Children . The best way to prevent their being scourged with Scorpions in Hell , is to chastise them with the Rod here : So God takes up the Rod , he afflicts and chastiseth his dearest Children , but 't is to prevent soul-mischief and misery , 't is to prevent pride , self-love , worldliness , &c. Paul was 2 Cor. 12. 7 , 8 , 9. one of the holiest men that ever lived on earth , he was called by some , an earthly Angel , and yet he needed the Rod , he needed a thorn in the flesh to prevent pride , witness the doubling of those words in one verse , least I should be exalted above measure , least I should be exalted above measure . If Paul had not been buffetted , who knows how highly he might have been exalted in his own conceit ? Prudent Physitians do often give their Patients Physick to prevent Diseases ; & so doth the Physitian of souls by his dearest Servants , Job 33. 17 , 19. Job 40. 4 , 5. Hos. 2. 6 , 7. He is chastened also with pain upon his bed , and the multitude of his bones with strong pain . That he may withdraw man from his purpose , and hide pride from man . Afflictions are the Lords Drawing-Playsters , by which he draws out the core of pride , earthliness , self-love , covetousness , &c. Pride was one of mans first sins , and is still the root and source of all other sins . Now to prevent it , God many times chastens man with pain , yea , with strong pain upon his bed , Job 34. 31 , 32. Surely it is meet to be said unto God , I have born chastisement , I will not offend any more . That which I see not , teach thou me ; if I have done iniquity , I will do no more . The burnt Child dreads the fire . Sin is but a bitter sweet ; 't is an evil worse than Hell it self . Look as Salt brine preserves things from , putrefying & as salt Marshes keep the Sheep from rotting ; so sanctified Rods , sanctified Afflictions , preserves and keeps the People of God from sinning . But ,

Fourthly , The Rod is to purge out that vanity and folly that is bound up in the heart of the Child , Prov. 22. 15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a Child , but the Rod of correction shall drive it far from him . The Rod is an Ordinance , as well as the Word ; and such Parents that use it as an Ordinance ( praying and weeping over it ) shall find it effectual , for the chasing away of evil out of their Childrens heart . Eli and David were two very choice men , and yet by their fondness on one hand , and neglect of this Ordinance on the other hand , they ruined their sons , and whether they did not undo their souls , I shall not at this time stand to enquire . When Moses cast away his Rod , it became a Serpent ; Exod. 4. 3. and so when Parents cast away the Rod of correction , 't is ten to one but that their Children become the brood of the Serpent . Prov. 13. 24. He that spareth his Rod hateth his son ; but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes . Not only the care , but also the cure of the Child , so far as the Rod will reach , lyes upon the hands of the Parent .

Now Afflictions are like a Rod in this respect also , for as they are sanctified , they cleans and purge away the dross , the filth , and the scumb of the daughter of Zion , Isa. 1. 25. And I will turn my hand upon thee , and purely purge away thy dross , and take away all thy tinn . Isa. 27. 9. By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged , and this is all the fruit to take away his sin . Dan. 11. 35. And some of them of understanding shall fall ( that is , into great Afflictions ) to try them , and to purge them , and to make them white , even to the time of the end . All the harm the Dan. 3. 23 , 24. fire did the three Children ( or rather the three Champions ) was to burn off their cords . Our lusts are cords of vanity , but the fire of Affliction shall burn them up . Zech. 13. 9. And I will bring the third part through the fire , and will refine them as Silver is refined , and will try them as Gold is tryed : they shall call on my name , and I will hear them : I will say , it is my People , and they shall say , the Lord is my God . Sharp Afflictions are a fire to purge out our dross , and to make our graces shine ; they are a potion to carry away ill humours , they are cold frosts to destroy the vermine , they are a tempestuous Sen , to purge the Wine from its lees ; they are like the North Wind , that dryeth up the vapours , that purgeth the blood , and quickens the spirits ; they are a sharp Corrosive to eat out the dead flesh . Afflictions are compared to Baptizing and washing , that takes away the filth of the Soul , as water doth the filth of the body , Mat. 10. 38 , 39. God would not rub so hard , were it not to fetch out the dirt and spots that be in his Peoples hearts .

Fifthly , The Rod serves to improve that good that is in the Child , Prov. 29. 15. The Rod and reproof giveth wisdom , but a Child left to himself bringeth his Mother to shame . So Afflictions they serve to improve our graces , Heb. 12. 10. For they verily for a few dayes ehastened us after their own pleasure , but he for our profit , that we might be partakers of his holiness , that is , that we might more and more be partakers of his holiness . Vers. 11. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous , but grievous : nevertheless , afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness , unto them that are exercised thereby . Hence 't is that the Saints glory in tribulation , Rom. 5. 3 , 4. And not only so , but we glory in tribulations also , knowing that tribulation worketh patience ; and patience , experience ; and experience , hope . Grace alwayes thrives most when Saints are under the Rod. When Christians are under the Rod , then their graces do not only bud , but blossome , and bring forth fruit as Aarons Rod did . The Mum. 17. 8 , snuffing of the Candle , makes it burn the brighter . God beats and bruises his links , to make them burn the brighter ; he bruises his spices , to make them send forth the greater Aromatical savour .

Bernard compares Afflictictions to the Tezel , which though it be starp and scratching , it is to make the Cloath more pure and fine . The Jews were alwayes best , when they were in an afflicted condition . Well-waters arising from deep springs , are hotter in the winter , than they are in the summer . Stars shine brightest in the darkest nights . Vines grow the better for bleeding ; and Gold looks the brighter for scowring . Juniper smels sweetest , when in the fire . Cammomile the more you tread it , the more you spread it . O Sirs , this is a real , and a rare truth , but seldome thought on , viz. that God will sometimes more carry on the growth and improvement of grace by a cross , by an affliction , than by an ordinance , James 1. 3 , 4. James 4. 8 , 9. Afflictions ripen the Saints graces , 2 Cor. 1. 5. First or last God will make every Rod , yea , every twig in every Rod , to be an Ordinance to every afflicted Saint . By Afflictions God many times revives , quickens , and recovers , the decayed graces of his People . By Afflictions God many times enflames that love that is cold , and he strengthens that faith that is failing , and he puts life into those hopes that are languishing , and new spirits into those joyes and comforts that are withering and dying . Musk ( say some ) when it hath lost its sweetness , if it be put into the sink amongst filth , it recovers its sweetn●●● again : So doth smart afflictions recover and revive our decayed graces .

I have read a story of a Sexton , that went into the Church at night , to rob a woman , who had been buried the day before with a Gold ring upon her finger ( according to her desire ) ; now when he had opened the Grave and Coffin , and loosed the sheet , he fell a rubbing and chafing her finger to get off the Gold Ring , and with rubbing and chafing of it , her spirits returned ( she having been but in a swoon before ) and she revived , and lived many years after . Smart Afflictions are but the rubbing and chafing of our graces . The smarting Rod abaseth the loveliness of the world , that might entice us , it abates the Iustiness ▪ of the flesh within , that might incite us to vanity and folly , and it abets the spirit in his quarrel to the two former : All which tend much to the recovering and reviving of decayed graces . But ,

The Sixth end to which the Rod serves , & that is , to try the child , to make a discovery of the spirit of the child . Some Parents never see so much of the badness of the spirits of their Children , as they do when they bring them under the Rod ; and other Parents never see so much of the goodnesse of the spirits of their Children , as they do when they chastise them with the Rod : 'T is so here , when God afflicts some , O the pride , the stoutness , the crosness , the hardness , the peevishness and stubborness of spirit that they Exod. 5. 2. Jer. 44. 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19. discover ! Isa. 1. 5. Jer. 5. 3. When he afflicts others , O the murmuring , the roaring , the complaining , the howling , the fretting , the vexing , and the Amos 4. 6 , — 13. quarrelling spirit that they discover ! Num. 14. 27 , 29 , 36. Deut. 1. 27. Isa. 58. 3 , 4. Isa. 59. 11. Hos. 7. 14 , 15. Jon. 4. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 8 , 9. Sometimes when God afflicts his dearest People , O what a spirit of Faith , what a spirit of Prayer , what a spirit of Love , what a spirit of Patience , what a spirit of meekness , what a spirit of humbleness , what a spirit of submissiveness do they discover ! Job 13. 15. 2 Chron. 1. 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 12. Isa. 26. 16 , 17. Hos. 5. 14 , 15. Job 1. 20 , 21 , 22. Lev. 10. 1 , 2 , 3. 1 Sam. 3. 18. 2 Kings 20. 16 , 17 , 18 , 19. And at other times when God afflicts his poor People , O what a spirit of unbelief , what a spirit of slavish fear , what a spirit of impaciency , what a spirit of displeasedness , &c. do they discover ! Gen. 15. 2 , 3. Gen. 12. 13 , 19. Gen. 20. 2 , 5. Gen. 26. 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11. Psal. 31. 22. Psal. 116 , 11. 1 Sam. 21. 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15. Job . 3. 3 , — 13. Jer. 20. 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18. By smart Afflictions God tryes the graces of his People , and discovers what is in the spirits of his People , Deut. 8. 2. Psal. 66. 10 , 11. Rev. 3. 18. 1 Pet 1. 6 , 7. The fire tryes the Gold , as well as the Touch-stone . Diseases try the Art of the Physitian , and Tempests try the skill of the Pilot. Every smarting Rod is a Touch-stone , both to try our graces , and to discover our spirits . Prudent Fathers will sometimes cross their Children , to try , to discover , the dispositions of their Children : Heb. 12. 5 , — 21. And so doth the Father of Spirits deal sometimes with his Children .

The manner of the Psylli ( which are a kind of People Plin. lib. 28 of that temper and constitution , that no Venom will hurt them ) is this , if they suspect any Child to be none of their own , they set an Adder upon it to sting it , and if it cry , and the flesh swell , they cast it away as a spurious issue , but if it do not quatch nor cry , nor is never the worse for it , then they account it for thei own , and make very much of it . The Application is easie . But ,

The seventh and last end of the Rod , Is to prepare & fit the Isa. 48. 10. chastised for greater services , favours and mercies . Many a Child , and many a servant had never been so fit for eminent services as they are , had they not been under a smarting Rod. 'T is very usual with God , to cast men into very great Afflictions , and to lay them under grievous smarting Rods , that so he may prepare and fit them for some high and eminent services in this world . Joseph had never been so fit to be Governour Gen. 41. 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44. of Egypt , and to preserve the visible Church of God alive in the World , if he had not been sold into Egypt , if his feet had not been hurt in the Gen. 45. 7 , 8. stocks , and if the Irons had not entred into his soul . Nor Moses had never been so fit to be a Leader , and a Deliverer of Israel as he was , if he had Gen. 50. 20. not been banished Fourty Yeares in the Wilderness before . Nor Davids Crown had never sat so well , nor so close , nor so long on his head , as it did , had he not for some years before been hunted , as a Partridge in the Wilderness . Nor the Three Children ( or rather , the Three Champions ) would never have been fit for so high a Rule , had Dan. 3. 29 , 30. they not been first cast into the fiery Furnace . Nor Daniel , for that exceeding high honour , and glory , and greatness , to which he was exalted , had he Dan. 6. 25 , — ult . not been first cast among the Lyons . And so had Esther never been a poor Captive-Maid , she had never been a Queen , and so had never been instrumental in the preservation of the Church of God in her day . Heman was one of the best and wisest men in 1 Kings 4. 31. the World ( in his day ) , and this God brought him to , by training of him up in the School of Affliction , as you may evidently , see in that 88. Psalm . That of the Apostle in 2 Cor. 1. 4. deserves to be written in letters of gold , Who comforteth us in all our tribulation , that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble , by the comfort wherewith we our selves are comforted of God . Mark that word , able . O 't is one of the hardest and noblest works in all Christianity , to be able divinely to comfort others that are in troubles ; and yet by sufferings God fits and prepares his People , for this noble and difficult service .