With more probability the Metaphor may be conceived to be borrowed from one of these three Heads , A threefold ground of the Metaphor . all taken notice of by Aretius writing upon this Text.

1. Some fetch it from a custome among some of the Heathen , From a deadly Cup given to Malefactors . Formula petita â ritu Gentium , quo noxios poticnibus missis in corcerem to●libant è medio . Atet . Com. in loc. who were wont sometimes to put malefactors to death by giving them a deadly cup , a Cup of Poyson to drink . So Historians tell us of Socrates , that famous Moralist , that being condemned to dye , a poysonous potion , a Cup of the juice of Hemlock was sent him to drink , which having done , he ended his dayes . To this custom some conceive that forenamed passage to allude , Jer. 25.16 . where the Prophet is sent to the Nations with a cup , to cause them to drink it . Vid. New Annot Engl. in Mat. 20. vers. 22. And so they look upon the word here in the text . And it must be acknowledged , the allusion is very proper and fit . Christ having taken upon him the sins of the World , he was now by Imputation a grand Malefactor , a great sinner , the greatest that ever was , having the sins of the World charged upon his account . Hereupon God the Father , as a just and impartial Judge , for the satisfying of his Justice , giveth him this deadly cup , this poysonous potion of an accursed death to drink , to undergoe . But I shall not insist upon this , though a truth , and an usefull one .

Applic. Usefull , as to other ends , Sin continued in , will be biternesse in the la●ter end . so to deter all presumptuous sinners from daring to go on in any known evill ; which if they shall dare to do , let them know that it will be bitterness in the latter end . As Abner once said to Joab concerning his over-eagre pursuit of his Brethren , 2 Sam. 2.26 . Knowest thou not that it will be bitternesse in the latter end ? So may I say to all wicked and ungodly men , who are so eager in the prosecution and pursuit of their sinfull wayes and courses ; Know ye not that it will be bitternesse in the latter end ? So the Saviour of the World , the eternall Son of God , found those sins which he as a Surety had taken upon himself : And surely so shall you finde those sins which now you give over your selves unto ; they will be a bitter Cup , a Cup of Poyson in the end . Vpon the Wicked God shall rain snares , fire and Brimstone , and an horrible Tempest ; this shall be the portion of their Cup. Psal. 11.6 . But I shall not dwell here .

In the second place , From the Physicians potion . others conceive the Metaphor taken from the Physician , who sometimes prescribes unto his Patient a churlish Potion , Vel , a medicis , qui aegris propinant potiones , ac interdum satis amaras ac acerbas . Ità Deus Pater hanc potionem Filio suo propi●at , ut pro salute omnium fidelium mortem subeat . Aret. in loc. distastefull to the Palate , and loathsome to the stomach , in it self ( it may be ) deleterious , little better then poyson , were it not corrected , and so made medicinable . Which Cup being prepared , he presents , requiring his Patient to drink it off , for the saving of his life , the preserving or recovering of his health . And of this Allusion we may say , ( as of the former ) that it suiteth well with our present purpose , and that whether we make a particular , or generall Application of it .

1. Apply it to the particular case in the Text. The Death and Passion of Jesus Christ it was such a Cup , Christs passion a medicinable Cup. a Medicinable Cup , a bitter Potion , which God the Father , as a wise Physician , prescribed , prepared , and presented unto his Son , that he should drink it for the salvation of his Elect people . Thus the Head taketh in that Potion which is medicinable to the whole Body . And thus Jesus Christ , the head of his Church , he drinketh this Cup , which however to him it was a bitter and distastefull Cup , yet it was a Cup of salvation to his whole mystical Body , a true and soveraign Catholicon , healing all the diseases , taking away the sins of the World , the Elect World . Thus in particular .

2. Make the Application in a more generall way . Afflictions , crosses , sufferings , Such are all Afflictions to Gods people . wherewith God is pleased to exercise his people upon earth , they are but a Medicinable Cup , which he as a wise Physician mixeth and tempereth for them ; and administreth to them for their good , for the health of their souls .

Applic. A usefull Meditation , A ground of patience . did I intend to insist upon it . Usefull , ( as otherwise , so ) specially for the promoting of that design I have now in hand , the teaching of Christians quietly and contentedly to submit to the will of their heavenly Father in the bearing of whatever sufferings he shall be pleased to exercise them with . Thus doe Patients submit to their Physicians . Apprehending them skilfull and faithfull , they put themselves into their hands , being ordered by them , taking whatever Dose , or Potion they prescribe unto them . Even thus should Christians submit unto their heavenly Physician , their God and Father , knowing him to be both wise and faithfull , they should now yield up themselves to his disposure in the drinking of whatever Cups he shall prepare for them , Three ordinary ground , of Impatience , all which this Metaphor meeteth with . quietly and patiently submitting to whatever afflictions , not murmuring , not repining , not quarrelling his Dispensations and dealings with them , whether in regard of the Quality , or Multiplicity , or long Continuance of them . These are the three things which ordinarily make men impatient . O ( saith one , ) were my Crosse a common ordinary one , I could bear it , but it is a heavy one ; My Cup is a bitter Cup , no sorrow like my sorrow . That is the Churches complaint in her captivity , Lam. 1.12 . Behold and see if there be any sorrow like to my sorrow , wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger . And Christians are ready to take it up ; when the hand of God lyeth heavy upon them , O now there is no sorrow , no Affliction like unto theirs . O ( saith a second ) were it but one affliction I should make shift with it , but I am compassed about on every side . That is Davids complaint , Psal. 40.12 . Innumerable evils have compassed me about . And such is the condition sometimes of Gods dearest children . Their Crosses are ( like Jobs Biles , which were from the sole of his foot unto his Crown , Job 2.7 . ) many of severall kindes ; they are afflicted ( as he also was ) in Body , Estate , good name , Wife , Children , no part free . O ( saith a third ) My burden , were it but for a short time , I could undergoe it . But far carriage maketh a light burden heavy ; the long continuance of my Affliction maketh it unsupportable . Now this Metaphor which we have in hand it fitly meets with every of these .

1. With the first ; Is thy Affliction sharp and bitter , The sharpness of afflictions . remember it is a Potion , a medicinable cup , and those sometimes must be such , viz. where the necessity of the Patient requires it . And such it may be is thy condition ; a gentler medicine would not work upon thee . It may be thy corruptions are strong , and so require a strong Potion to work them out ; which were it weaker , it may be it would do thee no good , but rather harm . Now God is a wise Physician , who knoweth what is fit for his Patient . And therefore submit unto him ; not quarrelling the bitternesse of thy Cup. Bitter Drugs which help to evacuate evill and noxious humors , and to cleanse the stomach , are better then sweeter meats which might breed dangerous surfets .

2. For the Multiplicity ; Are thy Afflictions many , of sundry kindes , The Multipl●city of them . remember again this is a medicinable cup. Now in such a cup the Physician often mingles many Ingredients ; which he doth , that they may meet with severall humours , and that one may help , or correct another . And thus dealeth God by his people . Sometimes he putteth divers Ingredients into their Cup , exerciseth them with sundry kindes of Afflictions and tryals ; which he doth for the like ends . It may be their corruptions , their Soul-maladies are many . And it may be one affliction alone would not work so kindely , so throughly . And therefore he is pleased thus to mixe his Cup. Which he doth not , but where his people have need of it . If need be ye are in heavinesse through manifold temptations , ( saith St. Peter ) 1 Pet. 1.6 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Where one Simple will serve the turn , the wise Physician will not trouble his Patient with Compositions . Surely , if God do make his people heavy with multiplicity of Afflictions , there is a cause for it . They have need of every Ingredient in this cup.

3. Again ( thirdly ) for the long continuance of Affliction . The long continuance of them . Here still remember this is a Medicinable Cup. Now ( whatever the covetous and self-ended may ) the wise and faithfull Physician will not hold his Patient in a course of physick longer then need is . If he still prescribe potion after potion , surely he seeth there is a cause for it . And thus is it with our heavenly Physician , if he do keep his people in a course of afflictions , it is not that he taketh any delight in it . No , though earthly Parents may sometimes chasten their children for their pleasure ( as the Apostle speaketh , Heb. 12.10 . ) our heavenly Father doth it not . He seeth that there is a cause for it . Con●inuance of Afflictions sometimes needfull . He seeth that they have need of it , need of those afflictions wherewith he exerciseth them , and under which he holdeth them . Need , either for the cure of some old Malady , or for the prevention of some new one , which he seeth them in danger of .

1. For the cure of habituated lusts . For the cure of some old Malady . Possibly there may be some old habituated Lusts , which through a long custome and continuance have taken a deep rooting in the soul . Now these are not easily , or suddainly wrought out . There must be a course of physick to cure an inveterate disease . M. Paul Bayne Christian Letters , 33. It may be ( as I remember a reverend and holy man writes to a friend concerning himself ) the sweet wayes of youth have bred such a bed of Worms in our souls , that our heavenly Father seeth it necessary for us to continue our Wormwood and Aloes . Thus God doth this sometimes by way of cure .

2. And sometimes by way of prevention . Though for the present ( it may be ) the soul may be in a sound and healthfull plight , For the preventing of spiritual maladies . yet he foreseeth what infirmities it is subject to , and in danger of , and hereupon it is that he followeth his people with a succession of Afflictions . Even as the Physician that purgeth his Patient every Spring and Fall , that so by those seasonable Evacuations he may prevent the sicknesse which he is inclined to . Thus doth God , knowing the temper of his people , he often followes them with afflictions and tryals to prevent those spiritual Maladies , which otherwise he seeth would breed in their souls . To which end he keepeth them ( it may be ) continually under his correcting hand , holding them ( as I may say ) in a course of physick , even all their life long .

And shall he be pleased so to deal with any of us , let not us repine or murmur . True it is , Applic. 1 Repine not under long afflictions . to be held long , much more continually , under affliction , it is a wearisome thing to flesh and blood . As we say of physick , Qui medicè vivit , miserè vivit ; To be alwayes in the Physicians hands it is a miserable course of life : And truly so it is to be continually under Gods afflicting hand , to nature it is a wearisome condition . But here let Grace correct and help Nature , by minding us , that this is the condition which our heavenly Father seeth fit for us . And therefore quietly and contentedly submit unto him , to the drinking of whatever cup , or cups , he shall prescribe unto us .

Only labouring to finde the kindely working of every of them , Labour to find a kindely working of them . that we may be bettered by them as to our spirituall condition ; that we may finde all sinfull and inordinate lusts more and more purged out of our souls ( and the peaceable fruit of righteousnesse brought forth . ) So shall we have cause to blesse God for this his dealing with us ; acknowledging with David , that it is good for us that we have been afflicted , that we might learn his statutes , Psal. 119.71 . which is a sweet and blessed fruit . Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest , O Lord , and teachest out of thy Law , Psal. 94.12 . When Nocumenta thus prove Documenta ; when chastening and teaching go together , this is a blessed thing . But I am not come where I intend to fasten .

There is yet a third head , a third rise of the Metaphor , A third head of the Metaphor . From Governours at Feasts . which is looked upon as most genuine and proper ; which is to fetch it either from a custome among the Ancients , who in their Banqueting and Feasting , being wont to drink by measure , they had one who was appointed to be the Moderator or Governour of the Feast ; Sumpta est Metaphora vel a more convivantium . Veteres enim in conviv● is , singulis portionem suam per dispensatorem assignabant ; Latinis Modiperatores erant , &c. Aret. in loc. as you shall finde it at that Marriage Feast in Cana of Galilee , which our Saviour graced with his presence , Joh. 2.8 , 9. Him the Greeks called ( as it is there ) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and so after them the Latines , Modiperatores quasi modum imperantes . Architriclinus , or Symposiarcha , whose Office it was to order all things at the Feast , and in speciall to see a measure kept in drinking ( from whence he was called Modiperator ) to which end he appointed every one his cup , which he must drink , and no more . Or from Masters of Families . Or else more plainly and simply , ( as others conceive of it ) from a Master of a Family , Metaphora sumpta a more Veteri , secunáum quem Pater-familias singulis domesticis , ut certam cibi partionem edendam , sic etiam certam poculi , id est vini seu potus , mensuram bibendam distribuebat , &c. P. Ravanell . Thesaur . Calvin ; Piscator , &c. ad loc . whose manner anciently was , to give to every one in the Family , children and servants , their severall portion , as of Meat , so of Drink , to every one their cup. Even so doth God , the great Moderator , the wise Disposer and Governor of all things , and the Father of all the Families in heaven and in earth , distribute to every of the sons of men their portions , as of mercies and blessings , so of sufferings , which in phrase of Scripture is called their cup. Whence it is that we finde these two sometimes put together ; as Psal. 11.6 . This shall be the portion of their cup ; And again , Rectè à viris doctis annotatum est per 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hebraeum , cut respondet Hellenistarum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , significari sortem prosperam aut improsperam , quae Deo inspectante ac moderante cuique obtingit . Unde & vocem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 interdum adjuactam legimus . Grot. Annot. in Math. 20. vers. 22. Psal. 16.5 . The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance , and of my cup. So then by [ Cup ] understand we that portion of sufferings which God by his providence layeth out unto the sons of men . which he doth not at randome , but by measure . Mark it . This is the Doctrinall conclusion which I shall from hence take up .

Afflictions , Doct. sufferings are dispensed by God unto men by measure . Sufferings dispensed by God by measure . Perindè ac Pacerfamilias cibum & potum filiis ac domesticis suis distriouit , ità hoc juris in nos habet Deus , ut singulos tractet prout visum est . Calvin Cem. in Text. So were the sufferings of the Son of man , the Lord Jesus ; and so are the sufferings of all the sons of men . They do not fall upon them by chance , or fortune , but by a divine providence . Neither are they poured out upon them without any regard of stint , ( as I may say ) but by measure . As for the former of these , none but an Atheist will deny , or question it . It is that which Eliphaz willeth Job to take notice of , Affliction cometh not forth of the dust , neither doth trouble spring out of the ground , Job 5.6 . Crosses , afflictions , sufferings , of what kinde soever , they do not happen by chance , nor yet have they their Originall meerly from secondary causes . There is a hand of Divine providence in every of them . Shall there be evil in a City , and the Lord hath not done it ? Amos 3.6 . This is Gods work .

And this he doth by measure . God doth all things by weight and measure . So he doth all things , by weight and measure . As Job saith of the Waters , Job 28.25 . He weigheth the waters by measure ; ] He so ordereth the waters of the Sea , as that they keep within their banks , as if they were weighed , or measured . And so may it be said of the waters of Affliction , of sufferings , God weigheth and measureth them out , giving to every one his dimensum , his proportion , his Cup.

For the prosecuting and clearing of which truth we may take notice of two sorts of sufferings , Sufferings of two sorts , satisfactory and castigatory . two sorts of punishments which God inflicteth upon the sons of men . There is Poena satisfactoria & castigatoria . There are some punishments which are satisfactory , other castigatory : Which two , however for the matter of them they are one and the same , the same Cup , the same liquor , ( as I may say ) yet they are differenced according to the subject , the persons on whom they are inflicted . The former are judgements , or punishments properly so called , which befall wicked men . The latter corrections , chastisements , tryals , wherewith Gods own people are exercised . Both dispensed by mersure . Now of both these it is alike true , that God dispenseth them by measure . Mark it , Punishments and chastisements , ( so call them for distinctions sake ) God dispenseth them both by measure , though not by the same measure . Though not by the same measure . The one he measureth out by a measure of justice , the other by a measure of mercy , proportioning the one to the desert of the sinner , the other to his strength ; which two we may ( with the Schools ) call the one an Arithmetical , the other a Geometricall proportion . Yet in both he dealeth by measure ; measuring out punishments unto wicked men , and measuring out chastisments unto his own people . I shall deal with them severally . Begin with the former .

1. Punishments properly so called , satisfactory punishments inflicted for sin , Punishments inflicted by measure , a measure of justice . The sufferings of Christ thus measured . God poureth them out by measure . By a measure of justice ( as I said ) proportioning the punishment to the sin . Thus did God measure out the sufferings of Jesus Christ , those satisfactory punishments inflicted upon him , they were proportioned to the sins which he had undertaken . This is that which the Prophet Isai setteth forth so clearly and fully , Isa. 53.6 . where speaking of the Messiah , of Christ , he saith , The Lord hath layd on him the iniquity of us all ; or ( as the Margin in our new Translation readeth it according to the Originall . ) He hath made the iniquity of us all to meet on him ; ] inflicting on him whatever was requisite for the satisfying of his justice for the sins of his Elect people , for whom Christ , as their surety had undertaken . So the next Verse explains it , vers. 7. He was oppressed , and he was afflicted ; or ( as the Originall hath it word for word , ) It was exacted , and he answered . ] God the Father , as a just Judge , required full satisfaction from him , and he therein answered , by paying a full price , and so discharging of the debt wherein his Elect were ingaged .

And after the same manner will he deal with all those who have not a share in that satisfaction , even all wicked and ungodly men . The sufferings of wicked men thus measured . To them will God measure out punishments by the same measure , a measure of justice proportioning them to their sins . Temporall punishments sometimes .

Thus doth he oft times measure out unto them temporall plagues and punishments in this life , therein dealing with them according to their sins . This David prayeth for , that God would so deal by his mischievous enemies , Psal. 28.4 . Give them according to their deeds , and according to the wickednesse of their indeavours , give them after the work of their hands , render to them their desert . And this God often doth , proportioning judgements to sins : Thus is he said to deal with Mystical Babylon . Babylon the Mother of Whoredomes , spoken of Rev. 17.4 . is there said to have a Golden Cup in her hand , full of abominations , and filthinesse . ] There is the measure of her sins , A full cup. And behold how her punishment answereth it . To her God giveth the cup of the wine of the fiercenesse of his wrath , Rev. 16.19 . And that a full Cup ; A Viall full of the wrath of God , ( as those Vials are described , Cap. 15 7. ) In the cup which she hath filled , fill to her double , Rev. 18.6 . Thus a full cup of abomination meeteth sometimes , oft times , with a full cup , an answerable proportion of temporall plagues and judgements , wherein God rendreth unto men according to their demerits . So he threatneth , Deut. 32.41 . If I whet my glittering Sword , and my hand take hold of vengeance , I will render vengeance to mine Enemies , and will reward them that hate me .

However , Eternal punishment . this he will do hereafter , at that great day of retributions , when the Lord shall render to every man according to his deeds , ( as the Apostle hath it , Rom. 2.6 . ) then shall he pour out wrath and vengeance upon all wicked and ungodly men ; which he shall do by a measure of justice , proportioning their plagues to their sins . To the nature and quality of them . The greater the sin , the greater the punishment . Sins of ignorance shall meet with fewer stripes , sins of knowledge with more ; so our Saviour tells the Jewes , Luk. 12.47 , 48. And so for the number ; the more sins committed , the oftner repeated , the greater weight of Judgement . Thence is that phrase used by the Apostle of heaping , or treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath . Rom. 2.5 . A heap , a treasure is encreased by daily additions ; and so is that punishment which shall be inflicted upon wicked men at the last day , it shall be increased by the multiplying of their sins . Every sin being as it were a Faggot to feed that eternall fire withall . Now the more Fagots are cast on , the greater is the flame . And the more sins a man committeth here , the greater ( without repentance ) shall his punishment be hereafter .

Applic. Applic. Wicked men deterred from going on in a course of sin . The consideration whereof might be of use for the deterring of all wicked and ungodly men from daring to go on in a course of sin , as too many do , who adde drunkennesse to thirst , ( as the Lord there speaketh , Deut. 29.19 . ) adde one sin to another , drinking iniquity like water , Job 15.16 . multiplying their transgressions , as if they could never have their fill of sin . Alas , what do they hereby but fill up this cup ? the cup of the wrath of God , which at the last day , that day of wrath and the Revelation of the righteous Judgement of God , shall be poured out upon them . But I shall not insist upon this .