For the first , What is the Silence here meant ? I answer , there is a sevenfold Silence .

First , There is a Stoical Silence : the Stoicks of old thought it altogether below a man that hath reason and understanding , either to rejoyce in any good , or to mourn for any evil ; but this Stoical Silence is such a sinful unsensibleness as is very provoking to a holy God , Isa. 26. 10 , 11. God will make the most insensible sinner sensible , either of his hand here , or of his wrath in Hell . It is a Heathenish and a horrid sin to be without natural affections , Rom. 1. 31. And of this sin Quintus Fabius Maximus seems to be foulely guilty , who when hee heard that his Mother and Wife whom he dearly loved , were slain by the fall of an house , and that his younger son , a brave hopeful young man , died at the same time in Umbria , hee never changed his countenance , but went on with the affairs of the Common-wealth , as if no such calamity had befallen him ; this carriage of his spoke out more stupidity than patience .

And so Harpalus was not at all appalled , when hee saw two of his sons laid ready drest in a charger , when Astyages had bid him to Supper ; this was a sottish insensibleness . Certainly , if the loss of Job 36. 13 Isa. 57. 1 a childe in the house bee no more to thee , than the loss of a Chick in Hos. 7. 9 Balaams Asse reproves this dumbness . the yard , thy heart is base and sordid , and thou mayest well expect some sore awakening judgement : This age is full of such Monsters , who think it below the greatnesse and magnanimity of their spirits , to bee moved , affected or afflicted with any afflictions that befalls them . I know none so ripe and ready for H●ll as these .

Aristotle speaks of Fishes , that though they have spears thrust into their sides , yet they awake not : God thrusts many a sharp spear thorow many a sinners heart , and yet hee feels nothing , hee complains of nothing ; these mens souls will bleed to death . Seneca reports of Senecio Cornelius , who minded his body more than his Epist. 10. soul , and his m●ny more than Heaven ; when hee had all the day 〈◊〉 waited on his dying friend , 〈◊〉 his friend was dead , hee re 〈◊〉 his house ▪ s●ps merrily , 〈◊〉 himself quickly , goes to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his sorrows were ended , and the time of his mourning expired , before his deceased friend was interred . Such stupidity is a curse that many a man lies under : But this Stoical Silence , which is but a sinful fullenness , is not the Silence here meant .

Secondly , There is a Politick Silence : Many are silent out of policy , should they not bee silent , they should lay themselves more open , either to the rage and fury of men , or else to the plots and designs of men ; to prevent which they are silent , and will lay their hands upon their mouths , that others may not lay their hands upon their estates , lives , or liberties . And Saul also went home to Giheah , 1 Sam. 26. 27 and there went with him a band of men , whose hearts God had touched . But the Children of Belial said , How shall this man save us ? and they despised him , and brought him no presents ; but hee held his peace , or was a● though hee had been deaf . This new King , being but newly entred upon his Kingly Government , and observing his condition to bee but mean and low , his friends but few , and his enemies many and potent , Sons of Belial , i. e. men without yoak ( as the word signifies ) men that were desperately wicked , that were mark'd out for hell , that were even incarnate Devils , who would neither submit to reason , nor Religion , nor bee governed by the Laws of Nature , nor of Nations , nor yet by the Laws of God ; now this young Prince , to prevent sedition and rebellion , Hear , see , and be silent , if thou wilt live in peace , is a French Proverb . blood and destruction , prudently and politickly chuses rather to lay his hand upon his mouth , than to take a Woolf by the ear , or a Lion by the beard ; hee wanted neither wit nor will to bee mute , hee turns a deaf ear to all they say , his unsetled condition requiring Silence .

Henry the sixth , Emperour of Germany , used to say ( Qui nescit tacere , nescit loqui ) hee that knows not how to bee silent , knows not how to speak . Saul knew this was a time for Silence , hee knew his work was rather to bee an Auditor , than an Oratour : But this is not the Silence the Proposition speaks of .

Thirdly , There is a foolish Silence : Some fools there bee that can neither do well , nor speak well ; and because they cannot word it , neither as they would , nor as they should , they are so wise as to bee mute , Prov. 17. 28. Even a fool , when hee holdeth his peace , is counted wise : and hee that shutteth his lips , is esteemed a man of understanding . As hee cannot bee wise that speaks much , so hee cannot bee known for a fool that saies nothing . There are many wise fools in the world ; there are many silly souls , who by holding their tongues , gain the credit and honour of being discreet men : Hee that doth not discover his want of wisdome by foolish babling , is accounted wise , though hee may bee otherwise . Silence is so rare a virtue , where wisdome doth regulate it , that it is accounted a virtue where folly doth impose it . Silence was so highly honoured among the old Romans , that they erected Altars to it . That man shall pass for a man of understanding , who so far understands himself , as to hold his tongue : For though it be a great misery to be a fool , yet it is a greater that a man cannot bee a fool , but hee must needs shew it : But this foolish silence is not the Silence here meant .

Fourthly , There is a sullen Silence : Many to gratifie an humour , a lust , are sullenly silent ; these are troubled with a dumb Devil , which was the worst Devil of all the Devils you read of in the Scripture , Mark 9. 17 , — 28.

Pliny in his natural History maketh Lib. 7 cap. 2. mention of a certain people in the Indies upon the River Ganges , called Astomi , that have no mouth , but do onely feed upon the smell of herbs and flowers . Certainly there is a Generation amongst us , who when they are under the afflicting hand of God , have no mouths to plead with God , no lips to praise God , nor no tongues to justifie God ; these are possessed with a dumb Devil , and this dumb Devil had possest Ahab for a time , 1 King . 21. 4. And Ahab came into his house , heavy and displeased , and laid him down upon his bed , and turned away his face , and would eat no bread . Ahabs ambitious humor , his covetous humor , being crost , hee is resolved to starve himself , and to dye of the sullens . A sullen Silence is both a sin and a punishment ; no Devil frets and vexes , wears and wastes the spirits of a man , like this dumb Devil , like this sullen Silence .

Some write of a certain Devil whom they call Hudgin , who will not ( they say ) hurt any body , except hee bee wronged . I cannot speak so favourably of a sullen Silence , for that wrongs many at once , God and Christ , bodies and souls : But this is not the Silence here meant .

Fifthly , There is a forced Silence : Many are silent perforce ; hee that is under the power of his enemie , though hee suffer many hard things , yet hee is silent under his sufferings , because hee knows hee is liable to worse ; hee that hath taken away his liberty , may take away his life ; hee that hath taken away his money , may take off his head ; hee that hath let him blood in the foot , may let him blood in the throat , if hee will not bee still and quiet ; and this works Silence perforce : So when many are under the afflicting hand of God , conscience tells them , that now they are under the hand of an enemy , and the power of that God whom they have dishonoured , whose Son they have crucified , whose Spirit they have grieved , whose righteous Laws they have transgressed , whose Ordinances they have despised , and whose People they have abused and opposed . And that hee that hath taken away one childe , may take away every childe ; and hee that hath taken away the wife , might have taken away the husband ; and hee that hath taken away some part of the estate , might have taken away all the estate ; and that hee who hath inflicted some distempers upon the body , might have cast both body and soul into hell fire for ever ; and hee that hath shut him up in his chamber , may shut him out of Heaven at pleasure : The thoughts and sense Oculos quos peccatum claudit , paena aperit . Gr. The eye that sin shuts afflictions open . of these things , makes many a sinner silent under the hand of God ; but this is but a forced Silence : And such was the Silence of Philip the second King of Spain , who when his invincible Armado that had been three years a fitting , was lost , hee gave command , that all over Spain , they should give thanks to God and the Saints , that it was no more grievous . As the cudgel forces the Dogg to be quiet and still ; and the Rod forces the childe to bee silent and mute : so the apprehensions of what God hath done , and of what God may do , forces many a soul to bee silent , Jer. 3. 10. 1 King . 14. 5 , — 18. But this is not the silence here meant ; a forced Silence is no Silence in the eye of God .

Sixthly , There is a despairing Silence : A despairing soul is Magor-Missabib , Psa. 94. 17 Psa. 28. 1 a terrour to himself , hee hath a hell in his heart , and horrour in his conscience . Hee looks upwards , and there hee beholds God frowning , and Christ bleeding ; hee looks inwards , and there hee findes conscience accusing and condemning of him ; hee looks on the one side of him , and there hee hears all his sins crying out , wee are thine , and wee will follow thee , wee will to the grave with thee , wee will to judgement with thee , and from judgement wee will to hell with thee ; hee looks on the other side of him , and there hee sees infernal fiends in fearful shapes , amazing and terrifying of him , and waiting to receive his despairing soul as soon as shee shall take her leave of his wretched body ; hee looks above him , and there hee sees the gates of Heaven shut against him ; hee looks beneath him , and there hee sees hell gaping for him ; and under these sad sights hee is full of secret conclusions against his own soul ; there is mercy for others , saith the despairing soul , but none for mee ; grace and favour for others , but none for mee ; pardon and peace for others , but none for mee ; As that despairing Pope said , the cross could do him no good , because hee had so often sold it . blessedness and happiness for others , but none for mee ; there is no help , there is no hope , no , Jer. 2. 25. ch . 18. 1● . ( this seems to be his case who died with this desperate saying in his mouth , spes & fortuna v●lete ▪ farewel life and hope together : ) Now under these dismal apprehensions and sad conclusions about its present and future condition , the despairing soul sits silent , being filled with amazement and astonishment , Psal. 77. 4. I am so troubled that I cannot speak : But this is not the Silence here meant . But

Seventhly and lastly , There is a prudent Silence , a holy , a gracious Silence , a Silence that springs from prudent principles , from holy principles , and from gracious causes and considerations ; and this is the Silence here meant : And this I shall fully discover in my Answers to the second Question , which is this ,

Quest. 2 What doth a prudent , a gracious , a holy Silence include ?

Answer 1 It includes and takes in these eight things .

First , It includes a sight of God , and an acknowledgement of God , as the author of all the afflictions that come upon us : And this you have plain in the Text , I was dumb , I opened not my mouth , because thou didst it . The Psalmist In second causes , many times a Christian may see much envy , hatred , malice , pride , &c. But in the first cause he can see nothing but grace and mercy , sweetness and goodness . looks through secondary causes , to the first cause , and so sits mute before the Lord . There is no sickness so little , but God hath a finger in it , though it bee but the aking of the little finger . As the Scribe is more eyed , and properly said to write , than the pen ; and hee that maketh and keepeth the Clock , is more properly said to make it go and strike , than the wheels and weights that hang upon it ; and as every work-man is more eyed , and properly said to effect his works , rather than the tools which hee useth as his instruments : so the Lord who is the chief Agent and mover in all actions , and who hath the greatest hand in all our afflictions , is more to bee eyed and owned , than any inferiour or subordinate causes whatsoever . So Job , hee beheld God in all , Job 1. 21. The Lord gave , and the Lord hath taken away : Had hee not seen God in the affliction , hee would have cried out , Oh these wretched Chaldeans , they have plundred and spoiled mee ! These wicked Sabeans , they have robbed and wronged mee . Job discerns Gods Commission in the Chaldeans and the Sabeans hands , and then laies his own hand upon his mouth . So Aaron beholding the hand of ▪ God in the untimely death of his two sons , holds his peace , Levit. 10. 3. the sight of God in this sad ▪ stroak , is a bridle both to his mind and mouth , hee neither mutters nor murmurs . So Joseph saw the hand of God , in his brethrens selling of him into Egypt , Gen. 45. 8. and that silences him .

Men that see not God in an affliction , are easily cast into a feaverish fit , they will quickly bee in a flame , and when their passions are up , and their hearts on fire , they will begin to bee sawcy , and make no bones of telling God to his teeth , that they do well to bee angry , Jonah 4. 8 , 9. Such as will not acknowledge God to bee the author of all their afflictions , will bee ready enough to fall in with that mad principle of the Manachees , who maintained the Devil to bee the Author of all calamities . As if there could bee any evil ( of affliction ) in the City , and the Lord have no hand in it , Amos 3. 6. Such as can see the ordering hand of God in all their afflictions , will with David lay their hands upon their mouths , when the Rod of God is upon their backs , 2 Sam. 16. 11 , 12. If Gods hand bee not seen in the affliction , the heart will do nothing but fret and rage under affliction .

Secondly , It includes and takes in some holy gracious apprehensions , of the Majesty , Soveraignty , Dignity , Authority , and presence of that God , under whose afflicting hand we are , Hab. 2. 20. But the Lord is in his holy Temple , let all the earth bee silent , or as the Hebrew reads it , bee silent all the earth before his face . When God would have all the people of the earth to bee husht , quiet , and silent before him , hee would have them to behold him in his Temple , where hee sits in state , in majesty , and glory . Zephan. 1. 7. Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God . Chat not , murmure not , repine not , quarrel not : Whist , stand mute , bee silent , lay thy hand on thy mouth , when his hand is upon thy back , who is ( totus oculus ) all-eye , to see , as well as all hand , to punish . As the eyes of a well-drawn picture , are fastened on thee which way soever thou turnest ; so are the eies of the Lord ; and therefore thou hast cause to stand mute before him .

Thus Aaron had an eye to the soveraignty of God , and that silences Levit. 10. 3 Job 37. 23 , 24. 1 Sam. 3. 11 , — 19. him . And Job had an eye upon the majesty of God , and that stills him . And Elie had an eye upon the authority and presence of God , and that quiets him . A man never comes to humble himself , nor to bee silent under the hand of God , till hee comes to see the hand of God to bee a mighty hand , 1 Pet. 5. 6. Humble your selves therefore under the mighty hand of God . When men look upon the hand of God as a weak hand , a feeble hand , a low hand , a mean hand , their hearts rise against his hand , Who is ▪ the Lord , said Pharaoh , that I should obey his voice ? Exod. 5. 2. And till Pharaoh came to see the hand of God , as a mighty hand , and to feel it as a mighty hand , hee would not let Israel go . When Tiribazus a Noble Persian was arrested , at first hee drew out his sword and defended himself , but when they charged him in the Kings name , and informed him that they came from the King , and were commanded to bring him to the King , he yeelded willingly . So when afflictions arrest us , we shall murmure , and grumble , and struggle and strive even to the death , before wee shall yeeld to that God that strikes , till wee come to see his majesty and authority , till wee come Isa. 26. 11 , 12 Rev. 1. 5. to see him as the King of Kings , and Lord of Lords . It is such a sight of God as this , that makes the heart to stoop under his Almighty hand . The Thracians being Herod . ignorant of the dignity and majesty of God , when it thundred and lightned , used to express their madness and folly in shooting their arrows against Heaven , threatning-wise . As a sight of his grace chears the soul , so a sight of his greatness and glory silences the soul . But

Thirdly , A gracious , a prudent Silence , takes in a holy quietnesse Animus cujusque est quisque , the mind is the man . and calmnesse of mind and spirit under the afflicting hand of God : A gracious Silence shuts out all inward heats , murmurings , frettings , quarrellings ▪ wranglings , and boilings of heart , Psal. 62. 1. Truly my soul keepeth silence unto God , or is silent or still ; that is , my soul is quiet and submissive to God , all murmurings and repineings , passions and turbulent affections , being allayed , tamed and subdued . This also is clear in the Text , and in the former instances of Aaron , Ely , and Job , they saw that it was a Father that put those bitter cups into their hands , and love , that laid those heavy crosses upon their shoulders , and grace , that put those yoaks about their necks ; and this caused much quietnesse and calmnesse in their spirits . Marius bit in his pain , when the Chirurgian cut off his legg . Some men , when God cuts off this mercy , and that mercy from them , they bite in their pain , they hide and conceal their grief and trouble ; but could you but look into their hearts , you would finde all in an uproar , all out of order , all in a flame ; and however they may seem to be cold without , yet they are all in a hot burning feaver within : Such a feaverish fit David was once in , Psal. 39. 3. But certainly a holy Silence allaies all tumults in the mind , and makes a man in patience Luke 21. 19. to possesse his own soul , which next to his possession of God , is the choicest and sweetest possession in all the world . The Law of Silence is as well upon that mans heart and mind , as it is upon his tongue , who is truly and divinely silent under the rebuking hand of God . As tongue-service abstracted Isa. 29. 13. Mat. 15. 8 , 9. from heart service , is no service in the account of God ; so tonguesilence abstracted from heartsilence , is no silence in the esteem of God . A man is then graciously silent , when all is quiet within and without .

Terpander a Harper and a Poet , was one , that by the sweetnesse of his verse and musick , could allay the tumultuous motions of mens minds : As David by his Harp did Sauls . When Gods people are under the Rod , hee makes by his spirit and word such sweet musick in their souls , as allaies all tumultuous motions , passions , and perturbations , Psal. 94. 17 , 18 , 19. Psal. 119. 49 , 50. so that they sit Noah-like , quiet and still , and in peace possesse their own souls .

Fourthly , A prudent , a holy Plato calls God , the horn of plenty , and the Ocean of beauty , without the least spot of injustice . Silence , takes in an humble , justifying , clearing and acquitting of God , of all blame , rigour , and injustice , in all the afflictions hee brings upon us . Psal. 51. 4. That thou mayest bee justified when thou speakest , and bee clear when thou judgest , that is , when thou correctest . Gods judging his people , is Gods correcting or chastening of his people , 1 Cor. 11. 32. When wee are judged , wee are chastened of the Lord . Davids great care when he was under the afflicting hand of God , was to clear the Lord of injustice : Ah Lord ( saith hee ) There is not the least shew , spot , stain , blemish , or mixture of injustice , in all the afflictions thou hast brought upon mee ; I desire to take shame to my self , and to set to my seal that the Lord is righteous , and that there is no injustice , no cruelty , nor no extremity in all that the Lord hath brought upon mee : And so in that , Psal. 119. 75. 137. hee sweetly and readily subscribes unto the righteousness of God in those sharp and smart afflictions that God exercised him with . I know O Lord that thy judgements are right , and that thou in faithfulnesse hast afflicted mee . Righteous art thou O Lord , and upright are thy judgements . Gods judgements are alwaies just , hee never afflicts but in faithfulnesse , his will is the rule of justice ; and therefore a gracious soul dares not cavil nor question his proceedings ; the afflicted soul knows , that a righteous God can do nothing but that which is righteous ; it knows , that God is uncontroulable , and therefore the afflicted man puts his mouth in the dust , and keeps silence before him . 2 Sam. 16. 10. Who dare say , Wherefore hast thou done so ?

The Turks , when they are cruelly lashed , are compelled to return to the judge that commanded it , to kiss his hand , give him thanks , and pay the officer that whipped them , and so clear the Judge and Officer of injustice . Silently to kisse the Rod , and the hand that whips with it , is the noblest way of clearing the Lord of all injustice .

The Babylonish captivity was the sorest , the heaviest affliction that ever God inflicted upon any people under Heaven , witnesse that 1 Sam. 12. & Daniel 9. 12 , &c. yet under those smart afflictions , wisdome is justified of her children , Neh. 9. 33. Thou art just in all that is brought upon us ; for thou hast done right , but wee have done wickedly , 1 Sam. 18. The Lord is righteous , for I have rebelled against him . A holy Silence shines in nothing more , than in an humble justifying and clearing of God from all that which a corrupt heart is apt enough to charge God with in the day of affliction . God , in that hee is good , can give nothing , nor do nothing but that which is good , others do frequently , hee cannot possibly , saith Luther , in Psal. 120.

Fifthly , A holy Silence , takes in gracious , blessed , soul-quieting Conclusions , about the issue and event of those afflictions that are upon us , Lam. 3. 27 , — 34. In this choice Scripture you may observe these five soul-stilling Conclusions .

First , ( And that more generally ) That they shall work for their good , vers. 27. It is good for a man that hee bear the yoak in his youth . A gracious soul secretly concludes , As stars shine brightest in the night , so God will make my soul shine and glister like gold , whilst I am in this furnace , and when I come out of this furnace of affliction , Job 23. 10. Hee knoweth the way that I take ; and when hee hath tried mee , I shall come forth as gold .

Surely as the tasting of hony did open Jonathans eyes , so this cross , this affliction , shall open mine eyes ; by this stroak I shall come to have a clearer sight of my sins , and of my self , and a fuller sight of my God , Job 33. 27 , 28. Job 40. 4 , 5. chap. 42. 1 , — 7.

Surely this affliction shall issue in the purging away of my drosse , Isa. 1. 25.

Surely as plowing of the ground killeth the weeds , and harrowing breaketh hard clots , so these afflictions shall kill my sins , and soften my heart , Hos. 5. ult. chap. 6. 1 , 2 , 3.

Surely as the plaister draws out the core , so the afflictions that are upon mee , shall draw out the core of pride , the core of self-love , the core of envy , the core of earthlinesse , the core of formality , the core of hypocrisie , Psal. 119. 67 , 71.

Surely by these the Lord will crucifie my heart more and more to the world , and the world to my heart , Gal. 6. 14. Psal. 131. 1 , 2 , 3.

Surely by these afflictions the Lord will hide pride from my soul , Job 33. 14 , — 21.

Surely these afflictions are but the Lords pruning-knives , by which hee will bleed my sins , and prune my heart , and make it more fertil and fruitful ; they are but the Lords potion , by which hee will clear mee , and rid mee of those spiritual diseases and maladies which are most deadly and dangerous to my soul .

Affliction is such a potion , as will carry away all ill humours , better than all the benedicta medicamenta , as Physicians call them , Zach. 13. 8 ▪ 9.

Surely these shall encrease my spiritual experiences , Rom. 5. 3 , 4

Surely by these I shall bee made more partaker of Gods holinesse , Heb. 12. 10. As black sope makes white cloaths : so doth sharp afflictions make holy hearts .

Surely by these God will communicate more of himself unto mee , Hos. 2. 14.

Surely by these afflictions the Lord will draw out my heart more and more to seek him , Isa. 26. 16. Tatianus told the Heathen Greeks , that when they were sick , then they would send for their gods to be with them , as Agamemnon did at the siege of Troy , send for his ten Counsellors . Hos. 5. 15. In their afflictions they will seek mee early , or as the Hebrew hath it , they will morning mee ; in times of affliction Christians will industriously , speedily , early seek unto the Lord .

Surely by these trials and troubles , the Lord will fix my soul more than ever upon the great concernments of another world , Joh. 14. 1 , 2 , 3. Rom. 8. 17 , 18. ● Cor. 4. 16 , 17 , 18.

Surely by these afflictions the Lord will work in mee more tendernesse and compassion towards those that are afflicted , Heb. 10. 34. chap. 13. 3. As that Tyrian Queen said ,

Evils have taught mee to bemoan

All that afflictions make to groan .

The Romans punished one that was seen looking out at his window with a Crown of Roses on his head , in a time of publick calamity . Bishop Bonner was full of guts , but empty of bowels ; I am afraid this age is full of such Bonners .

Surely these are but Gods love-tokens , Some say , if a knife or needle be touched with a loadstone of an Iron-colour , it will cut or enter into a mans body , without any sense of pain at all , so will afflictions , when touched with the loadstone of divine love . Rev. 3. 19. As many as I love , I rebuke and chasten . Seneca perswaded his friend Polybius to bear his affliction quietly , because hee was the Emperours favourite , telling him , that it was not lawful for him to complain whilst Caesar was his friend : So saith the holy Christian , O my soul ! bee quiet , bee still , all is in love , all is a fruit of divine favour : I see hony upon the top of every twig , I see the rod is but a Rosemary-branch ; I have sugar with my gall , and wine with my wormwood ; therefore bee silent O my soul ; And this general Conclusion , that all should bee for good , had this blessed effect upon the Church , vers. 28. Hee sitteth alone , and keepeth silence , because hee hath born it upon him .

Afflictions abase the loveliness of the world without , that might entice us ; It abates the lustiness of the flesh within , which might else ensnare us ; And it abates the spirit in his quarrel , against the flesh , and the world ; by all which it proves a mighty advantage unto us .

Secondly , They shall keep them humble and low , vers. 29. Hee putteth his mouth in the dust , if so bee there may bee hope . Some say , that these words are an allusion to the manner of those , that having been conquered and subdued , lay their necks down at the conquerours feet , to bee trampled upon , and to lick up the dust that is under the conquerours feet ; Others of the learned look upon the words as an allusion to poor petitioners , who cast themselves down at Princes feet , that they may draw forth their pitty and compassion towards them . As I have read of Aristippus , who fell on the ground before Dionysius , and kissed his feet , when hee presented a petition to him , and being asked the reason , answered ( Aures habet in pedibus ) hee hath his ears in his feet ; take it which way you will , it holds forth this to us , That holy hearts will bee humble under the afflicting hand of God . When Gods Rod is upon their backs , their mouths shall bee in the dust : A good heart will lye lowest , when the hand of God is lifted highest , Job 42. 1 , — 7. Act. 9. 1 , — 8.

Thirdly , The third soul-quieting Conclusion you have in vers. 31. For the Lord will not cast off for ever ; the Rod shall not alwaies lye upon the back of the righteous . At even-tide lo● there is trouble , but afore morning it is gone , Isa. 17. 14. As Athanasius said to his friends , when they came to bewail his misery and banishment ; Nubecula est cito transibit , 't is but a little cloud ( said hee ) and will quickly bee gone . There are none of Gods afflicted ones that have not their lucida intervalla , their intermissions , respites , A little storm , as one said of Julians persecution , and an eternal calm follows . breathing-whiles ; yea , so small a while doth the hand of the Lord rest upon his people , that Luther cannot get diminutives enough to extenuate it ; for hee calls it a very little , little cross that wee bear , Isa. 26. 20. Come , my people , enter thou into thy chambers , and shut thy doors about thee : hide thy self as it were for a little moment ( or for a little space , a little while ) until the indignation bee overpast . The indignation doth not transire , but pertransire , pass , but over-passe . The sharpnesse , shortnesse , and suddenness of the Saints afflictions , is set forth by the travel of a woman , John 16. 21. which is sharp , short , and sudden .

Fourthly , The fourth soul-silencing Conclusion you have in vers. 32. But though hee cause grief , yet will hee have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies ; in wrath God remembers mercy , Hab. 3. 2. Weeping may endure for a night , but joy cometh in the morning , Psal. 30. 5. their mourning shall last but till morning ; God will turn their winters night into a summers day , their sighing into singing , their grief into gladness , their mourning into musick , their bitter into sweet , their wilderness into a paradise : the life of a Christian is filled up with interchanges of sickness and health , weakness and strength , want and wealth , disgrace and honour , crosses and comforts , miseries and mercies , joyes and sorrows , mirth and mourning ; all hony would harm us , all wormwood would undo us ; a composition of both is the best way in the world to keep our souls in a healthy constitution ; it is best , and most for the health of the soul , that the South-wind of mercy , and the North-wind of adversity , do both blow upon it : And though every wind that blows , shall blow good to the Saints , yet certainly their sins die most , and their graces thrive best , when they are under the drying , nipping , North-wind of calamity , as well as under the warm cherishing South-wind of mercy and prosperity .

Fifthly , The fifth soul-quieting Conclusion you have in vers. 33. For hee doth not afflict willingly ( or as the Hebrew hath it , from his heart ) nor gr●eve the children of men . The Church concludes , that Gods heart was not in their afflictions , though his hand was ; hee takes no delight to afflict his children , it goes against the hair and the heart ; it is a grief to him to bee grievous to them , a pain to him to be● punishing of them , a death to him to bee striking of them ; hee hath no will , no motion , no inclination , no disposition to that work of afflicting of his people ; and therefore hee calls it his work , his strange work ; Isa. 28. 21. Mercy and punishment they flow from God , as the hony and the sting from the Be● ; the Bee yeeldeth hony of her own nature , but shee doth not sting , but when shee is provoked ; hee takes delight in shewing of mercy , Micah 7. 18. hee takes no pleasure in giving his people up to adversity , Hosea 11. 8. Mercy and kindness floweth from him freely , naturally ; hee is never severe , never harsh , hee never stings , hee never terrifies us , but when hee is sadly provoked by us . Gods hand sometimes may lye very hard upon his people , when his heart , his bowels ( at those very times ) may bee yerning towards his people , Jer. 31. 18 , 19 , 20. No man can tell how the heart of God stands , by his hand , his hand of mercy may bee open to those against whom his heart is set : As you see in the rich ( poor ) fool , and Dives in the Gospel ; and his hand of severity may lye hard upon those on whom hee hath set his heart , as you may see in Job and Lazarus . And thus you see those gracious blessed soul-quieting Conclusions about the issue and event of afflictions , that a holy , a prudent Silence doth include .

Sixthly , A holy a prudent Silence includes and takes in a strict charge , a solemn command that conscience laies upon the soul to bee quiet and still . Psal. 37. 7. Rest in the Lord ●or as the Hebrew hath it bee silent to the Lord ) and wait patiently for him . I charge Matth. 8. 25 , 26. The Heathen could say , A ( recta conscientia ne latum quidem unguem discedendum ) man may not depart an hairs ▪ breadth all his life long from the dictates of a good conscience . thee , O my soul , not to mutter , not to murmure ; I command thee O my soul , to bee dumb and silent under the afflicting hand of God . As Christ laid a charge , a command upon the boisterous winds , and the roaring raging Sea , bee still , and there was a great calm ; so conscience laies a charge upon the soul to bee quiet and still , Psal. 27. ult. Wait on the Lord : bee of good courage , and hee shall strengthen thy heart : wait I say on the Lord . Peace O my soul , bee still , leave your muttering , leave your murmuring , leave your complaining , leave your chasing and vexing , and lay your hand upon your mouth , and bee silent . Conscience allaies and stills all the tumults and uproars that bee in the soul , by such like reasonings as the Clerk of Ephesus stilled that uproar , Act. 19. 40. For wee are in danger to bee called in question for this daies uproar , there being no cause whereby wee may give an account of this concourse . O my soul , bee quiet , bee silent , else thou wilt one day bee called in question for all those inward mutterings , uproars and passions that are in thee , seeing no sufficient cause can bee produced why you should murmure , quarrel , or wrangle under the righteous hand of God .

Seventhly , A holy , a prudent Silence , includes a surrendring , a resigning up of our selves to God , whilst wee are under his afflicting Psal. 27. 8. James 4. 7 1 Sam. 3. 18. 2 Sam. 15. 25 , 26. Act. 21. 13. 14 , &c. hand : the silent soul gives himself up to God ; the secret language of the soul is this , Lord , here am I , do with mee what thou pleasest , write upon mee as thou pleasest ; I give up my self to bee at thy dispose .

There was a good woman , who when shee was sick , being asked whether shee were willing to live or dye , answered , which God pleaseth ; but said one that stood by , if God should refer it to you , which would you chuse ? truly said shee , if God should refer it to mee , I would even refer it to him again , this was a soul worth gold . Well saith a gracious soul , the ambitious man gives himself up to his honours ; but I give up my self unto thee ; the voluptuous man gives himself up to his pleasures , but I give up my self to thee ; the covetous man gives himself up to his bagges , but I give up my self to thee ; the wanton gives himself up to his minion , but I give up my self to thee ; the drunkard gives himself up to his cups , but I give up my self to thee ; the Papist gives up himself to his Idols , but I give up my self to thee ; the Turk gives up himself to his Mahomet , but I give up my self to thee ; the Heretick gives up himself to his heretical opinions , but I give up my self to thee , Lord , lay what burden thou wilt upon mee , onely let thy everlasting arms bee under mee . Strike Lord , Luther . strike , and spare not , for I am lyen down in thy will ; I have learned to say Amen , to thy Amen ; thou hast a greater interest in mee , than I have in my self , and therefore I give up my self unto thee , and am willing to bee at thy dispose , and am ready to receive what impression thou shalt stamp upon mee . O blessed Lord ! hast thou not again and again said unto mee , as once the King of Israel said to the King of Syria , I am 1 King . 20 , 14. thine , and all that I have . I am thine , O soul ! to save thee ; my mercy is thine , to pardon thee ; my blood is thine , to cleanse thee ; my merits are thine , to justifie thee ; my righteousness is thine , to cloathe thee ; my Spirit is thine , to lead thee ; my grace is thine , to enrich thee ; and my glory is thine , to reward thee ; and therefore saith a gracious soul , I cannot but make a resignation of my self unto thee . Lord , here I am , do with mee a● seemeth good in thine own eyes . I know the best way to have my own will , is to resign up my self to thy will , and to say Amen , to thy Amen .

I have read of a Gentleman , who meeting with a Shepherd in a misty morning , asked him what weather it would bee ? it will bee saith the Shepherd what weather pleaseth mee , and being courteously requested to express his meaning , Sir ( saith hee ) it shall bee what weather pleaseth God , and what weather pleaseth God , pleaseth mee . When a Christians will is moulded into the will of God , hee is sure to have his will . But

Eighthly and lastly , A holy , a prudent Silence , takes in a patient waiting upon the Lord under our afflictions , till deliverance comes . Psal. 40. 1 , 2 , 3. Psal. 62. 5. My soul wait thou onely upon God , for my expectation is from him , Lam. 3. 26. It is good that a man should both hope , and quietly ( or as the Hebrew hath it , silently ) wait for the salvation of the Lord . The Husbandman patiently waiteth James 5. 7 , 8. for the precious fruits of the earth , the Mariner patiently waiteth for wind and tide , and so doth the watch-man for the dawning of the day ; and so doth the silent soul in the night of adversity , patiently wait for the dawning of the day of mercy ; the mercies of God are not stiled the swift , but the sure mercies of David ; and therefore a gracious soul waits patiently for them . And thus you see what a gracious , a prudent Silence doth include .

The second thing is to discover what a holy , a prudent Silence under affliction doth not exclude : Now there are eight things that a holy patience doth not exclude .