Four reasons of it
hath furnished such; for God will not call out any of his to suffering, but he will get himself honour thereby.
Use 2. In the second place, note this doctrine against the profane persons that tush at religion, and make a mock at the dejected condition of those that are good, because they seem despised, afflicted, and forsaken. They, alas! are ignorant of God's ways and works. It were much safer for them to consider their own ways, and to reason, if God deals thus with his dearest ones, with the 'green trees,' what shall become of those that are his enemies, that are 'dry trees?' If such troubles arise to the godly, even from God's love to them, what shall defend the wicked when the vials of God's wrath shall be poured down upon them, when they shall 'call to the rocks and mountains to hide, cover, and defend them?' Rev. 6:16. If the 'righteous hardly be saved, where shall the ungodly appear?' 1 Peter
4:18. And to conclude, know that the afflictions of the children of God are far better than the pleasures of sin.
God upholdeth his from sinking in trouble Doct. 2. In the second place, observe we, though Christians fall into depths, yet God upholds them that they sink not down into them without recovery. Thus it was with our Head. Though he on the sudden apprehended not the presence of God, so as he thought himself forsaken, yet he could even at the worst say, 'My God.' Thus also Jonah, 2:4, 'I said I was cast out of thy sight; yet will I look towards thy holy temple.' So Ps. 31:22, and Ps. 118:5 and 6 verses.
Four Reasons for it