4/29/2024 0 Comments Picture of firmament godly play![]() ![]() I may here gloss with Saint Bernard, Lord, dost thou call that a little wrath when thou hidest thy face? Is it but a little? What can be more bitter to me than the eclipsing of thy face?' God is in the Scripture called a light and a fire. God says, In a little wrath I hid my face from thee' (Isaiah 54:8). Desertion is a taste of the torments of the damned. This is the poisoned arrow that wounds to the heart. The arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit, Job 6:4). In desertion God rains hell out of heaven (to use Calvin's expression). When the sunlight of God's countenance is removed, then the dew of tears falls from the eyes of the saints. Is not this far from love?Ĭoncerning desertion, I must needs say that this is the saddest condition that can betide God's children. And is there not love in all God's Fatherly castigations?īut there may be another objection, that sometimes God's children are under the black clouds of desertion. First the saints (who are called living stones') must be hewn and carved by sufferings as the cornerstone was, and so made meet for the celestial building (Colossians 1:12). First the stones of Solomon's temple were hewn and polished and then set up into a building. When Manasseh was in chains, then he knew the Lord was God' (2 Chronicles 33:13). The eyes that sin shuts affliction opens. God will make his children at last bless him for sufferings. Christians are commonly best in affliction. Some birds will not hatch but in time of thunder. We think God is going to destroy us, but he only lays us a-whitening. Many shall be tried and made white' (Daniel 12:10). The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold' (Proverbs 17:3). God's children make the best melody in their heart, when God hedgeth their way with thorns' (Hosea 2:6).Īfflictions are refining. Then God in love smites that he may save.Īristotle' speaks of a bird that lives among thorns, yet sings sweetly. Now, says God, I shall lose my child if I do not correct him. I spake to thee in thy prosperity, but thou saidst, I will not hear' (Jeremiah 22:21). God speaks to us in the Word, children, do not be proud, do not love the world Walk circumspectly' (Ephesians 5:15).īut, we are dull of hearing' nay we 'stop the ear'. God puts his children to the school of the cross, and there they learn best. God had one son without sin, but no son without stripes. Why, it is a sign of child-ship to be sometimes under the rod. I am none of his child, because he does not follow me with such sore afflictions. Oh, says one, surely God does not love me. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons' (Hebrews 12:7). His hand is heaviest when it is lightest (Hosea 14:4). God afflicts with the same love as he adopts. A bitter pill may be as needful for preserving health as a julep or cordial. We have as much need of afflictions as ordinances. As many as I love I rebuke and chasten' (Revelation 3:19). God's love and his anger towards his children are not in opposition but 'showing a difference'. Some may object: But God is angry and writes bitter things. Mercy and pity as naturally flow from our heavenly Father as light from the sun. Towards them that are children, God's repentings are kindled (Hosea 11:8). Towards the wicked God's wrath is kindled (Psalm 2:12). Oh the yearning of God's bowels to his children! Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he a pleasant child? My bowels are troubled for him, I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord' (Jeremiah 31:20). Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him' (Psalm 103:13). If we are children, then God will be full of tender love and affection towards us.Ī father compassionates his child. Twelve Rare Privileges which belong to the Children of Godġ. ![]()
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