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overcame their enemies, and slew five hundred thousand chosen men. 2 Chron. xiii. 14-18.

God delivered the afflicted Jews by Nehemiah in a wonderful manner. -Neh. i. 2, 3. ii.

When the Jews were, by Haman's procurement, appointed to slaughter, and the decree was just ready to be executed, and they greatly distressed and helpless then God appeared and delivered them in a marvellous manner. Esth. i. 19, 20. iii. vi. vii.

Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress.-Ps. iv. 1.

When the Psalmist had reckoned up the sad state God's people had been reduced to, he saith, Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, like a mighty man, &c. and he smote his enemies in the hinder part, he put them to a perpetual reproach.-Ps. lxxviii. 65, 66.

Thou turnest man to destruction : and sayest, Return, ye children of n.—Ps. xc. 3.

men.

When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.-Ps. cxxvi. 1.

God slew the Assyrians, and saved Judah when they were low.—Isa. xxxvi. xxxvii.

God delivered Jeremiah out of the dungeon, when ready to perish.-Jer. xxxviii. 6, 7. 10, &c.

So when Jerusalem was taken, God delivered Jeremiah. Jer. xxxix. 11-14. iv. 1—3.

I will heal thee, &c. because they called thee an outcast, saying, This is Zion whom no man seeketh after: thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents.-Jer. xxx. 17, 18.

God preserved his servants Daniel, &c. when in the fire, and in the lions' den, and delivered them.-Dan. iii. vi.

God delivered Jonah, when cast into the sea, by a fish.-Jonah i. 15, 17. ii. 10.

When Peter through unbelief was sinking in the sea, Christ stretched

forth his hand, and caught him, and saved him.-Matt. xiv. 28-31.

When the apostles were put into the prison, the angel of the Lord brought them forth.-Acts v. 18, 19.

Peter being imprisoned, in order to his being brought forth to the people, and being fettered and lying between two soldiers; the angel of the Lord came, &c. saying, Arise: the chains fell off; the iron gate opened of its own accord: he is delivered. Acts xii. 1-12.

When Paul and Silas were thrust into the inner prison, and their feet fast in the stocks, God made the foundations of the prison to shake, and the doors were opened, and the Lord delivered Paul and Silas.-Acts xvi. 23, 24. 26. 29, 30. 39.

Paul, when the Jews went about to kill him, was delivered by the captain, &c.-Acts xxiii. 12, &c.

Paul and his company strangely saved in their voyage by sea, and shipwreck.-Acts xxvii.

Cons. IX. That Afflictions and Persecutions shall redound to the benefit of God's Children.

Jacob's and Joseph's affliction proved for the advantage of both.-Gen. xxxvii. xli.-xlvii.

Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now, &c. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, &c.-Ps. cxix. 67. 71.

They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy: he that goeth forth and weepeth, &c.--Ps. cxxvi. 5, 6.

It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men, and the living will lay it to his heart. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.--Eccles. vii. 2, 3.

By this shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged: and this is all the fruit, to take away his sin.-Isa. xxvii. 9.

Ephraim's chastisement was greatly for his good.-Jer. xxxi. 18-20.

OF AFFLICTIONS, TROUBLES, [CHAP. XX.

I will bring the third part through the fire, &c. 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.-Zech.

xiii. 9..

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, &c. rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven.Matt. v. 11, 12. 2 Cor. iv. 17.

Whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it.-Matt. xvi. 25. John xii. 25.

Every one that hath forsaken houses, &c. for my name's sake, shall receive an hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting life.-Matt. xix. 29. Luke xviii. 29, 30. Heb. x. 34-36. Blessed are ye that hunger now, for ye shall be filled: blessed are ye that weep now, for ye shall laugh.

Luke vi. 21.

If so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together: for I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us, &c. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God. Rom. viii. 17, 18. 28.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.-2 Cor. iv. 17, 18.

In nothing terrified by your adversaries, which is to them an evident token of perdition; but to you of salvation, and that of God.-Phil. i. 28.

It is a righteous thing with God, to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you and to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord, &c.-2 Thess. i. 6, 7.

Ye took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.-Heb. x. 34.

Moses, &c. chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, &c. esteeming the reproach of Christ

greater riches, &c. for he had respect unto the recompense of reward.Heb. xi. 24—26.

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&c. nevertheless, afterward it yield-
Now, no chastening for the present,
ness.-]
eth the peaceable fruit of righteous-
-Heb. xii. 11.

patience, &c. blessed is the man that
The trying of your faith worketh
endureth temptation; for when he is
tried he shall receive the crown of
life.-James i. 3. 12.

Ye have heard of the patience of
Lord.-James v. 11.
Job, and have seen the end of the

takers of Christ's sufferings; that
Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are par-
when his glory shall be revealed, ye
may be glad also with exceeding joy.
If ye be reproached for the name of
Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit
of glory and of God resteth upon you.
-1 Pet. iv. 13, 14.

great tribulation, &c. therefore are These are they which came out of they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne, shall dwell among them, &c. the Lamb shall feed them, &c. and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Rev. vii. 13-17. xx. 4. 6.

people in this chapter, Cons. 5. See the ends of God's afflicting his Cons. X. That God will not always suffer his Children to be under Afflictions and Persecutions; but will bring Deliverance and restore Joy. THOUGH Joseph was hated, sold, and at last.-Gen. xxxvii. xxxix. xl. xli. imprisoned, yet God did deliver him

sorely oppressed and afflicted by the After Israel had been long and Egyptians, the Lord sent Moses for surely seen the affliction of my people their deliverance; and said, I have which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters, &c. and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land, unto a good land.

Exod. iii. 7-10. vi. 1-8. 1 Sam. ix. 15, 16. Exod. ii. 24, 25.

Yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them to destroy them utterly, &c. but I will, for their sakes, remember the covenant, &c. I am the Lord. Levit. xxvi. 44, 45.

For the Lord shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, &c. he will be merciful unto his land, &c.-Deut. xxxii. 36. 43. 2 Kings xiv. 16.

So did God often for his people Israel.-Judges iii. iv. &c.

I will for this afflict the seed of David; but not for ever.-1 Kings xi. 39.

He maketh sore and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.-Job v. 18, 19.

God brings his servants very low, and then delivers them.-Job xxxiii. 19, &c.

And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends; also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.-Job xlii. 10.

Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress.-Ps. iv. 1.

The needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.-Ps. ix. 18.

Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble, &c. to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress (or terrify).-Ps. x. 17, 18. cxlvi. 7-9. Prov. xxii. 22, 23.

For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord; I will set him in safety from him that (would ensnare him, or) puffeth at him.-Ps.xii. 5. Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, &c. for his anger endureth but for a moment in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.-Ps. xxx. 4, 5.

The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth and delivereth them out of all

their troubles, &c. many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.-Ps. xxxiv. 17. 19. xxxvii. 39, 40.

I waited patiently for the Lord, &c. he brought me out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, &c.-Ps. xl. 1, 2.

Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.-Ps. 1. 15. xlvi. 1.

Thou who hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth: thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.-Ps. lxxi. 20, 21.

I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.—Ps. lxxxv. 8.

The Lord will not cast off his people: neither will he forsake his inheritance. · Ps. xciv. 14. 1 Sam. xii. 22.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, &c. he will not always chide, neither will he keep his anger for ever.-Ps. ciii. 8, 9. 13, 14. Jer. iii. 12.

Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowler; the snare is broken, and we are escaped.-Ps. cxxiv. 7.

The rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous, lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.-Ps. cxxv. 3.

When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream, &c. They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy: he that goeth forth and weepeth, &c. shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, &c.Ps. cxxvi. 1, 2. 5, 6.

The Lord will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.-Ps. cxxxv. 14.

He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.-Ps. cxlvii. 3.

For yet a very little while, and the

indignation shall cease, and mine anger, in their destruction.-Isa. x. 25. Though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.-Isa. xii. 1.

The Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land, &c. and they shall rule over their oppressors, &c. the Lord shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve.-Isa. xiv. 1-3. xxxv. 3,4. Comfort ye my people, &c. and cry unto her that her warfare is accomplished.-Isa. xl. 1, 2.

The Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.-Isa. xlix. 13.

The redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion, &c. they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. I, even I, am he that comforteth you, &c. hear now this, thou afflicted, &c. I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, &c. thou shalt no more drink it again. -Isa. li. 11, 12. 21, 22.

For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee: in a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee.—Isa. liv. 7, 8.

I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wrath: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made. For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wrath; and smote him; I hid me and was wrath; and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart. I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him, and to his mourners.-Isa. lvii. 16-18. In my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee. -Isa. lx. 10.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, &c. to bind up the broken-hearted, &c to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in

Zion; to give unto them beauty for ashes, and the oil of joy for mourning, &c.-Isa. lxi. 1—3.

I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.―Jer. xxix. 11, &c.

Alas! &c. it is the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it; for it shall come to pass, &c. I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord, because they called thee an outcast, saying this is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.-Jer. xxx. 7, 8. 17.

He that scattered Israel, will gather him &c. I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow, &c. Is Ephraim my dear son? &c. I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord, &c. As I have watched over them to pluck up and to break down, &c. so will I watch over them to build, and to plant, saith the Lord.-Jer. xxxi. 10.13. 20. 28.

For the Lord will not cast off for ever: but though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies: for he doth not afflict willingly.—Lam. iii. 31-33.

Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for mine holy name, after that they have borne their shame. &c.— Ezek. xxxix. 25, 26. Ps. cvi. 8.

Come, let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us: he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.-Hosea vi. 1.

Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy! when I fall, I shall rise, &c. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, &c. he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness. Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity? &c. he retaineth not his anger for ever: because he

delighteth in mercy; he will turn again, he will have compassion upon us.-Micah vii. 8, 9. 18, 19. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.-Matt. v. 4. Verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye shall weep and lament, &c. but your sorrow shall be turned into joy, &c. and ye now therefore have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice.-John xvi. 20. 22. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.-Rom.

xvi. 20.

God is faithful, who, &c. will with the temptation also make a way to escape.-1 Cor. x. 13.

God who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver.—2 Cor. i. 9, 10.

It is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you and to you who are troubled, rest with us; when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed, &c.2 Thess. i. 6, 7.

What persecutions I endured; but out of them all the Lord delivered me.-2 Tim. iii. 11.

The Lord stood with me, &c. and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.-2 Tim. iv. 17, 18. Heb. xiii. 5, 6.

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations.-2 Pet. ii. 9.

Cons. XI. That Afflictions and Persecutions have been the lot of Christ himself, and of the Saints in all ages.

The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord: it is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, &c. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore.-Matt. x. 24-26.

If the world hate you, you know that it hated me before it hated you, &c. remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater

than the lord: if they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you.-John xv. 18. 20.

We are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men, &c. even unto this present hour we both hunger and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place, &c. being reviled, we bless: being persecuted, &c. We are made as the filth of the world, and the offscouring of all things unto this day.-1 Cor. iv. 9. 11—13.

There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man.— Cor. x. 13.

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For we which live, are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake.2 Cor. iv. 11.

But as then, he that was born after the flesh, persecuted him that was born after the Spirit: even so it is now. Gal. iv. 29.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, &c. let us run with patience the race that is set before us; looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith: who, for the joy which which was set before him, endured the cross, &c. for consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.Heb. xii. 1-3.

Take, my brethren, the prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.-James v. 10.

Hereunto also were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow his steps.-1 Pet. ii. 21.

Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, &c. whom resist, stedfast in the faith; knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.—1 Pet. v. 8, 9.

How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? and it was said unto them,

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