though some strange thing happened, &c.-1 Pet. iv. 12. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.-1 Pet. v. 6. I know thy works, &c. and thy patience, &c.-Rev. ii. 2, 3. 19. III. To confess their Sins, and Pharaoh, &c. said, I have sinned this time: the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.-Exod. ix. 27. If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass, &c. then will I remember my covenant, &c.-Levit. xxvi. 40-42. The princes of Israel, and the king, humbled themselves; and they said, the Lord is righteous.-2 Chron. xii. 6; 1 Kings xxi. 27-29. Thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly, &c.Neh. ix. 33, 34; Ezra ix. 10, &c.; Judges x. 13-15; Dan. ix. 14. I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men?-Job vii. 20. How should man be just with God? if he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand, &c. If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me.-Job ix. 2, 3. 20; iv. 17; Ps. cxliii. 2. say, He looketh upon men: and if any I have sinned, &c. he will deliver his soul from going into the pit, &c. -Job xxxiii. 27, 28. He will not lay upon man more than right, &c.-Job xxxiv. 23. Behold, I am vile, what shall I answer thee? &c.-Job xl. 3, 4. I uttered that I understood not: things too wonderful for me, which I knew not, &c. I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.-Job xlii. 3. 5, 6. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, &c. that thou mayest be justified, &c.--Ps. li. 4. He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.-Ps. ciii. 10; Ezra ix. 13. The church in her affliction confesseth her sin.-Isa. lix. 11-16. Thou art wroth, for we have sinned, &c.-Isa. lxiv. 5-7. Thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me; behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.-Jer. ii. 35. Only acknowledge thine iniquity, &c. Jer. iii. 13. 25. Daniel confesseth to God at large in the time of the captivity.-Dan. ix. 5-16. Jerusalem hath grievously sinned, therefore she is removed, &c. Zion spreadeth forth her hands, &c. The Lord is righteous, for I have rebelled. Lam. i. 8, 9. 17, 18. It is of the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, &c. wherefore doth a living man complain? &c. Let us search, and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.-Lam. iii. 22. 39, 40. 42. The crown is fallen from our head: woe unto us that we have sinned.— Lam. v. 16. I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.-Hosea v. 15. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him.-Micah vii. 9. Dost thou not fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? and we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds, &c.— Luke xxiii. 40, 41. IV. To hold fast to God, and own the Lord Jesus, his people and ways, in the midst of trouble, afflictions, and persecutions. Should such a man as I flee, &c. and go into the temple to save his life?-Neh. vi. 11. Job's wife said unto him, in his great affliction, Dost thou still retain thy integrity? Curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh what, &c. In all this did not Job sin with his lips.—Job ii. 9, 10. All this is come upon us: yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant. Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way. Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death. If we have forgotten the name of our God, &c.-Ps. xliv. 17-20. The proud have had me greatly in derision yet have I not declined from thy law, &c. Many are my persecutors, and mine enemies: yet do I not decline from thy testimonies, &c. princes have persecuted me without a cause but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.-Ps. cxix. 51. 157. 161. The Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people; saying, Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy: neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary.-Isa. viii. 11-14. When Jeremiah had prophesied against Judah, then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes, and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, &c. Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes, and to all the people, saying, The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house, &c. therefore now amend your ways, &c. But as for me, behold, I am in your hand; do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you. -Jer. xxvi. 11-15. Daniel (when a captive in Babylon) purposed in his heart, that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: and therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs, that he might not defile himself, &c. and desired pulse to eat, and water to drink.-Dan. i. 8-13. When a strict law had been made by the king, that every one should fall down and worship the golden image he had set up, under pain of being cast into the fiery furnace; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to do it, and in the presence of the king, said, We are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us, &c. and he will, &c. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.-Dan. iii. 13–18. When a decree was passed, that whosoever should ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, save of the king, he should be cast into the lions' den; and Daniel knew that the writing was signed: he went into his house; and his windows_being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, as he did aforetime.-Dan. vi. 7-10. Ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved, &c. He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me, &c. And he that taketh not his cross and followeth after me, is not worthy of me, &c. He that loseth his life for my sake, shall find it.-Matt. x. 22. 37— 39; xvi. 24-26; xi. 6. He heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it: yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while; for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.—Matt. xiii. 20, 21. When Christ was taken, his disciples fled Peter denied him; but afterwards wept bitterly for his so doing.-Matt. xxvi. 56. 70. 72.74, 75. Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me, and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.-Mark viii. 38; John ix. 21, 22. These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. -John xvi. 1; Gal. v. 11; vi. 12. When the apostles had been commanded not to speak at all, nor teach in the name of Jesus, they said, Whether it be right in the sight of God, to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye: for we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.-Acts iv. 18-20. am not ashamed.-2 Tim. i. 8. 12; Heb. xiii. 13. If we suffer, &c. If we deny him, he also will deny us.-2 Tim. ii. 12. Nor faint when thou art rebuked of him.-Heb. xii. 5. If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God.-1 Pet. iv. 16. Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.-Jude 3. Thou shalt suffer, &c. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.--Rev. ii. 10; xii. 11. To be cheerful under Affliction: and to rejoice for our being counted worthy to suffer for Christ. Be of good courage and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.-Ps. xxxi. 24. Again when they were charged with preaching, contrary to command, V. the apostles said, We ought to obey God rather than men. And they preached Christ before the council, who caused them to be beaten, and gave them a new charge not to preach: yet they daily, in the temple, and in every house, ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.-Acts v. 27-42. None of these things move me, &c. so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord.-Acts xx. 24. Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines, &c. yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.-Hab. iii. 17, 18. When they shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake, rejoice, and be exceeding glad. I am ready, not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem, for the naine of the Lord Jesus.-Acts xxi.13.--Matt. v. 11, 12. Paul, before Felix, said, After the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers.-Acts xxiv. 14. If I preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? Then is the offence of the cross ceased.-Gal. v. 11; vi. 12. Many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear, &c. That ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel; and in nothing terrified by your adversaries. Phil. i. 14. 27, 28. Be thou not therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me, his prisoner but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel, &c. I suffer these things; nevertheless, I He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.-Matt. x. 38; xvi. 24, 25. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.-John xvi. 33. When the apostles had been put in the common prison, brought before the council, and beaten there, they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.-Acts v. 18. 27. 40, 41. Paul and Silas being thrust into the inner prison, and their feet made fast in the stocks, sang praises unto God; and the prisoners heard them.-Acts xvi. 24, 25. Bonds and afflictions abide me; but none of these things move me.- -Acts xx. 23, 24. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake.-2 Cor. xii. 10. I Paul, am made a minister, who now rejoice in my sufferings for you. -Col. i. 23, 24. That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. — 1 Thess. iii. 3. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2 Tim. ii. 3; Heb. xii. 5. For ye, &c. took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven, &c.Heb. x. 34. Moses choosing rather to suffer, &c. esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt.-Heb. xi. 25, 26. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees.Heb. xii. 12. My brethren, count it all joy when fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience, &c. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life.-James i. 2, 3. 12. If ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye; and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled. 1 Pet. iii. 14. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you, &c. but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings: that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also, &c. If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf; for the time is come, that judgment must begin, &c.-1 Pet. iv. 12, 13. 16, 17. Let us go forth therefore unto him, without the camp, bearing his reproach.-Heb. xiii. 13. VI. To call upon the Lord for Help, Support, and Salvation. Jacob, in his distress, when Esau pursued him, prayed earnestly, &c.Gen. xxxii. 8, &c. Jacob in his great distress, when Joseph had kept Simeon, and required Benjamin also, said, God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin: if I be bereaved, &c. -Gen. xliii. 14. The children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them, and they were sore afraid and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord.-Exod. xiv. 10. When all the waters were bitter, that the people could not drink, Moses cried unto the Lord.-Exod. xv. 23-25. Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me, &c. So when Amalek fought with Israel, Moses held up his hand, and then Israel prevailed, &c.-Exod. xvii. 4. 11, 12. If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all to me, I will surely hear their cry.-Exod. xxii. 23. The Lord shall scatter you among the nations, &c. But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him; if thou seek him with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.-Deut. iv. 27. 29. When Israel were delivered into the hands of their enemies, they cried unto the Lord; and the Lord raised up a deliverer.-Judges iii. 8, 9; x. 13, 14; 2 Chron. xv. 3, 4; 1 Sam. vii. 3. Hannah was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.-1 Sam. i. 9-13. Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel, when the Philistines drew up against them.-1 Sam. vii. 9. David, in his distress, prayed the Lord to turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.-2 Sam. xv. 31-xvii. 23. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God; and he did hear my voice out of his temple.2 Sam. xxii. 7; Ps. xviii. 6; iii. 4. When Jerusalem was in distress, by reason of the Assyrians and Rabshakeh's railing and threatening, Hezekiah spread the letter before the Lord, and prayed before the Lord, and said, O Lord God, &c.-2 Kings xix. 14, &c.; Isa. xxxvii. 14, &c. Hezekiah was sick unto death, &c. he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, I beseech thee, O Lord, &c. and he wept sore.-2 Kings xx. 1-3; Isa. xxxviii. 1-3. When there came an host of one thousand thousand against Judah, Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, &c.-2 Chron. xiv. 9. 12. There came a multitude against Jehoshaphat, &c. He feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation, and said, O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God? &c.2 Chron. xx. 2, &c. When Manasseh was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, &c. and prayed unto him; and he was intreated of him.-2 Chron. xxxiii. 11 -13; Job xxxvi. 8, 9. I am full of confusion; therefore see thou mine affliction.-Job x. 15; Ps. ix. 13. He heareth the cry of the afflicted. -Job xxxiv. 28; Ps. cii. 17. The hypocrites in heart cry not when he bindeth them.-Job xxxvi. 13. O Lord, save me from all them that persecute me; and deliver me.-Ps. vii. 1. Our fathers, &c. cried unto thee and were delivered, &c. He hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him: but when he cried unto him, he heard.-Ps. xxii. 4, 5. 24; cvii. 6. 13. I sought the Lord, and he heard. me, and delivered me from all my fears. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.-Ps. xxxiv. 4. 6. 17; xxxv. The Psalmist prays for help and salvation in such a time.-Ps. xxxviii. 20-22; xxxix. 10. 13; lxix. 14, 15; lxxxviii; cxliii. 7—9. For thy sake are we killed all the day long, &c. Awake; why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever! Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction? &c. -Ps. xliv. 22-26; Ixxiv. 9—11. Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.-Ps. l. 15. David prays earnestly in his low condition, for joy and comfort.-Ps. li. 7, &c. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night.Ps. lxxvii. 2. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee; for thou wilt answer me.— Ps. lxxxvi. 7. I called upon the Lord in distress : the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.-Ps. cxviii. 5; cxxx. 1; cxlii. 1, &c. The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water; he turneth it whithersoever he will.. Prov. xxi. 1. The Church, in her low condition, prays earnestly; Look down, &c.Isa. lxiii. 15-19; Ps. lxxiv. 9-11; Isa. lxiv. 8, 9. Lord, correct me, but with judgment: not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.-Jer. x. 24. I called upon thy name, O Lord, out of the low dungeon, &c.-Lam. iii. 55. 59, &c. |