Some parts of Scripture are clear and easy, some are obscure and very knotty; some parts of Scripture show what God made us, others, how sin spoiled us; A third, how Christ restored us. Some parts of Scripture shew forth acts of mercy to keep us from sinking; others record acts of judgement to keep us from presuming. And because the way to heaven is not strewed with roses, but like the crown of Christ here upon earth, set with thorns; because not smiles and loving embracements from the world, but wounds, and strokes, and temptations, do await all those tht have recieved the Spirit, and are enrolled for Christian warfare; because every true Israelite must expect thta which Jacob upon his death-bed spake of Joseph, thta the Archers will shoot at him, hate him and grieve him. In a word, because many are the troubles of the righteous; therefor the Scripture doth present us with sundry platforms of the righteous conflicting with many troubles.[Joseph Caryl]
Labels: Joseph Caryl
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