[Sidenote: The patience of Gods children, under Gods hand.]
An 8th. discovery of _spirituall health_ and _strength_, is an humble, a patient and thankfull _submission_ to the _aflicting_, and _chastising_ hand of _God_. Thus it is said of _Aaron_, in that dreadfull stroak of _Gods_ hand, depriving him of his two sons in the _floure_ of their _Youth_, in the midst of their _sin_, in the _performance_ of their _Priests Office_: it is said, _Aaron_ held his peace: I was dumb and held my peace, (saith _David_) _Psal. 39_. for thou didst it: Thus _Jeremiah_ (Lam: 1.) _Jehovah_ is righteous, for I have grievously transgrest against him. Yea _Job_ not only exprest an humble and patient mind, but also (which is wonderfull, but proper to _Gods_ children, when in right temper) he blessed _God_ in the midst of so many fearfull and astonishing _losses_, of so many Cattel, Servants, and Children, saying, Blessed be the name of the _Lord_.
_Obj._ May not _wicked_ men and _Hypocrites_ acknowledg _Gods_ afflicting hand, and humble themselves?
[Sidenote: The counterfeit patience of Hypocrites]
I answer, _Hypocrites_ may see _Gods_ hand, and humble themselves as the _Egyptians_, and the _Philistins_ did, but cannot possibly be thankfull for it: They acknowledg _Gods_ hand as a _Dog_ his _Masters_ when he is beaten, but not as a child his _Fathers_. As a loving and dutifull _Wife_, receiving _Pills_ or _Phisick_ from the hand of her loving _Husband_, a _skilfull Physitian_, who knows her _sicknes_, and out of _love_ and _care_, prepares them for her, she cannot but be thankfull for those bitter _medicins_, and earnestly desire a kindly working: Thus _David_, _Psal: 119_. I know O _Lord_ that thou in _faithfulnesse_ hast afflicted me, for all thy commands are _righteous_.
[Sidenote: The mournful confession of Gods people.]
A 9th. Argument of _spiritual health_, and _strength_, is an humble free _confession_, and giving _glory_ unto _God_, in the rising up, or recovering out of any _scandalous transgression_, against _God_ Hence the _Israelites_ confession of their sin in desiring a _King_, (so impatiently, and imperiously as they did, with large confessions, _1. Sam. 6_.)
Hence the many bitter and lamentable _confessions_ of holy _David_ and other holy Servants of _God_, after their committing of _known evils_: Hence the _Corinthians_ repenting of their fellowship with the _incestuous_ person in his sin, they give such an exemplary _evidence_ of their true _Repentance_, that their holy _practice_ is set as an holy _Samplar_, and _Copy_ for all _Saints_ afterward to follow, and write after.