Ob: But did not Pharaoh acknowledg, and the Philistines acknowledg Gods hand in smiting them, did not Ahab humble himself, Pharaoh sues unto God by Moses, the Philistins send a trespasse offering, and Ahab humbles himself by fasting, &c.
1. The enemies of God, and flatterers cannot submit to God as to a Father.
I answer, a Saul, a Pharaoh, &c. if it were in their choice, would not submit to the Lord at all, and when they do acknowledge and submit, they are forced to it, by Gods powerfull hand, whom yet they look at as a conqueror of Julian said of Christ Jesus, and Jaolor or executioner, not as a Father, with a child like submission, as appears by Pharaoh, the Philistines, Ahab, and many more wofull instances, when the hand of God is removed, &c.
Whereas a true child of God desires, as to acknowledge his Fathers hand correcting his righteously, because he hath deserved it, so also graciously and faithfully, because he hopes God aims at his good, as a Father doth at a childs, in giving him fatherly correction, bitter Pills and Phisick.
Gods children less grieve for their own affliction, then for Gods displeasure.
And therefore (2ly:) as when the Lord strikes an Hypocrite, he either runs from him as a strange child stricken by another man, or flies against him in murmuring, or howls out for anguish as a Dog, (Hos: 7.) They howl upon their Beds: So contrarily the true child of God truly desires to run to his heavenly Father, and it as well, yea infinitely more grieved, for the anger, and displeasure of the Lord, as for his own smart and affliction.
3ly. The Hypocrite if he might have his own choice, had rather be rid of his pain than his sin, and therefore when his pain is over, he returns with the Dog to his Vomit: But a true child of God, truly (though weakly) desires to see, and abhor, and slay his dearest sins, because he knows they are but flattering traytors and guilded poysons: Hence Job cries out in the midst of all his weaknesses and passions, Oh teach me wherein I have offended.
Gods children joyn with Gods rod against themselves.
In a word, the Lord is fain to force affliction upon an Hypocrite, as men force down a drench into the throat of an Horse, but a true child of God, (if under Gods rod,) desires to joyn with the Lords hand, and the Lords ends, as a child of some understanding is willing to have its wormes killed, and therefore strives (willingly, unwillingly) to swallow down the bitter aloes, or other bitter medicine.
An 8th: Triall of true life, (though in weaknes) is a true (though faint) willingnes and inclination to enjoy more and more of Christ Jesus, in the society of his Saints, after his own appointment, although with hardship and difficulty attained unto.