and his recovering Joseph, when he reckoned Benjamin lost.-Gen. xxxii. xxxiii. xliii. 14. xlv. 27, 28.

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When the Egyptians oppressed most, and made Israel's burdens heaviest, insomuch that they despaired, then God came, and made known himself, and said to Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do unto Pharaoh for with a strong hand shall he let them go, &c. I have also heard the groanings of the children of Israel, &c. I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage; and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments, &c.-Exod. v. vi. 1-7.

And God did so deliver them, after he had shewed many wonders upon the Egyptians, and smote their firstborn.-Exod. xiii. 21.

When Pharaoh and his host pursued Israel, so that they reckoned themselves lost, and were in great distress, then the angel of God which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them, &c. between the camp of the Egyptians and them; and the Lord divided the waters, while Israel passed through, and there drowned all the Egyptians. -Exod. xiv. 10-12. 16, &c.

When Israel wanted bread in the wilderness, God rained manna, and the quails came up.-Exod. xvi.

The Lord shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up or left.-Deut. xxxii. 36.

He often did so with Israel.Judges throughout, and 2 Kings xiv. 26.

David was in frequent danger from Saul, yet God did wonderfully deliver him.-1 Sam. xxiii. 26-28. xxiv. xxvi.

When David was in great distress, because Ziklag was burned, his wives, and the wives of his followers taken away, and all their substance, by the

Amalekites, and his men spake of stoning him; then God directs him to pursue the Amalekites, and he recovered all again by a wonderful hand.-1 Sam. xxx. 1-20. 1 Sam. xxxiii. 27.

When David was in great danger by the counsel of Ahithophel in the time of Absalom's rebellion, God overthrew his counsel by the counsel of Hushai, and so marvellously preserved David.—2 Sam. xvii. 1, &c.

When Elijah fled from Ahab in a time of famine, God commanded the ravens to feed him, &c. and the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, &c. when the brook dried up, God sent him to a widow to sustain him; when her meal was reduced to a handful, the Lord pronounced, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruise of oil fail, until the Lord sendeth rain.— 1 Kings xvii. 1-17. Gen. xlv. 6,7.

So again, when he fled from Jezebel, and had requested of God that he might die, the angel came to him, and gave him bread and water twice, and then enabled him to go in the strength thereof many days.-1 Kings xix. 1—8.

When the wife of one of the sons of the prophets was in distress, because of poverty, and danger of creditors, God, by Élisha, makes her pot of oil to increase to the filling of many vessels, to pay her debts with.-2 Kings iv. 1-7.

When the Syrians came to Dothan to take Elisha, God marvellously delivered him from their hands. When Samaria was besieged, and in great distress by reason of the sad famine in it, God on a sudden makes the Syrians fly, and leave plenty behind them in their camp, and so relieved his people.-2 Kings vi. vii.

When Jerusalem was in sore distress. God sent an angel to destroy the Assyrians.-2 Kings xix. 35.

When Judah was environed, the battle was before and behind them ; then God delivered them, and they

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.

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- 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 men.-Ps. xc. 3.

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.

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

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.

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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.

Now, no chastening for the present, &c. nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness.-Heb. xii. 11.

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. 3. 12.

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

Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that 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.

These are they which came out of great tribulation, &c. therefore are 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.

See the ends of God's afflicting his people in this chapter, Cons. 5. 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 imprisoned, yet God did deliver him at last.-Gen. xxxvii. xxxix. xl. xli.

After Israel had been long and sorely oppressed and afflicted by the Egyptians, the Lord sent Moses for their deliverance; and said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people 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. 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.

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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

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 fort me on every side.-Ps. lxxi. 20, 21.

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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