That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
Ver. 3. That no man should be moved] Gr. σαινεσθαι, flattered, as a dog flattereth, by moving his tail; q.d. The devil, by flattering you, with promise of more ease by a contrary course, will but do as a dirty dog, defile you with fawning.
That we are appointed thereunto] viz. By God's decree, whereunto if damned ghosts must subscribe,Romans 9:19,20, how much more should God's elect! 1 Peter 1:6. It is but a delicacy to dream of heaven to be had without much hardship. Many would fain pull a rose without pricks, feed on manchet, pass a deliciis ad delicias: they would sit in the seat of honour with Zebedee's children, but not drink the cup of affliction. This will not be. Elijah must to heaven, but in a whirlwind. Daniel must be brought through lions and leopards to the meek Lamb of God, Messiah the Prince. John shall hear the harmony of harpers, but first the noise of thunder. The Israelites had five days of sorrow before their feast of joy, Leviticus 23:27; Leviticus 23:34. The first handsel a God gave them in their journey to the promised Canaan, was bitterness and thirst. It was by Marah that they came to Elim; neither could they taste of the sweet waters of Siloam, till they had crossed the swift streams of Jordan. We cannot sing the song of Moses, of God's servants, and of the Lamb, but we must first swim through a sea of burning glass, Revelation 15:2,3. Non nisi per angusta, ad augusta. Not unless through trouble to glory.
a Lucky prognostic, omen, presage, augury; token or omen of good luck. Obs. ŒD