by George Hughes
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
A Treatise of the Pain, Gain, and Use of Chastening's
This text has been initially updated from EEBO-TCP by Project Puritas (Logan West, David Jonescue, Alex Sarrouf) www.puritansearch.org. Further revision and editing done by Monergism. Copyright Monergism via universal text usage permission from the above.
"A Dry Rod Blooming and Fruit-Bearing" by George Hughes is an impassioned theological treatise that explores the spiritual significance and redemptive power of affliction and chastening. Written amidst the tumult of 17th-century England, a time rife with political upheaval and religious persecution, this work serves as both a solace and a guide for the faithful enduring of trials.
Hughes, a pastor deeply committed to the well-being of his flock in Plymouth, draws from the poignant imagery of a yoke borne in youth, as referenced in Lamentations, and the comforting words of Christ in Matthew that His yoke is easy and His burden light. He intertwines scriptural wisdom with the harsh realities faced by his contemporaries, presenting chastening as not merely a hardship but as an instrument of God's love, designed to teach obedience and yield spiritual growth.
The book responds to the searing experiences of the author's congregation, who have been branded as disloyal and faced the wrath of both the state and religious adversaries. Hughes defends their allegiance to a true Parliament, which he argues is ordained by God and beyond the accusation of treason. He passionately refutes the notion that obedience to divine and lawful power could ever equate to disloyalty.
Through his eloquent prose, Hughes implores his readers to see beyond their immediate suffering and to recognize God's unceasing presence even in the darkest of times. He offers this work as a means to understand and appreciate the pain, gain, and use of God's chastenings. His personal afflictions sparked the conception of this treatise, which later evolved into sermons and, finally, the comprehensive text meant to uplift and edify those weighed down by adversity.
Hughes encourages steadfastness in faith, urging his brethren to learn from Christ's example, to be patient, and to yield a threefold fruit in response to their tribulations: patience and obedience towards the disciplinary rod of God, glory and honor towards God Himself, and love and unity amongst themselves.
The book is, at its heart, a pastoral letter, abundant with theological insight and practical advice. It aims to prepare the faithful for future trials, foster resilience, and fortify the spirit. With a fervent prayer for his readers' spiritual prosperity, Hughes casts this seed of wisdom into the hearts of his congregation, hoping for a rich harvest of piety, unity, and divine glorification.
"A Dry Rod Blooming and Fruit-Bearing" is not just a reflection on suffering; it is an epistle of hope, a clarion call to spiritual arms, and a reverent acknowledgement of God's sovereign hand in the afflictions of His people. Hughes's dedication to his parishioners and his yearning for their spiritual growth shine through as he commits them to the Father's care, all the while affirming his role as their humble shepherd in Christ.
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Table of Contents
TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL
THE FIRST PART. - Of the Pain of Chastening's.
SECT. I. The scope and inference of this Scripture-ground leading to the work.
SECT. II. The order, parts, and letter of the Text discovered.
SECT. III. The first conclusion and its explication.
SECT. IV. The Affection, Author, and Limitation opened.
SECT V. The demonstration of this Truth.
SECT. VI. Some Corollaries, or inferences for instruction.
SECT. VII. Conviction of sin to divers from the light of this truth.
SECT VIII. Counsel to duties enforced by this Truth.
SECT. IX. Comforting encouragements from the present truth.
THE SECOND PART. Of the Gain of Chastening's.
SECT. I. The true stating of the second proposition from the text, with its due partition, and partial explication.
SECT. II. The condition of the fore-going Fruit opened.
SECT. III. The exercise about Hearts, and about God, opened.
SECT. IV. The Season of the fruit stated.
SECT V. The manner of this fruit-bearing.
SECT. VI. The demonstration of this Truth.
SECT. VII. The inference of some truths depending.
SECT. VIII. Conviction of sin to many.
SECT. IX. Counsel for duty hence concerning us.
SECT. X. A second direction to enable Christians for exercise under the Rod.
SECT. XI. A third direction.
SECT. XII. Consolations issuing from the precedent Truth.
SECT. XIII. Cases arising from the premises resolved.
SECT. XIV. Other Cases answered.
THE THIRD PART. - Concerning the true Use of Chastening's, as taught by the Apostle.
SECT. I. Uses defined and examined.
SECT. II. Of the nature of God's chastening Providence, and its force.
SECT. III. The force of the precedent providence and duty thence concerning the chastised.
SECT. IV. The application of the former point.
SECT. V. The second Use of the chastening Providence, even Amendment of souls under the rod, pressed by the Apostle in this clause;
SECT. VI. The virtue or force of the chastening Providence for rectifying hearts and ways.
SECT. VII. The state of our duty in making straight paths for our feet.
SECT. VIII. The first motive to both precedent duties as given by the Apostle, Lest that which is lame be turned out of the way.
SECT. IX. To the second part of the first motive.
SECT. X. Second Motive.
SECT. XI. The healing virtue of the second duty.