Joy in Tribulation, Title page – To the reader
IOY IN Tribulation. OR, CONSOLATIONS FOR AFFLICTED SPIRITS.
By PHINEES FLETCHER, B.D. and Minister of Gods Word at Hilgay in Norfolke.
PSAL. 34. 19. Many are the troubles of the righteous; but the Lord delivereth him out of all.
LONDON: Printed for Iames Boler, dwelling at the signe of the Marigold in Pauls Church-yard. 1632.
TO THE TRVLY HONOVRABLE, MY MOST HONOred Cousins, Sir WALTER ROBERTS, Knight and Baronet: and to his gracious Lady, everlasting Consola…io…s of the Eternall Comforter.
SIR, your very ancient Gentry doth not so enoble you in the eyes of the world, as your new man in the sight of the Church:Greg. Naz. foreign, saith that ancient & eloquent Father, The new birth is the noblest birth: In the Creation, Man was the first, and last creature; last in time, first in place and dignily, being made the Sonne of God, Luk 3. 38.and the great Favourite of heaven. And now the New Creature, though last borne, as Iacob, yet as Iac…b, obtaines the birth-right, and over-tops the elder. The best Herald, Gods blessed Spirit, preferres the Beraeans as more Noble, or best borne,Acts 17.11 who received the Word with all readinesse of minde, &c. And surely if high bloud of Generous parents sets us aloft in the eye of the world, how much more lustre among Christians will that immortall seede give you, whereby you are borne, Ioh. 1.13…not of bloud, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Now though I well know that the neare relation of fleshly Alliance, and bloud which is betwixt us, (beside many other knots of friendship) have tyed my heart, long since, unto you both, in all unfeyned affection, yet this spirituall kindred is a much dearer, and nearer linke, uniting my soule unto you in the bond of the Spirit; so that I can truly say with that blessed Apostle,…es. ….8 I am affectionately desirous of you, and willing to impart to you (not onelyonly this slender fruit of) the Gospell (but) mine owne soule, bebause you were deare unto mee. I am confident you will receive this pledge of love with the same af…ection with which it is presented, and therefore leaving these few Consolations to the application of that great Comforter, and your selves with all your Olive branches, unto the Vnction of that holy one, and perfect growth of the blessed Spirit, I commend the weake Author to your Christian love, and prayers, who while hee is, shall ever be
Your willing servant in the Lord Iesus, PHINEES FLETCHER.
TO THE POORE in SPIRIT.
CHristian Reader: Whosoever thou art who mournest, and art humbled under the sense of spirituall povertie, to thee belongs that blessednesse of the heavenly kingdome, and strong consolations of that great Comforter: Mat. 5.3,4…witnesse he that bought it for thee, and by his owne mouth hath bequeathed it to thee in his Testament. But how cunning Satan is to hide this evidence from thy blubbered eyes, w…ll neede no other testimonie then thine owne unquiet and dejected spirit. The height of grace is rejoycing in the Lord: 1 Pet. 1. 8.and this is a joy un…peakeable and glorious, and indeede a lesser he…ven upon earth. Now that cursed enemie envies thee that thy future heaven, but is raging mad that thou should'st even here also enjoy an heaven of joy, in this vale of teares; therefore employes all his policies, and fallacies to hinder thy rejoycing, and to hold downe thy heart in distrustfull feares and sorrowes.
Thou maist easily observe, that none have beene more c…st downe in this uncomfortable mourning, then those, who (thou wilt confes) have had most cause of rejoicing.
That Princely Prophet had the oath of God (attesting by his holinesse) that he would not faile David. Psal… 89.35And I know thou wilt acknowledge that he was (in the deepest mourning) a blessed Saint, and had great cause to rejoyce alwaies in the Lord; yet was there a time when his soule lay groaning under an intolerable burthen of heavie discomforts.Esa. 50.10 He that when hee walked in darkenesse, and had no light, when not one sparke of earthly consolation shined forth unto him,See 1 Sam. 35…6. could yet stay himselfe on the Lord, and could fill his heart (in this wane, nay, ecclipse) with the borrowed light of his countenance, …ven this Saint found a time when his soule refused comfort;Psal. 77…2. when even the remembrance of …od) his maine cordiall) became his spe…iall co…asive; so that his spirit was overwhelmed with it. Reade carefully that 77 Psalme, and thou wilt confesse that thy troubles of spirit doe not equall, at least cannot exceede his.
It is a constant practice of Satan, to hold, and rocke a carnall heart in all presumptuous quietnesse, and rejoycing; and, (if he may) to keepe downe the beleeving soule in continuall unchearefulnesse and mourning. I have desired therefore to publish this little Treatise, which God hath blessed to some in private, that if he be pleased to glorifie his power in great weakenesse, thy wounds may be suppled, if not cured; and to give occasion to some Brother, who hath more gifts, and lesse employment, to enlarge this excellent subject. Remember thou, that the joy of the Lord is thy strength. Neh… 8.10.Oh let not thy sorrow, (no not for sinne) drowne thy rejoycing in that Saviour, who is become sinne for thee, that thou mightest bee the righteousnesse of God in him. 2 Cor. 5.…1I know when thy soule is farre from peace, thou wilt be readie to say, My strength, and my hope is perished from the Lord;Lam. 3.24, 25,26. but remember, the Lord is thy portion: Remember, It is good that a man should both hope, and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. And let thy heart be assured (and in that assurance comforted) that The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soule that seeketh. Waite for thy Lord, for hee will come, and will not tarry. Hee that testifies these things saith, Rev… 2…2…Surely I come quickly. Amen, Even so, Come Lord Jesus. If you receive any profit, let mee have some use of it in thy prayers.
Thy compassionate Fellow-member, P. F.