Joy in Tribulation, Chapter 6
CHAP. VI. The application of this comfort by meditation.
NOw when we have well tasted and swallowed this Cordiall, let us by some meditation, and particular appli…ation labour to digest it, and even incorporate this spirituall food into our soules. For as it is with this earthly, so is it with that heavenly fire of the Word; it will soone bee extinguished, or else lye dead & uselesse, unlesse it be blown up by meditation. Thus therfore let the afflicted spirit confer and commune with it selfe.
Is it not my gracious God who reacheth forth this bitter cup of wormwood to me? Commeth it not from his wonderfull love, and faithfulnesse in his Covenant; who promising to doe mee good, hath therefore in my necessity tempered this potion for me? My unfaithfull heart requireth it, his faithfulnesse giveth it. My dead, cold heart, and the sicke sinfull matter in my soule calleth for it: his flagrant love, his wisedome and compassion administreth it; and shall not I then receive it? If hee sent it in wrath, should not I take it with humility and patience? and if he reach it to mee in love and faithfulnesse, shal not I receive it with chearefull thankfulnesse?Ioh. 18.11 Oh shal not I drinke of the Cup which my Father hath given me? Had it beene a Messenger of confusion, well might I tremble and mourne, yet not murmure, but being an Embassadour of peace, employed purposely for my Soveraigne, and Supreme good, and his glory, shall I not make it welcome? And will not hee worke his owne ends by it? Shall no… this bitter root, by his sanctifying power, shoot forth that most pleasant fruit of holinesse and glory? Oh thou ravishing beauty of Divine holinesse, thou most excellent Image, and nature of God! Oh thou unspeakeable and unconceivable happinesse with God in glory! Shall any thing be unwelcome which bringeth you to me, or carrieth me to you? Were it water, fire, were it hell it selfe, should I not passe through it to attayne you? This light affliction bringeth with it a weight of glory: This momentary affliction, an eternall glory: this despised affliction, an excelling excellent glory; and can then the root bee so bitter, as the fruit delightfull? Can I with a good will, nay, with plea…ure, eat a bitter or sowre sallat, as helping to purge out some mellancholy humours, and to whet the dull appetite; and shall I not much more swallow this Pil which is bitter onelyonly in the mouth, but in the stomacke ful of sweetnesse and nourishment? Nay, are not all these afflictions (being sanctified by God) especiall evidences of my adoption and filiation through Christ? Are not these stripes so many witnesses that I am his child? And this smart, a sure testimony that I am genuine and no bastard? And with all the res…, hath not he promised and assured me not to fayle, nor forsake me, but to uphold mee in it, and bring mee through it, and comfort me by it, and glorifie me after it? Have not all the members of that glorious body, and the Head himselfe, the Prince of glory, beene perfited through afflictions?Heb. 2. 10. Have they not all (Head and members) passed through this vale of teares, this roa…ing wildernesse, through many feares, terrors, grievous desertions;Heb. 5.7. crying out with strong cryes, and bitter, to him that is able to save them, Heb. 12.2.yet setting the joy before them, have endured the crosse, despised the shame, and are now set downe in the glory of God. Now therefore,Rom. 5:5. rejoyce my soule in tribulations, knowing that tribulation bringeth forth patience, and patience, experience; and expertence, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghost, who is given to to us. …am. 1.3.Nay count thou it exceeding joy, when thou falle…t into these temptations, knowing that the triall of faith bringeth forth patience.
OnelyOnly thou (oh my gracious God) who scourgest every Sonne whom thou receivest, receive mee whom thou scourgest. Thou who chastisest where thou lovest, oh love this poore soule which thou chastisest! Thou who correctest not for thy pleasure, but for our profit, oh teach me to profit by thy correction! Make my soule to partake of thy Sonnes holinesse, and then lay on what measure thou seest good of his affliction. Oh let me be conformed to his death and sufferings, that I may bee conformed to his life and resurrection. Gracious Father, after thou hast crowned mee with his thornes, crowne mee also with his glory.