Joy in Tribulation, Chapter 10
CHAP. X. The application of this comfort by meditation.
HEnce also may an afflicted Spirit take words unto it selfe, and say; Why doe I thus vexe mine owne heart, and disquiet my selfe in vaine? Doe I not still enjoy the holy & blessed Word of my God? Is there any losse which it doth not richly supply? Can I be poore, who possesse those precious Promises? Pro. 8.34.Can I be miserable, who attend on the posts of his dores, and heare him? If I lose father, mother, house, lands, have not I a promise of an hundredfold for the present, beside that eternal life to come? Mar. 10.30. If I am in any distresse, have I not a promise, that when Father and Mother forsake mee, he well take me up? Psal. 27.10. Have I not his command to cast my care upon him? Psal. 55. 22. and his promise, That hee will care for me, 1 Pet. 5.7. Have I not his word, that he will never turne away from me to doe me good? Ier. 32.40, 41.that he will rejoyce in mee to doe me good? His promise is, that I shall want nothing that is good;Psal. 34. 9, 10… and his word is good, as good as his deed: How then shal I be destitute of any good blessing,1 Tim. 4.8. who have the Promise of this life, and the life to come? Why then, oh my soule, art thou cast downe, and troubled within mee? Is not that immortall seed of the Word cast into thy heart? Doth it not still abide and remaine in thee? Yea,Psal. 23.4. though I walke in the valley of the shadow of death, I will feare no evill, for thy rod and staffe comfort me. Is not thy Word my way? a way leading mee to life? a lamp in the way, enlightning mee, and a Guide with a light directing me? a burning light quickning my frozen heart, when it is dull; a sweete Companion, refreshing me when I am weary? Is it not a plaine way, an even way, a cleane way, a strait, delightfull, and pleasant way? Diddest thou ever, oh my soule, tread one step in it, but that thou foundest some precious Jemme and Jewell? What treasures of knowledge, and wisedome, of faith, hope, love, and every rich grace have there offered, and even thrust themselves into thy hands? Oh what lovely fellowship, what heavenly company, what sweet and ravishing conferences have, and doe I there enjoy!
No sooner stepped I into that path of faith, but… instantly that Father of the faithfull went before me, and with an hundred sweet comforts drew me on to those his steps; that walking in the same faith, I might obtaine the same blessing. Gal 3.9.When I entred into the tract of Godly sorrow, and true Repentance, how cheerfully did that weeping Marie leade and conduct me? When I set my foot into the way of heavenly love, how fervently did that most zealous Apostle draw mee after him?
See, see how many glorious Saints; see, oh see the King of Saints and glory, thy gracious Saviour, in every good way directing, sustayning, cheering, and even carrying thee along to that heavenly Paradise.
What my soule? Shal those three Easterne Sages, when one Starre alone leading them to Christ, (then a poore despised Infant) went before them;Mat. 2.9,10 shall they rejoyce, rejoyce with exceeding great joy? And wilt thou, or for very shame canst thou hang downe the head, when so many heavenly lights, when the Sunne of righteousnesse himselfe, comforting thee with his owne, and such his Starres presence, and chearefull beames, leadeth and conducteth thee to that inheritance of light, and infinite glory? Oh then thou eternall Word, Way, and Light, who hast brought my feet, and entred them into thy Word (a lightsome way) settle me yet more deepely in it, that my heart may stand fast in thee my way. Put thy Word into my mouth, that my mouth (ever talking of it) may grow fruitfull in edification: Oh cleare mine eies with this true heavenly light, that I may behold with joy, the light of thy countenance.