Joy in Tribulation, Chapter 32
CHAP. XXXII. Removing that tentation which riseth from comparison with other Christians.
ANother ordinary tentation of Satan, is, when he worketh the humbled soule to compare the graces of some other with their owne, and the meanes either common, and equall to both, or perhaps lesse to others, who yet (as he conceives) outstrip him in grace; and so to discourage, and overthrow this worke of faith in him.
Oh (sayes a dejected spirit) I have had more time, more seed, more labour bestowed on mee, farre more than such, or such a Christian, and yet how fruitfull are they? But I, how barren, and bare in knowledge, in faith, in love, &c. how wonderfully have they outgrowne me?
But first, let such a troubled heart observe, that this depressing, despising, and condemning our selves in respect of unfruitfulnesse, whereby we seeme to come short of others, is an eminent grace of God, unto which, by promise, he hath tyed all his other graces. God gives grace to the …umble. 1 Pet. 5,5.And this is a certaine fruit of true humility.
S…condly, they are often deceived in their judgements. For know this, and remember it as a sure truth; the more thou hast profited in grace, and art enriched in this durable substance, the more covetous will thy heart be of spirituall gifts. When a worldling begins to taste the sweetnesse of earthly lucre, oh how greedily doth hee thirst after it? And though hee lay up treasure as dust, & gulp downe sinfull pleasure as water, yet a dry drop…ie possesseth him. The more he drinks, the more he thirsts: so is it with that soule which being weaned from this, and in love with that world to come, is fired with an holy, and heavenly covetousnesse of spirituall riches: The more he bags up of those evelasting treasures, the more poore will he seeme to himselfe: oh how good a signe is it, when the riches of grace make thee poore in spirit:Mar. 5.3. when Christ speakes unto thee, as somtime to the church of Smyrna, Rev. 2.9,I know thy tribulation and poverty, but thou art rich. For as it is a certaine signe that he who supposes he knowes, beleeves, loves much,1 Cor. 8.…. knowes nothing as hee ought to know: that when we thinke we are increased in goods, Rev. 2.17.and want nothing, then there is nothing which we want not, Wee are wretched, poore, miserable, blinde, and naked: so when the desires sayling to the heavenly Jerusalem… & filled with the breath of that holy Spirit, are carried so swiftly, that they thinke the actions stand still, and either move not, or goe backeward; certainly that heart which sends forth these desires, is strong, and fervent in the life of grace.
Thirdly, if those whom thou thus preferrest before thy selfe, were asked their opinion, thou shouldst heare them heartily, and earnestly professe, and protest with sighes their many infirmities, as farre preferring thee, as thou them.
But withal, and above all remember, and apply to this purpose that common axiom, That truth, or substance is not capable o… more, or lesse. Suppose thy mis-conceit true, that thou wert farre inferiour in grace to many, who are farre younger in the life of grace than thou; this hinders not, but that thou hast the true life of Christ and his Spirit, as well, though not so full as they. Neither in this life, nor in the other, the eldest are ever the strongest. But as a childe, or weake man, troubled with much sicknesse, hath as true and very life as hee that is strong, and never tasted one sicke houre; so the weake Christian, held downe intentation, hath as verily the life of God, as they who have outwrastled Satan, and sinne, and enjoy much liberty, and enlargement of spirit. Who doubts but that Paul, after conversion, though borne out of time, excelled in grace many of the Apostles themselves: yet were they not onelyonly living, but eminent members of Christ.
Apply these things to thy soule, and so cast out this wavering in spirit, and those feares whi…h breed painfulnesse: 1 Ioh. 4.18And then endevour to ground thy assurance, and establish thy soule by some infallible and evident signes of thy election and …alvation.