Joy in Tribulation, Chapter 1
CHAP. I. The necessitie of comfort in this life.
AS in this estat of mortalitie our weak bodies stand in cōtinual need of reparation, as well by Phy…icall purgations, to dissolve and cast out ill humours, which through distemper either of ayre or dyet have crept in upon us, as continually by seasonable refreshings, and some exercise to gather & maintaine strength and health; so, and much more our weaker Spirits, in this sinfull world so subiect to backsliding, have much necessity of continuall comfort, as well to raise up our fainting soules, when they are staggering through unbeliefe; as to under-prop and hold them fast, when they stand by faith.
For Comfort in the large sense being nothing else, but the fortifying the heart against the assault of evill, it cannot be denied, but that malicious enemy of man, especially of Christian men, holds every one in a straight siedge, and failes not to make battery by all manner of engines against soule and body with temporall and spirituall evils. The most have most need of comfort, but no sense of their need: for they suppose they are strong,Rev… 3.17. and have need of nothing: They are lusty and strong,Psa. 73… 4…5 they are not in trouble as other men, nor are plagued as other: they conceit themselves all whole, as those proud Pharises, & see no use of a Physitian: but this strength is meerly imaginary, and (as a dreame) only in their fancy, and therefore but a castle in the ayre. Even in earthly, much more in the spirituall estate, no man is so weake indeede, as hee who is strong in his owne conceit: this very conceit being as a traiterous warder to open a doore of security, & betray all to the enemie. Others feele much want of comfort, but want not so much as they feele: for being strongly assaulted, and finding great weaknesse, they think all lost, or very desperate; and utterly forget that then they are strong indeed,… Cor. 12. 10. when they are weake in their owne feeling: sense of weakenesse thrusting out importunate prayers to seeke for helpe, and importunity of prayer never failing to bring in strength and succour.
But Comfort in the stricter sense, being nothing else but a …enitive plaister for a wounded Spirit, is by our heavenly Physitian prescribed onelyonly to an heart sicke of sinne, and broken with godly sorrow. To apply that Balme of Gilead to any other Patient, we (his Apothe…aries) have no warrant; but to administer it unto these wee have strait charge and commandement.
Certainly, our most bl…ssed Saviour purpos…ly tooke upon him our infirmities, that being himselfe touched with the …eeing of our weaknesse,Heb. 2. … 18. & 4. 15… he might be a mercifull high Priest: most unlike those Pharisaical Priests by himselfe condemned; They bound heavie burthens, and g…ievous to be borne, Mat. 23 …and laid them on mens shoulders, but would not touch them themselves with one of their fingers. Ma… 11.…1 Ioh. 5. …But his yoake is light (his Commandements not grievous) and yet he beareth it first himself, and receiveth the whole weight upon his owne shoulders. As hee therefore commāds his Disciples to take up their crosse and follow him and shuts out of his company all such as refuse (as being unworthy of him;Mat. 10.38) so he takes it up first himselfe, and either proportions the crosse to their strength, or measures strength to them, according to the cross which they beare. First, the curse he taketh altogether upon himselfe,Gal 3. 13. and beareth it off wholly from them. Secondly, he sendeth in that Comforter to them, who shall sustaine and strongly carry them through, and when by reason of sinfull infirmity they are ready to faint, shall put new spirit into them.
And to this end he doth not only command his Mess…ngers to rebuke sharpely, Ti… …1. 13that men may be sound in the faith, & the dead rotten flesh of our corrupt nature may be cut out; but chargeth them to comfort;2 …im. 4… for so signifies all that word (foreign) ordinarily transl…ted exhort. 2 Sam… …And as David sent his servants to comfort Ha…n, s… the Sonne of David, our most gracious Savior, sends his Embassadours to every afflicted and dejected soule, and commandeth them comfort you, Esa. 40. …comfort you my people, Speake comfortably to Ierusalem.
As therefore wee are most willing to bring, so must thou who art a Christian be as ready to receive this m…ssage.
I am one (the least and lowest, yet one) of these Messengers: and who are the Israel of God, and his true (suppose never so weak) servants, but those that desire to fear his name? Neh. 1. 10, 11.who shall be refreshed, Mat. 11.29.but hee that is laden? wherefore hath God given a tongue of the learned, Esa. 50.4.but to minister a seasonable word to h…m that is weary? and if wee are weary, why doe we not accept, nay greedily take hold of the refreshing offered? whosoever thou art who groanest under the burthen of sinne, and sighest to feele the fetters of thy strong corruptions; whosoever breakest thy heart, disquietest, and vexest thy spirit in the sight and sense of thy rebellious flesh, crying out,Rom. 7.24. Who shall deliver me from this body of death? Psa. 119.32When wilt thou enlarge my heart, that I may runne in the way of thy Cōmandements? know the Lord Iesus was purposely annointed for thee,Luk. 4.… even to heale the broken hearted, to set at libertie them that are bruised: know that all the comforts of the blessed Spirit are thy portion; and not onelyonly the Minister, but every member of Christ upon occasion bound to reach it forth to thee, and charged to comfort the feeble minded. 1 The. …Now therefore as the Lord h…th given mee an heart and hand desirous to distribute a word of comfort unto an… fainting Christian, so the same God of all mercy and compass on give every weary soule an hand to take fast hold of it, and to hold it fast; to receive it re…dily, and stedfastly to retaine it. Verily to this end the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, 2 Cor. 1.3, 4.the father of mercies, & God of all comfort doth comfort us in all our tribulation, that wee may be able to comfort them which are in any affliction, by the comfort wherewith we our selves are comforted of God. Let not therefore the Consolations of God seeme a small matter unto us. Iob 15. 11Comfort then in every respect is very needeful: needfull for the Stewards of Christ, faithfully to deale this portion to the afflicted, and no lesse need have they to receive it: But where (saith the sicke soule) oh where shold I finde it.