Joy in Tribulation, Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII. More speciall comforts from speciall parts of the Word.
LEt us descend into some few specials, and insist a …ittle upon the mayne parts of these holy writings. Now the Scriptures, (as I conceive) may not unfitly bee divided into these foure generall heads. First, the Doctrinall, wherin the blessed Spirit teacheth and instructeth us in all necessary truths. Secondly, the Historicall, in which as wel the good examples of the Saints, and their happy successe, as also the perverse behaviour of wicked Rebels, and their miserable issues are set before us. Thirdly, the Propheticall (so more specially called) where the men of God encourage… strengthen, and excite us to walke in that good way which is pleasing and acceptable to the Lord. Fourthly, Practicall (as the Psalmes, &c.) wherein the constant practice of the faithfull, and their actions, as well within as without, are lively represented to our eyes.
Now what great helps and comforts in every one o… these doth that holy Spirit reach forth unto us? Consider our estate, and their use. Wee are Travellers through this wildernesse of sinne, toward the heavenly Jerusalem, ignorant, and wandring, soone weary and faint. How usefull then, how helpfull are all these unto us? The first is as an open Kings high-way to conduct us. The second is as a Guide, treading, and beating a path before us. The third as goads & nayls to rouze up our sluggish nature, and hold fast our slippery feete from back-sliding. The fourth as chearefull company, heartning & refreshing our drooping spirits, when our weake hearts begin to tyre, and those good wayes wax tedious to sinfull flesh. Let us now handle some of these particulars in severall.
Surely, whatsoever comforts a wayfaring man could wish in his journy, are in these helps offered, and given him: The first thing that a Traveller desires, is a good way: oh when the wayes are first plaine, and easie, not hard to finde: Secondly, when they are cleane, not deepe and miery: Thirdly, when they are even; not mountaynous, and rocky: Fourthly, when they are strait, not crooked and winding, then are they accounted very good, and are no little helps & comforts to any Traveller: Nay, in such wayes we goe not only with patience, but with delight.
Thus the wayes of God in his Word,Pro. 8.9. are first plaine to him that understandeth: not onelyonly a plaine way, but light too, in the way, Psal. 119. 105. not like these earthly, but that heavenly way. For as that (via lactea) or milkey path, (as it is called) in heaven, which by the infinite lights, stucke very thicke in it, embrightens it selfe:Pro. 4.18. so, the path of the just, is as the shining light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Secondly, they are cleane and pure,Psa, 19.8,9 very pure (Psa. 119.140.) not a spot of sinful mire in them; so farre from entangling, and encombring our feet, that they rather hasten and quicken us. Thirdly, they are very even & smooth, not stony and troublesome; Vallies filled, mountaines plained, and roughnesse smoothed: Luk. 3.5.Very easie and light. Mat. 11. 30. no way grievous, 1 Ioh. 5.3. nay, very pleasant, and sweet above the honey, and honey-combe. Ps. 119.103 Psa. 19.8.Lastly, they are right and strait, no crookednesse, or perversenesse in them. See Prov. 8. 8, 9. Luk. 3. 4, 5.
And what marvell then, if they who have walked in those wayes, have beene wonderfully delighted, and even ravished in such paths?Pro. 3.17. They are wayes of pleasantnesse, and paths of peace, in which we finde all the rich treasures and jewels of wisedome, eternall life, and perfect blessednesse.
A second comfort that a Traveller would wish in his journey, is a perfect Guide. Now then when we remember our stupid, and more than beastly ignorance, that even when the way is plaine and strait, yea, pleasant, yet we can make no progresse without a Guide, as is manifest by the cōfession of that good Eunuch (Acts 8.31.) and the experience of every good Christian, what a comfort is it that God hath given us so many directions, and excellent Guides, walking in every good path before us… If wee desire to travell in the way of faith, the Father of the faithfull will lead us the way, and chearefully call us after him,Rom. 4. 18 19,20. Who against hope beleeved in hope, and being not weake in faith, considered not his owne body now dead, nor the deadnesse of Sarahs wombe: He staggered not in the promise through unbeleefe. So likewise that Guide and Captaine of Gods people, who went before them from AEgypt unto the land of Canaan, will march before us in that way of faith to the land of Promise, whose piercing eye of faith beholding him who is invisible, Heb. 11.25 26, 27.and fastened on the recompence of the reward, despised the wrath of the King, and chose the afflictions of Gods people before the pleasures of sinne, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt.
Would we walke in love? We have choyce of excellent Guides. In that love of Christ how chearfully will that holy Penitent (converted Mary) point, and tread out that path for us?Luk. 7.47. Who having much forgiven her, loved much; and thought nothing too deare, o… precious for the beautiful feet of that great Apostle, and Prince of peace.Rom. 10. …5 Oh how powerfully will that chosen Vessell draw us after him in this tract of love to the Lord Jesus, and to all his members? How did the love of Christ constraine him? 2 Cor. 5.14How did hee rejoyce in tribulations, bonds, and death it selfe for Christ? … Cor. 12. 15.How did his heart burne and flame in charity, who could willingly spend, and …e spent for them whom the more abundantly hee loved, the lesse hee was loved againe? Who weying the profit of the Churches with his own glory in Christ, was in a strait, Phil. 1.22, 23,24.and knew not which to preferre, whether his owne infinite and glorious happinesse with Christ in heaven, joyned with some losse to the Church, or the advantage of Gods people, joyned with infinite miseries which he suffered on earth.
If we desire a Guide in the way of patience; that holy Patient offereth himselfe unto us. He steeling his resolution, and whetting it upon a strong faith, Though hee slay me, yet will I trust in him: Iob… 13.15.cutteth his way through thornes and bryers, infinite grievances of body and soule, and resteth in this confidence,Iob… 23.10 When hee hath tried mee, I shall come forth as gold.
Consider now how comfortable to the Israelites in the Desart, was that Piller of a Cloud, and fire, walking before them, and pointing out fit lodgings for them: But oh …ow much more chearefull is this Cloud of the faithfull Saints,Heb… 12.1. leading the way; and infinitely above them all the Lord Jesus himselfe, the Author & finisher of our faith, who in all these, and every other good path, not onelyonly guideth us with his foot, but upholdeth us with his hand, and maketh his example as well a patterne to governe our steps, as a staffe to support our weak soules, till wee rest for ever with him in glory.