Joy in Tribulation, Chapter 9
CHAP. IX. Comforts from the Propheticall and Practicall Scriptures.
ANother cōfortable help in a long journey especially if the beast which carryeth us be dull, or stumbling, is good furniture: In such an occasion who would willingly set out without strong reynes, a sharpe snaffle, a spur and switch to quicken his slow beast. Oh then what solid and plentifull consolation will those Prophetical Scriptures poure forth unto us. For when wee consider our untoward disposition, by reason of so much sinne cleaving yet stil so fast unto us, when wee remember how slow and slippery our affections are, which carry on our actions in the wayes of life, it cannot but be a great comfort that the Lord hath given us meanes to cast out this frowardnesse, and to bring into order our disorderly nature. I will insist onelyonly in two particulars of our corruption.
First, although our gracious God hath by the light of his Word as well discovered the way of life leading to himselfe, and cleared our eyes to discerne it, although hee hath given us the hystorie of his Saints as excellent Guides, to direct us, yet how dull and sluggish are we, how heavy in every good duty? How dull of hearing? Heb. ….11.How slow of heart to beleeve? Luk. 24,25Our hands hang downe, our knees how feeble? Heb. 12,12Now the words of the wise are as goads to quicken our sluggishnesse.Eccl. 12.…1
Secondly, wee are as slippery as we are sluggish. I appeale to any Christian who hath any knowledge of himselfe, what trouble, griefe, and wrastling hee findes in himselfe to hold fast his heart from starting and wandring in every service of God. If we looke to our minds, how slippery our memories? In retayning that good word of God, very …ievs.
In which respect we often enforce our gracious Teacher to chide with us.Ier. 2.31. Can a Maid forget her ornaments, or a Bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me dayes without number. Mat. 16.9.Doe you not remember the five loaves, &c. Heb. 12 5.You have forgotten the exhortation. Our harts and affections how sliding? Nothing so deceitfull: Ier, 17. 9.readie to depart from the living God. Heb. 3.12.Salomon loved the Lord, and walked in the waies of David his father: 1 Kin. 3.3.But wee see how soone that love cooled in him. The Galatians loved Paul, Gal. 4.15, 18.even to plucke out their eyes, and give them to him. But how soone left they to be zealously affected in that which was good?Gal. 1.6. And as their affections were to the Minister of the Gospell, so to the Gospell it selfe, soone removed to another Gospell. How fervent was that first love of the Ephesians? Rev. 2.3… 4But it quickly decayed. The Israelites when they heard the Lord speake out of the fire, solemnly protested,Deu. 5.27. Speake thou unto us all that the Lord our God shall speake unto thee; and we wil heare and doe it. & 9.12.But how suddenly had they corrupted themselves, and turned out of the good way? How earnestly was Peter resolved, and vehemently promised, that he would dye with Christ, and not denie him. But oh how soone, how easily, and fearefully he slipt, and headlong fell into an utter denyall with oathes and curses.
Now then when a Christian is cast downe in the sight of this his sinful corruption, how comfortable is that Ordinance of God (which hee knoweth to bee appointed, assisted, and sanctified by the blessed Spirit) as nayles, fastned and driven home, holding in, and keeping close his starting heart unto the feare of God, and not suffering it to warpe by this treacherous revolting? Certainly, as that Word spoken by Christ, fiered the hearts of his Disciples,Luk. 24.32 that they felt them to burne within, while he discoursed with them, & opened the Scriptures. So those faithfull Christians, who give up their hearts unto a constant reading, hearing, and meditating in that holy Word, shall experimentally find and feele it to bee a fire to thaw their frozen, dead, and sluggish spirits; to put forward and quicken them; strong bonds to tye and knit their wavering affections unto all constancie, and chearefulnesse in Gods service. How doth that reproving Word awaken David, 2 Sam 12.rouze, & rayse him from his deepe and long security? How doe those sweete promises quicken him, and, inlarging his heart, hasten his feet to runne in the way of Gods Commandements.Psal. 119. 32.50.
The same effects of this blessed Ordinance our experience teacheth us, in which respect not onelyonly those precious promises, but even those sharpe reproofes also are sweet and comfortable: bitter indeede in the mouth, but sweete and very cordiall to the inward man; stirring up our sleepy nature, dashing out that sl…ggishnesse, and binding our hearts more close and fast in that feare of God, which is the very knot of our Covenant.
Lastly, how welcome to a weary Traveller is good companie, who will goe along with him in the same way, and intend to lodge in the same Inne. Much comfort therefore will arise to us from those practicall Scriptures, (Psalms, &c.) For how are we refreshed in our journey by those pleasing conferences which we enjoy with those blessed Saints.
Looke as in our Travell nothing more cheareth, and maketh us forget all wearinesse, than good Company, discoursing of things profitable, and delightfull: So, when we goe along with these blessed Saints, in those practicall writings, opening their very hearts unto us, and unfolding the whole frame of the inward man, how are wee recreated and strengthned? How sweetly do we forget, & with little or no trouble swallow many difficulties & hard passages in our journy throgh this wretched world? How cōfortable is the Communion of Saints, even in this life? Our conversation with them is a little Paradise. Oh how infinite joy will flow from that holy fellowship in heaven? It is one, and not the least part of our happinesse,Heb. 12.23… that we shall come to that general assembly, and the Church of the first-born which are written in heaven? Now then when wee here converse and conferre with them, it cannot but be a great delight and refreshing to our soules. And the more, because in all occurrents and occasions they will furnish us in any duty.
In receiving of any blessing, how shall we see their hearts swell, and their lips overflow with all thankfulnesse? How doe they melt in humiliation, and swimme in teares? How doe they sharpen their voyces in fervent petition? In any desertion, what expressions of longueings? What sighing, pining, mourning? How doe they fill their mouthes with insinuating arguments to wooe the Lords returne, and regain the sense of his favor,Psal. 51.…2 giving him no rest till they feele the joy of their salvation restored?