Two Treatises Comforting an Afflicted Conscience, Letter 3

Two Treatises Comforting an Afflicted Conscience · Letter 3

p. 106A letter consolatory written to a friende afflicted in Conscience, for sinne.

Grace and peace in Iesus Christ.

MY very good and louing friend in the Lord Iesus, I vnderstand by M. H. who ofte trauelleth into those parts, that you require of mee letters of comfort for reliefe of your afflicted and distressed conscience. Wherein I could bee glad to performe any deutie that is within the compasse of my poore abilitie. But your best and soundest comfort (as I take it) lieth in those, that hauehave them selues bene exercised with that triall: who from the comforts of Christ that hauehave abounded in them, are best able to comfort those that are in like sort afflicted by the hand of God.Cor. 1, 4, 5, Agine, I hauehave written vntounto you many times of this argument: If my letters remaine with you, they may alwaies speake for mee that which I am able to say to that point. If you require more then I hauehave written before this▪ then were it reason you should sende mee my former letters, that I might knowe p. 107where to begin that which remaineth. My leasure is not great as you knowe, and there is nothing whereinto I enter more vnwillingly, then into this labour of writing: Yet that you may vnderstand that I hauehave not altogether forgotten your ould louelove towardes me, nor hauehave suffered mine affection towards you vtterly to decaye: I will indeauour at once as briefelye as I may to remember vntounto you, so far as I can call to minde, the summe of all that I hauehave written vntounto you heretofore. The question (as I take it) that that lieth in controuersie betweene your cō science and the enimie, is of the assurance of your saluation. Wherein I would hauehave you first to consider what is, or at any time past hath beene the testimony of the Spirit of God vntounto your spirit,The testimony of the spirit. and then I doubt not, but either from present sence of the same spirit of God crying in your heart Abba Father, or from the remēbrance of the daies of old, wherin you had a cōfortable assurance of Gods fauor, you shal be able to repel the force of this temptation, cōsidering that the holy Ghost cānotly, that God, whom he loueth, vntounto the end he loueth, & because his gifts & calling (as the Apostle saith) are such as whereof he doth not, nor cānot repēt him. Thē cōsider the nature of faith;The nature of faith. which how weak & vnperfect soeuer it be, it cānot be denied euē by Sathan p. 108himselfe, to be faith: according to that which is saide;Mar. 9 24▪ Mat. 17.2,Mark 9:24Matt 17:2 I beleeue Lord helpe thou my vnbeliefe. And if you hauehave faith euen as a graine of mustard seede &c. that Faith apprehendeth Christ Iesus in whome there is all sufficiency of saluation, and in whome wee are compleat: so that whatsoeuer scruple ariseth from our selues,Col. 2.10.Col 2:10 or is inforced of the enimie from any imperfection that is in vsus, it neede not at all to dismay vsus, because wee saue not our selues, but are saued by him, who is made vntounto vsus from God, wisdome, righteousnes,1. Cor. 1 30.1 Cor 1:30 sanctification, and redemption; that who so glorieth should glorie in him. And in deede there is no surer refuge when the enimie distresseth vsus, then renouncing our selues to professe the onelyonly name of Christ Iesus; who died for our sinnes, and rose againe for our iustification.Rom. 4.25.Rom 4:25 For if the enemie shall say wee hauehave sinned, our answere is,Rom. 8.34.Rom 8:34 Christ hath died for vsus, yea is risen againe, yea is ascended into heauen &c. If he say;Rom. 5.19.Rom 5:19 we want the righteousnes of the law; we must answere, Christ hath fulfilled the lawe,2. Cor. 5.21.2 Cor 5:21 that wee by him might be made the righteousnes of God. If hee say wee are in nature corrupt, and therefore both vnworthy and vnfit for the kingdome of heauen; we must answere him with the wordes of Christ himselfe,Ioh. 17.19.John 17:19 for there sakes hauehave I sanctified p. 109my selfe. Fynally whatsoeuer shalbe obiected against vsus by the enimie, our answere must bee: that in Christ, all the promises of God are yea,2 Cor. 1.20. Colo. 1.…92 Cor 1:20 and in him they are Amen. That all fulnes dwelleth in him, and that in him wee are perfected: so that wee may boldly say with Saint Paul, there is no damnation to those which are in Christ Iesus.Rom. 8, 1,Rom 8:1 If Sathan his importunitie and impudencie will not thus bee answered, we must ende all disputation with him by our selues, and send him vntounto Christ, who amongst other parts of his office towardes vsus, performeth also this for vsus, both before his heauenly father, and against all our aduersaries, that he is our aduocate to pleade and defende our cause,Iohn, 2, 1. which yet is not so much ours as his owne; because the question is not of our merits or satisfactions which we freely renounce, but of the merite of his obedience, and of the value of his death vntounto the saluation of those that beleeue in him. So shall wee at once stoppe vp the mouth of the enimie, when refusing to pleade our own cause, we referre our selues vntounto Christ whome wee knowe to bee the wisdome of God, and able to answere all that can possibly be obiected against vsus. For seeing Sathan is a wrangling and subtill sophister, it is our furest and safest dispatch, to break p. 110of all dispute with him, and to send him thither where he may receiue his best answere; and we neede not to doubt, but he that hath answered the iustice of God, and canceled the obligation that was against vsus before his heauenly father, will easily defeate whatsoeuer the olde serpent our accuser the Deuill is able to alledge against vsus. But if wee cannot so auoide his assault, but needes we must enter the combat with him; let vsus take vntounto our selues that courage that becommeth the souldiors of Christ, and in the name of the Lorde Iesus manfully oppose our selues, knowing that hee which hath brought vsus into the battell, will both saue vsus and deliuer vsus out of all dangers. Then if the enimie shall say that wee hauehave no faith,Whether we hauehave faith or not. and therefore hauehave no interest in Christ, we may answere that our beleeuing dependeth not vponupon his testimony, it is enough that our selues doe know, and feele by the grace of God, that wee doe beleeue. As for him, we doe the rather perswade our selues of faith, because he saith that we beleeue not:Iohn, 8, 44 25. knowing that he is not only a murderer, but also a lie… from the beginning, and the father of lying. Now, he that was neither ashamed nor afraide to charge God himselfe with vntrueth, will make lesse scruple to deale fal…ly with vsus,Gen. 3.Gen 3 & that therfore we vtterly reiecte his p. 111witnesse, as the witnes of a notorious & treacherous deceauer, vnworthie all credit, and whome we cannot beleeue, euen in the truth it selfe without danger. For which cause, he was so oftentimes silenced by our Sauiour Christ and his Apostles,Mar. 2, 24, Act. 16, 18Mark 2:24Acts 16:18 euen then when after his deceiuable man the bare wit…es vntounto the truth. Againe when the qu…stion is of our faith in Christ wether we beleeue in him or not, we must beware that we stand not here vponupon perfection of knowledge, which in the best Diuines is vnperfect: nor vponupon the perfection of our perswasion which in all flesh is mingled with imperfection. It is enough for our present cōfort, & to the silencinge of our aduersarie, that we hauehave a cōpitent knowledge of the misterie of our saluation by Christ; far remoued from that ignorance, and implicit vnderstanding, which Sathan hath planted in the kingdome of Antichrist. For perswasion also, we acknowledge, that partly by the corruption of nature, and partly by his assalts, by the grace of God it is such, as the same is oftentimes assailed & shaken. Yet faileth not▪ nor falleth vntounto the ground, but standeth inuincible against all his attēpts & inuasions whatsoeuer. And finally, for that faith wherby we rest for our saluation vponupon Christ Iesus, we glory not in our own strength but we say eueryevery one for himselfe, whi…h him in the Gospell, p. 112wee beleeue, Lord helpe thou our vnbeliefe. For if faith be as it is in deede a repose, setling, placing and putting of our trust and confidence for saluation in Christ whome the father hath sealed: Then we doubt not to prooue against Sathan, and all his instruments of inside litle that wee doe beleeue: and that the weakenesse of our faith wich we willingly acknowledge, and that remnant of vnbeliefe which yet hangeth vponupon vsus, is so farre off from dismaing vsus; that it is both a warning and motiue vntounto vsus of great force to sturre vsus vp, and to set vsus a worke by all good meanes to establish and to increase our faith wherein wee finde the good hand of the Lord not to bee wanting vntounto vsus: and his eares not to bee shutte vp against our prayers; in which wee alwaies say with the Apostles of Christ, Lord increase our faith. If it shall be obiected, that because we hauehave not the same sence and feeling of faith which some times we had as Sathan himselfe could not then deny; therefore wee hauehave nowe noe faith, but hauehave vtterly lost the same: wee may answere, the argument followeth not: for euen in many diseases of the bodie it is so with them that hauehave them, that they seame little better then dead corses, and yet there is life in them, which hidden for a time after is recouered and raised p. 113vp againe; so it is many times with the children of God, that being ouerborne and distressed with extremitie of affliction and temptation, they seeme for the time both to themselues and others, to hauehave lost the life and light which once they enioyed: Yet, so it is, that when the tempest is ouerblowne and the gratious countenance of the Lorde againe beginneth to shine vponupon them, the faith which was as it were hid for the time, taketh life, and sheweth forth it selfe, & plainly prooueth that as the trees when they bud in the spring time and bring fourth their fruit, ware not dead in the winter as they seemed to be: so the faith of Gods childrē, springing a fresh after the stormy winter of temptation, declareth manifestly that it was not dead when it seemed so to bee, but was only respited for the time, that afterward it might bring forth more fruit, & wheras the afflicted soule desireth nothing more then to beleeue, though it feele not a present operation of comfort by faith; euen that desire argueth a secret sence that cānot easily be discerned, together with assurance of better estate in time to come,Math. …. according to that of our sauiour Christ. Blessed are they that hunger & thirst after righteousnes, for they shall be satisfied: & that of the blessed virgin▪ he filleth the hū gry with good things, but the rich he hath p. 114sent empty away. Also that bewaling & deploring of vnbeliefe which is found in the afflicted, is not only a steppe vntounto their former comfort, but a certaine proofe & demonstration of the returne thereof. For the Lorde working by his spirit in the hearts of his children gronings that cannot be expressed, therby assureth them that in his good time hee will heare them and grant their requestes. And so much the more we may be perswaded hereof because the louelove of God towards vsus, as it began not of vsus (as S. Iohn sayeth,Iohn, 5. so it depē deth not vpō vsus, but vpō the truth & constā cie of him, with whom there is no change nor shadow of change. Againe the temptation it selfe frō which our afflictiō doth arise, though it hauehave of it selfe a most bitter & sharp tast, euen vntounto the wounding of our soules neare vntounto death: yet hath it also in it argument of cō fort: the Lord himselfe out of darknes raising vp light vntounto his children. For euenby this, that Sathan so busily and so fearcely assaileth vsus, it doth appeare that as once helost his possession in vsus and was cast out by one more mighty then himselfe which is Chirst: so now he findeth no peaceable entrance, but a strong & mighty resistance & that therefore there yet remaineth such part of the former worke, he could not hitherto ouerthrow, nor shall be able foreuer, which is the secret seede of faith still sustained & nourished by the spirit of god p. 115when we would think it were vtterly extinguished. For as the fire when it wrasteleth with the water throwne vponupon it, ceaseth not till it hauehave ouercome▪ so this resistance of the spirit against the flesh, will not cease vntil the full victory be obtained, & sathan himselfe troden vnderunder our feete. Neither is there any more sure testimony, either of our present deliuerance begun, or of our full & perfect victorie in time to come, then this, that by the worde of God we do (though but weakly) resist the tentations of the enimy, & continue in the battaile against him: mourning in deed & traualing vnderunder the bou… then of afflictiō, but yet standing vpright before the enimie: so that he cānot fully preuaile against vsus, much lesse ouerthrow & destroy vsus. But here one thing must carefully be loked vntounto, that we be not so far discouraged, either with want of feling, or ouerborne with desire of that we hauehave not, as we forget what mercy hertofore we hauehave receiued. When Iob so earnestly,Iob. 29.2.Job 29:2 & as on would thinke impatiently wiseth the good things he had somtimes inioyed, he doth not only expresse the great affection he had to be restored vntounto his former estate, but also giueth the attētiue reader to vnderstand, a secret worke of that grace of God; from the remembrance of that which had been, insinuating an hope of that which shold be, as the euēt it self afterward p. 116declared which issue of his troubles S. Iames would hauehave vsus diligently to consider when he saith.Iam. 5.Jas 5 Ye hauehave heard of the sufferings of Iob, and hauehave seene the ende of the Lord. But it fareth in this case with the afflicted soule many times, as it doth with those that gredily striue for the goods of this world. Their affection of hauing more is so strong, & doth so violently possesse and carry them, as it not only depriueth them of the vse of that they hauehave, but also maketh them forget the same, & which is yet mo…e, protest against it, as if they had it not at all. So the humbled & afflicted spirit, ouerborne for the time with present griefe and anguish of minde, not onelyonly vseth not the comforts it hath, & cannot presently discerne: but also causeth an vtter forgetfulnes of them, and which more is, protesteth against them, as if they were not: yea, (as we se often in Iob) he so complaneth of the contrary, as if the Lord had not only forsaken his seruant, but had armed himselfe, and did fight against him to destroy him. Here therfore we must bridle & chastise our impatient and murmuring spirit: and remember that of Iob so farre contrary to the other,Iob. that though the Lord should destroy him, yet he will trust in him. Neither must we so much vexe and vnquiet our ha…ts for that we want, as labour to make vse of that we hauehave. which though it seeme little vntounto vsus for the present: yet in p. 117truth is more then Sathan by all his force is able to ouercome, as may appeare vntounto vsus by that endles resistance which the spirit of god dwelling in vsus maketh against him. For he that so fighteth is not yet captiue: & he that standeth in face of the enimie, and endureth all his assaults, is not yet vanquished. Yet that he holdeth out in so great weaknes of his owne, against so strong & furious assaults of the enimy; it plainely argueth, that he standeth by a greater strength then his owne, by which, as he is presently preserued that hee fals not into the hand of his aduersary; so nede he no doubt therby to be finally deliuered, & be crowned with victory & tryumph in despite of Sathan & all hee is able to worke against him. But if the enimie, whose quarrelling with vsus is endles, as his malice is vnsatiable, will not thus leaue vsus & giuegive vsus rest: then as I said before, it is our best & safest way, at once to end all disputation with him. And we cannot better shake him of, thē by exercising our selues in prayer, reading, and medit…tion of the word of God, & by diligent walking in the works & labours of our callings, for there is no greater oportunitie nor aduantage that can be giuen vntounto the aduersary, then if he shal finde vsus idle & vnoccupied. If the minde be alreadie possessed of, & occupied in good things, it cannot so easily be trsāported vntounto that which is euill. But if he finde the house p. 118emptie and fit for him, he then entreth without difficultie. In the question of faith wee hauehave comfort also from the works & effects therof in our selues: For as the tree is knowne by the fruits,Faith proued by the fruits. so faith wanteth not her fruites wherby she may be discerned. These are of diuers sorts, sorow for sinne past, hatred of euill, care and indeauor to auoide it both in generall and in particular, the louelove of God & of his righteousnes; desire & care with labour & contention to please him, both in generall & perticular duties. And here againe wee hauehave a lawful & necessary recorse vntounto the time past. For albeit wee hauehave nothing to glory in before God,Psal. 77.6.Ps 77:6 when the question is of the cause of our saluation; yet the effects of this grace and fauour of God towards vsus in the former fruites of our faith, may yeeld vsus noe small comfort in the time of our heauinesse and of the anguish of our spirites: here of it is that the Prophet in the psalmes doth so often protest his obedience vntounto God,Psal. 119Ps 119 & care to doe his commaundements, hereof it is that Iob vntounto the comforting of his distressed conscience remembreth the course of his former life,Iob. 31.Job 31 led in the feare of God and obedience of righteousnes. For although we may not attribute any merit, vntounto our workes,Rom. 8.4Rom 8:4 but must giuegive the whole glorie of our saluation vntounto Christ alone; yet our works p. 119doe witnes for vsus, that we are the children of God, because wee are guided by his spirite and as the Apostle saith,Rom, 8.10 though the body be deade in respect of sinne, yet the spirite is life for righteousnes sake. Also the gratious effectes of Christ himselfe dwelling in our heartes by faith, are sure and certaine testimonies that we are members of his bodie & doe belong vntounto him, because as branches implāted into him which is the vine, we bring forth fruite according vntounto the nature of the vine. If it be said we doe yet sin:Iohn. 15.…John 15 our answere is, that that happeneth vntounto vsus, not from the new creature, but from that other part yet remaining in vsus stil subdued vnderunder sin, in which the Lord of mercy doth not esteeme vsus, but in that new man which is fashioned againe according vntounto his own image. In so much as S. Paul doubteth not to say, that the sins of the faithful proceding frō the remāder of corruption yet abiding in thē are not their workes,Rom. 7.17Rom 7:17 but the works of the flesh which being already woūded vntounto death by the power of the death of Christ, languisheth more & more,Rom. 6.2.Rom 6:2 & shal finally be abolished by death which is the end & accomplishment of our mortification, & fully endeth the battell betweene the flesh & the spirit. What shall I say of the loathing of this life,Loathing of this life &c. and the vanitie thereof, & of that desire which is in the children of God to be dissolued & to be with Christ?Phil. 1.21.Phil 1:21 of contēmēt p. 120in all estates, patience in afflictions, constancie in the truth, louelove towards those that louelove the Lorde, pitie towardes those that are in misery, and the desiring of the good euen of their enimies and those that hate them? Which vertues, though they beare not an equall saile, by reason of the weaknes of the flesh and of the malice and resistance of the enimie; yet are they vndoubted testimonies of our louelove towards God, which is not but in those who are first beloued of him, and hauehave tasted how good and gratious hee is. If wee shall looke vntounto the exercises of pietie and of the worshippe of GOD,Comfort from the exercise of pietie. though wee may here (as els where) complaine of our wants and defectes, yet wee shal through Gods goodnes finde matter of comfort. Remember therefore what merciemercy the Lord hath shewed you in this parte: whi…h what desire and affection you hauehave heard the word of God.The hearing of the word. Howe pretious it hath bene vntounto you, aboue gold, euen the most fine golde, how sweete and comfortable, euen aboue the hony and the honie combe. Remember with what fruite of knowledge in the will of God, increase of faith in his promises, purpose and indeauour of amendment of life, you hauehave often times hearde the same Call to minde with whatPraier, zeale & earnestnes of spirit you hauehave p. 121somtimes called vponupon the name of God, both publikely & priuately, with others & alone by yourselfe: with what ioy & reioicing of the soule you hauehave praised the lord for his mercies towards his Church, and towardes you selfe:Praising of God. Call to minde what hath beene in you at any time the power of those Sacramentes,Sacraments which are annexed as seales vntounto the promise of saluation by Christ, and howe farre they hauehave by the blessing of God erected your minde in hope and assurance of his goodnes towardes you.

If your present discouragement resist the comfort of these meditations, it is no newe thing, that in our weaknes we shoulde after the manner of those that be sicke, disaduantage our selues of that, which might doe vsus most good: yet remember howe iniurious a thing it were, to esteeme the children of God by their present agonies and conflict of conscience, rather then by the comfort of that estate wherein the grace of God shined plentifully vponupon them and in them. For as when men are diseased it cannot therof be concluded, that they were neuer in health; so the present discomfortures of the children of God, though they take away the sense of his merciemercy for a time, yet they are no repeale of his former goodnes and fauour towardes them, nor denie them to hauehave beene, euen in p. 122their owne iudgement and feeling, deare vntounto the Lord: and still to be, though the storme and tempest of their present affliction suffer them not so liuelie and comfortably to enioy the same, as before. For which cause they must with Iob and Dauid call to remēbrance the comfortes of times past,Iob. 29.3 Psal. 77.6 12.Job 29:3Ps 77:6 from thence to assure themselues of the returne of the good hande of the Lorde in due time. I doubt not but you can be witnesse vntounto God and to your owne selfe, that the time hath beene when your comfort and assurance of Gods fauour was such, as Sathan himselfe coulde not denie the testimonie which then the spirite of God did beare vntounto your spirite. Nowe the giftes and calling of God are without repentance,Rom. 8.16 Rom. 11.29 Iohn. 13.1.Rom 8:16Rom 11:29John 13:1 and whome hee loueth he loueth vntounto the ende, neyther doth our saluation depend vppon any thing of our owne: for then wee shoulde a thousande times perish and fall before the enemie, but vppon that eternall and euerlasting louelove of God, wherewith hee hath loued vsus in Iesus Christ before the foundations of the worlde were laide: which louelove of his, if it hath at anie time beene made knowen vntounto vsus and apprehended of vsus, wee hauehave assurance greater then the testimonie of men and Angels. But you will say, that which sometimes I felt is now gone, and in steade thereof I p. 123am perpetually opprested with the horror of the wrath of God iust against me for my sinnes. It is true that the power and sence of faith is not alwaies alike in the children of God: yet is it a false and sophisticall conclusion, suggested from him that is a lyar from the beginning, and the father of lying, to say, wee feele not faith, therefore there is no faith in vsus. For in many diseases of the bodie wee hauehave no sence of life, and yet we liue. The sunne shineth not in the night season, nor when it is obscured with cloudes: shall wee say therefore that there is no sunne, or that it hath vtterlie no operation? Admitte also (which yet may not bee admitted) that the Lorde had for a time vtterlie giuen vsus ouer: can wee conclude thereof, that hee will neuer againe be mercifull vntounto vsus? Nay, hee that founde vsus when we sought him not, will surelie returne vntounto the worke which hee hath begunne, though he seemeth for a while to hauehave forsaken it. There is somtime as it were an ecclips of our faith, and of the feeling of the grace of GOD towardes vsus, but let vsus assure our selues, that as the Sunne and Moone doe not perish in their ecclipses, nor loose their lighte for euer: soe in this ecclips which happeneth for a time vntounto our fayth, p. 124and sence of Gods goodnes, the same shall not perish or loose his vertue for euer: but shall in good time be restored, or rather quickened in vsus againe, vntounto our further and more assured comfort. This you hauehave seene in many the deare children of God whose heauines hath beene knowne vntounto you, that they hauehave not beene forgotten for euer, but that the Lord, who seemed for a while to frowne vponupon them, did in the ende cause his most gracious and louing countenance to shine vponupon them againe: you hauehave felt it in your selfe, that there hath beene an interchangeable course of sorrow and comfort, of faith and feare, and that the one hath contially succeeded the other, that the same hand that humbled you, did raise you vp againe; that he that inflicted the wounde into your soule, applied thereunto the most sweete and soueraigne remedie of his grace. So ancient and so experienced a soldiour as you are in this spirituall battaile, should now be valiant and strong vntounto the combat: our victorie wherein, though it be not to be hoped from the weakenes of flesh, yet the experience we hauehave had of the goodnes of God in our former troubles, ought to assure vsus of the returne of his helping hand in al our necessities. Shall I put you in minde of the grace of God towardes you in your comforting of others, p. 125euen then when your selfe hauehave beene in some discouragement? If others hauehave receiued comfort from you, raise vp the same comfortes vntounto your selfe. Neither is there anie cause you shoulde feare, least that spirite which in you was able to erect and confirme others, should not be able to refresh & comfort your owne soule. In other things we louelove our …elues too much, and doe well vntounto our selues rather then to others: but heere many times, by the fraude of the enemie, we are made cruell vntounto our owne bowels, and become his abused instruments to torment our selues: who will put a sworde into the hande of his aduersarie to wounde himselfe with all? And who will strengthen his enemie that is alreadie too strong for him? Yet this is our folly, that we will conspire with Sathan against our selues, and arme him with weapons vntounto our owne destruction. Saint Peter saith resist the Diuell beeing strong in faith.1. Pet. 5.91 Pet 5:9 We must not therefore yeald our selues vntounto his tyrannie,1. Ioh, 5.4 Ephe▪ 6, 16Eph 6:16 nor cast away that weapon of faith by which alone we may be able to ouercome. But I will vrge this argument no further.Comfort from the benefits of this life.

I knowe that the benefites of this life are common for the most part, both to the reprobate and to thé elect: yet both in those which are common, there is a great and large difference, p. 126and there are some so singular as carry with them a stronger testimony of the fauour of God, then that it may without impietie be denied. In common benefits it holdeth, that as thinges most aduerse are yet turned vntounto our good:Rom. 8.28Rom 8:28 so much more the good giftes and blessinges of God doe carry with them a testimonie of his louelove and fauour towardes vsus. For as the Lord speaketh vntounto vsus in the worde and by his spirit, so his good and fatherly prouidence towardes vsus, is not without voyce, but foundeth aloud vntounto the declaration of his louelove: But there are as I saide some benefites so speciall, that the vse of them is propper onelyonly vntounto his children. Remember with me the first time of this trouble and dismaying of your conscience; and remember with all howe many meanes the Lorde hath ministred vntounto you for your comforte. What shall I saye of those whom the Lorde hath put euen into your bosome the more nearelie to apply his merciemercy vntounto you, Master C. Master B. Master R. &c. all so furnished vntounto your comforte, that you may well thinke, they were as so many hands stretched out from heauen to supporte and strengthen your weakenesse withall▪ if I shoulde set my selfe to remember howe mamy other the seruantes of God hauehave by diuine prouidence beene directed to minister p. 127comfort vntounto you, the number woulde be innumerable: Master S, Master F. Master D. Master, B, Master G. Master G, and almost who not, of those that hauehave beene trained and brought vp in that schoole. Consider howe greate a mercy this hath beene, that so many excellent Physitions of the soule, shoulde at seuerall times apply themselues, if not vntounto the cure, at the least vntounto the mitigating of your disease. I will not examine howe many and greate comfortes you hauehave receiued from them by worde in presence, and by letters in absence; this onelyonly I aske of you, whether you hauehave not knowne all these to beare vntounto you the same testimonie, to speake the same comforte, and to confirme you in the same assurance of the louelove of God towardes you.

Nowe what spirite must that be, that shall contradicte the spirite of GOD in the mouthes of so many and faithfull witnesses? My good friende, marke that I will saye vntounto you: as the patient that is sicke in bodie willinglye resigneth himselfe vntounto the sentence and direction of his skilfull and faithfull Physition; so muste the Children of GOD in thir spirituall maladies, yeelde them selues, p. 128vntounto the physitions of their soules, so much the more because the Lord hath giuen vntounto the ministers of his Gospell the power of binding and loosing,…at. 18.18 both in the publique ministerie of his worde, and also in the priuate consolation of his children. I will not speake of that which is publique, although not altogether vnfitt vntounto my purpose, considering that that which is publiquely spoken as vntounto all, hath also a particular addresse vntounto those that are the Lordes. As when the Lorde saith by his prophet, Blessed are all they that mourne in Sion. Esay.I will for the present rest in that vse of this power of binding and loosing which is priuate and perticular. Remember that of Saint Iames, Iac. 5, 15Jas 5:15who saith that vponupon the praiers of the elders of the Church, the sinnes of the diseased shall be forgiuen him: which wordes can hauehave no other sense, but that by them shall be pronounced vntounto him the forgiuenes of sinnes. A most excellent practise wherof, we hauehave in our Sauiour himselfe: Luke. 7. where first he proueth by argument vntounto Simon the Pharesie,Luke. 7, 41Luke 7:41 that the mourning sinner was pardoned all hir sinnes, and therefore was now no sinner and wicked one, as he vncharitably esteemed her to be, thē turning himselfe vntounto the distressed soule; first saith, thy sinnes are forgiuen thee, and afterward, thy faith hath saued thee, go in peace. p. 129Wherin, though there be some thing extraordinarie in our SauiourChrist as the son of God yet is it that power which he hath communicated vntounto all his seruantes,Iob. 20.23Job 20:23 saying whose sinnes you forgiue, they are forgiuen, &c. which is nothing else but, whose sinnes vponupon due examination and triall of their repentance you pronounce to be forgiuen, they are forgiuen. Heere againe remember, (my deare friende) howe many of the faithfull and expert seruants of Christ hauehave examined your estate by conference with your selfe, and hauehave founde all signes vntounto health and saluation. Vnlesse therefore Sathan dare contradict the spirite of GOD, speaking by the mouthes of so many witnesses, hee cannot saye but you are the Lordes. Nowe for your selfe, I am assured that you will not, nor dare not say, but this hath beene the constant testimonie of all the seruantes of God sente vntounto you; and that they were such as you had no cause to suspect their partialitie or flatterie in anie sorte. Howe is it then, that the voyce of so many shoulde not bee vntounto you as the voyce of GOD himselfe? Who, though hee doe not speake vntounto vsus nowe immediately from heauen, as in some times past; yet hee speaketh vntounto vsus by the mouthes of his seruantes, his Prophets. p. 130When Dauid saide in the horrour of his soule, I hauehave sinned against the Lorde, was it thinke you a small comforte that Nathan saide immediately vntounto him,2. Sam. 12.13.2 Sam 12:13 the Lorde ha…h pardoned thy sinne? I will say nothing of the prayers of so many of the seruantes of Christ as hauehave commended your cause vntounto the Lorde: which cannot be frustrate, the Lorde himselfe directing them to pray according to his worde, and vppon the assurance of his promise. Read Iob. 33.23.Iob. 33.23Job 33:23 If there be present with him (that is with the afflicted soule, as verse 22.) a messenger from God an interpreter (of the will of God,) such as is one of a thousand, who may signifie vntounto man the equitie of the Lord, and intreating him for fauour shall say: Redeeme thou him that he goe not downe into the pit, by that redemption which I hauehave founde; when he hath humblie besought the Lord, he doth graciously receiue him that he may beholde his face with ioy, and he restoreth vntounto man his righteousnesse. In which words there are many excellent thinges to be noted for the comforte of those that are afflicted. The first is, that the anguished soule finding no comfort at home and in her selfe, by reason of the strength of temptation, must seeke reliefe abroade at the handes of those, whom p. 131God hath appointed to make glad the sorrowfull minde, and to giuegive rest vntounto the wearied and distressed conscience. Wherein you must consider with all thankefulnesse, howe greate merciemercy the Lorde hath shewed vntounto you, for I doe perswade my selfe; as before I hauehave saide, that since the time of your affliction, there hath not beene almost one, that hath had any extraordinarie gifte in that kinde, who by conference, writing, or otherwise, hath not bestowed some parte of his trauaile vntounto your comforte. I coulde my selfe name a greate number besides those aboue mentioned, but your selfe can remember many more: nowe the testimonie of so many faithfull seruantes of Christ witnessing the grace and goodnesse of GOD towardes you, must bee as the voyce of GOD himselfe: who is not as man that hee shoulde lie, or as the sonne of man that hee should repente, or alter that which hee hath once testified. And if Iob doe acknowledge that the comforte of one faithfull witnesse on the behalfe of GOD, is enough to the erecting and chearing of the heauiest minde, what can Sathan say vntounto the testimonie not of 2 or 3 witnesses which the lawe onelyonly requireth, but vntounto the testimony of 2 or 3 score, the meanest and weakest p. 132whereof, should be able to answere in your behalfe vntounto all that the enemie is able to obiect against you. The second thing I note is, that these hauehave not come vntounto you by errour or by chance, but by speciall addresse of Gods mercifull prouidence, as sent from the throne of grace to binde vp your wounde, and to minister comfort vntounto your conscience. The third, that these speake not their owne wordes nor of themselues, but are the faithfull interpreters and declarers of the will and counsell of God, not indeede immediatelie from himselfe, but by viewing and esteeming of the worke of God, and the fruites of his grace in those that are his. The fourth, that as they declare vntounto the afflicted, that fauour of God towardes them which themselues are not able for the present to discerne, so they commend them by praier vntounto the Lorde, who hath promised to heare and to graunt their requestes. The fift, that for comfort in this cause, we must passe out of our selues, in whom there is nothing that may ease our griefe, and cast our eye and cogitation onelie vponupon Christ, in whom all fulnesse of saluation doth dwell, considering that this is one of the meanes whereby Sathan doth most distresse and anguish the afflicted soules, that he holdeth them in the cogitation of their sinnes and p. 133transgressions against GOD, and suffereth them not to see, that length, breadeth, height, and depth, and to knowe that louelove of Christ that passeth all knowledge,Ephe. 3.18Eph 3:18 that they might be filled with all the fulnesse of God. The sixt, that the Lorde both mercifullie blesseth the labours of his seruantes in comforting his children, and also graciouslie heareth their prayers and supplications made in their behalfe vntounto his maiestie. And the last, that God in his good time erecteth the mindes of the afflicted, and openeth their mouthes to praise his name, and to protest his goodnes, that hee hath brought againe their soule from the pitt, and hath shined vponupon them with the light of life. Which effect of the grace of GOD, because you hauehave both seene in others, and felt in your selfe manie times, you hauehave greate cause to hope and expecte the returne of his comforting hande in due season, who also shall once determine these conflicting daies, and set vsus in that peace which shall neuer bee interrupted, and wherein all teares shall be wiped awaye from our faces for euer.Apoc. 7.18 14 13.Rev 7:18

The malice of the enemie during this life hath no ende nor measure at all, and therefore wee may iustlie feare all extremity p. 134of attempt against vsus: but we must strengthen our selues in him, who can and will inable vsus vntounto all thinges.

The Last and most grieuous assaulte of sathan against the afflicted, is that he calleth into doubt their election.Against the doubt of electiō For, because that saluation is onelyonly of the elect, he laboureth by all meanes to shake this grounde and pillar of comfort, and if it be possible to subuert and ouerthrowe the same. It behooueth vsus to take heede howe wee carrie our selues, as in that temptation which all others is moste difficulte and dangerous. First therefore, wee muste beware of that gulfe wherein the enemie hopeth to deuoure vsus, that we enter not into the secrete and hidden counsell of GOD. For the secretes of the Lorde: are for him selfe: But the thinges that are reuealed,Deut. 29.29Deut 29:29 are for vsus and our posteritie after vsus for …uer, as Moses; saith: what then hath the Lorde reuealed concerning 1our election? First the spirite of GOD witnesseth vntounto our spirites that wee are 2the Children of GOD. Then it teacheth vsus to crie Abba Father, and stirreth vp in vsus those gronings that cannot bee expressed. 3From these let vsus descende vntounto faith it selfe, the voyce whereof if it bee not suppressed by the grieuousnesse of temptation, p. 135soundeth cheerefully vntounto vsus, that wee are beloued of GOD, redeemed be Christ, and fellow-heires with him of his fathers kingdome. If heere also the 4enemye hauehave darkened our senses and obscured our light: Wee muste of necessitie with Iob, Iob. 31.Job 31releeue our selues from the fruites of our faith, these what they are hath alreadie beene sayde. If necessitie doe soe compell vsus, wee must flye vntounto 5the times that are past, & referre our selues vntounto the testimonies of the faithfull ministers of GOD, who as they are for their wisdome 6and manyfolde experience, better able to iudge of our estate then our selues; so hauehave they power and authoritie from GOD, to decide the controuersie betweene vsus and our enemie and to pleade our cause against him. Also where the enemie from our presente trouble and torment of minde, seeketh to driue vsus vntounto dispaire, wee are to vse against him his owne weapons; for amongest manie testimonies of our state in grace and fauour with GOD, there is none more euidente and sensible, then is that conflicte which wee finde and feele in our selues, of the spirite againste the fleshe, of faythe against vnbeliefe, p. 136of a sanctified minde against that parte that is vnregenerated: and finally, of the newe creature against the olde man, and of Christ himselfe in vsus, against the power of Sathan. If hee replie that this is not so, but the contrarie. Wee may answere, that albeit there hauehave beene many times, wherein wee hauehave had a more presente and mightie hande of the Lorde vppon vsus: yet euen nowe Sathan himselfe cannot denie, but wee hate sinne and louelove righteousnesse: that we louelove God and to our power obeye his will, and flie the baites and occasions of euill: whereof if if there were for the presente no manifest and apparant effectes, (as yet by the grace of GOD there are) notwithstanding the onelye affection and desire of the heart thirsting and longing after God his kingdome and righteousnesse, are sufficiente argumentes of the worke of grace begunne in vsus, which shall so longe be continued by the good hande of our heauenlie father, vntill it be consummated and perfected in the life to come. For if it be God (as the Apostle faith) that giueth both the will and the deede: hee that hath giuen vsus to desire to obey his wil,Phil. 2.13.Phil 2:13 will also inable vsus vntounto the doing of the same. And seeing the worke of sanctificatiō beginneth in the hart, & thēce p. 137floweth into our whole life, wee nothing doubt but God, who hath giuen vsus ioy in the holy Ghost, and thereby a louelove vntounto him, and vntounto his Lawe; will further confirme and strengthen vsus, that we may be vessels of honoure vntounto his name, and glorifie the Gospell of our profession with fruites agreable and according thereunto. Yea the thoughts, meditations, and desires of the hearte, are deedes before God, and principall parts of that obedience which he requireth at our handes. And therefore if the faithfull man should be taken awaye by death, before he hath done any of the outward workes of the Lawe; yet shoulde not his faith be without fruites, in that being sanctified in the inward man, he doth now in soule and spirit serue the Lorde, and desireth abilitie and opportunitie, in acte to doe his will, and to honour his nam…; as appeared in that penitent malefactor that died with our Sauiour Christ.Luk. 23.42Luke 23:42

Another thing I am to admonish you of, that you be not as the couetous men of the world: who so gape vpō that they further desire, as they consider not but rather forget that which they alreadie hauehave, and hauing much indeede, in ther opinion hauehave nothing and to all purposes and vses doe as well want that which they hauehave, as p. 138that which they hauehave not. So it oftentimes happenneth to the deare children of God, that whilest they looke and breath after that, which they hauehave not yet attained vntounto, they forget and neglect that which they hauehave receiued, and vse it not to their comfort and reioycing as otherwise they should. This ouerreaching and importunite of theirs, Sathan abuseth against them; from the opinion of hauing nothing, to blinde their eies, not to see the present grace and goodnes of God towardes them. It is true that the Apostle saith that in the course of Godlines and religion,Phil. 3.11.Phil 3:11 we may not thinke we hauehave attained the goale, or are come vntounto the ende of our rase: but, forgetting that which is behinde vsus, and preassing on vntounto that which is before, must contende (as to a marke) vntounto the reward of that most high calling of God in Christ Iesus. But he speaketh it not to this ende, that we should not in thankfulnes acknowledge the former mercies of GOD bestowed vponupon vsus, or not vse them vntounto our comfort as testimonies of his louelove and fauour toward vsus: But that we may not stay in our present profiting, but add dayly a new and fresh increase; that as from a larger and greater heape of benefits, we may more and more assure our selues, that we are beloued of God, and shall inioy the inheritance of p. 139his kingdome. When the Apostle saith, work your saluation &c. and laboure to make your callinge and election sure, though the meaning be not,Phil. 2, 12▪ 2, Pet. 1, 10.Phil 2:12Phil 2:2 that we should put confidence of saluation in workes, yet it telleth vsus, that the workes and fruites of our faith are testifications of Gods spirit dwelling in our hearts, more e…ident and pregnant, then that Sathan himselfe can or dare deny them. We may not suffer our selues to be so ouerborne of the enimie vnderunder the colour of zeale and desire to doe well, as not to remember wherein the Lorde hath alreadie giuen vsus some parte of well doing: not so to striue vntounto that wee hauehave not, as to forget that which by his grace we alredy hauehave: But rather with all thankfulnesse acknowledging the goodnes of God, from thence assure our selues of the continuance and finishing of the worke begun. In the courses of the worlde, as slownesse getteth nothing; so preposterous hast looseth all. It is the subtiltie and malice of the enimie, when hee cannot houlde vsus with himselfe; to hasten and push vsus on so fast and so headelong, as by rashnes wee may fall into that which by forwardnesse wee had escaped. Good thinges to come therefore, wee must holde them in hope, and pursue them in peace: but the good wee hauehave p. 140already attained vntounto, we must so farr reioice and comfort our selues in, as from thence wee may be able to sustaine and support our cause against the enemy, and from that we hauehave, to let him vnderstand that wee doubt not of that which remaineth: that the Lord wil both cō tinue and confirme the woorke of his owne handes, & not forsake the same vntil it be accomplished in his kingdome of glory. Thus I hauehave in great hast and confusedly set down so much as presently came vntounto minde of those thinges which often heretofore I hauehave written vntounto you: humbly beseching the father of all mercy and God of al consolation, who hath annointed you with the oyle of his grace, sealed you with his spirit of adoption, and geuen you a sure earnest and pledge of euerlastinge …aluation, to increase vppon you, and in your heart the measure of faith, and multiplie your fruites in all maner of well doeing, make you stronge against the face of your enemie, and crowne you with victorie in the daye of battaill, that you may praise his name in the day of your deliuerance, glorifie him in the whole course of your life, and finally enioye with the rest of his saincts, that eternall kingdom of glorie prepared for all those that louelove and feare him. Amen.