The Sick Souls Salve, Title page – Dedication
THE SICK SOVLS SALVE.
BY WILLIAM SCLATER.
BATCHELAR OF DIVINITY and Miniſter of the word of God at PITMISTER in Somerſet.
AC: OX
AT OXFORD, Printed by Ioſeph Barnes. 1612.
TO THE WORSHIPFVLL Mr IOHN HORNER ESQVIRE, and to the devout ANNA his wife, at MELLES in Somerſet, mercy and peace be multiplied.
WOrſhipfull, If to any thingaIſa. 50.4. the tongue of the Learned be neceſſary in a miniſter, it is to the miniſtring of comfort to the weary ſoule. To moſt other parts of our function, knowledge ſpeculatiue in a ſort ſufficeth. To this and the appertinences, only ſenſible experience. And he ſhall in vaine temper with a wounded ſpirit, that cannot ſubſcribe himſelfe a bApoc. 1.9.Brother and copartner in the ſame tribulation. The wiles of Satan in this kind, none knowes, but by experience; nor prevents or defeats, except byc2. Cor. 1.4. the ſame comforts, wherewith himſelfe hath beene comforted of God. If I ſaid alſo, experience only makes fit h…arers, I ſhould not erre. How God hath dealt with my poore ſoule, either in the wound, or cure, I had rather thankfully acknowledge to my gratious God, then fooliſhly publiſh to inexpert men. This only I ſay: God is wroth, when he hardens; iuſt, when he breakes; gracious and rich in mercy when he binds vp the ſinners heart. ThedRom. 8.15. ſpirit of adoption, is ioyfull: the ſpirit of feare, dreadfull: but theeRom. 10.8. ſpirit of ſlumber, moſt wofull. They are dead that feele nothing; in the way to life, that feele wrath; they liue indeed, that feele Gods louelove in their hearts, infuſed, or inſtilled by the holy Ghoſt. I had rather feele wrath, then feele nothing. But Lord how ſhould they louelove thee: whom thou haſt brought from ſecuritie, to feare; from feare, to feeling & experience of thy favour? But I forget the meaſure of an Epiſtle. You hauehave here what you hauehave felt; the intolerable miſery of a wounded ſpirit. Balme alſo from Gilead, if not to cure, yet to aſſwage the griefe. I pray God the Father of mercies, and God of all conſolation, make it ſoveraigne to your ſouls: that as you hauehave felt the wound, which who can beare? ſo you may taſtfPhil. 4.7. the peace, that paſſeth all vnderſtanding. Lord Ieſus ſay Amen.
Yours Worſhips in the neereſt bond. VVILLIAM SCLATER.