Gods Anger and Mans Comfort, Sermon 2

Gods Anger and Mans Comfort · Sermon 2

p. 39MAN'S COMFORT.

PSALM 94. 19.

In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my soul.

HEaven is a place of infinite glory and joy; yet is there little joy or glory in the way thither. The passage rather lies through much tribulation: Act. 14. 22.Acts 14:22so trouble some a gallery leads to so happy a bedchamber. There is not a soul in the cluster of mankind exempted from sorrow; much lesse shall those grapes escape pressing, which God hath reserved for his own cup. All that will live godly in Christ, shall suffer persecution. Not all that 2 Tim. 3. 12.2 Tim 3:12live, but all that live godly: nor all that live godly in respect of outward form, but th it live godly in Christ. Paul, his Atturney, pleads their afflictions with an Oportet: and lest some should look for a dispensation, he backs it with an Omnis. p. 40The Saints that have overcome the hill, be singing above: we that are climbing up, must be groaning all the way. The Anthems in-the up per Quire, the Church Triumphant, are all Hymns of joy: the militant part must bee content with sad tunes in this valley of tears. Not that the blessednesse of Immortality is no more perfect, but that it needs a foil of perplexity to set it off. Not that the joy of heaven is no more sweet, but that it needs the sowreness of the world to give it a tast. Not that the peace and plenty of Canaan, required the wants and molestations of this wildernesse to commend it. But so it pleaseth the Almighty King, who of his own free grace doth give the preferment, to interpose the conditions: that the sorrow and ingloriousnesse of this world, should be the throughfare to the glories and joyes of his Kingdome. For if it pleased him to consecrate the Prince and Captaine of our salvation through sufferings; what priveledg can the common souldiers and subjects expect? Deus Filium habuit unum sine peccato, nullum sine flagell…. Wee that hold our inheritance in Capite, have no other title to it then Christ had before us; by suffering.

When we consider David and his troubles, we say. Ecce dolores viri, behold the sorrowes of a man. But when we consider the Sonne of David, and his passion; we say, Ecce vir dolorum, Behold the man of sorrowes. Indeed, if the one ballance were full of sorrows, and the other quite empty of comforts, there were an unequall poise. p. 41They that do not finde some joy in their sorrows, some comfort in their dejections, in this world, are in a fearfull danger of missing both in the next. But as it is said in case of bodily sicknesse; If the patient and the disease joyne, then in vaine is the Physician: if the disease and the Physician conspire, then wo be to the patient: but if the patient and the Physician accord, then vanisheth the disease. So we may observe in spirituall distempers: if the soul and sorrow desperately combine, then the Spirit departs, the Physician is grieved: if God and sorrow joyne▪ in anger, in anguish; the former justly, the other sharply, then wo to the soul, for that cannot be comforted: but if the soul by faith, and God by grace, unite themselves, then away flies sorrow, for that is expelled. Here Davids soul joynes it self with the spirit of consolation; and sorrow loseth the day, the end is comfort. In the multitude of my thoughts within mee, thy comforts delight my soul.

Here is a twofold Army, one marching against another: Seditio, and Sedatio: an insurrection, and a debellation; a tumult, and the appeasing of it: a band of thoughts assaulting, and an Host of comforts repelling, resisting, protecting. There is a multitude of those thoughts, and no lesse is the number of these comforts. Those troublous thoughts have got into the citadel of the heart, Apud me, within me: and these consolatory forces have entred as farr, even into the soul; They delight my soul. Those thoughts p. 42fight under the colours of flesh and blood, but these comforts under the Banner of God; They are My thoughts, but Thy comforts: the cogitations of man, the consolations of Jesus Christ.

1. Look upon the adversary power; In the multitude of my thoughts within me. 1. O that they were some externall grievances, a forraign warr, no domestick, intestine, civill broiles; not turbulent thoughts. 2. Or if they be thoughts, rebellious, heart-breaking cogitations; yet that there were but some few of them, that they might be sooner suppressed; not so numerous, not a multitude of thoughts. 3. Or if they must bee thoughts, and a multitude; yet that they had chosen some other place to rise in, not my Heart, the Fort, or Court, or Bedchamber of my spirit; that they had not presumed unto so bold approaches, as to mutine Apud me, within my heart, nearer and closer to mee then mine owne bowels. But now, to bee Thoughts, of so tumultuous a nature: Multitudes, of so mighty a number: Within me, of so fearfull a danger; without vent, composition, or quiet; here is a ful anxiety.

2. View the defensive forces; and in the midst of this conspiracy make room for preservation; Thy comforts delight my soul. 1. They are comforts: against litigions and unquiet thoughts, a work of peace; Comforts. 2. They are not scant & niggardly; but against amultitude of thoughts, many Comforts; and every one able to quell a whole rout of distractions. 3. They are thy comforts; not proceeding p. 43men or Angels, but immediately from the Spirit of consolation: against My sorrows, Thy comforts. 4. They do not onelyonly pitch then tents about me, or like a subsidiary guard, environ me: but they take up their residence in the heart of my heart, In my soul. These refresh more then the other can offend: against the thoughts in my heart, thy comforts delight my soul.

Thus if we be not entred into Aceldama, a field of blood; yet we are got into Meribah, a field of strife; or the mountains of …ether, a field of division: not unlike that of Rebecca's womb, where Cant. 2. 17.Song 2:17Jacob strove with Esau for the victory. We have seen both the Armies; now let us martiall them into their proper ranks, setting both the squadrons in their due stations and postures; and then observe the successe or event of the battell. And because the malignant Host is first entred into the ground of my text, consider with me, 1. The rebells or mutiners, Thoughts. 2. The number of them; no less then a multitude, many thoughts. 3. The Captain, whose colours they bear; a disquieted mind; My thoughts. 4. The field where the battel is fought; in the heart; Apud me, within me.

In the other Army we find. 1. Quanta, how puissant they are; Comforts. 2. Quota, how many they are, indefinitely set down; Abundant comfort. 3. Cujus, whose they are▪ The Lords, he is their generall; Thy comforts. 4. Quid operantur, what they do: they delight the soul. In the nature of them; being Comforts, p. 44there is tranquility: in the number of them, being many comforts, there is sufficiency: in the owner of them, being Thy comforts, there is omnipotency: in the effect of them, delighting the soul, there is security. There is no fear in them, for they come for peace; they are Comforts. There is no weaknesse in them, for they come in troopes, they are many comforts. There is no disorder in them, for the God of wisdome is their Captain, and leads their forces, they are Thy comforts. There is no trouble in them, for they evangelize joy, They delight the soul.

1. The Rebells are thoughts. Man is an abridgment of the world, and is not exceeded by it, but in quantity, his pieces be not pauciora, sed minora. If all the veins of our bodies were extended to rivers, our sinews to mines, our muscles to mountaines, our bones to quarries of stone, our eyes to the bignesse of the Sunne and Moon, and all other parts to the proportion of such things as correspond to them in the world; man might stride over the sea, as the Hebrews fained of Adam; the aire would bee too little for him to move in, and the whole firmament but enough for this Starre; yea indeed, this little world would be the great one, and that great world appear but the little one. There is nothing in the world for which we may not find some answerable part in man: but there is something in man for which we can find no answerable part in the world: I need not say Part; for the whole world is p. 45not able to give any representation. Man hath a soul, made after the Image of God: of this the world can yeild no resemblance. The world produceth innumerable creatures; man yet in more abundance. Our creatures are our thoughts, creatures that are borne Gyants; that can reach from east to west, from earth to heaven. These can survey the whole earth, bestride the ocean, comprehend the vast air, and span the very firmament.

How capable, how active is the soul of man! It is even comprehensive of universality, and hath virtutem ad infinita: nature hath set no limits to the thoughts of the soul. It can passe by her nimble wings from earth to heaven in a moment it can be all things, comprehend all things, know that which is, and conceive of that which never was, never shall be. The heart is but a little house, and hath but three chambers, yet there is room enough for a world of guests. God, the Creator of all, made this soul in a Cottage of clay, and this soul is a kind of Creator too: for though it dwell in a close prison, it can produce creatures, Thoughts: and any one of these creatures can move with the Heavens, move faster then the Heavens; over take the Sun, and overgoe the Sun; contemplate that which the Sun never saw, even the dreadfull abysse of hell, and a glimpse of the glory of Heaven. So various and innumerable are the thoughts of man, that hee had need of an astrolobe, to marke in what height and elevation they are; and so either to advance p. 46them, or stoope them, as they deserve.

There be three sorts of actions proceeding from the soul: some internal and imma…eriall, as the pure acts of our wits and wills; some external and materiall, as the meer acts of our sense others mixt, between both, and bordering upon both the former; which Saint Augustine sayes, the Greeks call foreign, the Latines Perturbationes. As the heart inspireth one and the same strength and life into all the parts of the body, for the better discharge of their diverse functions; though all the parts do not receive it in the same degree. The stomack by the vertue it receiveth, is made able to digest: the liver, to concoct the nutriment into blood: the spleen like a spunge, by sucking up the melancholy spirits, to purge the vital parts. So the soul breeds all these creatures, gives life to all these thoughts; yet according to their severall acts and offices, they have several names. If they be sensitive, we call them passions: if sensuall, lusts: if fantasticall, Imaginations: if reasonable, arguments: if reflective, conscience: as they are evill, the suggestions of Satan: as good, the motions of the holy Ghost. As the world produceth vipers, and serpents, and venemous creatures, wormes and caterpillars, that would devour their parent: so the soul breeds noxious and mutinous thoughts, that are like an earthquake in her bowels; and whiles they maintain civil broiles and factions, one against another, she feels the smart of all.

p. 47Some thoughts be the darts of Satan; and these Non nocent, sinon placent: we cannot keep theeves from looking in at our widowes, we need not give them entertainment with open doors. As the Hermite said, he could not hinder the birds from flying over his head; but he could keep them from building their nests in his haire. Wash thy heart from iniquity, that thou maist bee saved: how long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within Jer. 4. 14.Jer 4:14thee? They may be passengers, they must not be sojourners: God hath made a Statute against such inmates: it is an unblest hospitality that gives them lodging: he is no friend to the King that harbours these Seminaries. Other thoughts are the motions of Gods spirit; and these must not only be guests, but familiar friends: salutation is not here enough, but glad entertainment, welcome, and indulgence. Let no man like himself the better for some good thoughts: the praise and benefit of these motions is not in the receit, but in the retention. Easie occasions will fright away good thoughts from a carnall heart: like children, which if a bird do but flie in their way, cast their eye from their book. But Davids thoughts here were anxious, commotive thoughts; otherwise they stood not in such need of comforts. It is likely that they were either Timoris, fearfull thoughts; or Doloris, sorrowfull thoughts: Thoughts of fear for what might bee, or thoughts of sorrow for what already was.

The thoughts of fear are troublesome enough p. 48as the ill affections of the spleen do mingle themselves with every infirmity of the body: no lesse doth fear infinuate it self into every passion of the mind. David might find this complication in his thoughts: I will please Saul with my harpe: but then fear replies, he will strike me through with his Javelin. He will give me his own daughter in marriage: but fear says again, How if this prove a fatall dowry, if this match be my snare! I will refuge my self with Achish at Gath: yet what trust is there in Infidels? I will lie hidden in Keilah, or Hachilah; but fear suggests, How if the Ziphites discover me? What shall I do? whither shall I go? where shall I rest? These were thoughts that stood in great need of comfort.

The thoughts of sorrow are yet more distractive; and such were this royall Prophets: as our vulgar reads; In the multitude of the sorrowes that I had in my heart. What was the cause of those griefs: The slipping of his foot, his errors, his deviations, his sinnes. Other sorrowes may disquiet the soul: none but these have the promise to be comforted. As in martyrdome, it is not the sword or torture; not what we suffer, but why, that makes us martyrs. So in our sorrowes, it is not how deep they penetrate, or how sharply they cruciate, but wherefore, that approves their goodnesse. If our sins be the why of our sorrowes, we are blessed. Blessed are they that thus mourne, for they shall be comforted. Vaine Mat. 5. 4.Matt 5:4are the sighes and groanes that proceed onelyonly p. 49from the thought of worldly losses. A medicine that cureth the eyes, we say, was made for the eyes, and for nothing else. We lose our wealth, and sorrow for it; will sorrow recover it?Chrys. wee are despised or abused, and grieve for it I: will grief right us? We bury our friends, and mourn for them; will mourning restore them to us? we are crossed by our unruly children, and weep for it: will weeping rectifie them? We are anguished in our bodies with paines and sickness, and are sorry for it: will sorrow heal us, nay wil it not rather hurt us? All our thoughts, and cares, and griefes, and tears can do us no good, no relief in these calamities: sorrow was not made for these things. But we sin, and offend the Lord; and we are sorrowfull for it; here is the disease for which sorrow is the proper remedy: penitent sorrow shall take away sin. Quamvis peccavit David, quod silent reges: tamen poenitentiam egit, Chrys. Hom. 2. Ad pop. Antiochflevit, jejunavit, quod non solent reges: saith Saint Ambrose, who wrote him an apologie. While the ground of our lesson is our sinne, the choisest descant on it must bee our sorrow. Our thoughts and griefes may bee many; but if they bee not spent upon our sinnes, wee shall not bee comforted.

2. The number of them is a multitude: wee may say of sorrows, as it is said of shrewd turnes; they seldome come single. Like a volley of folding waves, one tumbling upon the neck of another; all threatning to overwhelme us: Undae p. 50super advenit unda. It is too scant a name which Leah gave her son, calling him Gad, a troope cometh: Gen. 30. 11.Gen 30:11and but enough, what the demoniacke answered Christ: My name is Legion, for we are many. If they were a multitude, and not sorrowes; Marke 5. 9.Mark 5:9the more the merryer: if they were sorrows, and not a multitude, then the fewer the better cheare. But to bee disquieting thoughts, and a multitude, makes up a terrible agony. Many are the troubles of the righteous: great or many, Psal. 34. 19.Ps 34:19a great many, a great deal too many; but for the comfort of the deliverance. When Jobs afflictions began, they came in troops and hurries. so thick that hee could scarce take breath: one messenger pressing in with his-wofull relation, before the other could have ended his sad tale: While he was yet speaking. How did that fugitive Prophet amplifie and aggravate his dangers? Job 1. 16.Job 1:16Thou hadst cast mee into the deepe, in the midst of the seas, and the flouds compassed me about: all thy waves and billowes passed over mee. Jonah 2. 3.Jonah 2:3It was no shallow river, but the sea: not neare the shore, but in the midst of the sea: nor was he floting on the waves, but plunged into the deep or bottom; the flouds compassing, the billows overwhelming, to keep him down. I need not travel for exemplifications.

Let him be our instance, that spake what he felt, and felt what he spake; sorrowes enough to break any heart, but that which God had framed according to his own. His sonne Amnon ravisheth his own sister, and is murdered by his own p. 51brother: that murder is seconded with Treason, that Treason with an incestuous constupration: the insurrection of his own son hath driven him from his house, from his throne, from the Arke of God all this went near him: that son is slain by his servant, and that went nearer him. In what a miserable perplexity may wee thinke the heart of this good King all the while? Here was thought upon thought, thought against thought; how at once to spare the sonne of David, and to save the Father of Absolom: fear against hope, north against south, wind against tide, Arma armis contraria, fluctibus undae; a multitude of thoughts, able to rend the heart in pieces, but for that recollection of mercy, Thy comforts delight my soul.

Not seldome fares it thus with us; Thought calls to thought, jealousie to fear, fear to sorrow, sorrow to despaire; and these furies leap upon the heart as a stage, beginning to act their tragicall parts. Man hath more wheels moving in him then a clock: onelyonly the difference is, that the wheeles of a clocke move all one way; whereas his faculties, like the epicycles, have a rapt motion: his sensitive appetite gives him one motion, his fantasie another, his reason a third, and his imperious, impetuons will crosseth them all, driving the chariot of his affections with the fury of Jehu: he desires, and thinks, and chuseth, argues, consents, and dislikes, and makes more businesse then time it self. There p. 52are not so many houres in a year, as there may be thoughts in an hour. The Philosopher that Plura machinatur cor meum uno momento, quam in omnes homines perficere possunt uno anno Hugo l. 3 de Anima.had shamed himselfe by weakly disputing with Adrian the Emperour, thus excused himself to his friend; Would you have me contend with him, that commands thirty Legions? Alas, what can quiet that soul, which is distracted with such legions and multitudes of thoughts, and throngs of sorrowes?

3. The Captaine of this troublesome rout is himselfe; My thoughts. From what suggestion soever our thoughts come, wee call them our own: Whosoever begot the babe, the mother calls it her own child. Indeed, the praise and propriety of good motions we ascribe onelyonly to God, without whom wee cannot so much as think a good thought: as the channell may gather filth of it selfe, but it cannot have a drop of pure water but from the fountain. Bad suggestions, though they proceed from Satan, we call them our own, because they are bred in the womb of our natural corruption: stubble is blown by the winde into the fire, and being inflamed, it becomes fire. The Divel tempted David to sin; yet he calls it his sin; not Satans, but his own; I will be sorry for my sinne. However Epictetus could say, when evil happens to a man, one of the vulgar would blame others, a young Philosopher would blame himself; but one that had dived into the depth of nature, would blame neither the one, nor the other: Yet a Christian hath learned to blame himselfe; as knowing p. 53that all his sorrowes proceed from his sins.

My thoughts: thus easie is it with God to make a man become his own punisher. Under whose regiment are all these troubles? Under my selfe, My thoughts. As God threatens Tyre, that ancient and glorious City; that her owne feet shall carry her a farre off to sojourne: Our own Isa. 23. 7.Isa 23:7feet shall carry us, our own creatures torment us: like diamonds, we are cut with our own dust. When David had numbred the people, his own heart smote him: God finds the rod within us, wherewith to scourge us. As some vapor engendred in the cavernes of the earth, struggles for vent; and being barred of free passage, causeth an earthquake in the foundations that bred it. Or as some fiery exhalation wrapp'd up in the bowels of a thick cloud, breakes through that watry resistance, and del…ers it self to the world with a dreadful noise. So the griefs and perturbations begotten by our own lusts, become terrours within us, and rend our very hearts, till they get vent by confession and repentance: thus do we muster up forces against our own peace. We pray, Lord deliver us from our enemies; and in that number we do wrap up our unthought of selves: for we are our own enemies. Turn thine hand upon mine enemies: for thou canst do it with the turning of an hand: Deliver me from the evil man: who is that? saith S. Psal. 81. 14.Ps 81:14Augustine: he is not far to seek: libera me ab homine malo, that is, à meipso: deliver me from the evill man, that is, from my self: I am the aptestto beget p. 54destruction upon mine owne soul: no enemy could hurt us, if we were our own friends.

But we must not extend it so farre upon this holy King: they were thoughts indeed, and thoughts of sorrow, but of godly sorrow: and he calls them his own, to shew his neere acquaintance with them, My sorrowes. He was not a stranger to his own soul, his heart was not dead flesh. Satan had given him a fall, and he felt not that: sin had given him diverse falls, and he felt not them, neither: at last God undertakes him, wrastles with him, and he gives him a fall too: he felt that, yea and that made him feel all the rest. Now is he sensible of every pang and stitch: the least thorne makes him smart, and he cryes out of the multitude of his sorrowes. There be some that can drowne their griefes in wine and musick, as they did in Hinnom, the cry of the Infants with the noise of the Instruments: as if they would forget that they are the owners of their own thoughts, because they trouble them. Many deale with their soules, as some old women do with looking glasses: they turne the wrong side toward them, that they might not see the furrowes of their own faces. They are loath to think of a reckoning, least they should despaire of making even the arrerages. Men have the courage to dare to sin, but they dare not look on their soules as they are polluted with sin. I have heard of a melancholy man, that would not beleeve he had a p. 55head, till his Physician made him a hat of lead, and put it on: which with the weight inforced him to cry, O his head. So men lost in sensuall pleasures, scarce remember that they have a soul within them, untill miseries, like talents of lead, or quarries of stone, with their heavy pressure squeese out a confession.

Nothings be so neer as a man and his soul: Tot a domus duo sunt; the whole houshold is but two: yea, why should they be called two? we may say in a right sense, Mens cujusque is est quisque: every mans soul is himselfe. If there be any division, sin made it: a just punishment, at qui nollet cum Deo uniri, non pos…it in semetipso non dividi. All these quarrels and brawles may thanke sinne: that is the makebate betwixt God and us, betwixt us and our selves. But that man and his soul be grieuously fallen out, that will not speak one to another: when he shall passe a whole day, and not aske his soul how she does? this were too much betwixt man and wife: when he shall he down in his bed, as the beast doth in his litter, without bidding his soul good-night: when he shall have fowled and besmeared his soul with the nasty aspersions of lusts, and not sweep out the dust before he shut the door, not wash his soul with tears, before his eye-lids be closed down with slumber: yea, when he shall have wounded his soul with blasphemies and uncharitable injuries, and then throw it down in a deluge of drinke, as p. 56it were weltring in the own gore, without calling for repentance, the Chirurgion to dresse it. What madnesse and selfe-hatred is this? When the soul may not have leave to think over her own thoughts; to reflect upon her self, to search her own bruises, to survey the multitude of her sorrowes, and feel in what need she stands of comforts? That, Plerisque notus, ignotus moriatur sibi? But the children of God have learned to commune with their own hearts, to examine every thought, and to weigh every desire in the balance of the Sanctuary. Whether they find themselves pensive or joyfull, they wil search the cause: As Rebecca said, when she felt the children struggle in her wombe, Why am I thus? Whether fear or hope, joy or pain have invaded Gen. 25. 22.Gen 25:22my thoughts, let me aske my soul the reason, Why am I thus? The Fathers were excellent good at this: they had their confessions and Soliloquies, familiar conferences with their own hearts; that when a man reads them, hee would think they kept no other company but themselves. Conference with others may make us wise or learned, but conference with our selves is the way to make us holy. Tell thy conscience of all suggestions, as the chast wife (after some peremptory denyalls to her impudent Tempter) professed to tell her husband of those sollicitations: such and such be my thoughts, thus and thus they haunt me, what shall I do with them? Indifferency is no lesse then selfetreachery, in matters of such consequence, p. 57that come so neere mee, as to bee Apud me.

4. Within me, for this is the field where the skirmish is fought; within me. It is unhappy when souldiers march over the palaces of peace and seats of Justice, where the Senators of counsell use to sit. If there must be warre, yet let it be in forrain Countries: or if it will bee in our own land, yet let it proceed no further then the borders: but when it is gotten into the chiefe City, though it bee subdued, it will cost a dear victory. As Pyrrhus, when his friends congratulated his victory over the Romans, with a great losse of his own side; replyed; yes, but if we have such another victory, we are undone. There is no penitent heart, that hath felt the bitternesse of these combates, remembring what sighes and sorrows, what groanes and tears it cost him to make his peace, but would be loth to be put to the charges of such another conquest. Durius ejicitur, quam non admittitur hostis: sinne may be kept out with ease, but will not bee driven out save with wofull expences.

Within me: not before mee, as the host of the Philistims lay before Saul; not behind me, as the chariots of Egypt came thundring behind Israel: nor above me, as Fabius Maximus on the mountaine above Hanibal; Imminet nubes, a cloud hangs over me: not round about me, as the Syrians compassed Dothan to take Elisha: but within me. Without were fightings, within p. 582 Cor. 7. 5.2 Cor 7:5were feares: and those fears within, were worse then those fightings without. There are externall calamities able enough to shake the most fortified soul: but Summus dolor ab intus. Saint Paul reckons up twelve of his inflicted sufferings, nine dangers, eight continued passions: yet as if all these were scarce worth putting into the catalogue, he addes; Besides the things that are without, 2 Cor. 11. 282 Cor 11:28he had an inward trouble: the care of the Churches, seeking the lost, rebuking the proud, comforting the dejected: here was the pain.

Within me. There may be Bellum intestinum, a kind of unkind battell; where victi victoresque invicem dolent: the soul bespeaking her affections, as Jocasta did her quarrelling sons,

Bellageri placuit, nullos habitura triumphos.

According to our Saviours prediction; A mans foes shall be they of his owne houshold. Intra me Matth. 10. 36. Aug.Matt 10:36est, quod contra me est: that is within mee, which is against me. We say, he wants an enemy that fights with himself: and because he fights with himselfe, he wants no enemy: Sibi pessimus hostis. With externall assaults we may grapple, threatned mischiefes we may prevent; from persecutours too potent for us, we may hide us: but who shall keep us from our selves? Nescis temeraria, nescis quem fugias, ideoque fugis: Whithersoever wee remove, we carry our sorrowes with us. Outward afflictions are a warre, turbulent affections a worse warre: both against us, but this later is within us. He needs p. 59no other misery, that is troubled within himselfe. Aske not the anger of heaven, nor the trouble of earth, nor the dangers of the sea, nor the malice of hell, against him whom the anguish of his own thoughts have beaten down. He wil say to all other miserable complainers, you are happy. Outward things may go crosse with us, and yet the peace of the soul remaine sound: but a wounded spirit who can beare? who can cure? As mans heart is the first that lives, and the last that die s: so it is the first that Satan assaults, and the last that he gives over. Yea, were there never a divel, the heart hath an ill spirit of its own to vex it. As some Boroughs of this Land plead a priviledge, that they can hang and draw within themselves: Mans heart is such a corporation; it can execute it self within it self, without any forrain Judge or executioner. If wee look no further then among the multitude of our thoughts; might we not make a shift to think our selves to hell? If we had neither hands, nor eyes, nor feet, would not our hearts find the way thither!

Within me. The proper seat and lodging of these troublesome inmates, the thoughts of sorrow, is the heart: whithersoever they wander, there they center. Vagabonds taken roguing out of their own precincts, are sent with a pasport to the Town where they were borne▪ there they must be kept. Extravagant thoughts may rove up and down, but back again they must to the heart: the house that hatched them, must harbour p. 60them, must answer for them. As all faculties of sense have their severall seats: seeing is confined to the the eyes, hearing to the ears, feeling to the flesh and sinews: so these perturbations are limited to the heart. The locall seat of the sensitive apprehension is the braine; of the sensitive affection, the heart. In the former is softnesse and moisture, fit to receive intelligible formes: in the other are fiery spirits, fittest for passionate and affectionate thoughts. My spirit is overwhelmed, and my heart within me is disolate: In such a distresse, let sense Psalm 143. 4.Ps 143:4informe reason, reason speak to will, will to conscience, conscience to faith, faith to Christ, and Christ to his Father; and they will both send the holy Ghost to comfort us. If there bee a fire in the heart of a City, all the suburbs will come in to quench it. This fire may burne within, but it will breake out. It is as easie to stifle thunder in the cloud, or fire in powder, as sorrow in the heart. It will have eruption, either by the voice in cryes, or by the eyes in tears, or by the speaking silence of the look in a dejected heavinesse. The seat of sorrow is the soule; but it will overflow the boundaries. Why art thou cast downe, O my soule? None aske their eyes why they weep, or their voices Psalm 43. 5.Ps 43:5why they lament, or their hands why they wring themselves: but Anima, quare tam tristis? O my soul, why art thou disquieted within me?

p. 61We see now the full advancement of the misery; The thoughts of sorrow, an Army of those thoughts, the combination of that army, the terror of that combination: how miserably must the Country suffer where these rebels march? who can tell the taking of that heart, which feels this combustion within it selfe? These be our enemies, where are our friends? The day is like to be fatally disastrous, if we have no defensive forces. Yes, the Lord shall fight for us, and Exo. 14. 4.Exod 14:4we will hold our peace: as Moses comforted Israel when the choice was hard; whether to trust the fury of the sea before them, or of the Egyptians behind them; Fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord; Thy comforts delight my soul. Now are the white ensignes of mercy displayed against these bloody streamers: never to a handfull of men almost famished in a fort, did the tidings of fresh aid to raise the siege, arrive more welcome. Lord, if thou hadst been here, John 11. 21.John 11:21my brother had not dyed. Though this multitude of oppressours overlay my heart, yet Lord, if thou comest, my soul shall not perish. Let your patience sit out the successe of the battell; and though I wish you not such conflicts; yet if they do come, may you never fail of such comforts. Thy comforts delight my soul.

1. Quanta, They are no lesse then comforts: not presumptions, nor promises, nor meer hopes, but solid and sensible comforts. God made comfort on purpose for sorrow: as mercy p. 62would want a subject to exercise upon, but for misery. The blessed Angels are not said to bee comforted (as we use the word) because they never knew what heavinesse meant: they are conserved, they are confirmed, not (properly) comforted. There may be joy without any antecedent sorrow; as the Angelicall spirits ever were, and ever shall be filled with unspeakable joy. But comfort is the proper physick for trouble; this happy nature was not ordained but for sorrow. There be some that ducunt in bonis dies suos, that have their wayes strawed with roses and violets; who move onelyonly the paces of pleasure: these have no need of Comfort. What Physician ministers cordialls to the strong and healthfull constitution? It is the broad throughfare of the world, which the Divell is so studious to smooth, that he leaves not a pebble in the way to offend them: as if he were that tutelar Angel, who hath a charge to look to them, that they dash not their foot against a stone. If they sigh, he sings to them: if they sleep, he sits Psal. 91. 12.Ps 91:12by them; whispering to all troubles, (as the the Spouse to the daughters of Jerusalem) I charge you, O ye transgressions of his heart, waken Cant. 8. 4.Song 8:4him not till he please: Let there be no noise of fear, no alarme of repentance, no susurration of conscience to molest him: peace, peace, lie down in peace, with thy warme sinnes cleaving to thy bosome. The Prophet gives you their character; They lie upon beds of ivory, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and calves out of p. 63Amos 6. 4.Amos 6:4the stall; they chant to the sound of viols, and daunce to Instruments, and drinke wine in bowls; what should these men do with comforts? Joy, and nothing else but the voice of joy resounds in their habitations. It is poor afflicted Joseph, not they, that needs comfort.

Consolation then is made for sorrow; and not for every sorrow neither. Some is produced by no other cause but temporall losses, paines or injuries: so Esau may mourn long enough without recovery of his Fathers blessing. Worldly sorrow bringeth death, not delight to the soul. Many weep, as Rachel did in Ramah, for her children, Matth. 2. 18.Matt 2:18because they were not: but they neither are, nor ever will be comforted. There are tears that got sinfull Esau nothing, and there be tears that got sinfull Mary salvation. If the sorrow that swells our bosome with sighes, and is ready to burst our hearts, be spent upon our sins, it shall be sure of comforts. Are we full of griefe within, and find no vent but by the groanes and tears of repentance? God may let us bleed for a while, till we be throughly humbled: but then, like the woman, the pangs of whose travell be over, the sonne of joy shall be borne in our souls, even that son which the blessed Virgin bore from her womb; Filius dilectionis, Filius delectationis, Jesus Christ.

2. Quota, there is a plurality of them; many Comforts. What should encounter with sorrow, but comfort? Comfort therefore it is for the nature. What should oppose a multitude, but a p. 64multitude? Many comforts therefore they are for their number. Are we troubled with the wants and miseries of this life? we have a comfort for that: The Lord is my portion: He is my shepherd, I shall lack nothing. Do we sinke under the burden of our transgressions? we have a comfort for that: Mary Magdalen heard it, to quiet all her stormes; Thy sinnes are forgiven thee. Are we haunted with temptations, hurried with persecutions? we have a comfort for this; I will be with thee in trouble, saith the Lord. Let your Christian experience supply here my defects of remonstance: I will summe up these comforts in a word: The Lord is gracious, and mercifull, slow to anger, and of great kindnesse, and repenteth him of the evill. Joel 2. 13.Joel 2:13We read of certain Fair havens neere Candie: here be five fountains of comfort, like Acts 27 8.Acts 27:8those faire havens; as welcome for harbour and rode of a sea-beaten conscience, as ever the bosome of mother was to the tender Infant. Drink at the first fountain, The Lord is gracious, free in his favours: if your thirst be not satisfied, go to the second; He is mercifull, he hath bowels of commiseration: if not yet, presse to the next; He is slow to anger, hard to conceive it, not willing to retaine it: wish we more? Hee is of great kindnesse, in the number and measure of his blessings: There is yet another well of comfort behind; Repenting him of the evill: full often doth he turne aside his blowes, and is easily intreated to have the rod pull'd out of his p. 65hands. David, to encounter with the Gyant, took five smooth stones out of the brooke: here is the 1 Sam. 17. 40.1 Sam 17:40brooke, and these the five smooth stones: let them not lie in the channel unused, but put them in your vessels, bear them in your hearts: whensoever you are defied and assaulted by that monstrous Philistim, Satan; one of these comforts, like Davids stone, shall sink into his forehead, and confound him.

How happily do these comforts meet with those sorrowes! we are troubled with the sense of our sins, and of Gods Judgment upon them: how should his Justice acquit us? yet there is comfort; the Lord is gracious, and cannot deny himself. But we are unworthy of this grace, because wee have turned it into wantonnesse: yet there is comfort: he is mercifull, and sheweth most pity where is most need. But we have multiplied offences, and continued in our sins to our gray hairs: yet there is comfort: He is slow to anger, evermore blessed for his long sufferance. But our iniquities be not of an ordinary quality, they are hainous and intolerable: yet there is comfort, for he is of great kindnesse; our wickednesse cannot be so great as his kindnesse: of that there is no comprehension. But we are out of his favour, because he hath smitten us, our bodies with sore diseases, our souls with agonies, our families with privations: yet their is comfort, he will repent of the evil. In the hour of death, when the senses are past working, the understanding asleep, the body in a cold and benummed sweat, these comforts p. 66never leave us, Return unto thy rest, O my soul.Psalm 1. 16. 7.Ps 1:16Ps 1:7

Our comforts vie number with our sorrowes, and win the game. The mercies of God pass'd over in a grosse summe, breed no admiration; but cast up the particulars, and then Arithmetick is too dull an art to number them. As many dusts as a mans hand can hold, is but his handfull of so many dusts: but tell them one by one, and they exceed all numeration. It was but a crowne which King Solomon wore: but weigh the gold, tell the precious stones, value the richnesse of it; what was it then? Jerusalem was but a city: but goe round about it, marke the towers, tell the bulwarks, observe the magnificent buildings: so consider the infinite variety of these comforts! Come, and I will tell you what God hath done for Psal. 66. 76.Ps 66:76my soul: I never felt that sorrow, for which hee gave me not a soveraign comfort. Sennacherib invaded 2 Chron. 32. 8.2 Chr 32:8Israel with a mighty host; yet the undaunted courage of Hezekiah found more with him, then could be against him: and Sennacherib found it so too, to his cost, when he lost almost two hundred thousand of his army in one night. The Prophets servant rising early in the morning, sees the City besieged with a fearfull host of foot, horse, chariots: his eyes could meet with nothing but woods of pikes, walls of harnesse, and lustre of metalls, and hee runs in with this affrighting newes to his Master, Alas, what shall wee doe? Quiet Elisha sits in his 2 Kings 6. 16.2 Kgs 6:16chamber as secure, as if all these had been the p. 67guard of Israel, sent for his safe protection; Fear not. This was an hard precept: as well might he have bidden him not to see what he saw, as not to fear seeing so dreadfull a spectacle. But the taske is easie, if the next words find beleefe; They that be with us, are more then they that be with them. If the eyes of our faith be as open as those of our sense, to see Angels as well as Syrians, to perceive comforts as well as sorrowes, we cannot be appalled with the most unequall number of enemies. Many, O Lord, are thy wonderfull works which thou hast done for us, they cannot be reckoned. O God, what is man, that then Psalm 40. 5.Ps 40:5art so mindfull of him? Yea, O man, what is God; that thou art so unmindfull of him? All the workes of God are excellent, and ought to bee had in remembrance: alas, that wee should ever forget any of these workes, that are of mercy and comfort which hee hath done for our souls: For he alone hath done them: that is the next point.

3. Cujus, whose they are; Thy comforts. Troubles may be of our own begetting: but true comforts come onelyonly from that infinite fountain, the God of consolation; for so he hath stiled himself. The eagle at her highest flight will not lose the sight of her young ones: if she perceive any danger approaching, down she comes amain to their defence. Christ is indeed ascended up on high; yet he hath a favourable eye to his servants below: no Saul can breath out threataings against them, without a Quid me perfequeris? p. 68Nec timeas hostem fortem, qui Ducem habes fortiorem: Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered: There is none that fighteth for us, but only thou O God. Cujusquam est rem publicam movere, Psalm 68. 1.Ps 68:1Dei solius quietare. Our owne hearts can distract themselves, there is nothing to settle them, but what the God of peace puts in. Who can reconcile a man fallen out with himself? yea, fallen from himself? None but the God of comfort: who when the earth was void, without form, darknesse on the face of the deep; day and night, land & water undistinguished, could reduce all this mishapen chaos of the world to form and order: when father, mother, brethren, kinred, friends, neghbours, and a mans own heart forsakes him, then God takes him up. The structure of Jericho was not more pleasant, then the waters were unwholsome, and thereby the soile corrupt: Elisha cures them with a cruse-full of salt: Our hearts are ful of thoughts, but they be noxious: yet if God throw into those fountains a handfull of saving grace, we shall bee whole. Our sorrowes too often would break our hearts, but (O God) for thy comforts: it is thou onelyonly that canst make these weake vessels hold such scalding liquours, and not burst.

There is combustion of these thoughts within us, til God part the fray, and pacifie the tumult: as when scholers are loud in brawls, the very sight of their master husheth them. When my heart, like the sea in a storm, is troubled; the winds raging, the waves roring; Thy comforts, like Christs command, p. 69turns all into a calme. I thought on thee in the night season, and received comfort. In the night, the region of fear: in darknesse, the opportunity of despaire: in solitarinesse, the full advantage of sorrow: upon an unsleeping bed, the field of troublous thoughts: yet I did but think on thee, and before I came to meditate, to pray, to send up my soul unto thee, in that first thought I received comfort. O how short do all worldly things come of this sufficiency? If the heart bee wounded with sorrow, in vain is all the Chirurgery of nature. Gold is no restorative, riches no cordial, yea they may be a corrosive: wee say to wine, thy spirits are dull; to laughter, thou art mad: musick grates the ear, and physick loathes the palate: company is tedious, and solitude dangerous: alas, what hope can there be, till the God of comfort comes? Sauls evil spirit will not leave him, til he be dispossessed by Davids harpe: wee finde as much ease, when wee rest our hearts upon temporall things, as hee that laid him downe to rest upon the cold earth, with a pitcher under his head: and finding the pillow too hard, he rose and stopped it with feathers, thinking that then it would be wondrous easie. So be all temporary things to the soul, even when they are filled with the choicest mirth, nothing but vanity and vexation of spirit: not only vanity in their entertainment, but vexation in their farewell. Yet, O Lord, Thy comforts

4. Delight the soul; which is the last circumstance, p. 70the effect of all. All Gods warre is for peace: Pacem habet voluntas, bellum necessitas. Wee should never have felt such a conflict, if God had not intended us such a conquest. Sin disquiets the heart; yet through his grace, this disquiet breeds repentance, repentance procureth forgiveness, forgivenesse restoreth peace, and peace delights the soul. The sharpenesse of the trouble advanceth the sweetnesse of the joy: as Christs sufferings abound, so his comforts superabound. Every penitent tear that falls from the eye, springs up a flower of comfort. Look how full the vessells were of water, so full doth our Saviour render John 2. 7.John 2:7them of wine. In hell are all sorrowes without any comforts: in heaven are all comforts, without any sorrowes: on earth, good and bad, sweet and sowre, miseries and mercies, sorrowes and comforts are blended together. If here were nothing but sorrows, earth would be thought hell; if nothing but comforts, it would bee thought heaven. But that we may know it to be, as indeed it is, neither heaven nor hell, but between both, and the way to either; we have a vicissitude of troubles and delights. That as of old they painted King Solomon; because learned men were divided in their opinions of him; some casting him to hell, others advancing him to heaven: therefore a third moderate sort painted him halfe in heaven, and halfe in hell: so the Christian, in regard of his sorrowes, seems halfe confounded; and in respect of his comforts, halfe saved. But as indeed, Solomon after all his p. 71errors found mercy; so the Christian after all his sorrowes shall find comfort. His beginning may seem troublesome, his proceeding not delightsome, but his later end is peace. Marke the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end Psalm 47. 37.Ps 47:37of that man is peace. His heart was troubled, his soul shall be delighted.

As the grievances of the soul bee most dangerous in respect of their nature, so they are also abundant in their number. Therefore let our care be to seek out that great Elixar, that most soveraign and universall Antidote and Cordiall.

One soul complaines; I have obloquies, reproaches, calamniations cast upon me; which 1.render me contemptible to good societies. Morality would thus argue with the heart. Bee these imputations, thus charged upon me, true or false? If true, let the integrity of thy future conversation so convince thy associates, that they shall both suspect those reports, and rest assured of thy constant goodnesse.

But the Divine grace applies a more virtuall medicine to thy conscience, which shall revive, either thy patience, or thy repentance. The soul shall argue with it self: If these imputations be true, here is work for my repentance; I will weep in secret for my sins. If false, let them not trouble me: It is the slanderers sin, not mine: neither am I bound to father anothers bastard. But still upon this calumnie, the world condemns me: but thy faith and patience assures thee, p. 72that thou shalt not be condemned with the world. Yea, there is yet a higher degree of honour belonging to thy patience. Have not the best men been traduced? Was not the best of men, God and man blasphemed? yea even upon the Crosse, he was jeered when he dyed, by some of them for whom he dyed. Thus do the comforts of God requite thee; that in all this thou art (in thy measure) conformable to the sufferings of Christ. So dost thou allay all these furious tempests with one breath of faithfull ejaculation; Thy comforts delight my soul.

Another complains; I am fallen from an affluent estate, to deep indigence. I have kept 2.hospitality, to entertain friends: and made charity the Porch of my house, to relieve the needy ones. The vessell of my meanes is now drawn out to the bottom, there is not sufficient provision left for my own family.

Inquire of thy heart, whether this decay did not come by thy own riot, or through the vainglorious affectation of an abundant hospitality. If this, or that, or any other habituall sin, were the cause of it, begin with mortification there. First, mourne for thy sinnes: then faithfully depend upon thy Creators providence, and thou canst not faile of convenient sustenance.

But it may be, that this is not the complainants case: he is not taken with a tabe or wasting of his substance; like a scarce sensible consumption of p. 73his bodily vitalls. But his fall is with a precipice; from a sublime Pinacle of honour, to a deep puddle of penury. Such was Jobs condition, so did he fall; from being rich and happy in the Adverb, to be poor and miserable even to a Proverb. He had not only abundance of good about him; but Omnia bene, all went well with him. Yet how suddenly did he fall from this abundant prosperity, to the depth of miserable poverty! Did he now follow the suggestions of that corrupt nature, which lay in his bosome, and whispered to him on his pillow; Curse God and die? No, but he apprehended the inspiration of grace; Blesse God, and live. So his last dayes were better then his first. That infinite mercy did so crown his patience with triumph, that his temporall estate was doubled. Yea, but what posterity had hee left to enjoy it after him? Yes, for even the number of his children was doubled too. For besides those seven Sons and three Daughters, which were now with his Father in Heaven; he had also seven Sons and three Daughters with himselfe upon Earth. Piety and Patience cannot bee cast downe so low, but that the hand of mercy can raise it up againe. In the multitude of all my losses and crosses, O Lord thy Comforts have delighted my soul.

But another, that hath heard all this sad Story, and seen the comfortable end sent 3of the Lord, is not satisfied, because p. 74himself is not redressed. Like a coward in wars that looks for the victory, before he gives one stroke in the battell. What merchant looks to be landed in the place of traffick, before he hath past his adventure upon the seas? Still saith such a repiner; I am in distresse, and want even necessaries. But still, thou, and we all, must suffer much more, before it can be said of us, Here is the faith and patience of the Saints. Still O my soul, wait thou upon the Lord, thy most faithfull Creator: he will in his good pleasure, open his hand, and fill thee with plenteousnesse. Be thou penitent before him, patient under him, confident in him, and thou shalt have a bundant cause to bee thankfull to him: Thy end shall bee peace, and comfort in Jesus Christ.

Yea, even now, in this dead low waters of fugitive fortunes, my soul confesseth, that I have the highest wealth. For Christs righteousnesse is my riches, his merits is my inexhaustible exchequer, his blood hath filld my veins with most lively vigour. My treasure is in heaven, where no violence can take it from me. Stil and for ever, O God, thy comforts delight my soul.

It is anothers complaint; I am shut up in a close prison, where I can neither converse with others 4.abroad, nor let in others to communicate with me, in this my confined home. The sparrow on the house-top hath more freedome then I; For that, though wanting a mate, hath p. 75an open aire to flie in, and may so invite company to solace her, I have no society, but my disconsolate thoughts: no friend, to ask me so much, as how I do?

Yet is thy soul at liberty: no barricadoed walls, no iron-gates or grates, no darke dungeons can imprison that. The Jail is a strong prison to thy body, and thy body is but (in a metaphoricall phrase) a prison to thy soul; Thy body may not walke abroad, thy soul can. Spite of all thy cruell creditors, and some unmercifull Jailors; she can break Prison: She hath wings that can mount her through clouds and mountains, through orbs and constellations, and (like to Enoch) walke with God, in a heavenly contemplation of his infinite goodnesse. My ears cannot hear those airy Choristers, singing their Creators praise in the groves: my soul, in speculation, can hear the Anthems of Angels in heaven. I may not hear the Hosanna's of the Church militant in our materiall Temples below: I may conceive, that my soul hears the Halleluiahs of the Church triumphant above. I may not walk in the green pastures, and flowry medows on earth: my soul may move in the glorious and melodious galleries of heaven. Thus O Lord, though in my strictest confinement here below, thou hast given me large liberty above. Still I will glorifie thee for all thy mercies, for thy comforts delight my soul.

Anothers complaint is; I am vexed with a p. 765.multitude of troubles. Not the law of the sword, but the sword of the law hath disquieted me. Let thy soul aske thy conscience this question: who did first breake the peace? If thou hast first overwhelmed that truth, which should bee apparent, thou art thine own enemy: For truth smothered in wet straw, will at length overcome the danknesse of that suppression, and set on fire the smotherers. Thou hast forsaken the truth, and art therefore forsaken of peace.

There bee two chief preservers of the soul, under the Almighty Creator of it; Truth and Peace. How invaluable are they together; Parted, how miserable! truth is the precious stone: Peace, the gold, wherein it is both set and preserved. Truth is the glorious light of the Sun; Peace, a clear and serene heaven. Peace is a most beautifull body, whilst it containes Truth, that more lovely soul. Truth brings downe heaven to us, Peace bears us up to heaven. Both are sisters, the daughters of one Father, God himself.

Do thou first recover truth: by continuall labour seeke it, with prayers and teares begg it, with the expense of much sorrow buy it, and then peace will come in to the bargaine: Gods comfort shall again delight thy soul.

Another complaines; I am cast out of 6.doors: I have no harbour but the hedges; nor p. 77lodging, but the fruitless ground. Poverty hath sent out her excommunication against me: all that have an estate, are forewarned to shun my company.

Consider, when had Jacob so sweet a nights rest, as when the pillow he laid his head upon was a hard stone? Then was that ladder set by him, by which his soul might climbe up to heaven in a vision, whereof before he had but the speculation. The Angels were dancing those measures, and singing those raptures about him, which did in a manner angelifie him. His body lay on the bare earth, his soul with those spirituall wings of faith and love, was mounted above the clouds, above the orbs, even conversant in the highest heavens.

When had Elias more excellent provision then when his breakfast was brought him in the morning, and his supper in the evening, by a raven? The messenger was homely, but the dyet was heavenly. It came from the table of that great King, whose hospitality feeds, not only men; but even the fouls of the air, the beasts upon earth, and the fishes in the sea. The Prophets lodging was but a Field-bed, yet even then and there, the Lyons were a guard about him, the tutelar Angels did round him, and the Divine providence preserved him.

If we be destitute of other lodging, and be driven to the common earth, yet we have a house p. 78over our heads, not made with hands, but an eternall mansion in the heavens. There is also a canopy for us, a roof arched over with the two Poles, and set with innumerable glistering starrs. Yea; there is an omnipotent love that protects us; a materiall heaven encompassing us, and a spirituall heaven within us, the peace of a good conscience, assuring us, of our eternall salvation through Christ Jesus. This is a softer lodging then the cabbins of merchants, or the Hamachs of sea-farers; yea then the most curious beds that the harbengers can provide for Princes. O how sweetly doth the Christian rest, when he hears that voice from the Oracle of goodnesse; My grace is sufficient for thee, My comforts shall delight thy soul.

But anothers complaint is; I am perplexed 7.with sicknesse: I am a marke against which paine shoots his arrows: I wast away with languishments, as ice is dissolved by heat into water. Rest patient; this consumption shall be consumed. Death, that universall executioner of mankind, shall be executed. Time shall cut off Death, and Eternity shall make an end of Time. Death shall have no grave left for his monument, or trophee of his victories: and the Angel hath sworn, that time shall be no more. Thy sicknesse may outlast thy Physician, but thy soul shall outlive thy sicknesse, and nothing shall outlive thy soul.

But the pangs of my body are so violent, that they assault me with distraction. Fear not: p. 79they may beleaguer thee with distrust, but never overcome that faith, which thou puttest in this God of consolation. He is a most faithfull Creator, and will servare depositum, keep that soul safe, with which the beleever hath instrusted him. The breaches of the body are the souls windows, and afford her a more clear prospect into heaven, inkindling her with an ardent desire to be with God in glory. Jobs abundant sores would have bred in him a continuity of sorrowes; but for that antidote of faith, and saving cordiall of hope, that his eyes should see his Redeemer in blessednesse.

The smiling Sunne flatters the traveller out of his cloake, whereas the robustious wind causeth him to wrap it the closer about him. God forbid that Christian Religion should bee but a cloake: yet the outward profession of it is somwhat loosned by wanton healths; and sickness wins it more inwardly to the heart. Experienced merchants tell us, that in the hottest Countreys, they find most comfort in the hottest drinks. A wonder to us that live in the cold climates: but that the Suns adventitions heat so sucks out the radicall moisture and spirits, that it leaves the heart feeble, and destitute of the naturall comforts. It is a maxime in Philosophy, that one heat avocates another: the greater, the lesse. The heat of the Sun drawes forth the heat of the heart, and leaves it fainting. Poor Lazarus with his scraps and scabs, was yet in a better condition then the rich man with his p. 80Princely Wardrobe, and his costly Viands. Continued health hath maintained wanton desires and delights upon earth: but sicknesse hath sent many souls up to Heaven. Yea Lord, even with sicknesse afflict my body, so that thy Heavenly Comforts do delight my soul.

It is a generall complaint; Afflictions environ me. In my short pilgrimage, through the sharp 8.wildernesse of this world, on the one side the Thorns wound me, the Briers and Brambles scratch me on the other. This is not only the deserved penalty of sinfull nature; Man is born to trouble as the sparks flie upwards, But even a kind of fatality inseparable to militant grace; All that will live godly in Christ, shall suffer persecution. 2 Tim. 3. 122 Tim 3:12That is a rare path upon earth, which hath never a rub: and a calm passage by water, that escapes all molestation. But more,

Be there not some Afflictions, that conduce much to our preservation? We have found, that the falling into one grievous sin, the worst of all dangers, hath brought us to repentance, one of the best preservatives. I have heard some Seamen report by experience, that in a tempest, some raging billow hath swept a man from off the Decks into the maine Ocean: yet another wave on the other side, hath tossed him up into the ship again: so that he was only drenched; but not drowned. The violent pressure of one Affliction hath sunk a man to distrust in God: another with a more furious Storme hath left him destitute of all earthly succour: He now resolves, the world hath forsaken p. 81me, I will never look for relief from it. But my God hath not forsaken me, he never will forsake them that trust in him through Jesus Christ. To him I flie, upon him I rely: he will not suffer me to perish. Still, O Lord, in all my extremities Thy comforts delight my soul.

Not offering to number mans grievances, which be innumerable; there is yet the last, and it may prove the best, complaint remaining.

I am perplexed with the wofull consideration 9of my sins; those bitter things which God writes against me, the irkesome recollection of my transgressions. I can argue with Philosophers, consult with Politicians, hear the ingenious fancies of Poets, reason in domestick concernments, enjoy the company of morall and harmless friends with delight. I can pray with confidence to be heard, and satisfied; I do hope with some assurance of salvation; I sleep upon a peacefull pillow, Thus far I am in a calm and serene hemisphere, and quiet be all my thoughts.

But after all this Sunshine, there ariseth a tempest. When I do recollect, or be represented unto my conscience, my innumerable, incomparable, intollerable sinnes; the remembrance of them is so frightfull, the burden of them is so unsupportable, that I dare not even look up unto Heaven. Faith lies fainting, hope is in a swoon, fear stands by the bed side, despaire lies gaping at the chamber door, my soul is in an extasie. I am weary of all company, but those that speak of mercy. I sit mourning all the day p. 82long: Sorrow and solitude are my associates: I do shed some tears, and would weep tears of blood for my sins. I lament because my sorrows are not greater for offending my God.

Well, yet hear the Physician of souls speaks to thee from Heaven. Weep on, bleed on, this bleeding shall not be unto death. Jesus Christ hath a Balsome, that shall not onelyonly stanch thy bleeding, but fill the veins of thy soul with comfort. His blood is an Antidote for thine. One drop of that shall satisfie for more sins, then ever thou hast committed.

Weep on for thy Transgressions: Those flouds of tears shall not drown thee. Yea rather, like the waters of that universall Deluge, in that saving Arke Christ Jesus, they shall bear up thy soul higher towards Heaven. They shall not drowne thee, yea they shall rather save thee from being drowned. This is that Secunda Tabula, after shipwrack; the main plank that shall preserve thee from perishing, emergent repentance.

There be two most Valiant and Puissant souldiers, that are the Souls Champions, Faith and Repentance. They fight not only against lust and sin, those Gyants of the world: but even against Principalities and Powers, those infernall spirits of darknesse. Faith hath her weapons and Forces, but Repentance hath many disadvantages.

1. Other Souldiers fight standing, she kneeling: They in a posture confronting their enemies, she in humiliation, though not tergiversation from p. 83her opposites. They send forth their messengers of death in thundring ordnance: all her thunder is sighs and groans sent up to Heaven for mercies. They let flie their fiery Engines of destruction: she hath only her ejaculations: Her most piercing darts, be broken hearts. Their shafts are winged with fire, her arrows are feathered with water, her own soft tears. They swallow up the hope of victory with insulation: she in an humble prostration expects pity. Yet the God of all power and mercy, whom she beleaguers in Heaven, yeilds her the conquest. He comes from his inpregnable Throne by his most gracious favour, and insteed of confounding her as a Rebel, he useth her as a Friend, or Daughter. He takes her up from her knees, he wipes away all her tears, he folds her in his armes, he seals her a pardon of all sins, and assures her of an everlasting Kingdom in Heaven. O victorious Repentance! yea rather, O triumphant Goodnesse! O God, Teipsum vincis, thou even overcomest thy self, that thy Comforts may delight our souls.

It is reported of Alexander, that when he thought (and did but think so) he had conquered all this world, he fell a weeping, that there were no more worlds to conquer. But there was remaining another world, a better then ever Alexander discovered. But this was not for an Alexander by force of Armes, but for a Mary Magdalen by force of tears, to overcome.

It is true, that the Kingdome of Heaven suffers violence: but the way of Conquest is not through p. 84the blood of bodies, but through a floud of tears, gushing out for our sins. This is such a stratagem of war, such a policy of Conquest, as the great Monarchs of the world never understood: Yet even this through faith overcomes the world.

Faith hath a plot, which shee hath taught her daughter Repentance, Concedendo superare, to overcome by yeilding. It is a stratagem among Wrastlers, that if a man can get himself under his antagonist, he lifts him up, the sooner to cast him down; yea, to give him the greater fall. Repentance stoops as low as she can: she lies, like Joshuah, upon the bare earth, yea wollowes in dust and ashes. She holds her self not worthy to be Gods foot-stool: let him trample upon her, and tread her under his feet, she still holds him by the feet, washeth them with her tears, and wipeth them with the hairs of her head, and kisseth them, though she be spurned by them. Doth this humble prostration provoke fury? No, it rather invites mercy. Parcere prostratis scit nobilis ira Leonis: The Lyon of the Tribe of Judah, will spare such Lambs of humiliation; and in the pastures of consolation; he will both feed and preserve them. That thunder which dissolves the stubborn mettall, yet spares the yeilding purse: When power and policy have spent their spirits, submission is found the only way of Conquest. The feafull thunder of vengeance is resisted by the soft wool of repentance.

2. Yet hath this blessed grace another disadvantage. Faith, the chief of all the Forces, may p. 85be somtimes benighted, through the conglomeration of the clouds condensed by our sins. Hope may be eclipsed, by the interposition of the earth, our worldly imaginations, betwixt us and that great luminary of heaven, the Sun of righteousnesse; The century of watchful conscience, may be overcome with security. Sin is a subtile enemy, and his father, the Divel wil shew him the opportunity. Now is the time of invasion: seise on them, and cut all their throats. What shal repentance now do, when faith, the great Lady general droops; and Hope, her Lieutenant general is fainting? when the whole century is overcome with slumber?

Yes, there is a watchman in the tower of the soul, that doth seldom sleep; holy Fear. He wakens conscience, conscience cals up faith, faith rouzeth hope, hope cryes aloud to repentance, repentance troops all the spiritual forces, the martial musick gives the alarm, the souldiers are in battel-array, the enemies flie, the mind is at peace, because Gods comforts have delighted the soul.

3. One disadvantage more makes dangerous work for repentance. The troops of faith are routed, one wing of hope is cut off. Yet this conquering Queen of the Viragines, or maiden-graces, alwayes bears up the Rear, and never appeares till the day be almost lost. When those great Commanders, Innocency and Righteousnesse are foiled, and beaten, and have their Queen the soul, in danger to bee taken and slain by sin and Satan, her old adversaries; Then this Virgo, Virago, that all this while lay in expectation of the event; this martiall Maid, victorious Repentance comes in with her Reserve, sets upon the conquerors p. 86with her fresh forces, rescues the Queen, our soul, puts the great generall Satan to flight, and does impartial execution upon all his souldiers, which be our sins.

Thus one grace begets another, by a supernatural generation, til they increase in number and measure, by the Divine inspiration. Faith calls up repentance, repentance brings in pardon and forgivenesse, pardon leads in comfort, and thus, O my God, Thy comforts delight my soul.

4. When God, by the preaching of his law, hath broken up the fallow ground of our hearts, and by the applying of his Gospel hath sown the seed of eternal life in those furrows, he lookes that we should bestow our labour in the watering of this plantation. The ground is his, for he made it: the seed is his, for he gives it: the harvest is his, and he owns it. Yet such is the bounty of his goodness, that he gives his farmers the fruits of it. The rent of that great Landlords glory being truly payed, the product is ours, even the comfort and salvation of our poor souls. All our pains is, but to hook up the weeds, that would hinder the growth of the corn, and dew the furrows with our tears, that it may spring up with chearfulness. But when the reaping-time comes, the whole crop is ours: and we come home singing with joy and thankfulness; Thy comforts have delighted our souls. When those glorious reapers, the Angels shal bear up our souls to heaven, like sheaves into the barn, we shal sing harvest-home, & glorifie our infinite good God, and our sweetSaviour JesusChrist.

To conclude, crosses are but the pursuivants to fetch in repentance: and afflictions, but Gods letters, missive formortification. When we are fallen into some p. 87hainous transgressions, we may better say then in our other trouble, this will cost hot water: For so it will indeed: it wil cost the hot waters of our tears from our eyes, or it will cost the warm blood of our hearts. Our godly sorrow for our sins, is like the Pool of Bethesda: when that Angel from heaven, gracious repentance hath troubled the waters, the lazarous soul does but step into them, and is cured. For all our spiritual diseases, this is the remedy, upon which we may safely write, Probatum est.

We have made our selves sick by sinning: God is the Physician, and he prescribes: Affliction is the Apothecary, and he prepares: the Medicine is Repentance, and that infallibly cures. It is a broken heart that makes us whole. God loves a true heart, and a clean heart, and an honest heart, and an humble heart: yea and he loves a broken heart too. The broken and contrite heart, O God thou wilt not despise. It is true, that we Psa. 54. 17Ps 54:17are bound to love him with our whole heart: but if it be broken with penitential sorrow for sin, he wil heal the fracture, redintegrate the heart, and reaccept it wholly to himself. A contrite heart, broken in peices with sorrow, and pickled up in brinish tears, is a sacrifice that God will not reject.

Whosoever hath such a heart, let him make much of it: It is a dish for the king of kings. Sin, Repentance and Pardon, are like to the three vernall months of the yeer, March, April, and May. Sin comes in like March blustering, stormy, and full of bold violence. Repentance succeeds like April, showring, weeping, and full of tears. Pardon follows like May, springing, singing, ful of joys, and flowers. If our hands have been ful of p. 88March, with the tempests of unrighteousnesse: our eyes must be ful of April, with the sorrow of repentance: & then our hearts shal be ful of May, in the true joy of forgivenesse.

His soul; as there be no comforts like those of God; so there is nothing to which comforts are so welcom, as to the soul. The pleasure which the body takes, is but the body, yea scarce the very shadow of pleasure: the soul of pleasure is the pleasure of the soul. There bee many things pleasing to the body, wherein the sanctified soul takes no delight, especially in the day of trouble. In calamity, good nourishments are confortable, good words are comfortable, good friends are comfortable, the Physician is comfortable, the Divine comfortable, a good spouse specially comfortable: but in respect of these comforts, which passe all understanding, we may say of the rest, as Job did to his visitant friends, Miserable comforters are ye all. But blessed are the souls upon whom this Sun of comfort shineth: and happy are those showers of fears and sorrows, that shall be dryed up with such beams of comforts: and blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. To whom, with the Son, and Holy Ghost, 2 Cor. 1. 3.2 Cor 1:3be all praise and glory, for ever and ever.

Amen.

FINIS.

End of the text · Thomas Adams, Gods Anger and Mans Comfort (1652)