The Young Mans Monitor, Chapter 3
CHAP. III. Counsel and Advice propounded for the right Guidance and Improvement of the Young Mans present Condition to his Own and Others Solid Comfort.
YOu cannot now account (as too many do) gracious Counsel in the Lord either needless, or burdensom. No, no, it is as an excellent Oyle that needs break no mans head. The needful and happy Clue to carry us through all our present Labyrinths. The true Index of a sweet and hopeful disposicion. *foreign, &c. Herod.So (saies the Historian) shall any man become surely eminent and prosperous; if he be deliberate, and willing to steer his course by the compass of Good Counsel.
It is the neglect of this that casts so many sad shipwracks upon the shore. Headiness †Vis consil… expers …. Horatrusheth on and is confident, but never prospereth. There are and will be those heart breaking grones in another world which may justly endear good Counsel to us while we have a day to live. *Prov. 5.12.How have I (will the poor damned one day say) how have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof!
Dear Youths! stop not your ear as the deaf Adder to the instructions of wisdom, let them be unto you as the weights to the Clock, that set it into an orderly motion of going. As the welcome friendly gales of wind, which carry the ship (that might otherwaies have lain becalmed) the fairer, the faster and straiter toward its desired haven.
It is a spur to quicken our pace, a guide to direct our way, which the wise in heart will esteem as the Poet of old: †foreign. Menander▪ Counsel propounded twofold: 1 More principal in reference to Religion.A sacred thing of great safety and usefulness to all.
The Counsels and requests I have now more particularly to lay before you for the guidance of your youth are of a twofold nature.
1. The first relating more immediately to Religion between God and your own souls.
2. The other to your relative condition,2 More subordinate in reference to Civil Conversation. and converse which you are entring into here with men. Though therein also Religion is still greatly concerned. In both I shall endeavour all plainess, and practicalness; and not to cast in matters of doubt and division. Such things are at any time more ready to humour the wrath of man, than to work the righteousness of God. The Temple is then best built when there is the least noise of knocking o… hammers heard about it.
It will be your part, and that which God himself will look for at your hands; not barely to read, or to rest your selves in the verbal commendation of pious truths; (which nature is very desirous to sit down upon, as they on this side Iordan, and go no farther toward the Holy Land,) you are to compose your selves forthwith to enter upon the real practice of the good will of God concerning you. And oh! that the Lord who alone teacheth to profit would please to give these sorry Lines any place of abode in your hearts, to your souls just furtherance and edification in the Lord.
In the great Concernments of Religion,1 General Counsel touching Religion. A right understanding & esteem of it. as Man is far the noblest Creature in the world: So is Religion still the highest enoblement that he is possibly capable of. A right understanding in it, a wise and cordial consistency with it, (that we may not in effect dishonour what we seem to respect, by an undue professing of it) these are mercies of an high nature, and come only from the Father of lights.
The heart that is thus upright with God carries alwaies a great presence and blessing with it, *2 Chro. 16.9.The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, and he will shew himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are thus perfect toward him. We may here safely sing with the Psalmist, †Psalm. 128.1.Blessed is every one (be he never so mean otherwaies) that feareth the Lord, and (thus) walketh in his waies.
The Heathen though wandring in too much darkness, have yet usually had so high a sense of this, as ascribe all their welfare to their fidelity and care in their Religion. Thus the great Orator *No… calliditate, ant …obore; sed pietate, ac religione omnes gentes nationes que superaru…t. Cicero.even boasteth of his Romans; that it was neither their Policy, nor their Strength, but their Piety which became the advancement of their Nation. Lo here! how they who had not the Law, became yet a Law to themselves; oh let us be provoked to a better emulation by them.
But I shall endeavour to be yet more particular with you, that you may not on either hand (as too many in these perillous daies are sadly sound to do) miscarry in these tremendous matters of Religion.
First then,2 Particular Counsels, 1 A due reverence and knowledge of God. Entertain from your youth up †Optime de D…o existim…re piet… …si exo…m. August.pious and reverent thoughts of God; live in the constant acknowledgement of him in …ll your waies; let your hearts dwell in the religious sense of his Deity; his Holiness, and Omnisciency, and they shall lay a divine weight upon both heart and life. It is a fundamental principle which God himself stands much upon. *Heb. 11.6.He that cometh to God must believe that God is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
In the Old Testament we read, *foreign st…ltus a foreign cecidit. C…i ratio & …ens co… cidit ut stulte ac turpiter seatiat, & agat.The fool (and never any but the fool) hath said in heart there is no God. And in the New Testament †Eph. 2.12.the Apostle tels us of some that were without God in the world. Not that God intends to let them so escape and pass away: No, no; though they would have nothing …o do with God, God hath yet something to do with them, but the Scripture thus records them for practical Atheists against God, because they care not to know, or interest themselves by true grace in him.
But as for you see that you set the Lord alwaies at your right hand lest at …ny time you offend ag…inst him.*Quicquid agis m… do surt…mve pal…nve momento, Insp…ctatorem semper a l…sse D…u…. Prud. Hymn. Live continually as in his sight; for the truth is, you, and all your waies are naked and open before him. Harbour not that thought in your mind, venture not upon that action though never so seemingly secret in your life; which you would be ashamed to own, or avouch as yours before the Lord. Still meditate the Omnisciency and greatness of the presence in which we alwaies all of us are, and how all our present waies, will we, …ill we; must one …ay abide the touchstone of … publick …id at the Bar of God. Choose him in your Youth; and he shall be a God …ll-sufficient unto you through your w…o…e life.
Yet rest not your selves too much on this general reverence toward God: but modestly press after the most particular and filial knowledge of him. You may freely … as Moses without offence;Exod. 33.18. I beseech thee shew me thy glory. He is that God in whom you live, and have your being; the God of all your mercies and good things, with whom (if ever you become happy) you are to live to all Eternity. You cannot, sure you cannot but holily desire the utmost acquaintance before hand with him.
How earnestly, how affectionately was this pious study recommended in the Primitive times! Their Language me thinks might even enfl…me us. †Omnis sapienti… bo…, … sita …st, …, Deum cogn…cat & colat. Hoc …ostrum dogma, bee …, … … Lactant. lib. 3.I testifie (saies Lactantius) I proclaim it as far as ever I can make this voice of mine to be heard, I declare to all the world; that this is our great Maxime, and Principle, the true Knowledge and Worship of God, it is the just sum of all Wisdom. This, this is that the Philosophers so anxiously sought af…er: but poor men they groped in the dark, and could never find it.
Dear Youths! you are willing to learn and gain acquaintance with men:Jon. 17.3. 2 A p…ous recourse to the Scriptures for attaining this knowledge Oh! be ye not strangers unto God. I commend, and leave it with you under this great assurance; It would most certainly become life eternal (to any of you thus) to know the only true God, and him whom he hath sent Iesus Christ.
Secondly, Let your f…ar and profession of him and his name be alwaies guided by his pure Word. It is your Chard and Compass; your Pole and Star; in Gods name sail by it.
Whatever other desirable enjoyments God hath given you, *foreign Omnia foreign m…a & tua non …equantur ei. Buxr. Flo. Hebr.this without an Hyperbole far excels them all: we may safely conclude with the Ancients, The whole World hath no Jewel like to this.
Read dayly, meditate reverently in those holy Scriptures. They are the Christians Treasury; the field where the heavenly Pearl must be sought, may be found.
There shall you meet with History none so sacred, none so ancient; Promises none so heavenly, none so cordial;*Quicquid docetur est …eritas, quicquid …ecipitur bonitas, quicquid promittitur felicitas, Hugo. Precepts none so righteous, none so holy.†Deut. 4.8. For what nation is there so great, that hath Ordinances and Laws so righteous, as all this Law which the Lord your God setteth before you. Let these Scriptures be ever more your Songs in the house of your pilgrimage.
Men may fondly magnifie profane and Philosophical Writings; as somewhat of inferiour usefulness many of them have: and we both may and should freely and honourably acknowledge the common gifts of our Creator wherever we find them. But still in all things that concern our conversation, and souls comfort, to the Law and to the Testimony, as the standing and unalte…ble manifestation which God hath been pleased to leave extant of his Will unto the ends of the World.
In your reading, begin alwaies with Prayer; humbly intreating the Lord, that he would shew you the wonders of his Law. In your hearing attend with the greatest reverence; still remembring the Ordinance is high, though the Instrument may be mean; the Treasure heavenly, though the Vessel be but earthy. In your applying, force not the Scripture from its native intendment and meaning to the humour of times; the biass or interest of your own opinions or affections whatsoever. Let all your*Sint castae deliciae mea, Scripturae tuae; nec s…llar in …is, …ec sallam ex eis. Aug. Confes. converse therewith be in all chastity and pureness of mind, take Gods Word as God gives it, and resign your selves into a pious obedience to it.
Remember Timothy, and be ye provoked to an holy emulation, he had known the Scriptures from a Child; it is they which under God are able to make you wise unto salvation. Your knowledge in other things may be a… Brass: your knowledge in these will be as Gold;†Praes…at pa…cula ex meliore so…entia degustaff…, quam de ignobilior… multa. Cael. Rod. greater riches, and of greater worth. Happy is that man that is an Ezra, a ready Scribe graciously versed and acquainted in the Law of his God.
It is too likely you may live to hear and see great contentions in the World about Religion; Lo here is Christ, and lo there! but go not you forth after them; be not led by the insinuations of men, whereby they cunningly lie in waite on almost all hands to deceive.
I have often been ready to say within my self, Lord! give me a Religion according to thy holy Scriptures, truly built upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles: or I have no great desire to any at all. Here our foot standeth upon firm ground; Here we may safely repose our wearied hearts; Here we may confidently adventure the great concerns of our dear immortal souls; Here have we the faith of God himself, the true and faithful God, solemnly plighted unto us, that we shall not be …eceived in our way, that we shall not be disappointed in the end. Oh! stir not from the horns of this Altar, from this City of Refuge lest you die. Be you, I pray you, guided by the good Word of God; the Heavens and the For…h shall pass away, and the boisterous wills of men shall come to nought: but the Word of the Lord shall endure for ever.
Thirdly,3 A real study in the knowledge of our selves and our present misery. Next after this general fidelity to the Scriptures draw nearer home, and let them more particularly inform you in the true knowledge of your selves. This is that Terraincognita, that unknown Land, which so few make any discovery of.
Many are great Travellers, ready Historians; scarce any Age, any Country, or City, but they are familiarly acquainted with it. The S…s, and utmost Isles; the very Desarts, and remotest Mountains they can discourse particularly of them*Per…grini sunt … magis in sua natura, in sua anima, quam in Iudicis silvis, & igno…s …civ…s. Mo…n.. But still are too great strangers at home, there is one Cabinet scarce yet ever unlocked, one book scarce ever yet opened, they are little read in their own hearts. May be it is because the reckoning is long, and we but little provided to clear is; The Leaf where we should read is much blotted, and we take little delight to look into these things.
But Dear Children! say not you so. Neglect will scarce pay that debt which grows of it self dayly greater; or pacifie that Creditor who takes the contempt worse than the debt it self. Know therefore (and you cannot indeed but know) that you, even you, have gone astray from the womb; and are, though but young people, yet old sinners, *Tantillu… puer, tantus peccator.great sinners, Gospel-sinners; and that God expects true repentance, true faith at your hands, as well as any, if you desire any part in the Kingdom of God.
The story is sad; but true, and we may relate it. Man enters into the World at traitors gate; born in sin, and conceived in iniquity. His body frail and mean as the dust; a common Hospital for almost all diseases, which successively one after another come and take up their quarters perforce there.*Pars divina in homine mersa. Sen His mind, as Nebuchadnezars, degraded, and cast down from its former excellency among the beasts of the field; and there it now walks. His understanding, that bright and precious Lamp, is gone out, nor does he now lift up his eyes any longer to know the Lord. But sinks down in great stupidity of spirit, as one regardless which way Eternity goes, as one utterly alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in him. His Conscience that noble watch, and under God the very*Corrector assectuum, animae paedagogus. Origon. Life-guard of his soul, stands no longer upon its watch Tower: but lyeth as one that fainteth; spreading its hands, bleeding, and dying at the Gates. The inferiour servants, the affections, all in an uproar and confusion, Iudas-like betraying their Master; rending themselves from their just service, and hasting to ingratiate and let out themselves to a foolish treacherous World.
He that might have been sometime saluted, and that truly too, Iedidiah the beloved of the Lord, the Son of God, and Heir of glory: His bloud is now stained, the entail justly cut off, and he must be arraigned under that joyless title Loammi, none of Gods, but a child of wrath, a stranger from the Covenant of promise. Under the guilt of sin, and he knows it not. Under the power of sin, and he feels it not. Responsible to God for all he now does, and yet regards it not. Within a daies march (for ought he knows) of death and judgement, and yet …ies it not to heart. His eyes hath he closed, and he knows not the things of his own peace.
These things, Sirs, are no hidden secrets; The Heathen though at a great distance, yet they easily saw Mans misery, and frequently made both affectionate and voluminous lamentations over him.Imbecillitatis exemplum, temporis spolium, fortune Iesus, inconsta…ti… imago; putredo i… exordio, …llua in omni vita, …a ver…ium in …oile, &c … Solon. He that converses but the least with their W…itings, will soon understand what sorry titles of honour, what mean and sad descriptions they bestowed upon their own nature, and its present condition in the World. The pattern of frailty, the spoile of time, the sport of fortune, the very picture of sickleness; silthiness from the birth, too too much a least all his life, no better than a feast for worms in death. This was the Language they generally gave of Man, and they thought they miscalled him not.
Poor men! they were eye witnesses indeed of the sickness: they saw things were ill, but they scarce understood the rise and cause of the disease. They could only cry out in the generall, (as one of them bitterly did:) Woe, woe is me, and yet what is it that I cry out so mournfully of? foreign. Euripid.Oh! it is the manifold miseries we lie exposed unto.
Dear Youths, you must be perswaded to sit down and apply the Story. The case is naturally yours, the case is too truly every mans. Oh! smite upon your*Sensus miseriae, approximatio misericordiae. breasts in a due sense of these things, and say with David, I, Lord! I am the man. It is I who have thus sinned against heaven, and am no more worthy to be called thy Son.
Fourthly,4 An unsained seeking after our recovery by Christ. This being your wound, where shall we now find any balm or healing for it? We are not likely you see to stay long here on earth: …nd without pardon of sin we can never expect to come at heaven. The love, the dear love of God through sin is already lost; the life of grace extinguished; a debt and guilt the saddest, the greatest that ever were, con…racted; the comforts of this present life decayed; the strength and sting of death exceedingly encreased. We may now too truly name our selves Magor-Missabib, fear and terrour round about. Yet be not too much dismaied, there is hope in Israel concerning our case. And I may and must (though not without much trembling) invite you this day to Iesus Christ. Oh! hunger and thirst after him and his righteousness; that in him your sins may be covered, and your souls cloathed with the garments of salvation. It is not Musick, it is not Wine that a condemned person desires: but a Pardon. Go you and do likewise.
I told you even now a saddening story: I may now bring you tidings of a more welcome one. Oh! receive it as becomes you in the Lord.
The Father of mercies hath from his Sanctuary looked down upon our low estate. He saw we were sold for bond-men, and for bond-women; falling into the hands of Satan, and misery for ever; There was no eye to pity us; Our own strength and righteousness departed from us; The redemption of our souls likely to cease for ever.
In these great streights his bowels were moved to have compassion on us. His own arm undeserved, undesired brought salvation to us. The work was great, and he trusts no meaner Person than his own Son with it. Him the Father sends and seals; Him he gives to death, and raises up to life; and†Nostri causa sustinuit nasci, mori, sepeliri, &c. Bern. all for this sweet end, that he might be a*Act. 5.31. Prince and a Saviour to give repentance and forgiveness of sins to such poor Creatures as You and I are. Behold the love wherewith the Father hath loved us.
The Son accepts it. As it was written in the Volume of Gods Book, he is content to come. If his Death will procure our Life he goes willingly to it. He submitteth himself by imputation to be made sin,*Qui in se longe sanctissi…us, imputatione tamen sistitur peccatorum maximus. who yet actually knew no sin; that we, worthless we, might be made the righteousness of God in him.
In pursuance of this unsearchable and unutterable love it is that the Spirit of God so often knocks at our hearts; That the Ambassadors of Christ are sent in such earnestness unto us, to beseech us to be reconciled unto God; That the Word of the Lord is left, as his Agent, alwaies Resident in our houses, to treat with us that we might receive the pardon of sin, and live.
This is that rich grace which the Prophets so long ago enquired after, and prophesied of. And this in the Lords name I humbly encourage and exhort you in. Pardon of sin may verily be had; only seek it a…ight. Turn not the grace of God, I charge you, into wantonness. Boast not you, as if your condition were therefore out of danger, because there are it may be some soveraign Antidotes in the shop, or a rich Cordial in the glass: The sick man may nevertheless languish, and die if he makes not a real use of them.
Oh! go humbly to the Lord, go by Prayer, go by Faith, go with a full purpose of heart, that if the Lord shall please to speak peace, you will no more return to folly. Prostrate your selves, spread your case before him, tell him, it is not Corn, or Wine, or Oyl that you come for: but the light of his Countenance. Tell him, oh tell him it is the pardon of your sins, and justification in the bloud of his Son, that is to you the mercy of all mercies, which you above all things stand in most need of; and that (if he would please to give you leave) this is all your desire and humble boldness; by the hand of faith to touch his golden Scepter, to take hold of his tender mercies in Christ, and live.
It may be he will say, as in the Gospel, Son! arise; Daughter! arise; be of good chear, thy sins are forgiven thee.
I could even bitterly mourn, that this sacred mercy, this fundamental mercy is no more in all our thoughts. Men may weary themselves in wide discourses to find out wherein their chief happiness consists, and who is at length the happy man: But alas! the wise man needs not glory in his wisdom, the rich man may forbear boasting in his riches. We may once for all,Psal. 32.1. 5 An holy care to walk worthy of Christ in all our waies. once for ever conclude with David, It is he, and none but he, whose sins are pardoned, whose iniquities in Christ are covered, who is the truly blessed man before the Lord.
Fifthly, If God shall shew this great mercy, in the fifth place be you careful to return the answer of a good conscience; and give up your selves intirely and unf…inedly to the Lord in a truly gracious life. Therefore indeed hath the dear grace of God appeared in the world, to enoble our conversations above the principles or course of nature to an higher life, the life of grace. And if any shall ask more narrowly, what Christianity means: We may answer in the language of that holy *Christianorum om…is religio sine sc…lere, & sine macula vivere. Lact.man, This is the sum of the Christians Religion, to live free from sin and wickedness in the world.
It is manifestly the highest testimony and commendation that we poor creatures are ever able to give to Religion; when we do not barely complement it, Ephraim-like, with †No… magna loquimur: sed magna …ivimus. Min…r. Felix.goodly words: but practically offer our selves (such as we are) to the service of it; endeavouring to acquit our selves in the just performance of great and gracious things.
The Christian (saies the *Christianus …emo …ecte dictur; nisi qu Christo mo ibus prout val … co…ua…ur. Cypr.Father) then, and then only shews himself worthy of his Christian name when he walks in his Conversation Christianly. By this shall men know that we like our Religion indeed, that we account the Lord faithful, and his righteous waies worth our careful walking in. The Gospel deserves it, men expect it, we should fulfil it.Mic. 4.5. All people (are ready enough and) will walk every one in the name of his God: and let us also (though upon better grounds) walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.
But alas! herein Christianity covers its face, sits down with tears upon its cheeks, and bewailes it self as one neglected, too much neglected on all hands. Me thinks I hear its groanes as in the Lamentations, Is it nothing to you, oh! all you that pass by? You that are called Christians, and which is yet more, you that have come forth as Protestants from the Corruptions of former Ages, that ye might (as Israel going out of the Land of Egypt) the better serve the Lord; when, oh when shall wisdom be practically justified of these her children?
The profane man doth the Devils work with all his might; he runs violently to the utmost excess of riot. The worldly man his heart taketh not its rest in the night; he is drudge enough, and enough to the world for the recompence he is ever like to have from it. These spare no pains: but act like themselves, too true to their principles (such as they are) whereever they come. But oh! the professors of the everlasting Gospel, how do they faint in the head of the Streets! How cold and weak are they! How sparing and slow to adorn the Doctrine of God and our Saviour! With Ananias and Saphira we keep backpart of the price. We offer the form, but too often withhold the power. Oh Sirs! if we have judged Religion worth professing: let us also judge it worth the practizing. It may be our care and labour of love may one day be found as a sweet memorial before the Lord.
Dear Youths! You will meet with many (it may be) possing a Iehu's pace in the *Omnes dispulare …. Sen.Opinions and Traditions of men, (for indeed a carnal forwardness in such things, whether on the right hand, or on the left, costs us not much, it is self-grown, nature can afford it.) But oh Lord! how rare a thing doth it still remain! to find an Hezechiah, that can testifie upon his deathbed in what uprightness he hath walked before the Lord all his life. Israel may be as the sand by the Sea-shore for common profession: but these will still be too near the Lords reckoning, One of a City, and two of a Tribe, that is very few.
Wherefore I will even entreat you to revive that sweet Inscription which was once engraven upon Aarons breast-plate, oh! Copy it out fair in your lives, and be ye Holiness to the Lord. Let this be your kindness to that sacred Name of God by which you are called; not to leave it (as too many do) subject to everyones *In nobis Christus patitur opprobrium; in nobis lex Christiana patitur maledictum. Salvian. 6 A recourse in all our sorrows to the Comforts of Religion as our best Cordials.reproach by the carelesness of your carriage: but by the cleanness and vertuousness of your deportment whatever you can to make it a praise in the Earth.
Sixthly, When at any time your tender hearts shall be desirous to refresh and ease themselves from the sorrows of this life: Evermore go to God and the sweet comforts of Religion.
This was the solemn counsel and farewel the Jews were wont to leave with their dearest Friends when most overwh…lmed with sadness,foreign consolatiotem tobis e Caelis Optamus. Majem. We wish you (as the best Cordial) the comforts of heaven.
We might herein not without just indignation say (as Elijah once did) Is it because there is no God in Israel, that men send to Baal-Zebub the God of Ekron? Is it because the All-sufficient God is become as an empty Vine, that there is such hurrying after the world and its fading comforts? The provocation and indignity that is herein offered to the Lord is exceeding high; it is in effect a denying of that God that is above. Oh that men would not deal so dishonourably by Religion. That whereunto we appeal for our future salvation: in the name of God let us therewith consist for our present consolation.
It was from hence the Martyrs drew all their joyes. They justly might, and did thank the Lord for it, that their Prisons were to them as Palaces; their chains as so many bracelets of Gold. It was Religion that feasted them in their dungeons; that enabled them to write so cheerfully to their Friends, (as many of them did) I am in the esteem of men in hell for outward misery: But I am in my own sense as in heaven for all inward comfort in the Lord.
And it is from hence that we also (if we be not wanting to our selves) may as well draw waters of joy for our souls out of the Wells of salvation. Dear Children! be perswaded whenever you have occasion in the day of your sadness to make use of Religion, it may be you may find it your best comforter in the whole world.
Cheerfulness is indeed that Mannah which nature is so desirous as oft as may be to taste of: and God is as freely willing that we should have it. He hath provided that for us;Psal. 79.11. Ioy is sown for the righteous. And he hath invited us to that, Rejoyce in the Lord ye righteous, Psal 32.11.and shout for joy all ye that are upright in heart.
You may soon find in the Lord all apposite and sutable comforts for every condition. There is an estate for the poor, strength for the weak, a Father for the Fatherless, pardon for the bleeding sinner, healing for the broken in heart, a better world for those that are graciously weary of this, immortality and blessedness for all that choose and love it. Heaven and happiness so transcendent, so glorious, that we may modestly say, the *Ad illud coelum coeli, etiam terrae nostrae caelum terra est. Aug.heavens which we here behold are but as earth, without form and beauty, in comparison of that Heaven of heavens which God hath appointed for the everlasting rest, the true home and habitation of his people. Such a God and such comforts are enough, when ever we are to walk through the valley of the shadow of death we need fear no evil, these joyes of the Lord may be an everlasting strength unto us.
There can be no affliction so sad, but you may arise and lead your captivity captive. You may make the proudest of them, as Adonibezek, serve under your Table.
Or as Tamberlane did by his conquered foes, make them draw at your Chariot wheels, and serve to the encrease of your triumph. Let the fiercest Lion come against you when it will, you, as Sampson, may overcome it, and may propose it as your Christian Riddle,Judg. 14.14. that out of the eater (the most devouring affliction) can you fetch meat. Religion allows all its true followers to rejoyce in the very face of tribulations, knowing that they (how unlikely soever) yet work for us a far more exceeding eternal weight of glory.
There can no outward enjoyment whatsoever come to your hand, but it might be hereby refined and improved seven-fold unto you. Your bad things might be made good: and your good things better. This, this is that true Philosophers stone, that turns all into Gold, all into Mercy. We know (saies the Apostle, and it is no dubious conjecture: but a truth may be safely built upon) all things work together for good to them that love God.
Once more then sweet Children! let me commend you to God and the comforts of his grace. Be not your own foes. Seek not the living among the dead; *Quaerit… quod quaerit…, sed no… … quaeritis. Aug.look not for comfort where it is not: neglect it not where it is to be had. But humbly say unto God, Thou oh Lord! shale be my hope: Thy Word and thy Promises my Souls Comforters in the land of the living.