A Christian Library, Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII.
Sixthly, Wouldest thou have God to prosper all that thou hast, or doest: then get grace to serve him, so shalt thou be blessed, in all places, and delivered from all temporal evils, as it is Deut. 28. Nor can it be other in reason. For, if when the Ark of the Covenant, (which was a sign of Gods presence) was in the house of Obed Edom, then the Lord blessed him, and all his house: how much more shall that man be blessed? in whose heart even God himself, by his Spirit dwels; and by his grace, which is a more sure, and infallible sign of his presence then was the Ark. So that if thou beest wise, thou wilt more esteem of grace, and Gods blessing accompanying it; than thou wouldest of Iasons Golden Fleece: or the great Chams Tree-full of Pearles, hanging by clusters.
Seventhly, Wouldest thou with all these, have all peace and joy? than get Grace and Holinesse. For as the Vnicornes horn dipped in the fountain, makes the waters which before were corrupt and noysome, clear and wholesome upon the suddain: so whatsoever estate grace and godlinesse comes unto, it saith like the Apostles, Peace be to this house, peace and happinesse be to this heart, to this man, &c. That Regeneration is the only best Physick for melancholy, I can sufficiently evidence, out of fifty years experience. I most gladly acknowledge, that when I was in my natural condition, without the pardon of sin, and some assurance of Gods favour: I seldome wakened in a morning, but my heart was as heavy as lead; as fearing an hell, after that purgatory: which since my heart was changed, I have not, I blesse God, been acquainted with. An old Disciple of Christ, being asked the cause why he was ever such a merry man, answered: when I was a young man, I studied how to live well; and when I became an old man, I studied how to dye well; and so desiring to seek God in this his Kingdom of grace, and hoping to see him in his Kingdom of glory, one day to me was better, than a thousand unto those, who weary themselves in the waies of wickednesse, and destruction.
Now if grace and Gods favour, brings such peace and joy: what fools are sinners? to deprive themselves of it. What mad men are Misers? As how do their hearts droop with their mammon? How do they weary and turmoyl themselves, vex their spirits, torment their consciences, making themselves a very map of misery, and a sinke of calamity? Whereas it is nothing so with the servants of Christ.
Perhaps at their first conversion, they are much troubled in mind, (though it fares not so with all) and conscience; for their long and grievous offending, so good a God; but that sorrow is soon turned into joy, and abundantly recompenced. When the Angel had troubled the waters, in the Fool of Bethesda: then stept in those that were diseased, and infirm; and were healed. It is Christs manner, to trouble our souls first, and then to come with healing in his wings. Yea the very teares of repentance are sweet: whereas the covetous mans heart, even in laughing is sorrowfull, and the end of that mirth is heaviness, Prov. 14.13.
An evil life, sales Seneca, causeth an unquiet mind: for as the least moat in the eye, hinders the ease and sight of it; or as the least gravell in the shooe, hinders the traveller in his comfortable going; or as the least bone in the throat, hinders our eating, and threatens to choake us: So the least sinne in the soul unrepented of, hinders the peace, and joy, and hope thereof. But least (which is not likely) I should glut you with joy, observe with me
In the eighth place, That there is nothing can be wanting to a man, but grace and Gods favour will more than supply it. When reverend Calvin was upbraided by the Papists, with the want of Children in marriage, he could answer; That is nothing, for God hath instead of such children, given me many thousand children, of far more excellent kind, and of nobler breed through the whole world. And surely a man shall see, the Noblest works and Foundations, have proceeded from childlesse men: which have sought to expresse the Images of their minds, where those of their bodies have failed.