The Case and Cure of a Deserted Soul, Chapter 37

The Case and Cure of a Deserted Soul · Chapter 37

p. 506CHAP. XXXVII. The Cauſes and Cure of this ſad condition.

HAving ſeene what a wofull caſe a man is in when God withdraweth, let us now weigh the Cauſes for which God dealeth thus with his people.

Cauſe. 1 1 To put a difference betwixt heaven and earth. God is wont to fit his actions to times and ſeaſons; Iſrael was a childe as well as we, yea the firſt borne, yet that Church had not ſo much of him, as the Churches of the Chriſtians: It was not a time forfulneſſe, while the Church was in her Infancy; God dealt with them as with children in minority, he gave them much of the world, and leſſe of heaven; the Spirit of adoption was poured out more fully when the Church was growne more full. And as God reſerved much till the Gentiles were called, that when his gueſts were more fully met, he might ſet out more p. 507abundance of his proviſion; ſo God will keepe the rich ſtore of conſiſtent and abiding comforts till the great day, that when all the family ſhall come together, he may poure out the fulneſſe of his hidden treaſures upon them. We are now but in the way, and it is fit the beſt ſhould come laſt; we are but yet in the morning of the day, the feaſt is to come; in the meane time a running banquet, a break-faſt, a taſte ſhall ſuffice to ſtay the ſtomach, till the time come that the King of Saints with all his friends, ſhall ſit downe together at the Royall Feaſt.

If you ſend your ſonne to travel, you give him leſſe than his inheritance, and you will ſend them forth by Sea and Land for your ends; ſo God hath ſent you abroad, you are but travellers, therefore muſt not thinke it ſtrange if you meet with ſtormes, and weary daies, and if you have not ſo conſtant a preſence of God with you. The difference of this life and the next, is not ſo much in the kindes of comfort, as in the degrees and continuance of them; this p. 508life hath ſuch a preſence of God, as is with a kinde of abſence. We know this, That while we are preſent in the body, we are abſent from the Lord, 2 Cor. 5.6.

This life is but our ſeed time of comfort, Pſal. 97.11. and the ſeed will have a time to be out of our hands, uſe, and ſight, till the harveſt come.

Now is working time, and the time of fight, and ſervants and ſouldiers muſt not expect any ſetled reſt, till their ſervice is done, and the warres ceaſe. There remaines a reſt for the people of God, Heb. 4.9.

All the Saints that have gone before us have found ill dayes and hard times, yea Ieſus Chriſt himſelfe till his houre came that he ſhould be glorified, had trouble in the world, yea he dranke of this cup, which wee have in hand. This makes heaven ſweeter, and puts the ſoule upon more longings for it, becauſe there it knoweth it ſhall not feare, nor ſorrow any more.

Conſtant joyes in ſuch a condition as this is in the world, ſute not more than conſtant feaſtings in times of heavineſſe; p. 509we are freed from the power of ſinne but in part, ſo we are but in part freed from afflictions. And it is probable, except grace were more abundant, that conſtant peace would have ill conſequents. Paul was tempted after his exaltation that he might not be exalted. Comfort belongeth not to ſanctification, but glorification, therefore the fulneſſe of it is kept till wee bee ſet in glory. Comfort is the reward of holineſſe, therefore the perfection and ſtability of it is kept till that time when holineſſe ſhall be perfected; and the perfection both of grace and peace is deferred, that when Chriſt ſhall appeare in glory, this may ſet out the day. When Chriſt came in the fleſh, God powred out much of his Spirit at his aſcenſion, and will powre it gloriouſly when all ſhall be conſummate; then Chriſt ſhall ſhine among all his Saints, and the fulneſſe of their perfections, as the Sunne attended with all the ſtarres in their brighteſt glory.

Till that time, while you are children under tuition, and at ſchoole, you will p. 510meet with frownes as well as ſmiles, and correction daies as well as play daies; and it is well the day is comming that hath no night, and joy that hath no ſorrow with it.

Cauſe. 2 Second Cauſe, in Iudgement to the world: God might ſend out his Saints as ſtarres in glory, that all eyes might gaze on them, but he will not; all things are in a myſtery and hidden to the world, the graces of the Saints hid under many infirmities, and the comforts of the Saints under many ſorrowes, in juſt judgement upon the world. God is wiſe and knoweth how to fit the ſame things for many ends. Chriſt came in a poore eſtate, and his glory and majeſty was covered with a cloud and mantle of a meane outſide; and why was this? It is true, it was for ſatisfaction of Juſtice, for the ſinne of his people; but it was alſo in Judgement to the world; he was a precious one, yet becauſe hee came not in State and pompe, he was a ſtone refuſed of the builders, and ſo a ſtone of ſtumbling, and a rocke of offence, 1 Pet. 2.7, 8. And becauſe the Goſpel p. 511came not with humane dreſſe and externall ornament; The preaching of the croſſe, is to them that periſh fooliſhneſſe, 1 Cor. 1.18.

God hath not ſtooped in the matters of heaven to ſenſe, as he hath in the matters of the world; he will not ſend unto men any from the dead, nor yet ſhall any walke among men with ſhining robes of heavenly glory. The things of this life, are ſeene, and taſted; but Spirituall things are conveyed moſt in a ſpirituall way. If Adam had continued in his integrity, God would have manifeſted himſelfe to the world as a man to his friend, and not onelyonly faith and reaſon, but the ſenſes ſhould have beene bleſſed in communion with God; but now he ſo diſpoſeth of all things, that even his people walke by faith, and not by ſight: he will not give ſuch a ſenſible demonſtration of his bounty to the world, that it may juſtly periſh in its wickedneſſe, if it will not beleeve Moſes and the Prophets, and if they will not beleeve the Goſpel.

The world is led by ſenſe; though p. 512the Scriptures teſtifie of the excellency of redemption, and adoption, and of the great happineſſe of the Saints, yet they fooliſhly caſt away faith and the word, and run to ſenſe; and finding the heires of glory to be often ſad, beholding not their comforts, but their ſorrowes, they conclude that the way is worthleſſe, and that religion is but a ſower grape, and as bitter waters, and as the way of the deſart.

Cauſe. 3 Third Cauſe: To eſtabliſh them in more full comforts xxNube ſelet pulſa candidus ire Dies. Ovid.: there was darkneſſe before light in the world: after the ſtrong winde which rent the mountaines and brake the rocks, came the ſtill voyce in which God was, 1 Kings 19.11, 12. And as God often ſends great comforts before great afflictions in the world, (Chriſt was transfigured in the Mount before his great agonie in the garden) ſo he often premiſeth affliction of the ſoule before great comforts, and the ſoule is ſetled the more afterward, as the tree is rooted more by ſhaking: It is Gods method to bring firſt to Aegypt, and through the Sea, and p. 513wilderneſſe, and then to Canaan. The Apoſtle prayeth that they may bee ſtrengthened and eſtabliſhed, but when? After yee have ſuffered a while, 1 Pet. 5.10.

When the ſoule hath paſſed through ſtraits, and hath ſeene the wonders of the Lord in the deepes, it is advantaged much, to further eſtabliſhment.

1 Becauſe that comfort and evidence which comes ſo immediately from God is ſtrongeſt, when a man hath beene taken off from all his foundations, and God hath appeared unto him in the deſart, it is a ſtrong demonſtration of his love, and wins the heart to much love, and to ſtrong confidence; as if a friend when he is offended, and hath us at an advantage, ſo that he may in juſtice, and can undoe us, if then he ſpare, and not onelyonly ſo, but is as Eſau to Iacob, turning wrath into love, and anger into compaſſionate kindneſſe, this much knits us to him to love him and cleave to him, as a good and a faſt friend indeed.

p. 5142 God gives much proofe and evidence of the truth of grace which he hath wrought in them, when he makes them ſee they had hearts that could love him, even when it was doubtfull to them whether he loved them; when the truth of grace is evidenced clearely, it brings much comfort, and what greater evidence of an upright heart, then to follow God when he ſeemes to flye away; and to love him when hee ſeemes to abhorre and hate them, to weep upon him in love when he ſeemes armed with weapons of deathyyQui nec iratum ceſſat colere numen. Sen Diis fruitur iratis, ſuperat & creſcit malis.; and to powre out the ſoule to him, when hee ſeemes to be powring downe fire and brimſtone upon them.

3 It gives hope that if darke clouds do ariſe, yet they ſhall be ſcattered againe; the ſenſe of former troubles may helpe to conclude that ſuch deeps are paſſable; and the ſoule will be apt to ſay there is hope concerning thiszzO paſſi graviora: Daus dabit his quoque finem. Virg. experience of mercy is a great helpe to faith, and holds up the ſoule, that it will not fall ſo flat, and lie ſo long under diſcouragements againe; It will helpe p. 515and furniſh the heart to pray much, becauſe God hath beene intreated in ſuch times before; and to ſay as the Apoſtle, having delivered us from ſo great a death, in him we truſt, that he will yet deliver us, 2. Cor. 1.10.

4. It workes more cloſing with Chriſt: the death of comfort occaſions a greater life and ſtrength towards Chriſt, both in deſire of him, and dependance upon him; and for this cauſe God ſhakes the ſoule with earthquakes, that it may ſtand faſter upon its true baſis and foundation; that which at firſt brings the ſoule to Chriſt, is his worth, and our need: and the more wee ſee our ſelves neceſſitous, the more our hearts gather in to Chriſt; the ſoule muſt have ſome reſt, and if it finde none within nor without, it is carried to Chriſt, as Noahs Dove to the Arke; That which is the firſt coard to draw to him, hath alſo a ſtrength to bind to him; therefore God gives his people ſad viſions of ſin, and wrath, that by being ſhaken, they may roote themſelves more in Chriſt; this was Gods great …ime to ſet up his p. 516Son, as the hope and helpe of his people, and as that glorious meanes, by which hee may diffuſe the beames of his mercy and love upon men; and hee loves to ſee the Saints advancing him, by flying to him and abiding in him.

And the more they goe forth to Chriſt, and ſeeke the Father in the Son, the more they are bleſſed; Chriſt is the rock of the Saints, and when they are knit to it, they ſtand faſt; the nearer they are to Chriſt, the nearer are they to all happineſſe; God will not looke friendly upon the ſoule but through Chriſt; he will not poure out the ſpirit of comfort but through him; and as comfort comes by comming, ſo the oftner the ſoule comes, and the more it converſeth with Chriſt, and reſteth on him, the more comfort it will finde at laſt: Chriſt will tell you many ſecrets, and open his fathers boſome to you, when you ſtick cloſe to him.

And this advantage comes by deſertions, that the ſoule is ſo frighted with thoſe ſtormes which it met with, that it is afraid to bee any more out of p. 517its harbour; but ſeekes to dwell under the wing of Chriſt, and to keepe cloſer to him than ever it did before; and ſo this affliction brings forth the peaceable fruit of righteouſneſſe in them which are exerciſed thereby, Heb. 12.11.

Cauſe. 4 4. Cauſe: The correcting and healing of ſome evill in his people: He doth it for their profit, that they may be partakers of his holineſſe, Heb. 12.10. There are many things in the Saints which are very repugnant to that filiall ſtate, in which they are ſet by grace; and it is no wonder if God take ſuch courſes, wherein he ſeemes not to bee a father to them, that are not as children to him: I will inſtance in ſome particular evils, which God will not beare with, but doth viſit in his people, with this and other rods.

1. Deadneſſe, and dulneſſe of heart: Sometimes living men are in a liveleſſe ſtate, their hearts are ſo benummed that they ſeeme to lye among the dead; the former vigor and activity of their graces is gone, and they are become barren and unfruitfull; now as in a lethargie, or apoplexie, Phyſitians uſe ſtrong and p. 518ſharpe medicines; ſo God caſts the ſoule into a feaver, to get off this ſtupidity, and hangs their ſoules over the mouth of hell, and makes them to drink of that cup of red Wine, the dregs whereof the wicked of the earth ſhall wring out and drinke, Pſ. 75.8. that by this ſtrong potion, he may quicken their dull and ſleepie ſpirits. Deadneſſe is ſuch a ſtate, in which a man is neither receptive nor active, neither fit to receive good, nor to do good; and ſuch a caſe is not tolerable: for in this, Gods ends are ſtopped; for he calleth out his people to be veſſels to receive mercy, to hold forth his name; but he can doe neither that is dead: Nature it ſelfe loves not a dead thing, it is both unuſefull and uncomely, for where life faileth, there is corruption; as in the body, a mortified member doth putrifie, and not onelyonly it ſelfe, but others; therefore as a man uſeth all meanes to recover the life and ſpirits in his body, ſo God doth with his people: David lay in a ſlumbering drouſineſſe a long time, but at laſt when he lay like Ionah, ſleeping by the ſides p. 519of the ſhip, hee ſent a ſtorme into his ſoule to awake him, then he revives like another man.

2. Feareleſneſſe of God: this is a temper to which the Saints are apt to grow: as Children are wont to grow ſawcy and preſumptuouſly malepert and irreverent, till the fathers frowne and majeſticke auſtereneſſe take down their ſpirit. God will not be careleſly dealt with, though he allow us confidence and holy boldneſſe in approach to him and converſe with him, yet he expects a due ſenſe of his Majeſtie and greatneſſe; Let us have grace whereby we may ſerve God with reverence and godly feare, for our God is a conſuming fire, Heb. 12.28, 29. Though he be a father, yet he is a terrible, an holy, and an Almighty God; And therefore to correct the ſinfull boldneſſe of his people, and to cauſe them to ſtand in awe of him, hee ſometimes ſhuts in his favour, and keeps ſtate by concealing himſelfe, as the Perſian Kings ſhunned familiaritie, and were ſeldome ſeene, that they might be moreaaPerſona Regis ſub ſpecie majeſtatis occulitur. Iuſt. l. 1. honoured. The feare p. 520of God is one of the maine pillars of his throne, and ſo farre as he is not our feare he is not our God; therefore he hath ever ſhewed himſelfe, in his power and greatneſſe unto men; when he came to give the Law, hee came in great Majeſty, with fire, blackneſſe, and darkneſſe, and tempeſt, and the ſound of a Trumpet, &c. and ſo terrible was the ſight, that Moſes ſaid, I exceedingly feare and quake, Heb. 12.18, 19, 21. yea and in the Goſpell it was foretold, that God would ſhew wonders in Heaven above, and ſignes in the earth beneath, blood, fire and vapour of ſmoake; the Sun ſhall be turned into darkneſſe, and the Moone into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come, Ioel. 2.31. Rom. 10.13. Acts 2.19, 20, 21. When he came to publiſh peace to the Gentiles, hee came with great terror in judgement upon the Jewes, and ſtruck off the branch naturall, that the Gentiles might not be high minded but feare, Rom. 11.20. And in particular perſons he ſo workes by intermixtures of frownes and favours, majeſty and mercy, that they may p. 521learne to walke as thoſe Churches did, In the feare of the Lord, and the comfort of the Holy Ghoſt, Acts 9.31.

It is not a ſervile ſeare, or a feare of diſcouragement which God expects; but a feare of reverence, a feare intermixed and tempered with love; there is a great difference in feares; a man feares a beaſt and runs from him; a man feares an enemie, but hates him; but a child feares his Father and loves him: yea therefore hee feares, becauſe hee loves; they ſhall feare the Lord and his goodneſſe, Hoſ. 3.5.

3. Slightneſſe of heart: there is a certaine wantonneſſe and trifling diſpoſition in the heart, that men are apt to bee ſuperficial and imperfect in their waies, and this God viſits upon them.

1. Dallying with ſinne: they will be playing with ſnares and baits, and allow a ſecret liberty in the heart to ſin, conniving and winking at many workings of it, and not ſetting upon mortification with earneſt indeavours; though they be convinced, yet they are not perſwaded to ariſe with all their might p. 522againſt the Lords enemies, but doe his worke negligently, which is an accurſed thing, and for this cauſe God caſteth them upon ſore ſtraits. The Iſraelites ſhould have done the worke perfectly, when they were commanded to roote out the Canaanites, but becauſe they were ſlack, and did it but by the halfes, therefore God left them as a ſcourge, and as briars and thornes to be alwaies an affliction to them. When you are preſſed to fight for Chriſt, and have taken up armes againſt the rebels in your hearts, if you fight not with all your ſtrength, and purſue the victory to the utmoſt, till you finde your enemies dead before you; God may give you into their hands, to lead you into captivity, and to hold you in chaines that will eate into your ſoules, and may in this diſtreſſe ſtand afarre off as one that knoweth you not.

2. Dallying with duties; men doe them as if they did them not; without heart, in a looſe, lazy, formall, liveleſſe manner; and when there is ſuch idleneſſe, and negligence, and indiſpoſedneſſe, p. 523God comes in a way of anger, to whip up the ſlothfull and unfaithfull ſpirit; Duties of godlineſſe are not onelyonly a debt to God, but a reward to us, therefore in ſlightneſſe, there is not onelyonly unfaithfulneſſe, but unthankfulneſſe alſo; both the Majeſty and the Mercy of God is deſpiſed; and can God be well pleaſed with ſuch things? Remember the Wiſemans counſell, Whatſoever thine hand findeth to doe, doe it with thy might, Eccleſ. 9.10. You are in an evill frame of heart, when you can doe the weighty things of God with ſlightneſſe; and becauſe you ſerve God ſo, hee therefore comes with a kinde of expulſion and baniſhment, and throweth you out of his ſight, that you ſee what it is to dallie with God.

3 Dallying with Ordinances: Slight and careleſſe attendance upon them; God comes in a way of gracious condiſcenſion, and ſtoopes downe with offers of grace and mercy, to poore duſt, and ſets before them Jeſus Chriſt, the moſt precious treaſure of heaven and p. 524earth, and calls them to a neare conjunction, and communion with himſelf, and holds forth precious promiſes of life; but what is the carriage of the ſoule? It neyther mindes theſe, nor vouchſafeth God in all his goodneſſe, ſo much as a looke; or if it be affected, yet but little; it makes no great haſte, nor uſeth much ſollicitouſneſſe, or pains about the matter, but as if the things were of no great importance, it is very moderate, and eaſie in making towards them: neither that high hand that holds them forth, nor that bloud that bought them, nor that worth that is in them workes much, but all is ſlighted; and therefore God comes in the quarrell of theſe high things, to vindicate them from our contempt, and teacheth the ſoule by the ſenſe of miſery to value mercy, and by the feare of hell to prize Chriſt, and to be more ſerious in the Ordinances, as meanes of that good, which they have learned to eſteeme, by the want of it. The Apoſtles rule is to worke out our ſalvation with feare and trembling, Phil. 2.12. Salvation is a p. 525tender buſineſſe, and of great concernment, and therefore will not be dallyed with; What thinke you? Shall God ſet that before you which is better than the world, for you to abuſe? you your ſelves take away the bread when the childe playeth with it; and ſhall the bread of life be ſlighted? ſhall God ſtand waiting upon you with calls, and calls, and with gracious offers, and will you dally with him? Hence is that black cloud which now darkens the heavens over you. You are growne wanton, and except the Goſpel come in a dreſſe to pleaſe you, you ſlight it, therefore God puts you into ſtraits, and then you will come with a ſtomackbbNum tibi cum ſauces urit ſitis, aurea quaeris pocula? Hor. Ser. l. 1. Sat. 2., and in earneſt.

4. Living too much upon the creature.

Queſt. When is that?

Anſ. 1. When it takes up ſo much of a mans time, ſtrength, thoughts, affections,When a man lives too much on the creature. ſpirits, that he is unfitted for God; when the ſoule is ſicke with a ſurfet of the world, drunk with cares, feares, delights, ſo that the heart is ſtollen away, p. 526and an indiſpoſedneſſe groweth upon the ſoule towards God. This was Solomons caſe, till God fetched him by imbittering his waies to him. The world is allowed for a way, or Inne in our travells, but not for our home; to be a ſtaffe in our hand, but not to have a throne in our hearts. For this cauſe God raines downe wrath and bitterneſſe upon our ſpirits to weane us from the world, and thruſts out Hagar to give Sarah more full poſſeſſion.

22 When a man cannot be without the world; When it gaines ſo much in our opinion, and affection, that we thinke there is no life or ſubſiſtence without it; this is that for which God comes and takes off the ſoule with a ſtorme, and reſcueth the poore captive with violence that was held in chaines, and makes him to ſee of how little uſe theſe things are in an evill day. When the ſoule falls to adulterous leagues with the world, that they are ſo conjoyned, that it lives and dieth with the world, God brings his bill of divorce, and turnes off as it were the diſloyall ſoule to her miſerable p. 527lovers, that it may ſee the folly and wickedneſſe of its way.

33 When a man can live without Chriſt; the pleaſantneſſe and abundance of earthly contentments have ſo bewitched him, that he becomes like a Prince that hath ſuch fulneſſe that hee can raigne without Chriſt, and ſaith in his heart, as thoſe, We are Lords, we will come no more unto thee, Jer. 2.31. Oh what unworthy carriage is this? What is Chriſt ſhut out, that the world may raigne? Expect God ſaying and doing to you as he did to them; Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me, daies without number. Thou ſhalt goe forth with thine hands upon thine head, for the Lord hath rejected thy confidences, and thou ſhalt not proſper in them, Jer. 2.32, 37. While the Sun ſhines, and the Sea is calme, you may ſport your ſelves in the deepe, but when the ſtorme comes, then the harbour will be precious. God will teach you that your life is in Chriſt, and in a day of feares, and affrightments of ſoul, you will ſay, p. 528None but Chriſt, none but Chriſt; God will bring all the enemies of Chriſt under his feete, and if there be a treacherous diſpoſition, like Ioab exalting Adoniah into the throne of David, God will bring it downe; Chriſt muſt have his owne place, the throne muſt not be given to another. If you ſo ſet up the world, that you count it happineſſe, and ſeeke it more than Chriſt, and are more carefull to leave this then Chriſt unto your children, God will arme himſelfe againſt you to ſubdue this treacherous conſpiracy and rebellion againſt his anointed.

5 Intractableneſſe and ſtiffeneſſe of heart; this is another cauſe of the clouding of our comfort. God deales with the heart by coards of mercies, and by bonds of affliction, but mercies move not, and afflictions prevaile not, therefore God takes another courſe; as Phyſicians, when gentle meanes profit not, apply ſharper. God wil not loſe any whom he hath called; therefore if they be ſtubborn, and ſtand like rocks againſt all ordinary meanes, he will come upon p. 529the tendereſt part, and uſe the ſharpeſt way; and when he comes in ſtormes and clouds, who can abide it? his rebukes are more terrible than thunder. The ſpirit of a man may ſuſtaine his infirmities, but a wounded ſpirit who can beare? Now the ſoule is hard ſet, and comes upon her knees to ſubmit her ſelfe, and melts like waxe, and yeelds to any thing; it ſeeth an abſolute neceſſity of agreement with God, when it is beleaguerd with ſuch trouble on every ſide. David had enough upon him to have humbled him, but his heart was ſtrong, till God put the cup of trembling into his hand; and this wrought ſo, that it fetched up all, and brought the man in frame.

Clay is eaſily molded, but the marble muſt have many blowes; the Sun beames will melt the ſoft, but braſſe muſt be put into the fire. A tender ſprig is eaſily nipped, but a ſtiffe Oake muſt be hacked and hewed before it falls. A ſtout ſpirit brings much ſorrow upon it; It is a grievous temper, if it be not bowed to God, it groweth worſe and p. 530worſe; if it be bowed, it is often with great violence; in naturall cauſes reſiſtance increaſeth the vigour and operation of contraries; when fire and water meet in ſtrong oppoſition, how doth the ſtronger rage, till he have got the victory? If a man enter the liſts with a ſtout & a ſtrong Antagoniſt, he calls up all his ſpirits and power that he may get the conqueſt: If a King ſend to deale with rebells, if neither proffers, nor patience, nor counſells, nor favours can prevaile, he armes himſelfe againſt them. God will overcome: if faire meanes doe not the worke, then he awakes himſelfe as a Lyon, and comes as a man of warre, and lets flye his arrowes into the ſoule, Iob 6.4. God tryed Ephraim divers waies, but his heart yeelded not; at laſt when warning pieces did not bring him, God mounts his Canons againſt him, and gives him a broad ſide; For the iniquity of his covetouſneſſe I was wroth, Iſay 57.16.17. and then hee ſtrikes ſayle and yeelds, Ierem. 31.19.

6. Rigidneſſe and unmercifulneſſe to the ſpirituall ſtate of others; the p. 531Saints are ſometimes much wanting in bowells of pitty and tenderneſſe, and apt by cenſures, neglects, contempts, and rough dealing to break the bruiſed reed, & it is hard to pitty much till they have felt much: for this cauſe Chriſt was a man of ſorrowes that we might be aſſured of his compaſſionccHaudignara mali miſeris ſuccurrere diſco Dido. Virg. In all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a mercifull, and faithfull High Prieſt in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the ſinnes of the people; for in that he himſelfe hath ſuffered being tempted, he is able to ſuccour them that are tempted, Heb. 2.17, 18. God chooſeth broken veſſels to powre comfort into, that it may diffuſe it ſelfe upon others; Whether we be afflicted, it is for your conſolation, 2 Cor. 1.6. Senſe of the paines of a wounded ſpirit, makes the heart tender, and God loves ſuch a ſpirit; he abhorres pride, inſolence, and unmercifulneſſe in all, but moſt in his children; It is very unnaturall for fellow-members to be incompaſſionate one to another. The relation requires love, and p. 532love calls for mercy. Chriſt is full of meekneſſe, and will not quench the ſmoaking flaxe, nor breake the bruiſed reede: and he that abounds in mercy loves mercy.

What if thy brother be low in gifts and grace; yet know you not that the beauty of Chriſts body is made up, as of the ſummetry and congruity, ſo of the inequality of members? and the leaſt infant in grace is as the apple of his eye: take heed of deſtroying by your uncharitable carriage, the Temple of Chriſt, or cauſing thoſe to grieve whom he would not have grieved; Is it for you whom he hath ſpared, to deale ſo with your fellow ſervant? your hard dealing is the way to bring you into priſon, and to lay you in chaines.

What if he be poore and meane? yet looke not over him with diſdaine, Have not the faith of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, the Lord of glory, with reſpect of perſons, James 2.1.

In this you are corrupt Judges, Iudges of evill thoughts, ver. 4. theſe are choſen of God, rich in faith, heires of the Kingdome, p. 533ver. 5. If ye deſpiſe the poore, it will occaſion men to blaſpheme that worthy name by which you are called, ver. 7. The Law ſaith, If thou love thy neighbour as thy ſelfe, ye doe well, ver. 8. You muſt be judged by this Law, and hee ſhall have judgement without mercy, that hath ſhewed no mercy, ver. 13.

What if thy brother have many failings, or have offended; remember the rule; Brethren, if a man be overtaken with a fault; reſtore ſuch a one in the ſpirit of meekeneſſe, conſidering thy ſelfe, leſt thou alſo be tempted. Be are ye one anothers burthens, and ſo fulfill the Law of Chriſt, Gal. 6.1.20. Edoms ſinne was great, becauſe he added affliction to Iacobs troubles; Thou ſhouldeſt not have ſpoken proudly in the day of diſtreſſe, &c. As thou haſt done, it ſhall be done to thee, thy reward ſhall returne upon thine owne head. Obad. 12.15.

7. Some great tranſgreſsion: there are dayly infirmities, which have a pardon in courſe, but though God be mercifull to the weakneſſe of his ſervants, yet if they ſinne willingly, and put out p. 534the light of Counſell, he will put out the light of comfort. If they breake the bonds of his government, he will caſt them into bonds of diſtreſſe. David is a viſible and knowne patterne in this caſe. Sometimes the Saints take head and run like the wilde aſſe in the deſart, till her monethmonth come, in which ſhe hath t…avell and ſorrow; and ſometimes they wound the honor of the goſpel, & ſo bring a wound upon themſelves; a ſword is ſheathed in their ſoules: and ſometimes they will run to their old waies, and this reneweth their old feares, and breeds new troubles; ſometimes they lye long unhumbled, till God awake them with rods, and raiſe them by kindling a fire about them; rebellion brings many loads; diſobedience and impenitence are ſprings of bitterneſſe; a fire comes out of this bramble, to burne the Cedar of Lebanon.

Cauſe. 5 5. Cauſe: to ſhew that He is the God of all comfort, 2 Cor. 1.4. He keepes the ciſterne empty, that wee may looke to the Clouds above, that the pleaſant p. 535fruit of peace, hath her rootes in Heaven; our owne hearts, though they may bee planted with pleaſant trees, yet of themſelves bring forth nothing but bryars. And God loves to ſhew himſelfe the Lord of theſe treaſures of comfort, that the heart may have no dependance but in him, and that it may alwaies feare, becauſe hee can ſoone turne the cleareſ… day into the darkeſt night. Comfort is not given us in abſolute poſſeſſion, but wee are alwaies tenants at will. If God will, hee can in a moment lay our hopes and joyes in the duſt, and ſtrip us of all our garments of joy, and turne us into mourning; And as light in the aire, but as water, not in the ſpring, I but in the veſſell, ſo it may ſoone bee cut off. God needs not goe farre to feeke a rod to whip us with: if he doe but withdraw his comforting Spirit, our ſpirit will ſoone proove an afflicting ſpirit. The peace of the ſoule, is by vertue of the power and preſence of God, but if hee depart, all is in uproare; our owne thoughts will bee as ſcourges; the Roman Emperours, kept p. 536Lions to deſtroy the Chriſtians; and our hearts are grates and dens of Lions, if God let them looſe, on the rendings that are by them! if God keepe not garriſon, the enemies will breake in; ſo that all our peace is from him: the brighteſt ſtarre that ſhines moſt with light of comfort, derives it from the Sun of righteouſneſſe. And therefore that they may have a ſight of that darke and diſmall nature of their owne hearts, he ſhuts in his light; and then when the ſoule lieth in a mournefull and diſtreſſed caſe, in deepes where it findes no nottome, and whence none can deliver; when a man ſeeth al creatures ſtanding as dead pictures, and reckons himſelfe paſt all hope; then, I ſay, God ſheweth himſelfe to bee the God of comfort, by commanding light to ſhine out of darkneſſe, and quieting the high and raging ſtormes, which did beare downe all before them.

Cauſe. 6 6. Cauſe: To revive their eſteeme of mercy: When a man is firſt brought out of Babylon, bee is as thoſe that dreame, the heart is full of gladneſſe, p. 537and the mouth of praiſe; the birds ſing ſweetly in the ſpring. When a man is newly brought out of the pit, and delivered from the ſorrowes of death which did compaſſe him about, and from the paines of hell which gate hold of him, while the prints of the chaine are on him, and the ſcarres of his hurt remaine, he ſaith as David, I love the Lord, becauſe he hath heard my voice, and my ſupplications, Pſal. 116.1. I was brought low and he helped me; Returne unto thy reſt oh my ſoule, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. For thou haſt delivered my ſoule from death, mine eyes from teares, and my feet from falling. The ſoule is in a float at preſent; but when the daies of mercy continue, the remembrance of the daies of ſorrow weares off, and the fire of love begins to abate, and Chriſt is not of ſo high account: though at firſt hee was the chiefeſt of ten thouſands, the joy of their hearts; yet now his love and kindneſſe groweth ſtale, therefore God ſends back the ſoule into her old priſon, to feele the weight p. 538of her ancient irons and chaines, and cauſeth her to put on her old caſt garments of mourning, that ſackcloth and aſhes which ſhee wore in the daies of old, that by laying this rod upon her, as the Prophet ſpread himſelfe upon the dead child, a new life comes into the dying love; and now mercy is raiſed to its former price, and Chriſt is advanced on high: now the ſoule returnes with redoubled ſtrength, and with multiplied and increaſed thankfulneſſe.

Cauſe 7 7. Cauſe: That others may be inſtructed. Sometimes God chuſeth the moſt eminent to ſet them out as demonſtrations of this, That aſſurance is not eſſentiall to holineſſe, that their conjunction is not indiſſoluble: weake ones might have thought their cauſe worſe, if they had ſeene much grace alwaies, attended with abundant joy; but now God ſheweth, that comfort and rejoycing is not alwaies the portion of the Saints; that ſo in their darke nights when they ſee no light, they may live in hope that the Sun will riſe: though their way be a darke way, it may be a ſure way.

p. 5398. Cauſe: Cauſe. 8 To fit for ſpeciall ſervice: They that goe downe into the deepes, ſee many wonders which others know not. Experience gives wiſedome. Many are kept in a low way, and have neither ſtrong feares, nor ſtrong joyes; theſe are not as Davids Worthies, but are Chriſtians of the lower rank, common ſouldiers; many are carried much aloft in great hopes, and flaſhes of joy, but they much overlooke the things below; many infirmities and failings lye undiſcovered: But when God fetches the ſoule downe, and ſets it to dig beneath, this man is more enlarged in true wiſedome and holineſſe, and carrieth a fuller knowledge of ſinne, and Chriſt, and of hell and heaven, than other doe, and ſo is made a ſtronger and more compleat man. As he that hath beene in all conditions, and hath travelled through ſea and land, and ſeene many Countries, gaines an excellency by his experience above others: An bome-bred ſpirit is a low ſpirit; God will not doe much with many, but leaves them to this worke mainely to p. 540ſave their owne ſoules; but he will uſe ſome as his agents and factors in his great deſignes and affaires of mercy, & therefore traines them up to the knowledge of heights and depths. Some are ordinary paſſengers, and it is enough for them to looke to themſelves being able to doe but little for others; but ſome muſt bee Pilots, and therefore muſt bee acquainted with winds, and ſeas, and rocks, and ſands, that they may not onelyonly ſave themſelves, but others.

Afflictions come not empty handed, but like a darke cloud bring much after them; there are many things which a man cannot learne in bookes, but hee muſt learne it in himſelfe; a Scholler may read and acquaint himſelfe with the Art of navigation, but that will not make him a good Marriner; nor will the ſtudie of warre make a ſouldier, but experience makes both.

God doth all, as in great freedome, ſo in great wiſedome, and having appointed men to ſeverall ends, he leads them in ſeverall ends, and workes them in p. 541ſeverall moulds; out of the ſame lump hee makes ſome differing from others in forme, quantity, and excellency; ſome metall which is for higheſt uſe he caſts often into the fire. It may bee God may call you out to ſuffer much for him, and deſertions are great preparations; partly becauſe they give much experience of the vanity of all creatures; he hath ſhewed you, learne how little they availe in the day of wrath; ſo that you may ſee you part not with ſo great matters, if you doe part with the world. God hath ſhewed you that life is not in them, and that you may live without them; And partly becauſe having felt greater evils, you are more encouraged to indure the leſſe. You will not feare to fight with a ſtrippling, after you have encountred with a Goliah. Moreover, in the greateſt deeps, have you not ſeene how all your feares have vaniſhed, and all your ſorrowes paſſed away by the light of Gods countenance ſhining forth upon you? and ſo you ſee that the joy of the Lord is ſtrong. It is a ſigne of muchaaAfflict'… dat intellectum: quos Deus diligit caſtigat. Deu… optimum quemque out mala valetudine, aut luctu affuit Sen. love p. 542and that you are highly ſet by with God, when he thus leads you into ſeverall ſtates, for this is to lead you by the hand to ſee all that may bee ſeene; and if hee did not intend much good, hee would not beſtow ſo much worke upon you; you ſtand in this in the greateſt conformity to CHRIST, when through many tribulations and afflictions you enter into glory.

God keepes you from much ſoyling by conſtant rubbing; and uſeth the ſanne ſo much to blow away the chaffe, and keepeth you awake by theſe ſtirres; ſome troubles ennoble the ſpirit of a ſtate, which would degenerate into effeminacy by conſtant peace: winds fanne the aire and purge it, and the running and reſtleſſe waters are moſt cleare.

This may ſuffice to have pointed at ſome Cauſes of Gods cutting off the comforts of the Saints.

Having hitherto treated of the Caſe of the afflicted ſoule; I now come to the Cure. The CureI ſhall not need to enlarge my ſelfe much here, having beene ſomewhat p. 543copious in the Cure of the firſt kind of deſertions. There are two ſorts of men that walke much without the conſolations; In the firſt, the cauſe is naturall; in the ſecond, ſpirituall.

As for the firſt,Of melancholicall perſons. who are oppreſſed with melancholly, that darke and dusky humor, which diſturbes both ſoule and body; their cure belongs rather to the Phyſitian than to the Divine, and Galen is more proper for them than a Miniſter of the Goſpell: It is a peſtilent humor where it abounds, one calls it the devils bath.Balneum diaboli.

Theſe men cannot walke clearely; but as a light in a darke Lanthorne ſhines dimly, ſo is the ſoule in ſuch a body; the diſtemper of the body cauſeth diſtemper of ſoule, for the ſoule followes its temperaaMores ſequuntur temperaturam corpovis. Gale….; this diſeaſe worketh ſtrange paſſions and ſtrange imaginationsbbTerribilia de fide, hurribilia de divinitate., and heavy concluſions. It is not poſſible ſuch a man ſhould be quiet, till he be cured; the ſeas rage not more naturally when the windes blow, than this man: hee may ſometimes be elevated as it were into the third heavens, p. 544but anon he will bee brought as it were into the loweſt hell. But I leave ſuch with this adviſe, when they finde their temper to be naturally or accidentally melancholike, to uſe all ſuch waies as God hath prepared in a naturall way; for as the ſoule is not cured by naturall cauſes, ſo the body is not cured by ſpirituall remedies.

But I ſhall direct my ſelfe to thoſe whoſe heavineſſe of ſpirit is from ſpirituall cauſes.Of the ſleepie ſoule.

Theſe perſons are of two ſorts, 1. Sleeping.

Theſe perſons are of two ſorts, 2. Awakened.

Firſt, there are ſome ſlumbering and drowſie ſpirits who are fallen from their former comforts, and know it, but make up that want in the creature, in which they take delight, living in the meane time without God. As it was in the former kinde of deſertion, ſo it is in this, God is departed, and either men know it not, or minde it not, but beare their dolefull loſſe with a ſtupid and a ſinfull patience, or rather with a ſtupid dulneſſe. But if you finde your ſelves in ſuch a caſe, conſider what a contempt p. 545of God this is to bee willing to live without him, and to powre out your hearts upon the creature: you muſt looke for a bitter ſcourge, except you repent; or elſe God will leave you to walke on to your graves in a dull and a low way. It is a wofull change, to deſcend from communion with God and Chriſt, to theſe poore things below; And how little doe you ſet by all precious promiſes, the favour of the great and eternall God, and the blood, and love, and preſence of Jeſus Chriſt, that can bee content to live in ſuch a ſtate? Looke upon others, how their ſoules have melted when God hath beene eſtranged from them; where is your love, faith, feare, hope, life, that you can indure to be ſo? if theſe were not all aſleepe, you would take up a cry for your former happineſſe, and ſit downe and weepe over your preſent miſery. Is the loſſe of a friend in the earth ſo grievous, and is a friend in heaven of no more account? you live in a ſpirituall adultery, becauſe your huſband is neglected, while other things p. 546are entertained. Awaken your ſelves, and ſeeke to regaine your former peace and joy in God.

Secondly,Of the awakened ſome are awakened, and ſee their loſſe, and are affected with it: this ſort, though it have more ſorrow, yet is in a better way than the former.

I will to both theſe propound ſome 1. Perſwaſives.

I will to both theſe propound ſome 2. Directives.

For perſwaſion conſider.Motive. 1. Comfort is your ſtrength.

1. That comfort is your ſtrength: The more a man ſeeth and feeleth the love of God, the more the heart is eſtabliſhed. There are three great aſſaults and trials that a man is expoſed to.

1. Tentations to ſinne: He that will walke in the way of God, ſhall not alway ſaile in a calme, the great Leviathan will ſhew himſelfe, hee whoſe victories have beene many, even among the higheſt Saints. Now if your hearts bee filled with comfort, you have a ſtrength greater than the world. For the manifeſtation of divine love is the incendiary of love, which is ſtronger than death. So long as love to Chriſt is p. 547kept up, the heart is ſafe, love is a ſtrong garriſon, and makes the ſoule impregnable. And while you keepe a freſh and cleare ſight of the love of God and Chriſt, it feeds love, and keepes it up in ſtrength. Adde to this, that comfortable enjoyment of God, doth carry the heart aloft; it makes the converſation to be in heaven, and while a mans way is above, he is ſafe from the ſnares below. Then the heart is in danger to bee enſnared when it wanders in the creature; as the foule is in danger when ſhe is upon the earth, but when ſhe is mounted upon the wing then ſhee is ſafe.

2. Inward accuſations: the world may accuſe, but that is not ſo ſhaking as when Satan caſts in objections; hee is a ſubtile ſophiſter and comes oft with ſnarling and cunning diſputes, and except you be well ſetled, hee will drive you from your ground: except God cleare the ſtate of your ſoules and give evidence to your graces, you will not bee able to hold up againſt Satan; I ſpeake this to ſuch who live with low p. 548comforts, and content themſelves with darke evidences; though you may hold out till you be ſet upon, yet when that comes, you will finde your ſelves weake.

3 Outward ſtraits: what if a day of trouble come? you may ſee changes, you have no ſure hold of any thing under the Sun; and what ſhall ſupport you in ſuch a time? what an heavy thing will this be that you ſhould finde trouble in the world, and no peace in heaven? Spirituall comfort would make you undaunted and ſtrongiiSi fractus illabatur orbis, impavidum ſerient ruinae. Hor. Preme, Preme, ego foreign. Lypſ. Auſeret pecunias? at babet in coelis: Patriâ dejiciet? at in coeleſlem civitatem mittet: vincula injiciet? at habet ſolutam conſcientiam: carpus interficiet? at iterum reſurget: cum umbra pugnat qui cu… juſto pugnat. Chryſ.; What need he care whither he goeth that ſeeth Jeſus Chriſt with him? you have heard of the patience of the Martyrs, and of their ſtoutneſſe; ſuch was their courage, that it could neither be corrupted, nor daunted; water could not quench it, famine could not ſtarve it, fire could not burne it, wilde beaſts could not devoure it; and what was that which gave them this ſtrength, p. 549but the ſight of him that is inviſible, and the ſenſe of his favour and preſence? a ſpirit of glory did reſt upon them. The Apoſtle acknowledgeth the force of peace towards God, and comfortable acceſſe to him; We rejoyce in hope of the glory of God, and not onelyonly ſo, but we glory in tribulations alſo, Rom. 5.2.3. This was that which made him ſay, for which cauſe we faint not; but though our outward man periſh, yet the inward man is renewed day by day, 2 Cor. 4.16.

He is well fenced that is invironed with ſalvation, and that hath Chriſt with him; he reckons not much of the world, when he is ſure of heavenkkQuam ſordet mihi terra cum Coelum intueor?; therefore ſeeke to get abundance of comfort; labour to recover your loſſe, you will have need of all; what will you doe when you come to dye? how ſad will death be, when you are going you know not whitherllAnimula vagula, blandula, quae nunc abibisin loca? A drian Si des pauliſper vivere, auri puri mille talenta me hodie tibi daturum promitto. Megapetus apud Lucian Motive 2. Hurt done by ſadneſſe Motive 3. Recovery is poſſible.? but death is but a ſhadow to him that meetes it with aſſurance of life.

2 Your ſadneſſe doth hurt to your ſelves, waſting your ſtrength, and to others by diſcouraging them.

p. 5503 Your recovery is poſsible: you may attaine to your former comforts.

1 The ſame way is open ſtill, there is the ſame mercy in God, the ſame Mediator, the ſame promiſes.

2 You are not now in farther diſtance from peace with God, than in former times; are you not now as capable as then when God found you in your bloodmmQui fecit mundum ex mundo. Chryſ., in enmity againſt him, in darkneſſe, in bondage unto every luſt, altogether without him? did God appeare to you when you ſought him not, and will he not be found when you inquire after him? is not his promiſe to revive the ſpirit of the contrite? Eſay 57.

3 Others have recevered: David was in theſe deepes, yet he was reſtored; this teſtimony God hath, that he is the God that comforteth thoſe that are caſt downe, 2 Cor. 7.6. therefore live in hopennSperate & voſmet rebus ſervate ſecundis..

4 He hideth his face that you may ſeeke after him: he goeth from you, that you may ſeeke after him; and the promiſe is, that they that ſeeke ſhall p. 551finde, hee will open to them that knocke.

5 You have aright to peace and comfort, for it is that which Chriſt dyed for, and which he hath left as a legacie to his people; Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, John 14.27.

Sit not therefore under diſcouragementsooNemo d… ſperct meliora lapſus. Nondum omnium dierum ſoles occiderunt. Philip., ſay not there is no hope, take heed of hard thoughts of God, who is a father of mercies; but incourage your ſelves in your GodppPeritus medicus poteſt omnes ſanare infirmitates, ſi miſericors vult. Fulg. Omn potenti medico nullus languir inſanabilis occurrit, tu tautum doceri te ſine, manum ejus ne repelle, &c. Aug.; weeping & mourning are good fruits of love, but you muſt not ſtay here, but reach after that which is before you: this ſhall ſuffice by way of perſwaſion.

Now for direction let me propound a few counſells.

I Seeke the Father in the Sonne: Counſell 1. Seeke the Father in the Sonne.Happily you have not held up Chriſt in your hearts, and for your ſtrangeneſſe to the Son, the Father hath eſtranged himſelfe; goe and carry Chriſt in your p. 552armes, for he is deare unto him, and the Father hath determined to powre out all his love through the Son; Chriſt is ſet before you, ſtirre up your ſelves to take hold of him; if you will come to him, you have the Fathers heart. You make your caſe to be Chriſts caſe when you come to him, and he cannot bee denyed: the Fathers mercies melt at the Sons mediation. You may pray and weepe, and lift up your voyce on high, but execpt you come in Chriſt, all will not profit. Then a man comes in Chriſt, when he thankfully accepts of the offer of Chriſt, and devolves his cares upon him, deſiring in his heart that Chriſt would undertake for him, and then beleeves that he ſhall be accepted; any one of theſe wanting, you come not in Chriſt. 1 You muſt entertaine the offer of Chriſt, counting him worthy of all acceptation. 2 You muſt caſt your ſelves upon Chriſt, elſe hee will not undertake for you; holy dependance engageth him, and makes him your friend. 3 Then you muſt beleeve that you ſhall finde God a friend; for p. 553except you believe the promiſe, Chriſt will not move for you. But when you are thus come to him, then he will not faile you; the Son will be faſt to you, him that commeth unto me, I will in no wiſe caſt out, John 6.37. this is a precious word. Chriſt will not ſhut the doore upon you when you come: when you caſt your ſelves into his armes, he will not, no, he will not caſt you out, you have a ſure hold; when you fall into his armes, you fall into his heart, and being in his heart, you will be ſure, that if he have any power with the Father, he will worke your peaceqqMulto efficacior Chriſti mors in bonum, quam peccata noſtra in malum. Chriſtus potentior ad ſalvandum quam Daemon ad perdendum. Bern..

Why doe you afflict your ſelves? if you beleeve, you ſhall be eſtabliſhed; Chriſt will carry you in to the Father, and will draw out his kindneſſe towards you. And know, that if the Father love the Son, hee will ſhew favour to his friends: and who can expreſſe that love that Chriſt beares to a mourning ſoule that flyeth for refuge to him? his love was ſuch that he died for you, and will he not ſpeake a good word for you?

p. 554You ſit poring and ſearching for pillars of hope within you, and beſtow much paines to anſwer, your owne feares, but the ready way to make the buſineſſe cleare, is by going to Chriſt; ſtand not ſo much upon this quaere, Whether you have believed in truth or no, but put all out of doubt by a preſent faith. The doore is open, enter and live, you may more eaſily build a new houſe and fabricke of comfort by taking Chriſt, then repaire your old dwelling, and cleare all ſutes that are brought againſt your tenure.

Heare, Chriſt calls you; Come unto mee all yee that are weary and heavy laden, and I will refreſh you, Matth. 11.28. And, Ho, every one that thirſteth come, &c, Eſay 55.1. Let him that is a thirſt come, and whoſoever will, let him take the waters of life freely, Apoc. 22.17. And now will you not goe? Oh, that you would goe; how ſoone would your mourning bee turned into joy, and your ſadneſſe into gladneſſe? how would thoſe everlaſting p. 555armes of mercy embrace you? and you ſhould have future happineſſe in a kinde of preſencerrPulchewimam inſulam videmus, etiam cum non videmus. Lypſ ep. ad Cambden..

22 Seeke peace much: Be not weary, but ſtrengthen your ſelves in the promiſe, let this pillar hold up your trembling hands, for he that ſhall come, will come, and will not tarry; Seek muchBehold hee commeth, and his reward is with him. Oh me thinkes I ſee the fountaine opening it ſelfe to the thirſty, I ſee the clouds diſſolving; prepare your veſſels, ſtay a while, for I heare the ſound of many waters; you are at the right doore, knock, and knock hard, the Lord is there, there dwells everlaſting mercy; Harke how the Saints ſing for joy, looke in and ſee Paradiſe, and rivers of joy feeding them; how came they to get in but by lying at the gate? hold on, for in due time you ſhall reape if you faint not, Gal. 6. My friends, theſe are not dreames, but they are reall truths, which Jehovah will make good to them that believe. You come it may bee, but you come not in faith, and you ſtay not with patienceffFutura expect…ns preſentibus angor. Sen., conſult p. 556with reaſon and with the Scriptures; Is there a way to God or no? if yea, which is that way? If God tell you this is the way, then walke in it, wait in it; and though you have loſt your comfortable enjoyment of Chriſt, yet I ſay to you as the Angells to them, This ſame Ieſu… which is taken from you, ſhall ſo come as yee have ſeene him, Acts 1.11. Therefore keepe your eyes upward, pray much, and the heavens will open; when you beleeve and pray, you have the key of heaven in your hand; thoſe everlaſting doores will open to you; therefore hold up your ſelves in ſeeking, it may bee you may meete with fire, and a tempeſt, and ſtormes, but ſtay, and the ſtill voyce will come.

33 Come in much love to God: come as a friend,Come in love. then come and welcome: many deſire eaſe, and defire to be delivered from wrath and hell; but come in love, deſire God to bee your friend, and bee willing to bee his friend; let love ſhew it ſelfe in two things.

p. 5571 Lament thy ſinne: that hath cauſed a ſtrangeneſſe betwixt God and you. Come weeping for ſinne, and humbled for thy unkindneſſe, and all is forgiven. You thinke too meancly of God, when you thinke hee hath much adoe to pardon you; He is ready to forgive, and he overfloweth in pardoning mercyttMagnam injuriam Deo facit, qui diffidit de ejus miſericordia. Aug. Bonitas invicti non vincitur, infiniti miſericordia non ſi… tur. Fulgent. Tua quidem malitia menſuram habet, Dei autem miſericordia menſuram non habet; tua malitia cir cumſcripta eſt, &c. Chryſ. Hom. 3. de poenitent. Si bis, ſi ter, ſi centies, millies peccas, coties p… tentiam age, &c. idem.. He expects your acknowledgment and repentance, and then you are friends.

2 Come with new and ſtrong engagements of heart: bring your ſelves as an offering to him, and ſacrifice your ſelves upon that golden altar, Jeſus Chriſt; ſay, Lord if thou wilt love me, I will love thee; be thou mine, and I am thine, and will be thine.

Thus two old friends ſhall renew their friendſhip, and they that were at a diſtance, ſhall meet in love; he that did depart ſhall returne with kindneſſe, and p. 558he that was forſaken, ſhall be received with mercy; and the ancient joy which was in heaven at his firſt converſion, ſhall bee renewed at his reſtauration. Now clap your hands ye heavens and earth, for the ſonne that was loſt is found, and he that was dead is alive: The exile is received, and a covenant of peace is renewed betwixt a man of ſorrowes, and the God of peace, through the Prince of peace; to whom be praiſe for ever.

FINIS.

End of the text · Joseph Symonds, The Case and Cure of a Deserted Soul (1639)