Rules for the Government of the Tongue, Text (5 of 6)

Rules for the Government of the Tongue · Text (5 of 6)

p. 2464 Means of comforting others, is experience, both our own and others.

1 Our own experience of Gods dealings with us, in ſuch like conditions, and of the comforts wherewith God hath comforted us, to the end that wee ſhould comfort others therewith, 2 Cor. 1.3, 42 Cor 1:32 Cor 1:4as Paul and Timothy did; Bleſſed be God, &c. who comforteth us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort them that are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we our ſelves are comforted of God, ver. 6. whether we bee afflicted, or comforted, it is for your conſolation and ſalvation. Experiences are principles of ſtrong conſolation, theſe made Chriſt himſelf a more ſympathizing and compaſsionate High Prieſt. The heart is the place from whence comfort cometh in experience, …eb. 4.15and whither it goeth in influence; the greateſt experiencers are the greateſt comforters; yea, we may comfort others, not only with the comforts we have received immediately from God, but which we have had in others, 2 Cor. 7.6, 72 Cor 7:62 Cor 7:7God comforted Paul not by Titus his coming only, Verſ. 13but by the conſolation wherewith he was comforted in the Corinthians, for his ſpirit was refreſhed by them all; Verſ. 13Paul was p. 247comforted in the Corinthians comfort. To this end we ſhould comfort our ſelves, bee Phyſians, and practiſe upon our ſelves, by applying Cordials of reaſon, Scripture, and experience to our ſelves, according to our needs, looking up to God, for his bleſsing, to ſet them home to our hearts, and make them effectual. This will make us able to comfort others which are in any trouble, and that not from our heads, but from our hearts alſo, when we can tell others what ſupported, revived, or refreſhed our ſpirits under ſuch and ſuch diſtreſſes and droopings. Pſal. 119.1…Ps 119:1I remembred thy Judgements of old (ſaith David) and have comforted my ſelf. This is the way to preſcribe Cordials to others with a Probatum eſt, or experto crede, when Peter is converted that is, recovered from his fal, Luke 22.31Luke 22:31then he muſt ſtrengthen his brethren, help them with his experience.

2 We ſhould comfort others by the experiences others have had of Gods mercies to them.

5 Means of comforting others. The exerciſe and evidence of our Graces, for that is matter of great joy and comfort to the godly, who ſee or hear the ſame of us; as

1 Faith and love. Rom. 1.18, 12Rom 1:18Rom 1:12I long to ſee you (ſaith Paul to the Romans) that I may impart unto you ſome ſpiritual gifts, that is, that I may bee comforted with you by the mutual love both of you and me; thus writes Paul to the Theſſalonians, 1 Theſ. 5.6, …1 Thess 5:6when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that yee have good remembrance p. 248of us, always deſiring greatly to ſee us, and wee were comforted over you in all our affliction and diſtreſs, Phil. 2.1Phil 2:1by your faith. There is great comfort in love, not only in the exerciſe, but in the evidence of it to others. We have great conſolation in thy love (ſaith Paul) becauſe the bowels of the Saints are refreſhed by thee brother. Philem. 7Phlm 1:7And other holy affections, as Deſire, and Grief: God comforted us (ſaith Paul) not by the coming of Titus only, but by the conſolation wherewith he was comforted in you, When he told us your earneſt deſire, 2 Cor. 7.72 Cor 7:7your mourning,) our ſervent mind toward me, ſo that I rejoyced the more.

2 Conſtancy in the truth and work of the Lord. Now we live (ſaith Paul) meaning the life of conſolation, 2 Theſ. 3.8, 92 Thess 3:82 Thess 3:9if yee ſtand faſt in the Lord. Ariſtarchus, Marcus, and Jeſus who is called Juſtus, were a comfort unto Paul, becauſe when others forſook him, theſe only continued to bee his fellow-helpers unto the Kingdom of God. Col. 4.11 2 Joh. 4. & 3 Joh. 4Col 4:112 John 1:43 John 1:4This was Johns great joy, that he found of the elect Ladies children walking in truth; that made Paul ſo deſirous to hear of the Churches ſtate, that hee might have joy and comfort in their perſeverance, Phil. 2.19Phil 2:19and progreſs in holineſs, I truſt in the Lord Jeſus to ſend Timotheus ſhortly unto you, that I may be of good comfort when I know your state.

Sixth means, of comforting others, is prayer to God.

1 For comfort to be conveyed into the hearts of others, …ol. 2.1, 2Paul (its probable) wreſtled with God by prayer for the Coloſſians, and for p. 249them of Laodicca, that their hearts might bee comforted.

2 For the gift or faculty of comforting others to be given to us, Iſa. 50.4Isa 50:4the tongue of the learned, which God hath promiſed, that we may know how to ſpeak a word in ſeaſon to him that is weary. It is a ſpecial and excellent gift to be able to comfort afflicted ſouls, worth beging of God by prayer.

Fifth Rule. Conſider the perſons who are fit to be comforted, as

1 In general, Gods people above all others, for it is their portion, it is the childrens bread that muſt not be given to doggs. Iſa. 48.22Isa 48:22There is no peace (nor comfort) to the wicked, Cap. 40.1, 2ſaith the Lord. But, comfort yee, comfort yee my people ſaith your God, ſpeak yee comfortably to Jeruſalem, and cry unto her that her warfare is accompliſhed, and her iniquity is pardoned. Paul ſent to comfort the Saints, and Beleevers at Rome, Corinth, Epheſus, Coloſſe, and Theſſalonica, Chriſt ſaid to the Woman diſeaſed twelve years, Daughter be of good comfort, Mat. 9.22Matt 9:22thy ſaith hath made thee whole. They are the fitteſt ſubjects, and beſt bottles to pour the water of comfort into, to them of due it belongs, therefore give it to them.

2 Weak and faint ſouls, 1 Theſ. 5.141 Thess 5:14We exhort you brethren (ſaith Paul) comfort the feeble minded, ſupport the weak. Such as are dejected with fear or feeling of tentations, or afflictions, or duties, or toſſed too and fro with fluctuations of mind, that have little ſtrength to perform Duties, or bear Croſſes, or reſiſt Tentations, or wait for Promiſes, ſuch ſhould be ſupported, p. 250ſtrengthened, Iſa. 35.3, 4Isa 35:3Isa 35:4and encouraged. Strengthen yee the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees, ſay to them that are of a fearful heart, be ſtrong, fear not, &c. The Shepheards of Iſrael are ſharply reproved for this. Ezek. 34.4 2 Cor. 7.6Ezek 34:42 Cor 7:6They ſtrengthened not the weak, God himſelf comforts them that are caſt down, ſcil, in their mindes, and hearts, and lye low in their own eyes; the humble, or the abjects, as the Old Tranſlation hath it; if this be a glorious act of mercy in God, ſure it can be no leſs than an honourable duty in man.

Third ſort are Mourners for ſin, for want of Gods preſence, and for miſery.

1 Mourners for Sin, who are deeply humbled in the ſight and ſence of their ſins, and in the apprehenſion of Gods diſpleaſure againſt them, ſuch have need, and are fit to receive comfort, Acts 2.37, 38Acts 2:37Acts 2:38as the Jews when they were pricked in their hearts at Peters Sermon, and the Jaylor when he came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, Act. 16.29, 30, 31Acts 16:29Acts 16:30Acts 16:31ſaying, Sirs, what muſt I do to be ſaved? And the Excommunicated perſon, when he was a true penitent for his ſins. Paul writ to the Church of Corinth to forgive him, and comfort him, leſt ſuch a one ſhould be ſwallowed up with overmuch ſorrow, even for ſin; for ſorrow is a Gulf, which when it exceeds, will devour. And the Woman in the Goſpel, that had been a notorious ſinner, Luk. 7.37, 38Luke 7:37Luke 7:38when ſhe ſtood at Chriſts feet behind him, weeping, waſhing them with her tears, wiping them with her hairs, and kiſſed them, that is, humbled her ſelf low before him, then Chriſt comforted her, — he ſaid p. 251unto her, thy ſins are forgiven; Verſ. 48. Mat. 5.4.Matt 5:4Chriſt hath pronounced them bleſſed that mourn, and promiſed they ſhall be comforted, and his ſervants (not only Miniſters but people) muſt be his inſtruments to perform the ſame. Iſa. 57.18.Isa 57:18God promiſeth to reſtore comfort to penitentiall mourners.

2 Mourners not only for ſin, but for want of Gods preſence, and the light of his countenance, as thoſe that walk in darkneſs, and ſee no light, or go mourning without the Sun, as wives when their husbands are gone from home, Job 30.28.Job 30:28and Children when their Parents are in a far Country. The Children of the Bridechamber have need of Comfort, when the Bridegroom is taken from them, and they mourn for his abſence.Mat. 9.15.Matt 9:15

3 Mourners for miſery ought to bee comforted, as for neceſſities, death of friends, perſecutions, or any outward afflictions, as the Jews Captives in Babylon, God gave charge they ſhould bee comforted (ſo ſome underſtand that place) by publiſhing to them the approach of their deliverance, Iſa. 40.1, 2.Isa 40:1Isa 40:2that their warfare was accompliſhed; that is, their ſeventy years captivity were expired, or drew to an end. Job implyes this when he ſaith, hee dwelt as a King in the Army, as one that comforteth the mourners. Job 29.25.Job 29:25To him that is afflicted pity ſhould bee ſhewed, that is, comfort ſhould bee given from his friend (ſaith Job) and hee that refuſeth to do it, Job 6.14.Job 6:14for ſaketh the fear of the Almighty. Comfort is as needfull as Wine to bee given unto thoſe that bee of heavy hearts, Pro. 31.6, 7.Prov 31:6Prov 31:7that p. 252they may drink and remember their miſery no more.

The Fourth Sort are ſeekers of Chriſt, Cant. 3.1, 2.Song 3:1Song 3:2theſe are objects of comfort; as the Spouſe when ſhe ſought her Beloved up and down, night and day; in her bed, and in the broad wayes. The watchmen ſhould have comforted her with tidings of her beloved, but did not; yea they ſmote and wounded her, Ver. 3. Cap. 5, 6, 7, 8.while ſhe was in purſuit of him, and ſick of love for him. And the women that came to the Sepulcher to ſeek their dead and buried Saviour. See how an Angel comforts them, fear not, for I know that yee ſeek Jeſus which was crucified, Mat. 28.5.Matt 28:5hee is not here, 6for hee is riſen, go quickly and tell his Diſciples that hee is riſen from the dead, 7and they departed with fear and great joy. Chriſt himſelf appeared to Mary Magdalen, 8when ſhee was weeping, and ſeeking him at the Sepulcher. Joh. 20.11. to 19.John 20:11–19Mary, ſaith hee to her, Rabboni, that is Maſter, ſaith ſhe to him. Cryers after Chriſt ſhould bee comforted, as blind Bartimeus was (probably) by the Diſciples, when hee cryed vehemently; Jeſus thou ſon of David have mercy on mee, — they ſaid unto him, bee of good comfort, behold hee, i. e. Chriſt, calleth thee, and hee caſting away his garment aroſe, and came to Jeſus. Mar. 10.49, 50.Mark 10:49Mark 10:50Theſe four ſorts, to wit, Saints, weak ones, mourners, ſeekers, are ſons of Peace, and capable of comfort, to bee ſons of Conſolation.

The Sixth Rule. Write Letters, ſend Meſſengers, and take journeys of purpoſe to comfort others.

1 Write letters of conſolation to the afflicted, p. 253as Paul did Epiſtles, which are conſolatorie letters to the Churches, Rome, Corinth, Epheſus, Colloſſe, &c. and to particular perſons, as Timothy, Titus and Philemon, and the other Apoſtles, James, Peter, John, and Jude, writ Epiſtles purpoſely to comfort, as well as to inſtruct. Jeſus Chriſt did write letters by the hand of his Secretary John, to the ſeven Churches of Aſia to comfort them that were capable of it, and fit for it, Rev. 2.10, 11. cap. 3.10, 11.Rev 2:10Rev 2:11as the Church of Smyrna, and of Philadelphia. God uſeth the tongue to comfort them that are preſent with us, and God bleſſeth the pen to comfort thoſe that are abſent, and at a diſtance from us. Some have done God and his people much good ſervice this way, as Divines both ancient and modern; The Martyrs in priſon, and many ſince, as Mr. Paul Baynes, whoſe Chriſtian pithy letters full of divine Counſels and Comforts, have been and are of ſingular uſe.

2 Send Meſſengers to comfort others, as Paul a Priſoner at Rome ſent Tichicus a faithfull Miniſter, Col. 4.7, 8, 9.Col 4:7Col 4:8Col 4:9and Oneſimus a beloved Brother to the Coloſians, purpoſely to know their ſtate, and to comfort their hearts, Epheſ. 6, 21, 22.Eph 6:21Eph 6:22to perſwade them to patience, and perſeverance; and Tichicus to the Empheſians. 1 Theſ. 3.1, 2, 5,1 Thess 3:11 Thess 3:21 Thess 3:5Paul ſent Timothe us from Athens to the Theſſalonians, to eſtabliſh them, and to comfort them concerning their faith. Paul was greatly comforted by the return of his Meſſengers from the Churches, and by the tydings they brought him of their gracious ſtate, and proſperous affairs, 2 Cor. 7.6, 7,2 Cor 7:62 Cor 7:7as by the comming of Titus from the Church at Corinth, and of Timothy from the Church of Theſſalonians.1 Theſ. 3.6, 7.1 Thess 3:61 Thess 3:7

p. 2543 Take journeys to comfort ſuch as are caſt down, and diſconſolate, even the preſence and viſits of friends are comfortable. Paul beg'd of God hee might have a proſperous journey to the Saints at Rome, (for hee longed to ſee them, to impart, ſome ſpirituall gift to them, to eſtabliſh them, to comfort them, and to bee comforted in them, Rom. 1.10, 11, 12.Rom 1:10Rom 1:11Rom 1:12by the mutuall faith of them, and him. For the ſame end and purpoſe Paul prayed exceedingly night and day, to ſee the Theſſalonians face, 1 Theſ. 3.9, 10, 11.1 Thess 3:91 Thess 3:101 Thess 3:11and that God the Father, and God the Son would direct his way unto them. So much of the Rules. Now follow the Reaſons why wee ſhould comfort others, which may bee drawn from four heads.

1 The neceſſity and commodity of comfort, in reſpect of others.

2 The miſery of them that want it.

3 The excellency of the duty it ſelf.

4 The equity of it in reſpect of our ſelves.

1 Reaſ. The Neceſſity and Commodity of comfort in afflictions, in reſpect of others, both ſouls and bodyes, as well as our own.

1 Comfort is needfull and uſefull for the ſpirits of others, in ſix reſpects.

1 To ſupport them, or bear them up from ſinking under the preſſures of troubles inward, or outward. Comfort is that to an heart (that is loadened with grief) to uphold it, which a prop or ſhore is to a houſe, that is ready to fall; which a hand is to one that is oppreſſed with a heavy burden to take it off; or which a ſhoulder being put under, is, to help him to bear it. Pro. 18.14.Prov 18:14The ſpirit of a man (being ſhored up with Comfort) will ſuſtain his infirmities, p. 255but a wounded ſpirit (that wants the healing plaiſter of Conſolation) is intollerable; it is like a prick in the ſhoulder that hath a heavy burden upon it, who can bear it?

2 To quicken them, or keep life in their ſpirits; and to preſerve or recover them from fainting, and ſwounding. Comforts are reviving cordialls. Comfort is the life of our ſpirits, yea the life of our lives; without which life would bee no life, but a lingring death. Now wee live (ſaith Paul) if ye ſtand faſt in the Lord, that is, 1 Theſ. 3.8.1 Thess 3:8our lives are made comfortable to us by the joy and comfort we take in your ſtedfaſtneſſe, that is, wee injoy the comfort of our lives, by the joy and comfort we take in your perſeverance. The damned though they live in Hell, are ſaid to dye eternally, becauſe their ſtate is void of all joy and comfort, whereas to make the hearts of them ſad, by ſlanders, revilings, bitter ſpeeches, or otherwiſe, and to impair the cheerfullneſs of their ſpirits, and dead them, Ezek. 13, 22.Ezek 13:22is a kind or degree of murder. It is murder in divinity, though not in civill policie.

3 Comfort is needfull and uſefull for others, to chear, refreſh and rejoyce their drooping ſpirits, to raiſe them up from their ſorrow and ſadneſſe, which hath bowed down their ſouls even to the duſt. In the multitude of my (ſad troubled) thoughts within me, ſaith David, Pſal. 94.19.Ps 94:19thy Comforts (which are breathed into mee by thy ſpirit, or handed to mee by thy ſervants) delight my ſoul. Comforts poure the oyl of gladneſs into hearts full of heavineſſe; take off their mourning garments, and cloath them p. 256with cheerfullneſs. Joy is (as one calls it) the ſpring of our year, Mr. Caryl.the light of our day, the Sun in our firmament. Comfort is honey in the mouth, melody in the ear, and a Jubilee in the heart. Comforts in ſeaſon, that is (when others ſtand in need of them, and are fit to receive them) are very ſweet, like flowers in May, or apples fully ripe, or like the ſinging of birds in the Spring. Right Comforters are birds of joy, that ſing moſt ſweetly to ſad ſouls, to cheer them up with their pleaſant Notes, Cant. 2.12.Song 2:12when the ſeaſon of comforting the afflicted commeth, then the time of the ſinging of birds is come, that is, a time of great refreſhing.

4 Comfort is needfull to quiet and compoſe the ſpirits of others, when inwardly diſquieted, and perplexed. Comforts cauſe a calm in a tempeſted, tumultuated ſoul, which is like a troubled Sea, they make all quiet, they ſay to the winds, and waves, or ſtorms of inward troubles, peace, and be ſtill.

5 To eſtabliſh, confirm, and ſettle others in a good frame of ſpirit, and in a right courſe of life, in Gods truths and wayes, and in the exerciſe of grace; to hold their ſpirits faſt and cloſe, from being ſhaken, or removed, or toſſed too and fro, as unſetled and unſtable ſouls are. 1 Cor. 16, 13.1 Cor 16:13Paul writ conſolatory Epiſtles to the Corinthians, that they might ſtand faſt in the faith, quit themſelves like men, and be ſtrong; to the Epheſians, that thy might not bee carryed about with every wind of Doctrin, Epheſ. 4.14.Eph 4:14weather-cock-like; — to the Coloſſians, that they might bee rooted and built up in Chriſt, Co…. 2.6, 7.and p. 257ſtabliſhed in the faith. Paul ſent Timotheus to the Theſſalonians to eſtabliſh them, and comfort them concerning their faith, that is, to eſtabliſh them in the ſaith by comforting them. 1 Theſ. 3.2.1 Thess 3:2Paul prayed God would comfort the hearts of the Theſſalonians, and eſtabliſh them in every good word and work, that is, eſtabliſh them by comforting them, 2 Theſ. 2.17. Ver. 2.2 Thess 2:17and that they may not bee ſoon ſhaken in mind, nor troubled; Conſolation is a means of confirmation.

6 Comfort is commodious to edify others in holineſs, and obedience; for conſolation is a means of Edification. Comfort, as well as Counſell builds men up further into the body of Chriſt, Phil. 3.13.Phil 3:13for it corroborates the heart, it heightens and raiſeth up their ſpirits to a higher pitch of reſolutions, and indeavours, with Paul, to forget thoſe things that are behind (former attainments and performances) and to reach forth unto thoſe things which are before, that is, a greater meaſure of grace from God, or of actings for God Hence the Churches in Judea and Galilee were edified (and multiplied) while they walked in the fear of the Lord, and comfort of the Holy Ghoſt. Act. 9.31.Acts 9:31Paul exhorts the Theſſalonians to comfort and edifie one another, that is, to edifie by comforting.1 Theſ. 5.11.1 Thess 5:11

1 For Comfort is a great incouragement to duties, as Hezechiahs comfortable words were to the Levites hearts that taught the good knowledge of the Lord, to excite them to go on; 2 Chron. 30.22.2 Chr 30:22and to the hearts of the people, commanders and ſouldiers, to fortifie and animate them againſt p. 258the fear of the King of Aſſyria and his multitude.2 Chron. 32.6, 7, 82 Chr 32:62 Chr 32:72 Chr 32:8

2 Conſolation is a means to lead others forward towards perfection, therefore Paul joyns them together, 2 Cor. 13.112 Cor 13:11finally brethren farewell, be perfect, be of good comfort.

Secondly,

1 Comfort may bee needfull alſo in reſpect of the bodyes of others, or outward man; which would periſh in their afflictions, were not their ſouls ſtrengthened by comforts to ſtand under the weight and preſſure thereof. Comforts are ſinnews to the Soul, and great repairers of ſtrength, and refreſhers or cheerers of ſpirits, even to the body.

Reaſ. 2. From the miſery of them that want comfort. Its a moſt ſad condition to be in affliction and to have no comforter; Eccl. 4.10Eccl 4:10for ſuch are alone; and woe to him that is alone; and they bear their burdens alone, and ſo are like to ſink under them. This was a great aggravation of Davids troubles, when reproach had broken his heart, Iſal. 69, 19, 20and hee was full of heavineſſe. I looked for ſome to take pity, but there was none, and for Comforters, but I found none. And when hee was in the cave, Pſal. 143.3, 4Ps 143:3Ps 143:4whither hee fled from Sauls perſecution, and his ſpirit was overwhelmed within him. I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know mee, Lam. 1. verſe 2.8, 16, 17.21Lam 1:2Lam 1:8Lam 1:16Lam 1:17Lam 1:21no man cared for my ſoul.— And of Sions miſeries, that ſhee had no comforter, which is five times repeated in the firſt Chapter of Lamentations. Solomon conſidered this to bee a great evil under the Sun, ſcil. the tears of the oppreſſed, and the power p. 259of the oppreſſor, Eccl. 4.1Eccl 4:1and the oppreſſed had no Comforter; This was the deplorable eſtate of the Jews in their captivity, Iſaiah 54.11Isa 54:11ſo ſome underſtand that in Iſaiah — O thou afflicted, toſſed with tempeſt, and not comforted. This was Ninevehs ſaid caſe in her miſerable ruine, ſhe — had none to bemoan her, nor to comfort her.Nah. 3.7Nah 3:7

Reaſ. 3. From the excellency of the duty in it ſelf, this is high and honourable imployment to comfort others; for it is

1 The work of God.

2 The practice of the godly.

1 It is the work of God to comfort poor ſouls; Iſa. 57.15 2 Cor. 7.6Isa 57:152 Cor 7:6of the higheſt God to comfort the loweſt hearts, even abjects. God is not aſhamed of the buſineſſe, no hee gloryeth in it, as in a title of Excellency, 2 Cor. 1.3 Iſa. 51.122 Cor 1:3Isa 51:12to be called the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; — as in a beam of Majeſty, ſtream of mercy, and exerciſe of delight. I, Ver. 3even I am hee that comforteth you — and the Lord ſhall comfort Sion, as a Father doth his Sonne, Pſal. 103.13Ps 103:13and a mother doth hers. As one whom his mother comforteth (ſaith God) So will I comfort you, Iſa, 66, 13and yee ſhall bee comforted in Jeruſalem; yea Gods compaſſions and comforts toward his people, farre exceed thoſe of the moſt tender hearted mother, to her ſucking child, Iſa. 49.19Isa 49:19Can a mother forget her ſucking child, &c. yea they may, but I will not forget thee (ſaith God to Sion.) To comfort is the act, as of the Deity, ſo of the Trinity, and of every perſon in it.

1 Of God the Father; 2 Cor. 1.32 Cor 1:3The Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, is the Father of mercies, & the God of all comfort.

p. 2602 To comfort is the act of God the Sonne, for hee (as God-man and Mediatour) is the fountain of all conſolation, — If there be any Conſolation in Chriſt (ſaith Paul.) Phil. 2.1Phil 2:1Hee doth not queſtion it, but ſuppoſe it, or takes it for granted, q. d. ſeeing there is, or as ever yee look to receive comfort from Chriſt, fulfil yee my joy, Iſa. 61.1, 2Isa 61:1Isa 61:2&c. Chriſt is appointed by the Father, and annointed by the Holy Ghoſt, to comfort his people, by office as their Prophet. Chriſt ſuites comfort to the ſufferings of his people, for kind, and proportions them for meaſure, 2 Cor. 1.52 Cor 1:5as Paul ſaith, — As the ſufferings of Chriſt abound in us, ſo our conſolation alſo aboundeth by Chriſt. Joh. 14.18John 14:18Chriſt promiſeth comfort to them, as hee did to his Diſciples — I will not leave you comfortleſſe, Joh. 16.20, 22John 16:20John 16:22I will come to you.

3 To comfort, is the act of God the holy Ghoſt. It is his proper work to ſpeak or apply comforts to the hearts of Gods people, from the father and the Son. Hence

1 Hee is call'd the Comforter foreign, the prime and principal of all comforters.

2 Hee is prayed for, by the Sonne to the Father, and promiſed both by the Father and the Sonne to bee ſent as from both, John 14, 16.26 & 15.26. & 16.7John 14:16John 14:26John 15:26John 16:7under this name and Notion, or for this purpoſe, to bee a comforter to his people. God the father is the author of all comfort by deſtination or appointment of it to us; for hee hath appointed us to obtain, as ſalvation, ſo conſolation by Jeſus Chriſt, 2 Cor. 1.3, 4, 52 Cor 1:32 Cor 1:42 Cor 1:5and hee comforteth us by his Son, hence our conſolation is ſaid to abound by Chriſt.

p. 2612 God the Son is the Author of Conſolation.

1 By redemption or purchaſe, as of us, ſo of joy and comfort for us, by his bloud, as the price thereof; ſo that the Chriſtians comfort is a dear-bought commodity to Chriſt, it coſt him not only exceeding ſorrow, but his bloud, and his life.

2 By reception of it, as Chriſt bought it, ſo he took it, and keeps it for our uſe; when he aſcended up on high, he received as gifts, Pſal. 68, 18Ps 68:18ſo comforts for men, to give forth the ſame to them; thus it pleaſed the Father that all comfort ſhould bee laid up in Chriſt, as in a Treaſury, or Store houſe, for all his people, and that Chriſt ſhould ſend forth the ſame to them as the fountain doth water.

3 By Diſpenſation (or by Office) as he is our Prophet, Iſa. 61.1, 2, 3Isa 61:1Isa 61:2Isa 61:3which he executes (and ſo comforteth us) by his Spirit which he hath given us.

3 God the Holy Ghoſt is the Author of Conſolation, by application of it to us (for that is his proper work) of all that comfort to our hearts, which the Father hath appointed to us, and which Chriſt hath obtained and keeps for us. As by Baptiſm wee are dedicated to the ſervice, and committed to the protection of the Trinity, Father, Son, and Spirit, ſo we ſhould devote our ſelves freely to the imitation of the bleſſed Trinity, as in Sanctification, to be holy, as all the three Perſons, Father, Son, and Spirit are holy; ſo in compaſſion, and in conſolation, to be merciful as they are merciful, and to comfort others as p. 262they are all comforters, wee ſhould count it our glory to be followers of the glorious Trinity herein.

Secondly, To comfort others hath been the practice of the godly, even of the moſt eminent Servants of God; as of Job the moſt rich, and religious man in the Eaſt. Behold, Job 4.3, 4Job 4:3Job 4:4ſaith Eliphas, thou haſt inſtructed many, and thou hast ſtrengthened the weak hands, and the feeble knees, thy words have upholden him that was falling. Thus to ſupport the weak, and comfort the faint, was not only Jobs practice, but his praiſe; therefore it is uſhered in with an ecce, Behold, &c. for ſo Eliphas ſpeaks of it, as a thing that many could atteſt to Jobs commendation; and of the Prophets in the Old Teſtament, Iſa. 40.1, 2Isa 40:1Isa 40:2to whom God gave charge to comfort his people. And of the Apoſtles in the New Teſtament, and of their Miniſters and Fellow-labourers, as Timotheus, Tychicus, Titus, and others. And of the Primitive Chriſtians, no doubt, according to Apoſtolick injunctions. Paul had confidence in Philomous obedience, Philem. 21Phlm 1:21knowing that he would do even more than hee ſaid; and great joy and conſolation in his love, becauſe the bowels of the Saints were refreſhed by him. Verſ. 7.How? Anſ. By commiſeration conſolation, contribution, interceſſion, and the like.

Reaſ. 4. From the equity of the duty in reſpect of us; we ought to comfort others,

1 Becauſe we would bee comforted by others in our diſtreſs, and whatever we would that others ſhould do to us, we ſhould do the p. 263ſame to them, Mat. 7.12Matt 7:12for this is the Law and the Prophets. This duty ſhould be mutual and reciprocal among Chriſtians, even thoſe that comfort others may ſtand in need to be comforted by others, as Eliphaz told Job. Job 4.4, 5Job 4:4Job 4:5Thou comfortedſt others, &c. But now it (that is, the affliction and miſery) is come upon thee, and thou fainteſt, it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled, i.e. Thou now haſt as much need to be comforted by others, as others had to be comforted by thee, Is not this thy fear, and thy confidence? &c. Verſ. 6.This was the errour of Jobs friends, to lay down good premiſes, and to infer bad concluſions, by miſapplying the ſame to Job, as if he were an Hypocrite, Verſ. 7and all his Graces counterfeit.

2 Becauſe all true Chriſtians have an intereſt in comfort, it is their portion; in comforting them wee give them that which is their own; and in not doing it we with-hold from them what of due belongs to them.

3 To this end God gives us abilities and experiences, that we may be able to comfort others; upon the account whereof wee are Debtors to others; 2 Cor. 1.4.2 Cor 1:4God comforteth us in all our Tribulations (ſaith Paul) that wee may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort where-with wee our ſelves are comforted of God; that even as perſons of ability keep Bottles of Strong Waters, Cordials, and other comfortable things, to refreſh their friends, or ſtrangers, when ſick, or faint; we ſhould keep the like in the cloſets of our hearts, to comfort others in their afflictions. As the Moon and Starres receive p. 264light from the Sun, not to hoard it up in themſelves (like dark Lanthorns) but to reflect it upon the earth, and things below; ſo we receive comfort freely from the Lord, to the end we ſhould give comfort freely to others.

4 Laſtly, This is our Office as wee are members of the ſame body with others. As the Stomack firſt feeds it ſelf with the food it concocts, then communicates nouriſhment to all other members, the Heart and Liver ſend forth ſpirits and bloud throughout the body, when they have received nouriſhment and ſtrength: ſo every Joynt or Member in Chriſts myſtical Body, ſhould make a ſupply of conſolation, or inſtruction, &c. that is, of what may nouriſh, ſtrengthen, and encreaſe to his Fellow-members, Epheſ. 4.16Eph 4:16according to the meaſure of that gift or grace hee hath received from his head Chriſt Jeſus. The bond of Brother-hood that is among Chriſtians ties them thereunto, to communicate what they have received from the Lord to the good of others, Jude 20.Jude 1:20Edifie your ſelves in your moſt holy faith. To this end Love knits Chriſtians together, to make them communicative of good one to another, and receptive thereof one from another, to make them partakers in the graces and comforts one of another, as the members of the body being tied together, receive nouriſhment one from another.

Q. How may we comfort afflicted conſciences that are wounded, and dejected with ſenſe of ſin, and of Gods Wrath, and want of grace, and draw nigh to the pits brink of deſpair, and refuſe to be comforted?

p. 265Anſ. 1. Set before them, and apply to them (as before our ſelves in the like caſe) theſe Eight Grounds of conſolation.

1 The boundleſneſs, and freeneſs of Gods pardoning, reconciling, accepting, healing mercies to Sinners, infinitely exceeding all their ſins, Pſal. 103.11, 12 Verſ. 17Ps 103:11Ps 103:12and all their unworthineſſes in multitude, and in magnitude, in all dimenſions, and in duration. Gods mercy is like the great deep Ocean (without bank or bottom) which can as eaſily ſwallow up mountains of ſins, as mole-hills, or motes. Therefore to doubt, or deſpair, or to give way to deſpondency of mind, is to forſake our own mercy, to ſin againſt mercy, which is one of the higheſt, and moſt confounding aggravations of ſin. Lam. 3.22Lam 3:22Set alſo before them the bowels of Gods compaſſions, which are moſt tender and yearning, and fail not; the riches of his free Grace (which are the Treaſures of Eternity) that cannot be diminiſhed by diſtribution, but rather like the five Loaves wherewith Chriſt fed the five thouſand men, beſide women & children, they multiply with breaking; and the freeneſs, unchangeableneſs, and everlaſtingneſs of his love to poor ſinners, Hoſ. 14.4 Jer. 31.3Hos 14:4Jer 31:3that never deſerved it, or any thing from God, but Wrath and Judgement.

Obj. But God is juſt as well as merciful, how can he juſtifie and ſave great ſinners?

Second Ground. The infiniteneſs of Chriſts Merits, of his Death and paſsion, or obedience, which is ſufficient to ſatisfie Gods Juſtice, pacifie his Wrath, and fulfill his Law perfectly, and is as able to take away the ſins p. 266of the whole World, as of one man, and more able to ſave you than your ſins are to condemn you; Act. 20.28Acts 20:28his ſufferings being the obedience of a God or of him that was God as wel as man, whereas your ſins are but the finite acts of men, poor, ſilly, ſhallow Creatures, that are before him, (or in compariſon of him) as nothing, Iſa. 40.14 Pſal. 130.7, 8Isa 40:14Ps 130:7Ps 130:8yea leſs than nothing, and vanity. Set before them alſo the plentiouſneſs of Redemption that is in Chriſt, that he can and will deliver them from all their ſins; and from all the evils that accompany them, or ariſe from them; and the prevalence of his interceſsion in Heaven, to make application of his Redemption, and the benefits thereof to ſinners on earth; Heb. 7.29Heb 7:29whereby he is able to ſave to the uttermoſt all that come to God by him. Tell them, that to refuſe Jeſus Chriſt his merits and benefits, who came from Heaven on purpoſe to ſave them from their ſins, and from Hell, and to receive them to glory in Heaven, is to refuſe ſalvation, and how can they eſcape great damnation, who thus reject great ſalvation? Comfort coſt Chriſt dear for them, and ſhould they caſt it away?

Obj. What though the merits of Chriſts Death be of infinite value, and vertue, they do not belong to us, what ſhall we bee better for them.

Anſ. Set before them

Third Ground. The free, gracious, and general tender of Chriſt, and of pardon, peace, grace, joy, and glory with him, to all and every one that will receive him, without reſpect of perſons, made in the Goſpel, and in p. 267the promulgation or preaching of it, as, God ſo loved the World, Joh. 3.16.John 3:16that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoſoever beleeveth in him ſhould not periſh, but have everlaſting life—And, Mark 16.15, 16Mark 16:15Mark 16:16Go yee into all the world, preach the Goſpel to every Creature; what is the Goſpel? He that beleeveth in Chriſt ſhall be ſaved, and he that beleeveth not ſhall bee damned; 2 Cor. 5.19, 202 Cor 5:192 Cor 5:20that God was in Chriſt reconciling the world to himſelf, not imputing to them their ſins. And Chriſt ſends his Miniſters as Embaſſadours, to beſeech ſinners in Chriſts ſtead, to be reconciled to God, and commits unto them the word of Reconciliation. To this end, as Moſes lift up the Serpent in the Wilderneſs, ſo Chriſt is lift up upon the Pole of the Goſpel, in the ſight of all ſinners, that whoſoever beleeveth in him ſhould not periſh. If yee thruſt theſe tenders of Chriſt, and Salvation away from you, when made to you, yea threaped upon you, then you judge your ſelves unworthy of everlaſting life, as the Jews of Antioch did, Act; 13.46when they put the Word of God away from them.

Obj. How can we expect Chriſt ſhould bee willing to receive us, or to be received by us? What face can we have to come unto him, or what hope to be welcome?

Fourth Ground. Set before them Chriſts gracious invitation of all to him, that feel any want of him, or have any deſire to him; as Come unto me all yee that labour and are heavie laden, and I will give you reſt — I ſaid, Mat. 11.28Matt 11:28behold me, behold me, Iſa. 65.1Isa 65:1unto a Nation not called by my name, that is (as ſome interpret it) I invited the Gentiles, and called upon them to p. 268look after mee, and come in to mee; I am ſought of them that asked not for mee, I am found of them that ſought mee not, that is, the Gentiles whom hee called to bee his people, or to his Covenant of grace, who before were not his people, or had no relation to him, either of name or intereſt. Hee prevented their ſeeking of him by his ſeeking and finding them, of his own good will and pleaſure. Together with Chriſts invitation, ſet before them, Chriſts promiſe of Reception, and of non rejection to any that will come unto him. All that the Father giveth mee ſhall come to mee (ſaith Chriſt) and him that commeth to mee, Ioh. 6.37.John 6:37I will in no wiſe caſt out; Joh. 5.40.John 5:40and his complaint, that men will not come unto him, that hee might give them life.

Object. Did ever any obtain mercy and pardon, that were ſo vile and unworthy as wee are?

The fifth Ground. Set before them the experiences or examples of Gods mercy manifeſted, 2 Chron. 33.2, 3, 11, 12, 13.2 Chr 33:22 Chr 33:32 Chr 33:112 Chr 33:122 Chr 33:13and of Chriſts merits applyed to the greateſt of ſinners, as, to Manaſſeh a mighty ſinner, witneſs his idolatry, diabolicall arts of ſeverall kinds, his cruelty, for hee filled Jeruſalem with innocent blood, 2 King 24.4.2 Kgs 24:4and hee made Judah and the Inhabitants of Jeruſalem to erre, and to do worſe than the Heathen. Yet for all this hee beſought the Lord in his Affliction, and humbled himſelf greatly before the God of his Fathers, and he was intreated of him, and heard his ſupplication. And to Paul, who was before a Blaſphemer, a Perſecutor, 1 Tim. 1.13, 14.15.1 Tim 1:131 Tim 1:141 Tim 1:15and Contumelious, yea the chief of ſinners; But I obtained mercy (ſaith hee) and p. 269the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant towards mee. To Mary Magdalen, Mar. 16.9.Mark 16:9out of whom Chriſt had caſt ſeven Devils; to whom he appeared firſt after his Reſurrection; Luk. 7.37, 38. 48. 1 Cor. 6.9, 10, 11.Luke 7:37Luke 7:38Luke 7:481 Cor 6:91 Cor 6:101 Cor 6:11And to the woman in the City that had been a notorious ſinner.— and to ſome of the Corinthians — and if to ſuch, why then not to you? why will you exclude or cut off your ſelves from Gods mercy, and Chriſts merits, which were held forth to others (as bad or worſe than you) yet they imbraced the ſame, why may not, yea, why ſhould not you do the ſame?

Object. Never any were plunged ſo deep in diſtreſſe of ſoul as wee are; Is there any ſorrow like unto our ſorrow?

The ſixth Ground. Set this before them, that ſome of Gods dear ſervants have drunk very deep of the cup of ſoul-troubles, or of trembling, & of the wine of aſtoniſhment; ſc. inward anguiſh, horrours and terrours, and gone down (to their ſenſe) even to the gates of Hel; whom God raiſed up afterwards, and raviſhed with joy (as if they were in Heaven) having given them a full cup of Conſolation to drink. Such was Jobs condition, Job 13.24.Job 13:24when God hid his face from him, and held him for his enemy, Verſ. 26and writ bitter things againſt him. When God skared him with dreams, Chap. 7.14, 15.20.and terrified him through viſions, ſo that his ſoul choſe ſtrangling, and death rather than life — when God ſet him as a mark to ſhoot at, Job 30.18Job 30:18ſo that he was a burden to himſelf; and when hee went mourning without the Sun; when the arrows of the Almighty (that is the pricking ſtinging ſenſe of Gods diſpleaſure) were within him, Chap. 6.4the poyſon p. 270whereof drunk up his ſpirits, and the terrouts of God ſet themſelves in aray againſt him; yet afterwards God ſhined upon Job, graciouſly; Job 42.4.Job 42:4turned his face and favour towards him, and Job ſaw God with the ſeeing of the eye (which imports clearer diſcoveries of God to him, than hee had formerly) and the Lord bleſſed the latter end of Job more than his beginning. Verſ. 12Heman the Ezrahite who was one of the wiſeſt men in all Iſrael, 1 King. 4.31 Pſal. 88.1 Kgs 4:31Ps 88next after Solomon, who is deſcribed to bee under as heavy a condition of a deſerted wounded ſpirit, as any wee read of, complains as grievouſly in that ſad Pſalm of terrours and anguiſh, as if hee was in Hell. Verſ. 3.My ſoul is full of troubles, and my life draweth nigh to the grave. Thou haſt laid mee in the loweſt pit, Verſ. 6.in darkneſſe, in the deep; as if hee was already poſſeſſed of the torments of hell, Verſ. 7.and in the gult of deſpair. Thy wrath lieth hard upon mee, and thou haſt afflicted mee with all thy waves; the waves of Gods wrath, beat with endleſſe and violent daſhings upon his ſoul. Verſ. 14.Lord why caſteſt thou off my ſoul, why hideſt thou thy face from mee? I am afflicted and ready to dye, Verſ. 15.from my youth up; while I ſuffer thy terrours I am diſtracted, Verſ. 16thy fierce wrath goeth over mee, thy terrours have cut mee off, &c. What a deep ſenſe had Heman of Gods wrath, and the effects thereof? as 1 That it was fierce wrath. 2 Overwhelming, it went over him. 3 Affrighting, cutting, killing wrath, thy terrours have cut mee off. 4 Surrounding wrath, compaſſing him about like deep waters — They i. e. thy wraths came about mee like water. Verſ. 17.5 Continuing wrath, all the day, p. 271yea many years, even from his youth up, was hee exerciſed with the terrours of the Lord, with the fears and feeling of his wrath, ſo that hee thought the reviving of his ſoul by comfort, would be no leſs than wonders ſhewed to the dead (a miracle of mercy) and cauſing of the dead to ariſe, and praiſe God. Verſ. 10.Now though Heman was caſt down ſo low, yea caſt off, as to his ſenſe; yet not indeed, for hee had ſupport in the deeps of his diſtreſſe, becauſe he (could in ſome meaſure) exerciſe faith, and prayer. O Lord God of my Salvation, Verſ. 1.I have cryed ngiht and day before thee, let my prayer come before thee, &c. Verſ. 2.yea hee reſolved to continue praying till God gave him an anſwer of peace, and comfort. Verſ. 13.Doubtleſſe God compenſated his delay with exuberancy of comfort. David a man after Gods own heart, Pſal. 143.4. & 42.11. & 119.25.Ps 143:4Ps 42:11Ps 119:25yet even his heart was ſometimes full of heavineſs, and deſolate, and his ſoul was diſquieted and dejected within him, and did cleave unto the duſt. Pſal. 38.2.3Ps 38:2Ps 38:3Thine arrows (ſaith he to God) ſtick faſt in mee, and thy hand preſſeth mee ſore. There is no ſoundneſſe in my fleſh, becauſe of thine anger, neither is there any reſt in my bones, becauſe of my ſin, for mine iniquities are gone over my head as an heavy burden, Verſ. 4.they are too heavy for me,— I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly, I go mourning all the day long. Uerſ. 6.I am feeble and ſore broken, I have roared by reaſon of the diſquietneſſe of my heart. Uerſ. 8.Yet in duetime God quickned him according to his word; and made him full of joy with the light of his Countenance.

Jeſus Chriſt was a perfect Anatomy of an afflicted ſoul (as Mr. Mat. 26.38.Matt 26:38Greenham calls him) in p. 272his agony, both in the garden, when hee ſaid, my ſoul is exceeding ſorrowful, even unto death; which made him pray thrice moſt fervently, Luk. 22.44Luke 22:44to his father, If it bee poſſible let this cup paſſe from mee, and made him ſweat great drops of blood falling down to the ground; — and on the croſſe (for his agony continued leſſe or more till his death, when hee cryed out, being ready to breath out his laſt) my God, my God, why haſt thou forſaken mee? when the wrath of God for our ſinnes lay upon his humane ſoul in the weight of it, the Godhead with-drawing it ſelf for a while as to ſenſe, not to ſupport. Chriſts example in this caſe is moſt comfortable for an afflicted conſcience, you may read of ſuch dreadful deſertions ſtoried in the lives of many, who were dear to God. I will relate three remarkable examples, which are well collected by Mr. Bolton in his inſtructions for comforting afflicted conſciences, becauſe this little peece may come into ſome hands, who have not read the ſame in any other book. Mr. Peacock, a worthy ſervant of God, when hee reckoned with himſelf about ſome ſmaller ſinnes, for theſe (ſaith hee) I feel now an Hell in my conſcience; upon other occaſions (as the viſits and ſpeeches of his friends) hee groaned and cried out lamentably. Oh mee wretch! Oh, mine heart is miſerable! Oh, Oh, miſerable and woful, the burden of my ſinnes lyeth ſo heavy upon mee, I doubt it will break my heart! oh, how woful and miſerable is my ſtate, that thus muſt converſe with hell-hounds? — But before his end hee p. 273was wonderfully recovered, and raiſed up, from his depth of ſpirituall miſery, to a height of heavenly joy and comfort, as appears by his ſpeeches. — I do (ſaith hee) God be praiſed; feel ſuch comfort from that, what ſhall I call it? Agony, ſaid one that ſtood by, nay, ſaith hee, that is too little; had I five thouſand worlds. I could not make ſatisfaction for ſuch an iſſue. Oh the Sea is not more full of water, nor the Sunne of light, than the Lord of mercy; yea, his mercies are ten thouſand times more; what great cauſe have I to magnify the great goodnes of God that hath humbled, nay rather exalted ſuch a wretched miſcreant, to an eſtate ſo glorious, and ſtately. The Lord hath honoured mee with his goodneſſe. The joy that I feel in my heart is incredible. Mr. Glover, of whom you may read in the Acts and Monuments, was exerciſed divers years with tentations, ſtings of Conſcience, unexpreſſible pangs of grief, and buffetings of Satan. Upon apprehenſion of ſome backſliding, hee was ſo perplexed, that if hee had been in the deepeſt pit of hell, he could almoſt have deſpaired no more of his ſalvation, which exceedingly waſted his body, decayed his ſenſes, ſo as he could have no joy of his meat, yet hee was forced to eat againſt his appetite, to defer the time of his damnation, ſo long as hee might; conceiving he ſhould be thrown down into hell, as ſoon as the breath was out of his body; yet afterward hee was ſo raiſed, raviſhed and ſpiritualized, that as (Mr. Fox relates) hee was like one placed in heaven already, and dead in this p. 274world, both in word, and meditation, and he led a life altogether celeſtial. This alſo you may read in the narration of the holy life, and Chriſtian death of Miſtris Katherine Bretergh. The ſorrows of Hell ſeized upon her ſoul, before her death ſhe ſaid a roaring wilderneſs of woe was within her, that her ſins had made her a prey to Satan, and wiſhed ſhe had never been born, or that ſhee had been made any other Creature, rather than a woman; ſhee burſt out many times, ſaying, woe, woe, woe, &c. a weak, a woefull, a wretched and forſaken woman; with tears continually trickling from her eyes; But afterwards God came to her with fulneſs of joy, and abundance of Conſolations, and put triumphant ſongs into her mouth; as, oh, Bleſſed bee thy Name, my Lord, and my God, the joys that I feel in my ſoul; O, they be wonderfull, as certain as thou art the God of truth, even ſo ſure do I know my ſelf to bee thine, O bleſſed bee the Lord that hath thus comforted mee, and brought mee now to a place more ſweet to mee than the garden of Eden, Oh the joy, the joy, the delightſome joy that I feel. Lay your ſorrows in the ballance of ſound judgement with theirs, and ſee whether theirs or yours bee heavier. Are you better than all or any of theſe holy ſervants of God, that you ſhould think your ſelves exempt from the like ſoul-troubles? can theſe be a ſign of Gods rejecting wrath to you, which befell theſe that were the objects of Gods ſpeciall love? Yea is not this your conformity to Chriſt, in agonies or inward diſtreſſes of ſpirit, which you may p. 275expect, as well as in outward Tribulations, Phil. 3.10Phil 3:10and to know the fellowſhip of his ſufferings in both?

Object. Such may further ſay, God himſelf hath hewed and wounded us, who then can heal us? yea ſlain us (or taken the life of Comfort, or the Comfort of our lives from us) who can quicken us? hee hath hid his face from us, and laid us in darkneſſe, how can wee then behold him (no more than wee can ſee the Sun by Candle-light) God hath forſaken us, departed from us, caſt us off, wee fear hee will never come to us, nor own us again? Hee hath cauſed trouble and grief to our ſouls, who then can give us peace, and joy?

The Seventh ground of Conſolation. Set before them (and apply to them) Gods promiſes of healing, quickning, illightening, and of returns, of peace, and joy, to ſuch.

Gods

1 Promiſes of healing, Deut. 32.39. Pſa. 147.3. Job 5.18. Luk. 4 18. Iſa. 57.19. 1 Pet. 2.24.Deut 32:39Ps 147:3Job 5:18Luke 4:18Isa 57:191 Pet 2:24to wounded ſpirits, and broken hearts: I wound and I heal, ſaith God. Hee healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds or griefs; He hath ſent mee, ſaith Chriſt, to heal the broken hearted — By his ſtripes yee are healed. God hath the oyl of gladneſſe to pour into the wounds of your ſouls, which is the moſt ſoveraign balſome for healing, and cloſing up the ſame, Hoſ. 6.1.Hos 6:1far more precious than all the balm in Gilead. Come, ſay the repenting people of God one to another (who give no place to deſpair) and let us return to the Lord, for hee hath torn us, hee will heal us, hee hath ſmitten, and hee will bind us up.

p. 2762 Promiſes of quickning made to dead ſouls buried in the graves of deſertion and low languiſhments, Deut. 32.39.Deut 32:39to revive and raiſe them up. I kill and make alive, ſaith the Lord, The Lord bringeth down to the grave, 1 Sam. 2.6, 7.1 Sam 2:61 Sam 2:7and bringeth up, ſaith Hannah, out of the deeps of ſpirituall miſery, as well as of externall captivity and tribulation; we may conceive the one to bee involved in the other; Ezech. 37. v. 11Ezek 37:11When the houſe of Iſrael ſaid in Babylon; Behold our bones are dried, (or wee are in Babylon like dry bones in a grave, or ſcattered at the graves mouth) our hope is loſt, wee are cut off for our parts, therefore propheſie unto them, Ver. 12.Thus ſaith the Lord God, Behold O my people, I will open your graves, and cauſe you to come out of your graves, and bring you into the Land of Iſrael, and yee ſhall know that I am the Lord, Verſ. 13.and I ſhall put my ſpirit in you, and yee ſhall live, Verſ. 14.then ſhall yee know that I have ſpoken, and performed it, ſaith the Lord. All thoſe promiſes of giving his Spirit, are promiſes of life and comfort to dead-ſpirited, ſad-hearted ſinners, Joh. 6.63.John 6:63becauſe the Spirit is the Comforter, and it is the Spirit that quickeneth. To this end God dwels in broken hearts, and in contrite ſpirits (as his Heaven upon Earth) to quicken and comfort them; Iſa. 57.15.Isa 57:15I dwell, ſaith the high and lofty one, that inhabiteth eternity, in the high and holy place, with him alſo that is of a contrite and humble ſpirit, to revive the ſpirit of the humble, and to revive the hearts of the contrite ones. Hoſ. 6.1, 2.Hos 6:1Hos 6:2This was the confidence of Gods people in Hoſea. After two dayes will he revive us, in the third day hee will raiſe us up, and wee ſhall live in his ſight, that is, after a ſhort p. 277time of our troubles, hee will ſo reſtore and chear us, as if hee had given us a new life; Pſal. 71.20.Ps 71:20and of David, Thou which haſt ſhewed mee great and ſore troubles ſhall quicken mee again, and ſhalt bring mee up again from the depths of the earth, from gulfs of grief and diſtreſſe, and in Pſalm 138.7. Though I walk in the midſt of trouble, thou wilt revive mee.

3 Promiſes of illightening made to benighted ſouls, that walk in darkneſſe, and ſee no light.

1 By cauſing his face to ſhine upon them, after hee hath hid it from them, on whom hee hath turned his back. Iſa. 54.8.Isa 54:8In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlaſting kindneſs will I have mercy on thee (ſaith the Lord) thy Redeemer; mark how God oppoſeth the perpetuity of his kindneſs to the momentanineſs of his diſpleaſure.

2 By making Chriſt Jeſus his ſun of Righteouſneſſe to ariſe with healing under his wings, and great joy to them on whom hee hath ſeemed to ſet to their great ſorrow, who have gone mourning without the Sun. Compare thoſe two texts together; Iſa. 50.10.Isa 50:10who is among you that feareth the Lord — that walketh in darkneſs, and hath no light, Mal. 4.2Mal 4:2let him truſt in the Name of the Lord, and ſtay upon his God. And — Unto you that fear my Name ſhall the Sun of Righteouſneſſe ariſe with healing under his wings. Chriſt will ſend forth ſuch Beams of heat, light and life into dead, dark, cold hearts, as will make them lightſome, joyfull, growthfull, fruitfull, thankfull. This was the Churches confidence, when I fall, Micah 7.8.Mic 7:8I ſhall p. 278ariſe when I ſit in darkneſſe, the Lord ſhall bee a light unto mee.

4 Promiſes of returns to the ſouls of his ſervants, after his departure from them. God will not forſake them for ever, nor leave them altogether. Iſa. 54.7.Isa 54:7For a ſmall moment have I forſaken thee but with great mercies wil I gather thee ſaith the Lord. 1 Sam. 12.22.1 Sam 12:22The Lord will not forſake his people for his great Names ſake (ſaith Samuel to Iſrael) becauſe it hath pleaſed the Lord to make you his people. This was the confidence of the faithfull in their calamities. Lam. 3.31.32.33Lam 3:31Lam 3:32Lam 3:33The Lord will not caſt off for ever, but though hee cauſe grief, yet will hee have compaſſion according to the multitude of his mercies, — for hee doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the Children of men. Herewith the Pſalmiſt comforts the godly. The Lord will not caſt off his people, Pſal. 94.14.Ps 94:14neither will he forſake his inheritance. Is God gone away from your ſouls? or hath hee withdrawn the wonted influence of his grace, peace, and joy, and the comforts of his love, favour, and preſence from you? and doth hee ſeem to reject you? If yee were once his by federal right or faith in the Covenant, you are his for ever, becauſe that is an everlaſting Covenant, founded upon Gods free grace, and Chriſts precious blood, which are immoveable, unchangeable, and eternal. Iſa. 9.6.Isa 9:6If ever you did cry Abba Father, you may call God Father for ever; for he is the everlaſting Father. Pſa. 31.22Ps 31:22David ſaid to God, I am cut off from before thine eyes, but hee confeſſeth it was in his haſte (hee did it raſhly and unadviſedly) and God conſuted him preſently. — Nevertheleſſe thou heardeſt the voice of my p. 279ſupplications, when I cryed unto thee. And though to your ſenſe hee hath left you, hee will turn again, hee will have compaſſion upon you, hee will caſt all your ſins into the depths of the Sea. Micah 7.19Mic 7:19Chriſts promiſes of returns hold as true and firm in reſpect of his ſpirituall preſence to his people now, as of his corporal preſence to his Diſciples then, Joh. 14.18.John 14:18I will not leave you comfortleſs (or Orphans) I will come to you. And ye now have ſorrow, but I will ſee you again; to wit, Joh. 16.22John 16:22after my reſurrection, and your heart ſhall rejoyce. Conſider poor ſouls, you coſt Chriſt too dear for him to caſt away. Let mee give you one pregnant inſtance of Chriſts return to a deſerted ſoul, that is Mr. Robert Glover, a holy Martyr, who having a little before his death loſt the ſenſe of Gods favour, and comforts of his ſpirit, which filled his heart with grief, and his mouth with moans, when hee came within ſight of the ſtake, at which hee was to ſuffer death for Jeſus Chriſt, ſuddenly hee was ſo exceedingly raviſhed, and repleniſhed with holy comfort, and heavenly joys, that he cryed out, claping his hands, hee is come, Heb. 13.5Heb 13:5hee is come. Though God bee ever with his people in his preſence, according to his promiſe, yet in reſpect of the influence of his grace and favour, he ſometimes ſuſpends and with-holds the Act thereof, and in reſpect of appearance or diſcovery, hee ſometimes manifeſts himſelf to them, and ſometimes hides himſelf from them, and ſeems to bee comming and going, as Chriſt ſaid to his Diſciples, A little while and yee ſhall not ſee mee, and a gain a little while and yee ſhall ſee mee.

p. 2805 Laſtly, ſet before them Gods promiſes of peace and joy.

1 Of peace, and a calm to troubled diſquieted ſouls by inward or outward afflictions; Iſa. 57.16Isa 57:16I will not contend for ever, neither will I bee alwayes wroth, leſt the ſpirit ſhould fail before mee, and the ſouls which I have made. I create the fruit of the hips peace, Verſ. 19peace to him that is a farre off, and to him that is near (ſaith the Lord) and I will heal him. Phil. 4.7Phil 4:7The peace of God which paſſeth all underſtanding ſhall keep your minds and hearts, as with a garriſon, and when he gives quietneſſe, Job 34 29Job 34:29who can cauſe trouble? This was the Pſalmiſts expectance and confidence, I will hear what God the Lord will ſpeak, Pſal. 85.8Ps 85:8for hee will ſpeak peace unto his people.

2 Pſa. 38.5, 11, 12Ps 38:5Ps 38:11Ps 38:12Promiſes of joy to ſad ſorrowfull ſouls. His anger is but for a moment, in his favour is life; weeping may indure for a night, but joy commeth in the morning; Pſa. 97.11.Ps 97:11light is ſown for the Righteous, Pſa. 126, 5Ps 126:5and joy for the upright in heart. They that ſow in tears ſhall reap in joy. Conſolation ſhall follow affliction to Gods people, as Harveſt doth ſeed-time, Mat. 5.4Matt 5:4and the one is as ſweet as the other is bitter. Joh. 16.20.John 16:20Bleſſed are they that mourn, for they ſhall bee comforted; yee ſhall weep and lament ſaith Chriſt to his Diſciples, Verſ. 22but the world ſhall rejoyce, and yee ſhall bee ſorrowfull, but your ſorrow ſhall bee turned into ſoy; and yee now have ſorrow, but I will ſee you again, and your heart ſhall rejoyce, Act. 2.28Acts 2:28and your joy no man taketh from you. This was Davids Faith and hope in God. Thou ſhalt make mee full of joy with the light of thy Countenance. Apply theſe ſeveral promiſes unto afflicted conſciences and rub them, as oyl of gladneſſe, p. 281into their benummed ſpirits. Argue the caſe with them. Are not theſe promiſes as good ſecurity for Gods performance of the mercies promiſed to you, to wit, healing, quickning, illightening, returns, peace and joy, as your hearts can deſire, yea better than all the world is able to give you by hand and ſeal? yea are they not ſtronger pillars to build your confidence for comfort in God upon, Mar. 13.31.Mark 13:31than thoſe that bear up Heaven and Earth? For Heaven and Earth ſaith Chriſt, ſhall paſs away, but my words (that is, 2 Cor. 1.202 Cor 1:20promiſes) ſhall not paſs away. All Promiſes (of Comfort) are in Chriſt, yea and Amen.

Object. If wee were the Lords by ſpeciall right, or ſhall bee ſaved, then wee ſhould have grace in our hearts, which is the characteriſtical diſtinguiſhing quality of all Gods people from all others, but wee can diſcover no ſuch thing in our ſelves, wee have no grace.

The eighth Ground of Conſolation. Set before them, and apply unto them two things.

1 Grace may bee hid for a time in the heart, and not be diſcerned by them that have it, like ſparks of fire in the aſhes, or life in a ſwound, or bits of gold in a duſt heap, or pearls in the mire; like ſtars in the sky in a dark night, they are all there, yet not one of them doth appear; like ſtones in the bottom of a Veſſel, or River, which are not ſeen when the water is troubled, thick or muddy; like ſtools or chairs in a room where there is no light; for that which makes manifeſt is light. There is a difference between the being of a thing in it p. 282ſelf, and the appearing or diſcovery thereof to us. As many things ſeem to bee which are not, ſo ſome things are (or really exiſt) which ſometimes ſeem not, or appear not to bee, as what things are under ground, or lockt up cloſe, and laid out of ſight, or though they lie open, they lack light to manifeſt them; when the ſoul is in a troubled ſtate of ſtrong temptations or ſtirring corruptions, or in a ſpirituall ſwound of deſertions, and wants the beamings forth of light from the Spirit of God, to evidence to it the good work God hath begun in it; In ſuch a caſe the truth and life of grace may abide in the heart, though it do not appear to the eye of the ſoul, and what afflicted ſouls cannot diſcern in themſelves, they are apt to deny to bee in them. Chriſtians have their ſeverall ſtates, as the year hath its ſeaſons, to wit, their winter or dead time of Tentation and deſertion, wherein all ſeems dead & withered with them as with the earth; and grace is hid in the heart, as ſap in the Roots of Trees, as flowers and fruits are hid in the ſeeds, or Roots, in the Earth, in the winter, as well as their ſpring of growth, and ſummer of joy; Hoſ. 14.5, 6, 7Hos 14:5Hos 14:6Hos 14:7when the Lord is as dew to them, and they revive as the Corn, and grow as the Vine, and bloſſom as the Lillie, and caſt forth their roots, ſpread their branches, and their beauty is as the Olive Tree, and their ſmell as Lebanon. Mr. Peacock (of whom I ſpake before) in the time of his fore and ſad tentations complained to ſome of his beſt friends, that God had curſed him, being asked how hee knew it, hee anſwered, the event ſhews it, I p. 283have no grace, I have no more ſenſe of grace than theſe Curtains, than a Gooſe, than that block; when a friend requeſted him to bee of good comfort, and to pluck up his ſpirit, I cannot, ſaid hee, why can you not? Becauſe I have no grace, no more than a ſtake; why think you ſo? by this Affliction. Its certain this holy man of God had grace in this his deep and dreadfull plunge, but becauſe he could not perceive it, he did deny it. Preſs theſe home to afflicted ſouls, not to judge themſelves by preſent ſenſe, or what they ſee or feel, for grace may bee in them of a truth, and they not ſee it, and they may bee the Children of the day, and not diſcern it; but by former experience, to recollect themſelves, whether they have not heretofore diſcovered the work of grace in them, by the effects, ſigns, and ſymptomes thereof. Then perſwade them into the beleef hereof, as a ſound certain truth of God, that true grace, whereſoever it is may bee in an eclipſe or laps, or decay for a time; but they that have it cannot loſe it, nor fall from it totally or finally. Becauſe

1 Its the ſeed of God which remains in every Child of God, 1 Joh. 3.91 John 3:9and keeps poſſeſſion of the ſoul for God; and can never be wholly rooted out. Grace may be to ſeek ſometimes, or out of the way, when wee have occaſion to look at it, or to uſe it, but it cannot bee loſt, as things in a houſe may bee to ſeek, yet are laid up ſafe, and found afterwards, as a knife, or gloves.

2 Rom. 11.29Rom 11:29The Gifts and calling of God are without repentance, that is, the gifts of grace, and p. 284effectuall calling, God doth not give theſe and take them again from any of his ſervants, but to continue to bee theirs, and to abide with them for ever.

3 The perpetuity of grace in them is founded upon the immutability of God, and his free mercy, good will, and everlaſting love to them; Heb. 13.8 Joh. 13.1Heb 13:8John 13:1that as hee is for ever the ſame in his Affection to them, ſo hee will continue them to bee ever the ſame in their relation to him, ſcil. his Confederates, Sons, Saints, Servants.

4 Becauſe both they and the grace of God in them are kept by the power of God unto ſalvation. 1 Pet. 1.51 Pet 1:5So that they that once had the grace of God can never loſe it wholly, though they would; becauſe it is kept by the arms of eternity in them and for them. None is able to pluck grace out of them, Ioh. 10.28, 29John 10:28John 10:29no more than to pluck them out of Gods hand. They may fall in the ſtate of grace, but they cannot fall out of it.

5 Becauſe the golden chain of Salvation is irrefragable, and all the Links in it are inſeparable, Rom. 8.30. — Whom hee calleth, them hee hath predeſtinated, and them hee will certainly juſtifie and glorifie.

Acquaint ſuch poor ſouls that grace hath its ſeaſons of hiding it ſelf, and of appearing or ſhewing it ſelf, as the Sun hath his time of ſetting and riſing; The Moon hath her times of eclypſe, and of the full. As the fruits of the Earth have their times of being under ground and above ground. As night and day have their Viciſſitudes. Now for you to conclude p. 285the non exiſtence of grace in you from the non appearance of it to you; that you have it not, becauſe you ſee it not, is as if you ſhould ſay, becauſe the Sun is ſet, it will riſe no more, becauſe it is night or dark, it will not bee day or light again; becauſe it is Winter now, wee ſhall have no more Summer; becauſe the Moon is in an eclyps, therefore ſhee will ſhine no more, at leaſt never be in the full again.

Perſwade them to defer paſſing ſentence upon themſelves untill they bee in a calm eſtate, or in a capacity to make a right judgement of themſelves. Then let them ſearch their hearts, which is like raking abroad of the aſhes to find out the ſparks of grace, and dig deep by ſelf-examination, to diſcover the root of the matter to bee in them; and wait upon God, to this end, to light the Candle of their ſpirits, to look into all the corners of their hearts, and ſee what is there; and diſcern what is gold, and what droſſe, what is precious, and what vile in their ſouls.

While their ſpirits are in a confuſed perplexed ſtate, Importune them to hearken to the Counſel of Chriſtian friends, who may (at ſuch a time) bee better able to judge of them, and their caſe, than they are of themſelves (as Phyſicians do better underſtand the ſtate of their ſick Patients, than themſelves) and who may more clearly diſcern grace in them, than they can in themſelves; and therefore ought to declare and make out the ſame to them, ſcil. that they have grace in deed, though not in view, or though they deny it, or do not ſee it. — When you have to deal with ſuch, ſet p. 286your ſelves to obſerve, and diſcover Aliquid Chriſti, what you can of Chriſt, and grace in them, watch diligently if any word fall from them that may give you hope or a hint thereof.

The ſecond Thing to bee ſet before them is this, The deſire of grace is grace. Deſires after Chriſt and grace, to beleeve, repent, obey to ſerve, and pleaſe God, to bee delivered from the dominion of ſin, are Grace.

Reaſ. 1 Becauſe true deſires have the nature and truth of grace in them, though in a ſcantling, and ſmall meaſure; As there is true fire in a ſpark, as well as in a flame, and true water in a drop, as in a ſtream, true light in a Beam, as in the Sun. The filings of gold, are true gold, as well as the whole wedge. — The leaſt of any thing partakes of the nature of the whole.

Reaſ. 2 Becauſe Deſires are the ſeeds or beginnings of grace in the ſoul, out of which grace grows up to its meaſure of ſtature; as a Corn ſown in the Earth, whence grows the blade, Mar. 1.28Mark 1:28ſtalk, Ear, and full Corn in the Ear, according to its kind. — As a Grain of Muſtard-ſeed is the leaſt of all ſeeds when it is ſown, but the greateſt among herbs when it is grown, Mat. 13.31, 32Matt 13:31Matt 13:32it becommeth a Tree. — So deſires are grace in the feed, Habits are grace in the blade, or ſtalk; Acts or works are grace in the Ear, and perfect works are full Corn in the Ear. — Grace is one of the leaſt things at firſt, but it is the property of grace, even when it is lodged in deſires, or in the firſt, and leaſt degree of it, to grow up, and riſe higher.

Reaſ. 3. Becauſe good deſires are accepted, p. 287and rewarded with God as well as deeds, yea for deeds, when power to perform and actuate them is wanting. 2 Cor. 8.122 Cor 8:12If there bee firſt a willing mind (ſaith the Apoſtle) it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that a man hath not. God eſtimates his people rather according to their affections than their actions, for ordinarily their hearts are larger than their hands, and they deſire to do more than they are able. The firſt fruits of deſires are well-pleaſing to God, as well as the whole lump of performance. God took it kindly from David, 1 King. 8.181 Kgs 8:18that it was in his heart to build him a houſe (though he would not accept it at his hand) and for a recompence, God promiſeth to build him a houſe; 2 Sam. 7.112 Sam 7:11and from Abraham, that he was willing to offer up his only Son Iſaac to God, he accepted it as done, and bleſſed him for it, Gen. 22.12, 16. ſaying, Becauſe thou haſt done this thing, and haſt not with-held thy Son, thine only Son, in bleſſing I will bleſs thee, &c. How highly did Chriſt commend the poor Widow that caſt in her two Mites into the Treaſury, Mar. 12.42, 43, 44Mark 12:42Mark 12:43Mark 12:44becauſe ſhe did it out of plenty of good will, though out of penury of her eſtate, for theſe were here wealth, all ſhe had, even all her living. As on the contrary, the evil deſires, and concupiſcence of the heart are reckoned, and puniſhed by God as deeds, Mat. 5.28Matt 5:28Whoſoever looks on a woman to luſt after her, hath committed Adultery already with her in his heart, ſaith our Saviour. A man may commit Murther, Theft, Adultery, as well in deſires, and affections in his heart, as in deeds, or action, with his p. 288hand. So a Chriſtian may beleeve, repent, and do new obedience, in deſires after Chriſt and Grace, to be made able to perform all theſe, as in deed — A Chriſtians perfection here lies more in his Affections than in his Actions; therefore Gods Servants have pleaded their wills, and deſires before God, rather than their deeds as Nehemiah did, Nehem. 1.11Neh 1:11Lord let thine ear bee attentive to the prayer of thy Servants, Pſal. 38.9Ps 38:9who defire to fear thy Name; and David, Lord, all my deſire is before thee, and, my groaning is not hid from thee — And Paul▪ Rom. 7.16. to 21.Rom 7:16–21To will is preſent with me, but how to perform that which is good, I finde not.

Reaſ. 4. Becauſe good deſires are the work of God in us as well as deeds, Phil. 2.13Phil 2:13for God worketh in us both to will, Chap. 1.6and to do, of his own good pleaſure. They are the beginning of Gods good work in us, which he will perfect untill the Day of Chriſt; God doth not his works by halves, when I begin, 1 Sam. 3.121 Sam 3:12I will alſo make an end, ſaith God, which is as true of the work of Grace, as of Judgement, Pſal. 138.8Ps 138:8The Lord will perfect that which concerns us; he will nouriſh up deſires into habits, and draw them both forth into Acts, and increaſe the actings thereof unto perfection — Chriſt is, Heb. 12.2Heb 12:2as the Author of our faith in deſires after it, ſo is hee the finiſher of it in aſſurance — Deſires are the ſmoak of the Flax (or Wick) which Chriſt will not quench, the bruiſe of the Reed which he will not break, Mat. 12.20Matt 12:20but nouriſh, and cheriſh the ſame untill hee ſend forth Judgement unto Victory; that is, till he hath brought the ſmall beginnings of grace (even in deſires) unto p. 289perfection; notwithſtanding all obſtructions, and oppoſitions by the enemies of our Salvation — Chriſt deſpiſeth not the day of a Souls ſmall things.

Reaſ. 5. Becauſe God hath made many promiſes to Deſires, as of acceptation, 2 Corin. 8.12. of ſupply, and ſatisfaction, Pſal. 145.19. He will fulfill the deſire of them that fear him, he will hear their cry, and will ſave them. To this end God gives, or ſtirres up deſires, that he may ſatisfie them; as in Nature, ſo in Grace — Thou openeſt thine hand, and ſatisfieſt the deſire of every living thing, ſaith David, Mat. 5.6Matt 5:6verſ. 16. — Promiſes of bleſſedneſs, Bleſſed are they that hunger and thirſt after righteouſneſs, for they ſhall be filled — Promiſes of the Water of Life — of the Spirit, Rev. 21.6Rev 21:6Luke 1.53Luke 1:53Joh. 7.37.39 — of Spiritual Wine and Milk, Iſa. 55.1, 2. of all good things are made to hungrings and thirſtings of ſoul; true deſires intitle a ſoul to all theſe by vertue of Gods Promiſes — Ask poor, doubting, diſtreſſed ſouls, who complain they have not a Chriſt, nor Faith to beleeve; they cannot repent, nor obey, nor depart from iniquity — Are not your ſouls carried upon a wing of deſires after Chriſt, to look and long for him? — Do you not with your ſouls deſire to beleeve, to repent, to do good, and no evil? Then ſpread the promiſed Reaſons before them, to convince, and conclude them under the power and comfort of the preſent truth, that true deſires are grace. Sometimes God lays a ſoul ſo low in darkneſs, and in deeps of tentation, as it cannor diſcern ſo much as deſires in it ſelf, as Mr. p. 290Peacock, who uttered a ſtrange ſpeech, when his friends asked him, Do you deſire grace? I cannot, ſaith he, I can as well leap over a Church.

Obj. If deſires be grace, who will want it, or periſh for lack of it? for, do not all deſire to be ſaved, and to go to heaven?

Anſ. Not all deſires of grace are true grace, but only true deſires, which may be diſcerned by the root, fruit, and properties of them.

1 By the Root; — True deſires of Chriſt, and grace do ſpring and grow,

1 From a heart humbled before God in the ſight of its ſins, and miſery by them, and of its own vileneſs, and unworthineſs — Deſires are ſparks that fly up from inward ſmitings, and breakings of heart for ſin — Lord, thou haſt heard the deſires of the humble, Pſal. 10.17Ps 10:17ſaith David.

2 From a ſoul ſenſible of its Spiritual neceſſities, or from ſenſe of ſoul-wants, ſcil. of Chriſt, and Grace, and of the things that accompany Salvation, pardon of ſin, and power over ſin, &c. that it hath them not, or that in him dwelleth no ſuch good things, — as in Nature, ſo in Grace, a feeling of the want of meat, or drink, (or any thing that tends to preſervation of life) makes men hunger and thirſt.

3 From a mind illightned to ſee, as the want, ſo the worth and excellency, the neceſſity, and commodity of Chriſt, and Grace for the Soul, as there is of the ſoul for the body, without which the body would be a dead p. 291Corps; or of the Sun for the World, without which the World would bee but a dark heap.

2 By the fruit or effect; true deſires put forth ſerious, and ſuitable endeavours in the uſe of means to obtain the things deſired. Such were Davids deſires — One thing I have deſired of the Lord, Pſal. 27.4Ps 27:4which I will ſeek after; — the deſires of the righteous are dilligent, and induſtrious — True deſirers are a generation of Seekers — Right deſires of Chriſt, and Grace, will make a ſoul ſeek them diligently, and wait on God for them in all his Ordinances, as the Word, Seals, Prayer, the Communion of Saints, which is called, Prov. 8.34Prov 8:34Watching daily at Wiſdoms gates, waiting at the poſts of her doors — The wicked may have deſires of good for themſelves, but they are not good deſires, becauſe lazie, and idle, they ſeparate between the end and the means, Prov. 13.4 Cap. 21.25Prov 13:4like thoſe of the Sluggard — The ſoul of the ſluggard deſireth and hath nothing, but the ſoul of the diligent ſhall be made fat. The deſire of the ſlothful killeth him, for his hands refuſe to labour. Numb. 23.20Num 23:20Balaam deſired to dye the death of the righteous, but he would not live their lives.

If by a wiſh the wicked could get Chriſt, Grace, and Heaven, they would not want them, but they will not work for them; not ſeek the Kingdom of God in the firſt place, nor labour for the meat that endures to everlaſting life, nor work out their Salvation with fear and trembling — The deſires of the wicked are but a bare wiſh, or willingneſs without a purpoſe of uſing the means.

p. 2923 True deſires after Chriſt, and grace are diſcernable by the properties of them, which are Four.

1 They are ſincere.

1 For ground, when they are carried out after Chriſt, and Spiritual things, as well for their ſakes as for our own; for the goodneſs of them in themſelves, as well as for the good we may get by them; for the beauty, and excellency wee ſee in them, and a ſuitableneſs to our neceſſities, or out of love to them.

2 For ends, when deſires have Spiritual aims, as the mark they ſhoot at, in the objects about which they are converſant, to wit, to make us holy, and humble in our hearts, obedient and ſerviceable in our lives, conformable in both to Chriſt, and acceptable through Chriſt to God; and they do not ſcope at Temporal advantages, as to get our ſelves name, or fame, credit, or profit thereby in the world.

2 True deſires are ſtirring, vigorous, and vehement for temper and meaſure, Matth. 5.6Matt 5:6therefore called in Scripture, Hunger and Thirſt, which are the ſtrongeſt deſires of Nature. Such like doth Grace put forth—Holy deſires vent, and pour out themſelves in deep ſighs and groans, in earneſt pantings and breathings of ſoul, in ſtrong crys, and tears to God for Chriſt, to Chriſt for grace, Pſal. 42.1Ps 42:1ſtrength, ſpirit — As the Hart panteth after the water brooks, ſo panteth my ſoul after thee, Gen. 30.1, 2Gen 30:1Gen 30:2O God, ſaith David; — they are like Rachel her deſire of Children, Give mee Children. ſaid ſhe, elſe I dye; or Sampſons p. 293thirſt, which was great, Shall I dye for thirſt? Judg. 15.18Judg 15:18ſaid he —

True deſires muſt needs be ſtrong — becauſe they come from the bottom of the heart, and riſe up to the top, and the whole force of the ſoul is united, and put into them, Iſa. 26.18.Isa 26:18and carried forth in them — The deſire of our ſoul (ſaith the Prophet) is to thy Name, and to the remembrance of thee — with my ſoul have I deſired thee in the night; hee means the whole ſoul. This is to ſearch for God with all our heart, which is a ſure ſign that we ſhall finde God, Jer. 29.13. the ſtrength of holy deſires appears,

1 In preferring Spirituals before Temporals, Chriſt and Grace, and things above, before Riches, Honours, Pleaſures, and all things here below, in being willing to part with our darling luſts, and whatſoever is dear to us to get Chriſt — to ſell all to buy the Pearl of great price, that is, Chriſt; Luk. 18.18.22 23Luke 18:18Luke 18:22and the goodly pearls of Grace, which the Ruler that came to Chriſt was not willing to do, who pretended a great deſire to be ſaved, but preferred his poſſeſſions, and his deſires to keep them, before his Salvation, and deſires to obtain the ſame — Deſires after Chriſt will make a ſoul ſay with that Martyr, None but Chriſt, John Lambert.none but Chriſt.

2 In exceeding all other deſires in us in heat, and height, in metal and edge, in ſwallowing up, or abating all deſires after earthly things, Exod. 12.7.Exod 12:7as Aarons Rod ſwallowed up the Magicians Rods.

3 True deſires are ſeaſonable for time, p. 294while the things deſired may bee obtained; what a man deſires fervently, hee will labour for preſently without delay, as the hungry man doth meat, and the thirſty man drink; hence proceeds ſeeking God early, to wit, while hee may bee found, and calling upon him while hee is neer. Pſal. 63.1.Ps 63:1— Deſires love not delays, either of pains for, or enjoyment of wh… is deſired, for the accompliſhment of deſires is ſweet to the ſoul, but delays are bitter. — Though true deſires are never too late, yet late deſires are ſeldome true, as when men defer their deſires to beleeve in Chriſt, to repent of ſin, and depart from ſin, till they bee ſick, or lye on their death-beds. — Eſau deſired the bleſſing, but too late, therefore hee loſt it, and his labour, though hee ſought it with tears. The five fooliſh Virgins deſired to enter into the marriage-chamber, but too late, when the door was ſhut.

4 And laſtly. True deſires of Chriſt, and grace, are conſtant, and continuall for duration, not by fits like Agues, nor by flaſhes like lightening, or ſtird only upon ſome Emergencies, or ſpecial occaſions, as hearing of the joys of Heaven, or torments of Hell, pathetically deſcribed, or of remarkable judgements of God, or from inward affrightments; for ſuch deſires (not having an inward root in the heart) commonly cool, and wither when the occaſion of them ceaſeth.— But true deſires, flowing out of the heart, are ſed with the laſting ſpring of grace in it, the waters whereof ſhall not ſail. — They are reſtleſſe, never quiet till they be ſatisfied; unceſſant till prevalent; p. 295ever riſing and rolling till they reſt in the Center of obtaining. — They that deſire Chriſt, and grace, pardon, and peace, &c. aright, are not only importunately, but unceſſantly greedy for them, and will bee Gods Remembrancers night and day, and give him no reſt, till hee give them their hearts deſires. — Neither delayes nor repulſes can cruſh, or quaſh ſincere deſires. Mat. 15.Matt 15See this exemplified in the woman of Canaan. — Deſires are true when they are the bias of the ſoul, which inclines, or leads it the right way, ſcil. Chriſt-ward, Graceward, Heaven-ward; when they do (as by a proper Motion) carry out our ſouls freely, and conſtantly after theſe; as ſparks flye upward, as the ſtone moves downard, and waters run forward. Pſal. 119.20.Ps 119:20— My ſoul breaketh for the longing it hath to thy judgements at all times, ſaith David — and my ſoul thirſteth after thee, Pſal. 143.6.Ps 143:6as a thirſty land, that gapes continually till God give Rain — So much for the firſt direction, for the right comforting of afflicted ſouls.

The ſecond Direction is this, Caution them againſt four evills, to take heed.

1 That they do not diſhonour God in the time of their deſertions, and diſtractions, by unworthy thoughts of him, or hard ſpeeches againſt him, by murmurings at him, or quarrelings with him, for his aſſaultings of them with Terrours, and anguiſh; for his withdrawings from them of light and influences; and for his far diſtance, and long abſence from them. — Hereupon they are apt to think, and ſay, that God is not ſo loving, and kind, tender, and ready to help, as his word p. 296reports him to bee. — The Pſalmiſt when his ſpirit was overwhelmed, his ſoul troubled, and refuſed to bee comforted, then hee began to call Gods mercy, Pſal 77.2. Verſ. 7, 8.Ps 77:2Truth, and faithfulneſs into queſtion — will the Lord caſt off for ever? will hee bee favourable no more? Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promiſe fail for evermore? Verſ. 10.— But hee checks himſelf for it — I ſaid, this is mine infirmity, or this doth make mee ſick — It ſhould bee the chief care of Gods people, what ever they ſuffer from God, not to ſin againſt God; whatever God doth to them, to think, and ſpeak only the thing that is right, and to juſtifie God when ever they judge themſelves. — This was Jobs comfort and commendation in his great affliction — In all this did not Job ſin with his lips, Job 1.22. with cha. 2.10.Job 1:22nor charge God fooliſhly — Deſpair of Gods mercy is high treaſon againſt his Majeſty, and a flat denyall of his Deity. — Gods glory ſhould bee dearer to us than our lives, ſouls, or the ſalvation of them, and the more tender wee are of it, the more will God tender the comfort of our ſouls, and lives. — It was the frequent, and fervent petition of a Godly man in his tentations. — Lord maintain honourable thoughts of thy ſelf in mee.

2 Caution, that they do not deſtroy their own ſouls, either

1 By denying what God hath done for them, to wit, the work of grace begun in their hearts, his love to them, his choice and calling of them (ſaying, they have no grace, they are Reprobates, caſt-awayes) whereby they bear falſe witneſſe

p. 2971 Againſt themſelves, which is unnatural.

2 Againſt the grace of God, and againſt the God of grace, his work in them, and goodneſſe to them, which is moſt unworthy and ungratefull.

2 Or by refuſing what God would give to them, ſcil. grace, mercy, peace, and joy, wilfull refuſal whereof, is wilfull murder (like cutting of the throat, or ſtabbing to the heart) yea ſelf murder, It isblood-guiltineſſe, yea guilt of the blood of ſouls, yea of their own ſouls; and ſhould not your precious immortal ſouls be dearer to you than all the world? labour to convince them, that by ſuch a denyall, or refuſall, they make themſelves falſe witneſſes, and murderers.

3 Caution, Joh. 8.44.John 8:44that they do not gratifie Satan who is 1 A Lyar, & the Father of Lyes, becauſe there is no truth in him. 2 A Murtherer, ſc. of ſouls from the beginning, and will be ſo to the end. 3 An Accuſer of the Brethren (the children of God) unto God their Father, Job 1.9.Job 1:9as hee was of Job to God, that he was an Hypocrite, or hireling — Doth Job fear God for naught? and an accuſer of God unto them, as if hee was a hard Maſter, cruel to cruſh poor ſouls under his feet, and took pleaſure in their deſtruction, or at leaſt that God doth not with them all the good, or ſo well as hee might. Thus Satan (in the Serpent) calumniated God to out firſt Parents, of untruth, as if the word which hee had ſpoken in threatning death was not true, Gen. 3.4. — yee ſhall not ſurely dye — and of envy, as if God had out of ill will forbid them that Tree; or for fear p. 298leſt by eating thereof they ſhould become as wiſe as himſelf. — Preſſe, and perſwade poor afflicted ſouls to beware they do not gratifie Satan.

1 By entertaining parley with him, as Eve did, which was the cauſe of her foil, and fall. — The old Serpent being full of all ſubtlety, will bee too hard for them. — It is the firſt game hee deſires to play with troubled ſouls, to argue the caſe with them about their ſpirituall condition, to circumvent and deceive them with his wiles.

2 By hearkning to his tentations, and ſuggeſtions, as theſe and the like.

1 To caſt off ordinances, neglect duties in publick, and in private (which are the means of grace, peace, and comfort) to hear, read, pray, meditate, &c. as if theſe were needleſs, or to no purpoſe, and they ſhould bee no better for them. — This is Satans plot to ſtarve poor ſouls by cutting off proviſion from them, or them from it. This perſwaſion commeth not from God that calleth you, but from the Devil who ſeeketh to ſubvert, and devour you.

2 To harbour Jealouſies, and evil ſurmiſings of God, or derogatory, diſhonourable thoughts, ſuch as Satan caſts into your mind, as if God was not mercifull, pittifull, faithfull &c. — Theſe and the like ſuggeſtions are the bolts which Satan makes for diſconſolate, diſcontented ſouls to ſhoot at God; or a coat of diſ-honour, which Satan ſhapes, or cuts out for them to few, and put upon the Lord.

3 To caſt away their confidence, and lay hope aſide, and give over ſeeking, and waiting p. 299on God any longer, and to throw themſelves into a Gulf of deſpair. This is to do the Devil a real kindneſs, and to give their ſouls a fatal blow, for hereby they make themſelves a prey to Satan.

4 To make a wrong judgement of themſelves, and of their condition, by falſe Reaſonings (which are Satans Sophiſtry) to conclude themſelves out of the ſtate of Grace, out of Chriſt, out of Heaven, as if they had no grace at all, becauſe at preſent they can ſee none in themſelves; or were not the Lords, becauſe they are ſo deeply diſtreſſed as none of his ever were.

5 To follow Satans preſcripts, or take Phyſick of him for the cure of Soul-troubles, which is to lay aſide all thoughts, or cares about Soul-affairs; to go into merry company, and to give themſelves to the pleaſures of the fleſh; which remedy is farre worſe than the diſeaſe. This is to leap out of the pan into the fire — Satans receits are rank poyſon. To hearken to Satan in any of theſe ſuggeſtions, or perſwaſions, is to do his luſts, and his works for him; to carry on his deſigns, which mainly oppoſe, and ſtrike at Gods glory, and the ſalvation of ſouls.

4 Caution. That they do not ſatisfie their diſquieted hearts.

1 By taking offence at the Lords dealings with them, or at their preſent troubled ſtate to be angry at God, or to bee froward and ſullen.

2 By giving way to ſad perplexed thoughts (ſufficient to ſink them) which is to prepare p. 300a Chariot for Satan to ride in, triumph over their heads and hearts, and to tread them both down to the duſt.

3 By venting, or juſtifying the diſcontents, and diſtempers of the heart, as Jonah did his Anger before God, Ionah 4.Jonah 4that they do well to bee angry.

4 By putting away comfort from them, in a froward peeviſh humour, when it is tendred to them, as Children throw away their Butter and Bread when they are pettiſh, or diſpleaſed, leſt the Lord deal with them according to their deſert, Pſal. 18.26Ps 18:26and with the froward ſhew himſelf froward, and fill their ſouls with Wormwood and Gall.

Third Direction. In dealing with afflicted ſouls (or with your own ſouls in ſuch afflictions) have ſpecial reſpect to Three Graces, to nouriſh and cheriſh the ſame in them which are their vitals in ſuch a condition.

The Firſt is, Repentance for their ſins, thoſe eſpecially which are the cauſe of their troubles, that their ſorrow may bee ſound, and deep enough, and go to the root, or bottom of their hearts, and of their luſts, that their ſouls may lye low in humiliation before God for them, for that is a foundation to build ſtrong and high conſolation upon; thoſe that are not rightly or throughly humbled for their ſins, are not fit for, or capable of comfort.

The Second Grace is Faith; labour to cheriſh and ſtrengthen that in them by all means; to truſt ſtill in God, and his Mercies, and Promiſes; in Chriſt, and his Merits and Mediation; to lay faſt hold on them, and to ſtay themſelves p. 301by them, which are ſtrong refuges to fly unto, and ſure foundations, impregnable rocks, to relye and reſt their weary ſouls upon, what evils ſoever they either

1 Feel; So did David, Pſal. 42.5Ps 42:5Why art thou caſt down, O my ſoul, and why art thou diſquieted within me? truſt thou in God, for I ſhall yet praiſe him.

2 Or Fear; So did Job, Though he ſlay me, Iob 13.15 Pſal. 56.3Job 13:15Ps 56:3yet will I truſt in him — And David, What time I am afraid, I will truſt in thee — Life is kept in poor ſouls, and their heads above water, that they ſhall neither faint nor ſink, though the ſorrows of death compaſs them about, ſo long as the actings of faith are maintained, and incouraged in them, for Faith is their life — The juſt ſhall live by his faith — they cannot be overcome of any evils, Rom. 1.17Rom 1:17deſertions, tentations, corruptions, or of the evil one Satan, ſo long as they beleeve; for, this is the victory that overcometh them all, 1 Ioh. 5.41 John 5:4even their faith. When faith fails, ſouls faint and dye away; when Peter began to doubt, he began to ſink.

The Third Grace is Patience; Perſwade them to the conſtant, Iam. 1.4Jas 1:4and continual exerciſe of Patience (that it may have her perfect work) in bearing his hand, ſubmitting to his will, in waiting his leaſure, for refreſhings from Gods preſence, for bringing their ſouls out of troubles, for an anſwer of peace, which will be life to their ſouls — So long as Patience is kept in work, Satan is kept out, and they keep their ſouls in their own poſſeſſion. — Tell them, that by giving way to impatience they p. 302give place to the Devil, who thereby gets within them, and gets great advantage againſt them; that heightens and greatens any affliction, and makes it grievous to be born — Let me adde, labour to cheriſh good deſires in them, that the ſmoaking Flax (or Wick) may b… lighted, and made to …urn, and ſhine, and grow up to a flame — When you ſee their poverty of ſpirit, that they ſee their Soulwants, and breathe after ſupplies, tell them from Jeſus Chriſt, Matth. 5.3Matt 5:3that upon this account they are bleſſed, and theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Fourth Direction. Take a right courſe for healing their diſtempers, and troubles of Soul.

1 By ſearching the Sore to the bottom, to finde out the core, and the cauſe thereof. — Till Phyſitians diſcover the cauſe of a Diſeaſe, they cannot apply fit and proper Medicines for the Cure; and by drawing the troubles of their heart to a head — as their ſorrow for ſin in general, to grieve for ſome one ſin in ſpecial, to let out the foul bloud, or corruption of the Soul; — as a Chirurgion ſeeks to draw a tumour or ſwelling in the body to a head, that the bad matter may iſſue out.

2 By turning the ſtream of their paſsions into another Chanel, as Phyſitians turn the courſe of their Patients bloud, when they bleed much at the Noſe, by letting them bloud in the arm — So labour you to turn their fear of Gods wrath, and vengeance, of Hell and Damnation, into the chanel of holy fear of God, and his goodneſs, of offending p. 303God, or ſinning againſt him — and their grief for paenal evils, inward or outward, into the chanel of godly ſorrow for ſin.

The fifth and laſt direction is this, bear with their infirmities, as ignorance, frowardneſſe; Become all things to them for their refreſhment, and recovery, like Paul, 1 Cor. 9.20.1 Cor 9:20who to the weak became as weak, that hee might gain the weak — ſtoop low in condeſcenſion to the loweſt ſtep of their dulneſs, and dejection, ſhew love to them with pitty, and patience to bear all, and hope all, — ſpeak to them as ſympathizing with them, as having a fellow-feeling of their troubles, and ſorrows, — make it out to them, that your words come more from your bowels, than from your brains.

The ſixth and laſt particular caſe is ſelfcommendation.Self-commendation.

Its lawfull for Gods people in ſome caſes to commend themſelves; or to declare what God hath done for them, and by them; to ſpeak of their graces, God hath beſtowed on them, of their labours, or works which God hath wrought by them, yea alſo of their ſufferings for God.

This hath been the practice of the moſt holy humble ſervants of God, both in the old and new Teſtament, ſome of which have ſpent) whole (or the greateſt part of) chapters upon that ſubject.

As that good governour Nehemiah did the thirteenth chapter of his book, as a Naerrative of the good deeds hee had done for the houſe of his God, and for the offices thereof (which hee intreats the Lord to remember, verſ. 14.) p. 304againſt the prophanation of the Sabbath, and the marriages with ſtrange wives; and the fifth chapter in relating his pitty and bounty to the poor Jews, in freeing them from their oppreſſions, verſ. 1. to 14. and from their charge of proviſion, which they were bound to bring in to their governour, verſ. 14, 15. hee forbore his own allowance, yet kept hoſpitality, and hee prayes in the cloſe of the chapter; Think upon me my God for good, according to all that I have done for this people.

Job makes proteſtation of his innocency and integrity, not only here and there, often in his book, but the 29. and 31. chapters contain his continued vindication thereof, or a catalogue of his good works.

Paul ſpends many chapters in declaring what hee had received from God, and what hee did and ſuffered for God and his people, as Act. 20. Phil. 3.1 Theſ. 2.2 Cor. 11. and 12. chapters.

Queſt. In what caſes is ſelf-commendation allowed to Gods people?

Anſ. I ſhall name eleven.

Firſt caſe is, of afflictions from God, wherein they have profeſſed their faith in God, Firſt Caſe.their patience, obedience, ſincerity, conſtancy, notwithſtanding the ſame; ſo did Job when hee took his fleſh in his teeth, and put his life in his hand — Though God ſlay mee (ſaith he) yet will I truſt in him — I will maintain mine own wayes before him — and my foot hath held his ſteps, Job 13.14, 15. Chap. 23.10.11, 12.Job 13:14Job 13:15his way have, I kept and not declined, neither have I gone back from the commandement of his lips, no not when God laid a load of ſorrows p. 305upon him. And the Church in Pſal. 44.17, 18, 19, &c. All this evil is come upon us (from the Lord) yet have wee not forgotten thee, nor dealt falſly in thy Covenant — our heart is not turned back, &c. And Jeremy when afflicted and humbled under the hand of God, As for mee, Jer. 17.1….Jer 17:1I have not haſted from being a paſtour to follow thee, neither have I deſired the woefull day, thou knoweſt, Verſ. 17.that which came out of my lips was right before thee — bee not a terrour unto mee, thou art ray hope in the day of evil.