The Beatitudes, Discourse · Chapter 11
CHAP. XI.
Shewing the comforts belonging to Mourners.
Matth. 5.4. They ſhall be comforted.
HAving already preſented to your view the dark ſide of the Text, I ſhall now ſhew you the light ſide, they ſhall be comforted.
Where obſerve, 1. Mourning goes before comfort; as the launcing of a wound precedes the cure; the Antinomian talks of comfort, but cries down mourning for ſin; he is like a fooliſh Patient, who having a Pill preſcribed him, licks the ſugar, but throws away the Pill. The Libertine is all for joy and comfort, he licks the ſugar, but throws away the bitter Pill of Repentance; if ever we have true comfort, we muſt have it in Gods way and method; ſorrow for ſin uſhers in joy. Iſa. 57. I will reſtore comfort to him, and to his Mourners. That is the true Sun-ſhine of joy which comes after a ſhowre of tears; we may as well expect a crop without ſeed, as comfort without Goſpel-mourning.
2. Obſerve that God keeps his beſt wine till laſt; firſt, he preſcribes mourning for ſin, and then ſets abroach the wine of conſolation; the Divel doth quite contrary; he ſhews the beſt firſt, and keeps the worſt till laſt: Firſt he ſhews the wine ſparkling in the glaſs, then comes the biting of the ſerpent, Prov. 23.32. Satan ſets his dainty diſhes before men; he preſents ſin to them coloured with beauty, ſweetned with pleaſure, ſilvered with profit, and then afterwards the ſad reckoning is brought in. He ſhewed Judas firſt the ſilver bait, and then ſtruck him with the hook: This is the reaſon why ſin hath ſo many followers, becauſe it ſhews the beſt firſt; firſt the golden Crowns, and then come the Lyons teeth, Rev. 9.7, 8.
But God ſhews the worſt firſt; firſt he preſcribes a bitter potion, and then brings a cordial, they ſhall be comforted.
3. Obſerve, Goſpel-tears are not loſt, they are ſeeds of comfort; while the penitent doth poure out tears, God poures in joy; if thou wouldſt be chearful, (ſaith Chryſoſtom) be ſad*foreign. Chryſ.: Pſal. 126.5. They that ſowe in tears, ſhall reap in joy. It was the end of Chriſts anointing and coming into the world, that he might comfort them that mourn: Iſa. 61.3. Chriſt had the oyle of gladneſs poured on him, (as Chryſoſtom ſaith) that he might poure it upon the Mourner; well then may the Apoſtle call it a repentance not to be repented of, 2 Cor. 7.10. A mans drunkenneſs is to be repented of, his uncleanneſs is to be repented of; but his repentance is never to be repented of, becauſe it is the inlet to joy: Bleſſed are they that mourn, for they ſhall be comforted. Here is ſweet fruit from a bitter ſtock: Chriſt cauſed the earthen Veſſels to be filled with water, and then turned the water into wine, John 2.9. So when the eye, that earthen Veſſel hath been filled with water brim full, then Chriſt will turn the water of tears into the wine of joy. Holy mourning ſaith Saint Baſil *foreign. Baſil., is the ſeed out of which the flower of eternal joy doth grow.
The Reaſon why the Mourner ſhall be comforted, is:
1. Becauſe Mourning is made on purpoſe for this end; Mourning is not preſcribed for it ſelf, but in ordine ad aliud, that it may lay a train for comfort therefore we ſowe in tears, that we may reap in joy. Holy mourning is a ſpiritual medicine; now a medicine is not preſcribed for it ſelf, but for health-ſake; ſo Goſpel-mourning is appointed for this very end, to bring forth joy.
2. The ſpiritual Mourner is the fitteſt perſon for comfort: When the heart is broken for ſin, now it is fitteſt for joy; God poures the golden oyle of comfort into broken Veſſels; the Mourners heart is emptied of pride, and God fills the empty with his bleſſing; the Mourners tears have helped to purge out corruption; and after purging phyſick, God gives a Julip. The Mourner is ready to faint away under the burden of ſin, and then the bottle of ſtrong water comes ſeaſonably. The Lord would have the inceſtuous perſon (upon his deep humiliation) to be comforted, leſt he ſhould be ſwallowed up with over much ſorrow, 2 Cor. 2.7.
This is the Mourners priviledge, he ſhall be comforted; the Valley of tears brings the ſoul into a Paradiſe of joy; a ſinners joy brings forth ſorrow; the mourners ſorrow brings forth joy. John 16.22. Your ſorrow ſhall be turned into joy. The Saints have a wet ſeed-time, but a joyful Harveſt. foreign, They ſhall be comforted.
SECT. I.
Showing the mourners comforts here.
NOw to illuſtrate this, I ſhall ſhow you what the comforts are the mourners ſhall have. Theſe comforts are of a divine infuſion, and they are two-fold; either Here or Hereafter *foreign. Chryſoſt. 1. Comforts here..
1. COMFORTS HERE.] They are called the conſolations of God, Job 15.11. That is, Great comforts, ſuch as none but God can Give; they exceed all other comforts as far as heaven doth earth. The root on which theſe comforts grow, is, The bleſſed Spirit; he is called foreign, the Comforter, John 14.26. and comfort is ſaid to be a fruit of the Spirit, Gal. 5.22. Chriſt did purchaſe peace, the Spirit ſpeaks peace. Queſt. How doth the Spirit comfort? Anſw. Either
Mediately.
or Immediately.
1. Mediately; By helping us to apply the Promiſes to ourſelves, and draw water out of thoſe Wells of ſalvation; we lie as dead children at the breaſt, till the Spirit helps us to ſuck the breaſt of a Promiſe; and when the Spirit hath taught Faith this Art, now comfort flows in. O how ſweet is the breaſt-milk of a Promiſe!
2. The Spirit comforts immediatly; The Spirit by a more direct act preſents God to the ſoul as reconciled; it ſheds his love abroad in the heart, from whence flows infinite joy, Rom. 5.5. The Spirit ſecretly whiſpers Pardon for ſin, and the ſight of a Pardon dilates the heart with joy, Matth. 9.2. Be of good chear, thy ſinnes are forgiven thee.
That I may ſpeak more fully to this point, I ſhall ſhow you the qualifications and excellencies of theſe comforts which God gives his mourners. 1. Theſe comforts are real comforts; the Spirit of God cannot witneſs to that which is untrue. There are many in this age do pretend to comfort, but their comforts are meere impoſtures; the body may as well ſwell with wind, as with fleſh: a man may as well be ſwelled with falſe, as true comforts*Diſtinguendum eſt inter Gaudia Veritatis & Vanitatis. Aug.; The comforts of the Saints are certain, they have the ſeal of the Spirit ſet to them. Epheſ. 1.13. 2 Cor. 1.22. A ſeal is for confirmation; when a Deed is ſealed, it is firme, and unqueſtionable. When a Chriſtian hath the ſeal of the Spirit ſtamped upon his heart, now he is confirmed in the love of God.
Queſt. Wherein do theſe comforts of the Spirit which are unqueſtionably ſure, differ from thoſe which are falſe and pretended.
Anſw. Three ways. 1. The comforts of Gods Spirit are laid in deep conviction, John 16.7, 8, and when he (that is, the Comforter, verſe 7.) is come, he ſhall reprove, (or as the Greek word is, foreign, he ſhall convince) the world of ſinne.
Queſt. Why doth conviction go before conſolation?
Anſw Conviction fits for comfort; by conviction the Spirit doth ſweetly diſpoſe the heart to theſe two things. 1. To ſeek after Chriſt. When once the ſoul is convinced of ſin, and the hell that follows it, now a Saviour is precious. When the Spirit hath ſhot in the arrow of conviction, now ſaith a poor ſoul, where may I meet with Chriſt? In what Ordinance may I come to enjoy Chriſt? ſaw ye him whom my ſoul loves? All the world for one glimpſe of my Saviour. 2. The Spirit by conviction makes the heart willing to receive Chriſt upon his own termes: man, by nature, would article and indent with Chriſt; he would take half Chriſt; he would take him for a Saviour, not a Prince; he would accept of Chriſt as he hath an head of gold, Cant. 5.11. but not as he hath the government upon his ſhoulders, Iſa. 9.6. But when God lets looſe the ſpirit of bondage, and convinceth a ſinner of his loſt, undone condition, now he is content to have Chriſt upon any termes. When Paul was ſtruck down to the ground by a ſpirit of conviction, he cries out, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Acts 9.6. Let God propound what Articles he will, the ſoul will ſubſcribe to them. Now when a man is brought to Chriſts termes, to beleeve and obey, then he is fit for mercy; when the Spirit of God hath been a Spirit of conviction, then it becomes a ſpirit of conſolation; when the plough of the Law hath gone upon the heart, and broken up the fallow ground, now God ſows the ſeed of comfort.
Thoſe who brag of comfort, but were never yet convinced, nor broken for ſin, have cauſe to ſuſpect their comfort to be a deluſion of Satan. It is like a mad mans joy, who fancies himſelf to be King, but it may be ſaid of his laughter, it is mad, Eccleſ. 2.2. The ſeed which wanted depth of earth, withered, Matth. 13. that comfort which wants depth of earth, deep humiliation and conviction, will ſoone wither and come to nothing.
2. The Spirit of God is a ſanctifying, before a comforting Spirit; as Gods Spirit is called the Comforter, ſo he is called a ſpirit of grace, Zach. 12.10. Grace is the work of the Spirit, Comfort is the ſeal of the Spirit; the work of the Spirit goes before the ſeal; the graces of the ſpirit are compared to water, Iſa. 44.3. and the comforts of the ſpirit are compared to oyle, Iſa. 61.1. Firſt, God pours in the water of the ſpirit, and then comes the oyle of gladneſſe. The oyle (in this ſence) runs above the water; Hereby we ſhall know whether our comforts are true and genuine. Some talk of the comforting ſpirit, who never had the ſanctifying Spirit; they boaſt of aſſurance, but never had grace; theſe are ſpurious joyes, theſe comforts will leave men at death, they will end in horror and deſpair: Gods Spirit will never ſet ſeal to a Blank. Firſt, the heart muſt be an Epiſtle written with the finger of the Holy Ghoſt, and then it is ſealed with the Spirit of Promiſe.
3. The comforts of the Spirit are humbling: Lord ſaith the ſoul, What am I that I ſhould have a ſmile from heaven, and that thou ſhouldeſt give me a privy ſeal of thy love? The more water is poured into a Bucket, the lower it deſcends; the fuller the ſhip is laden with ſweet ſpices, the lower it ſails; the more a Chriſtian is filled with the ſweet comforts of the Spirit, the lower he fails in humility; the fuller a Tree is of fruit, the lower the bough hangs; the more full we are of the fruits of the Spirit, joy and peace, Gal. 5.22. the more we bend down in humility. St. Paul a choſen Veſſel *Acts 9.15., fill'd with the wine of the Spirit*2 Cor. 5.1., did not more abound in joy, than in lowlineſs of mind. Eph. 3.8. Unto me who am leſs than the leaſt of all Saints, is this grace given, &c. He who was the chief of the Apoſtles, calls himſelf the leaſt of Saints.
Thoſe who ſay they have comfort, but are proud, they have learned to deſpiſe others, and are climb'd above Ordinances, their comforts are deluſions; the Divel is able not only to transform himſelf into an Angel of light, 2 Cor. 11.4. but he can transform himſelf into the Comforter. 'Tis eaſie to counterfeit money, to ſilver over braſs, and put the Kings image upon it; the Divel can ſilver over falſe comforts, and make them look as if they had the ſtamp of the King of heaven upon them; the comforts of God are humbling; though they lift the heart up in thankfulneſs, yet they do not puff it up in pride.
2. The comforts God gives his Mourners, are unmixed; they are not tempered with any bitter ingredients; worldly comforts are like wine that runs dregs; there is that guilt within checks and corrodes; in midſt of laughter the heart is ſad, Prov: 14.13. Queen Mary once ſaid, if ſhe were opened, they would find Callis lying at her heart; if the breaſt of a ſinner were anatomized and opened, you would find a worm gnawing at his heart; guilt is a Wolf which feeds in the breaſt of his comfort; a ſinner may have a ſmiling countenance, but a chiding conſcience; his mirth is like the mirth of a man in debt, who is every houre in fear of arreſting; the comforts of wicked men are ſpiced with bitterneſs, they are worm-wood wine.
Hi ſunt qui trepidant, & ad omnia fulgura pallent,Hor.
Cum tonat exanimes, primo quoque murmure coelum —
But ſpiritual comforts are pure, they are not muddied with guilt, nor mixed with fear, they are the pure wine of the Spirit; what the Mourner feels is joy, and nothing but joy.
3. Theſe comforts God gives his Mourners, are ſweet. Eccleſ. 12.7. Truly the light is ſweet; ſo is the light of Gods countenance: How ſweet are thoſe comforts which bring the Comforter along with them? John 14.16. Therefore the love of God ſhed into the heart, is ſaid to be better than wine, Cant. 1.2. Wine pleaſeth the palate, but the love of God chears the conſcience; the lips of Chriſt drop ſweet ſmelling myrrhe, Cant. 5.13. The comforts God gives are a Chriſtians Muſick, they are the golden Pot and the Manna; the Nectar and Ambroſia of a Chriſtian; they are the Saints Feſtival, their banquetting ſtuffe; ſo ſweet are theſe Divine comforts, that the Church had her foreign, fainting fits for want of them, Cant. 2.5. ſtay me with flagons] Metonymia Subjecti pro adjuncto, the flagons are put for the wine; by theſe flagons are meant the comforts of the Spirit; the Hebrew word foreign ſignifies all variety of delights; to ſhow the abundance of delectability and ſweetneſſe in theſe comforts of the Spirit.) Comfort me with Apples.] Apples are ſweet in taſte, fragrant in ſmell; ſo ſweet and delicious are thoſe Apples which grow upon the tree in Paradiſe.) Theſe comforts from above are ſo ſweet, that they make all other comforts ſweet; health, eſtate, relations; they are like ſawce which makes all our earthly poſſeſſions and enjoyments come off with a better reliſh. So ſweet are theſe comforts of the Spirit, that they do much abate and moderate our joy in worldly things; he who hath been drinking ſpirits of wine, or Alkermes, will not much thirſt after water: and that man who hath once tasted how ſweet the Lord is, Pſal. 34.8. and hath drunk the cordials of the Spirit, will not thirſt immoderately after ſecular delights. Thoſe who play with dogs and birds, it is a ſigne they have no children; ſuch as are inordinate in their deſire and love of the creature, declare plainly that they never had better comforts.
4. Theſe comforts which God gives his mourners are holy comforts; they are call'd the comforts of the holy Ghoſt, Acts 9.31. Every thing propagates in its own kind*Omne agens operatur ſecundum naturam agens.; the holy Ghoſt can no more produce impure joys in the ſoul, than the Sun can prduce darkneſſe; he who hath the comforts of the Spirit, looks upon himſelf as a perſon engaged to do God more ſervice; Hath the Lord looked upon me with a ſmiling face? I can never pray enough, I can never love God enough. The comforts of the Spirit raiſe in the heart an holy antipathy againſt ſin; the Dove hates every feather that hath grown upon the Hawke: ſo there is an hatred of every motion, and temptation to evil; he who hath a principle of life in him, oppoſeth every thing that would deſtroy life, he hates poiſon; ſo he that hath the comforts of the Spirit living in him, ſets himſelf againſt thoſe ſins which would murder his comforts; divine comforts give the ſoul more acquaintance with God, 1 John 1.4. Our fellowſhip is with the Father and his Sonne Jeſus.
5. The comforts reſerv'd for the mourners, are filling comforts, Rom. 15.13. The God of hope fill you with joy, John 16.24. Ask that your joy may be full. When God pours in the joyes of heaven, they fill the heart, and make it run over, 2 Cor. 7.4. I am exceeding joyful, the Greek word is foreign, I overflow with joy, as a Cup that is filled with wine till it runs over. Outward comforts can no more fill the heart than a Triangle can fill a Circle. Spiritual joyes are ſatisfying, Pſal. 63.5. My heart ſhall be ſatisfied as with marrow, and I will praiſe thee with ioyful lips. Davids heart was full, and the joy did break out at his lips. Pſal. 4.7. Thou haſt put gladneſſe in my heart; worldly joyes do put gladneſſe into the face, 2 Cor. 5.12. they rejoyce foreign, in the face; but the Spirit of God puts gladneſſe into the heart; divine joyes are heart-joyes, Zach. 10.7. John 16.22. Your heart ſhall rejoyce; a believer doth foreign, Luke 1.47. My ſpirit rejoyceth in God. And to ſhow how filling theſe comforts are which are of an heavenly extraction, the Pſalmiſt ſaith they create greater joy than when wine and cyle encreaſe, Pſal. 4. Wine and Oyle may delight, but not ſatisfie; they have their vacuity and indigence; we may ſay, as Zach. 10.2. they comfort in vaine; outward comforts do ſooner cloy than chear, and ſooner weary than fill. Xerxes offered great rewards to him that could finde out a new pleaſure; but the comforts of the Spirit are ſatisfactory, they recruit the heart, Pſal. 94.19. Thy comforts delight my ſoul. There is as much difference between heavenly comforts and earthly, as between a banquet that is eaten, and one that is painted on the wall.
6. The comforts God gives his Mourners in this life, are glorious comforts. 1 Pet. 1.8. Joy full of glory. 1. They are glorious, becauſe they are a prelibation and fore-taſte of that joy which we ſhall have in a glorified eſtate*foreign. Chryſ.. Theſe comforts are an handſel and earneſt of glory, they put us in heaven before our time. Epheſ. 1.13, 14. Ye were ſealed with that holy Spirit, which is an earneſt of the inheritance; the earneſt is part of the ſum behind; ſo the comforts of the Spirit are the earneſt; the cluſter of grapes at Eſhcol *Num. 13.23., the firſt-fruits of the heavenly Canaan. 2. The joyes of the Spirit are glorious, foreign, in oppoſition to other joyes, which compared with theſe, are inglorious and vile. A carnal mans joy, as it is aery and flaſhy, ſo it is ſordid, he ſucks nothing but dregs. Amos 6.13. Ye rejoyce in a thing of naught. A carnal ſpirit rejoyceth, becauſe he can ſay this houſe is his, this eſtate is his; but a gracious ſpirit rejoyceth becauſe he can ſay this God is his. Pſal. 48.14. For this God is our God for ever and ever. The ground of a Chriſtians joy is glorious, he rejoyceth in that he is an heir of the promiſe; the joy of a godly man is made up of that which is the Angels joy, he triumphs in the light of Gods countenance; his joy is that which is Chriſts own joy; he rejoyceth in the myſtical union which is begun here, and conſummate in heaven: Thus the joy of the Saints is a joy full of glory.
7. The comforts which God gives his Mourners, are infinitely tranſporting and raviſhing; ſo delightful are they and amazing, that they cauſe a jubilation; which as ſome of the Learned ſpeak, is ſo great, that it cannot be expreſſed*Jubiliatio dicitur cum cordis laetitia oris efficacia non expletur.; of all things joy is the moſt hard to be deciphered; 'tis called laetitia inenarrabilis, joy unſpeakable, 1 Pet. 1.8. You may ſooner taſte honey, then tell how ſweet it is; the moſt pathetical words can no more ſet forth the comforts of the Spirit, then the moſt curious Penſil can draw the life and breath of a man; the Angels cannot expreſs the joyes they feel; ſome have been ſo overwhelmed with the ſweet raptures of joy, that they have not been able to contain, but as Moſes, have dyed*Plurimis mortem attulit gaudium ingens. Gell. with a kiſs from Gods mouth. Thus have we ſeen the glaſs oft breaking with the ſtrength of the liquor put into it.
8. Theſe comforts of the Spirit are powerful, they are ſtrong cordials, ſo the Apoſtle phraſeth it, Hebr. 6.18. foreign, ſtrong conſolation. Divine comfort, 1. Strengthens for duty. Nehem. 8.10. The joy of the Lord is your ſtrength. Joy whets and ſharpens induſtry; a man that is ſteeled and animated with the comforts of Gods Spirit, goes with vigour and alacrity through the exerciſes of Religion; he believes firmly, he loves fervently, he is carried full ſail in duty; the joy of the Lord is his ſtrength. 2. Divine comfort ſupports under affliction. 1 Theſ. 1.6. Having received the Word in much affliction; foreign, with joy. The wine of the Spirit can ſweeten the waters of Marah *Amaritudines mundi dulces reddit. Aug.: They who are poſſeſſed of theſe heavenly comforts, can gather grapes of thorns, and fetch honey out of the Lyons carcaſs: They are ſtrong conſolations indeed, that can ſtand it out againſt the fiery tryal, and turn the flame into a bed of Roſes. How powerful is that comfort, which can make a Chriſtian glory in tribulation? Rom. 5.3. A believer is never ſo ſad, but he can rejoyce; the Bird of Paradiſe can ſing in Winter. 2 Cor. 6.10. As ſorrowing, yet alwayes rejoycing. Let ſickneſs come, the ſenſe of pardon takes away the ſenſe of pain. The Inhabitant ſhall not ſay I am ſick, Iſa. 33.24. Let death come, a Chriſtian is above it; O death where is thy ſting? 1 Cor. 15.55. At the end of the Rod a Chriſtian taſtes honey; theſe are ſtrong conſolations.
9. The comforts Gods Mourners have, are heart-quieting comforts; they cauſe a ſweet acquieſcence and reſt in the ſoul*foreign. Ariſt. Ech.. The heart of a Chriſtian is in a kind of ataxy and diſcompoſure, like the Needle in the Compaſs, it ſhakes and trembles till the Comforter comes. Some creatures cannot live but in the Sun; a Chriſtian is even dead in the Neſt, unleſs he may have the Sun-light of Gods countenance. Pſal. 143.7. Hide not thy face from me, leſt I be like them that go down into the pit: Nothing but the breaſt will quiet the child; 'tis only the breaſt of conſolation quiets the believer.
10. The comforts of the Spirit are abiding comforts; as they abound in us, ſo they abide with us. John 14.16. He ſhall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. Worldly comforts are ſtill upon the wing, ready to flie; they are like a land-flood, or a flaſh of lightning.
Mart.— Saepe fluunt imo ſic quoque lapſa ſinu. —
All things here are foreign; but the comforts with which God feeds his Mourners, are immortal: 2 Theſ. 2.16. Who hath loved us, and hath given us foreign, everlaſting conſolation. Though a Chriſtian hath not always a full beam of comfort, yet he hath a dawning of it in his ſoul; he hath ſtill a ground of hope, and a root of joy; there is that within him which bears up his heart, and which he would not on any terms part with.
Uſe. Uſe. Behold the Mourners priviledge, he ſhall be comforted. David who was the great Mourner of Iſrael, was the ſweet ſinger of Iſrael. The weeping Dove ſhall be covered with the golden feathers of comfort; O how rare and ſuperlative are theſe comforts!
Queſt. But may not Gods Mourners want theſe comforts?
Anſw. Spiritual Mourners have a title to theſe comforts, yet they may ſometimes want them. God is a free Agent, he will have the timing of our comforts; he hath foreign, a ſelf-freedom, to do what he will. The holy one of Iſrael will not be limited, he will reſerve his Prerogative to give or ſuſpend comfort, pro libitu; and if we are awhile without comfort, we muſt not quarrel with his diſpenſations; for as the Mariner is not to wrangle with Providence, becauſe the wind blows out of the Eaſt, when he deſires it to blow out of the Weſt; nor is the Husbandman to murmure, when God ſtops the bottles of heaven in time of drought; ſo neither is any man to diſpute or quarrel with God, when he ſtops the ſweet influence of comfort, but ought rather to acquieſce in his ſacred will.
But though the Lord might by vertue of his Soveraignty with-hold comfort from the Mourner, yet there may be many pregnant cauſes aſſigned why Mourners want comfort.
1. In regard of God.
2. In regard of themſelves.
1. In regard of God: He ſees it fit to with-hold comfort, 1. That he may raiſe the value of grace: We are apt to eſteem comfort above grace; therefore God locks up our comforts for a time, that he may inhance the price of grace; when farthings go better than gold, the King will call in farthings, that the price of gold may be the more raiſed. 2. God would have his people learn to ſerve him for himſelf, and not for comfort only; it is amor Meretricius, an Harlot love, to love the husbands money and tokens, more than his perſon; ſuch as ſerve God only for comfort, do not ſo much ſerve God, as ſerve themſelves of him.
2. That Gods Mourners want comfort, it is moſt frequently in regard of themſelves.
1. Through miſtake, which is two-fold. 1. They go not to the right ſpring for comfort; they go to their tears, when they ſhould go to Chriſts blood; it is a kind of Idolatry to make our tears the ground of comfort; Mourning is not meritorious; it is the way to joy, not the cauſe. Jacob got the bleſſing in the garments of his elder brother; true comfort flows out of Chriſts ſides; our tears are ſtained, till they are waſhed in the blood of Chriſt. John 16. ult. In me peace. 2. Miſtake is, that Mourners are priviledged perſons, and may take more liberty; they may ſlacken the ſtrings of duty, and let looſe the reins to ſin: Chriſt hath indeed purchaſed a liberty for his people, but an holy liberty; not a liberty for ſin, but from ſin; 1 Pet. 2.16. Ye are a Royal Prieſthood, a peculiar people; ye are not in a ſtate of ſlavery, but Royalty: What follows? do not make Chriſtian liberty a cloak for ſin. Ver. 16. As free, and not uſing your liberty for a cloak of maliciouſneſs. If we quench the ſanctifying Spirit, God will quench the comforting Spirit; ſin is compared to a cloud, Iſa. 44.22. This cloud intercepts the light of Gods countenance.
2. Gods Mourners ſometimes want comfort through diſcontent and peeviſhneſs. David makes his diſquiet the cauſe of his ſadneſs. Pſal. 43.5. Why art thou caſt down O my ſoul? why art thou diſquieted within me? A diſquieted heart like a rough Sea, is not eaſily calmed; 'tis hard to make a troubled ſpirit receive comfort; this diſquiet ariſeth from various cauſes; ſometimes from outward ſorrow and melancholy; ſometimes from a kind of envy; Gods people are troubled to ſee others have comfort, and they want it; and now in a pet they refuſe comfort, and like a froward child, put away the breaſt. Pſal. 77.2. My ſoul refuſed to be comforted. Indeed a diſquieted ſpirit is no more fit for comfort, than a diſtracted man is fit for counſel; and whence is the Mourners diſcontent, but pride? as if God had not dealt well with him in ſtopping the influences of comfort; O Chriſtian, thy ſpirit muſt be more humbled and broken before God empty out his golden oyle of joy.
3. The Mourner is without comfort, for want of applying the promiſes; he looks at that ſin which may humble him, but not at that Word which may comfort him. The Mourners eyes are ſo full of tears that he cannot ſee the promiſe; the vertue and comfort of a medicine is in the applying; when the promiſes are applied by faith, they bring comfort: Hoſea 2.19. Iſa. 49.15, 16. Faith milks the breaſt of a promiſe. That Satan may hinder us of comfort it is his policy, either to keep the promiſe from us, that we may not know it, or to keep us from the promiſe that we may not apply it. Never a promiſe in the Bible, but belongs to the Mourner, had he but the skill and dexterity of faith to lay hold on it.
4. The Mourner may want comfort, through too much earthly-mindedneſs; by feeding immoderately on earthly comforts, we miſs of heavenly comforts. Iſa. 57.17. For the iniquity of his covetouſneſs was I wroth, and I hid me. The earth puts out the fire; earthlineſs extinguiſheth the flame of divine joy in the ſoul; an Eclipſe is per interpoſitionem corporis Lunaris, when the Moon, which is a denſe body, comes between; the Moon is an Emblem of the world: Rev. 12.1. when this comes between, then there is an Eclipſe in the light of Gods face; Such as dig in Mines, ſay there is ſuch a damp comes from the earth as puts out the light of a candle; earthly comforts ſend forth ſuch a damp as puts out the light of ſpiritual joy.
5. Perhaps the Mourner hath had comfort, and loſt it: Adams Rib was taken from him when he was aſleep, Gen. 2.21. Our comforts are taken away when we fall aſleep in ſecurity; the Spouſe loſt her beloved when ſhe lay upon the bed of ſloath, Cant. 5.2, 6.
For theſe Reaſons Gods Mourners may want comfort; but that the ſpiritual Mourner may not be too much dejected, I ſhall reach forth the cup of conſolation, Jer. 16.7. and ſpeak a few words that may comfort the Mourner in the want of comfort. 1. Jeſus Chriſt was without comfort, therefore no wonder if we are; our comforts are not better than his; he who was the Son of Gods love, was without the ſenſe of Gods love. 2. The Mourner hath a ſeed of comfort; foreign Pſal. 97.11. Light is ſown for the righteous. Light is a Metaphor put for comfort, and it is ſown: Though a child of God hath not comfort alwayes in the flowre, yet he hath in the ſeed; though he doth not feel comfort from God, yet he takes comfort in God. 3. A Chriſtian may be high in grace, and low in comfort; the high Mountains are without flowres; the Mines of gold have little or no corn growing on them; a Chriſtians heart may be a rich Mine of grace, though it be barren of comfort. 4. The Mourner is heir to comfort; and though for a ſmall moment God may forſake his people, Iſa. 54.7. yet there is a time ſhortly coming, when the Mourner ſhall have all tears wiped away, and ſhall be brimfull of comfort; this joy is reſerved for heaven, and this brings me to the ſecond particular.
SECT. 2.
Showing the mourners comforts hereafter.
2. COMFORTS HEREAFTER. 2. Comforts hereafter.They ſhall be comforted. Though in this life ſome interviews and love-tokens paſſe between God and the mourner, yet the great comforts are kept in reverſion; in Gods preſence is fulnes of joy; There is a time coming (the day-ſtar is ready to appear) when the Saints ſhall bathe themſelves in the river of life, when they ſhall never ſee a wrinkle on Gods brow more; but his face ſhall ſhine, his lips drop hony, his arms ſweetly embrace them. The Saints ſhall have a ſpringtyde of joy, and it ſhall never be low-water; the Saints ſhall at that day put off their mourning, and exchange their ſables for white robes: Then ſhall the winter be paſt, the rain of tears be over and gone *Cant. 2.11, 12.; the flowers of joy ſhall appear; and after the weeping of the Dove, the time of the ſinging of birds ſhall come. This is the great conſolation, the Jubily of the bleſſed which ſhall never expire; in this life the people of God taſte of joy, but in heaven the full veſſels ſhall be broach'd; There is a river in the midſt of the heavenly Paradiſe, which hath a fountain to feed it, Pſal. 36.8 9.
The times we are caſt into, being for the preſent ſad and cloudy, it will not be amiſſe for the reviving the hearts of Gods people, to ſpeak a little of theſe comforts which God reſerves in heaven for his mourners. They ſhall be comforted.] The greatneſſe of theſe celeſtial comforts is moſt fitly in Scripture expreſſed by the joy of a feaſt; mourning ſhall be turned into feaſting; and it ſhall be a marriage-feaſt, which is uſually kept with the greateſt ſolemnity, Rev. 19.9. Bleſſed are they which are called into the marriage-ſupper of the Lamb. Bullinger and Gregory the great, do underſtand this Supper of the Lamb, to be meant of the Saints ſupping with Chriſt in heaven*Ibi gratia ſine merito, charitas fine modo. Bernard. Rev. 14.13.; men after hard labour go to ſupper: So when the Saints ſhall reſt from their labours *Ibi gratia ſine merito, charitas fine modo. Bernard. Rev. 14.13., they ſhall ſup with Chriſt in glory: Now to ſpeak ſomething of the laſt great Supper;
It will be a great Supper, 1. In regard of the Founder of this Feaſt, God; it is the Supper of a King, therefore ſumptuous and magnificent, Pſalm 95.3. The Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. Where ſhould there be ſtate and magnificence but in a Kings Court? 2. It will be a great Supper in regard of the cheere and proviſion; this exceeds all Hyperbolies. What bleſſed fruit doth the tree of life in Paradiſe yield! Rev. 2.7. Chriſt will lead his Spouſe into the banquetting-houſe, and feaſt her with thoſe rare Viands, and cauſe her to drink that ſpiced wine, that heavenly Nectar and Ambroſia wherewith the Angelical powers are infinitely refreſhed.
Firſt, Every diſh ſerved in at this heavenly Supper ſhall be ſweet to our palate; there is no diſh here we do not love; Chriſt will make ſuch ſavory meat as he is ſure his Spouſe loves.
Secondly, There ſhall be no want here, there is no want at a Feaſt; the various fulneſſe in Chriſt will prevent a ſcarcity; and it will be a fulneſſe without ſurfeit, becauſe a freſh courſe will continually be ſerved in.
Thirdly, they who eate of this Supper ſhall never hunger more; hunger is a ſharp ſawce; the Lambs Supper ſhall not only ſatisfie hunger, but prevent it, Rev. 7.16. They ſhall hunger no more!
3. It will be a great Supper in regard of the company invited. Company adds to a Feaſt, and is of it ſelf ſawce to ſharpen and provoke the appetite. Saints, Angels, Archangels will be at this Supper; nay, Chriſt himſelf will be both Founder and Gueſt; the Scripture calls it an innumerable company *Cedit in ſolatium beatoram, qui eo ſanè laetiores quo plures ſunt.&c. Heb. 12. and that which makes the ſociety ſweeter, is, that there ſhall be perfect love at this Feaſt. The Motto ſhall be, cor unum, & via una, one heart, and one way, all the gueſts ſhall be linked together with the golden chain of charity.
4. It will be a great ſupper in regard of the holy mirth, Eccleſ. 10.19. a feaſt is made for mirth; at this ſupper there ſhall be joy, and nothing but joy, Pſalm 16. ult. There is no weeping at a feaſt. O what triumph and acclamations will there be? There are two things at this Supper of the Lamb will create joy and mirth. 1. When the Saints ſhall think with themſelves that they are kept from a worſe ſupper. The Devils have a ſupper (ſuch an one as it is) a black banquet; there are two diſhes ſerv'd in, weeping, and gnaſhing of teeth; every bit they eate makes their hearts ake; who would deny them their dinner here, who muſt have ſuch a ſupper? 2. It will be matter of joy at the Supper of the Lamb, that the Maſter of the Feaſt bids all his gueſts welcome; the Saints ſhall have the ſmiles of Gods face, the kiſſes of his lips; he will lead them into the wine-cellar, and diſplay the Banner of love over them. The Saints ſhall be as ful of ſolace, as ſanctity. What is a Feaſt without mirth? worldly mirth is flaſhy & empty, this ſhall be infinitely delightful and raviſhing.
5. It will be a great ſupper for the muſick. This will be a marriage-ſupper, and what better muſick than the Bridegroomes voyce? ſaying, my Spouſe, my undefiled, Take thy fill of love; there will be the Angels Anthems*Ibi Angelorum Chori concinnut. Aug., The Saints triumphs; the Angels thoſe trumpeters of heaven ſhall ſound forth the excellencies of Jehovah; and the Saints thoſe noble Queriſters ſhall take down their harps from the willows, and joyne in conſort with the Angels, prayſing and bleſſing God. Rev. 15.2, 3. I ſaw them that had gotten the victory over the Beaſt, having the Harps of God, and they ſing the ſong of Moſes, and the ſong of the Lamb, ſaying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty, juſt and true are thy wayes thou King of Saints, &c. O the ſweet harmony at this Feaſt, it ſhall be Muſick without diſcord.
6. This Supper is great, in regard of the place where it ſhall be celebrated, in the Paradiſe of God, Rev. 2.7. It is a ſtately Palace; ſtately, 1. For its ſcituation; 'tis in excelſis, of a very great heighth, Rev. 21.8. For its proſpect: all ſparkling beauties are there concentred; and the delight of the proſpect, is propriety; that is the beſt proſpect, where a man can ſee furtheſt on his own ground. 3. For its amplitude; this Royal Feaſt ſhall be kept in a moſt ſpacious Room, a Room infinitely greater than the whole firmament, one Star whereof (if we may believe Aſtronomers) is bigger than the whole earth; though there be ſuch a multitude as no man can number, of all Nations, Kindreds, People, and Tongues, Revel. 7.9. yet the Table is long enough, and the Room ſpatious enough for all the Gueſts. Aulus Gellius in his 13th. Book, makes this to be one of thoſe four things which are requiſite to a Feaſt, locus electus, a fit place. The Empyrean heaven beſpangled with light, arrayed with rich hangings, embroydered with glory, ſeated above all the viſible orbs, is the place of the Marriage-ſupper; this doth infinitely tranſcend the moſt profound ſearch; I am no more able to expreſs it, than I can ſpan the firmament, or weigh the earth in a pair of balances.
7. It will be a great Supper in regard of the continuance, it hath no end. Epicures have a ſhort Feaſt, and a long reckoning; but thoſe who ſhall ſit down at the heavenly Banquet, ſhall not riſe from the Table; the cloth ſhall never be taken away, but they ſhall be always feeding upon thoſe dulcia fercula, thoſe ſweet junkets and delicacies which are ſet before them: We read King Ahaſhuerus made a Feaſt for his Princes that laſted an hundred and fourſcore dayes, Eſther 1.4. But this bleſſed Feaſt reſerved for the Saints, is for ever. Pſal. 16.11. At thy right hand there are pleaſures for evermore.
Uſe. Conſolation. Uſe. Conſol.How may this be as Bezar ſtone to keep the hearts of Gods people from fainting! they ſhall be comforted †; they ſhall ſit with Chriſt upon the Throne, *Merces tua Domine magna nimis, neque enim magnus et tu, & parva merces tuas. Auſtin.Rev. 3.21. and ſit down with him at the Table. Who would not mourn for ſin, that are ſure to meet with ſuch rewards! They ſhall be comforted. The Marriage-ſupper will make amends for the valley of tears: O thou Saint of God, who art now watring thy plants, and weeping bitterly for ſin, at this laſt and great Feaſt thy water ſhall be turned into wine; thou who now mortifieſt thy corruptions, and beateſt down thy body by prayer and faſting, ſhalt ſhortly ſup with Chriſt and Angels; thou who didſt refuſe to touch the forbidden Tree, ſhalt feed upon the Tree of life in the Paradiſe of God. Thou impoveriſhed Saint, who haſt ſcarce a bit of bread to eat, remember for thy comfort, in thy fathers houſe there is bread enough; and he is making ready a Feaſt for thee, where all the dainties of heaven are ſerved in; O feed with delight upon the thoughts of this Marriage-ſupper; after thy Funeral begins thy Feſtival; long for ſupper-time.
Longa mora eſt nobis quae gaudia mellea differt.
Chriſt hath paid for this Supper upon the croſs, and there is no fear of a reckoning to be brought in; wherefore comfore one another with theſe words.