the_o rage_n of_o the_o fire_n so_o that_o the_o very_a garment_n do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o smell_v of_o any_o burn_a thus_o the_o presence_n of_o christ_n hach_n so_o wonderful_o ravish_v and_o refresh_v the_o heart_n of_o a_o afficted_a afflict_a saint_n that_o he_o have_v almost_o forget_v his_o affliction_n and_o discover_v not_o the_o least_o soil_n from_o it_o 3._o another_o scripture_n discovery_n for_o comfort_n be_v to_o press_v and_o command_v the_o life_n of_o faith_n upon_o god_n promise_n so_o that_o whatsoever_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o world_n and_o sense_n do_v suggest_v yet_o faith_n rectify_v all_o that_o find_v honey_n to_o come_v out_o of_o a_o dead_a lion_n that_o can_v suck_v honey_n from_o a_o bitter_a herb_n when_o fleshly_a wisdom_n and_o humane_a reason_n can_v go_v no_o further_o yet_o even_o then_o faith_n can_v gather_v sure_a and_o firm_a argument_n of_o comfort_n david_n in_o that_o great_a distress_n at_o ziklag_n yet_o be_v say_v to_o encourage_v himself_o in_o his_o god_n paul_n make_v this_o the_o ground_n of_o a_o christian_n magnanimity_n support_n and_o joy_n vude_o all_o tribulation_n heb._n 11._o 1._o because_o faith_n be_v the_o substance_n of_o thing_n hope_v for_o and_o the_o evidence_n of_o thing_n not_o see_v god_n thought_n and_o our_o thought_n be_v whole_o different_a only_a faith_n enable_v we_o to_o know_v the_o mind_n of_o god_n and_o where_o flesh_n be_v ready_a to_o say_v god_n be_v cast_v off_o and_o utter_o forsake_v there_o faith_n see_v he_o draw_v near_o the_o disciple_n in_o a_o tempest_n think_v they_o have_v see_v a_o spirit_n and_o be_v affright_v but_o it_o be_v christ_n the_o promise_n of_o god_n and_o faith_n apply_v it_o do_v bear_v up_o the_o soul_n and_o make_v it_o rejoice_v in_o trouble_n heb._n 6._o 18._o we_o have_v there_o god_n promise_n and_o god_n oath_n also_o to_o confirm_v it_o and_o therefore_o say_v the_o apostle_n we_o have_v those_o two_o immutable_a thing_n that_o we_o may_v have_v strong_a consolation_n see_v there_o because_o of_o god_n promise_n and_o that_o confirm_v by_o a_o oath_n we_o have_v a_o consolation_n and_o a_o strong_a consolation_n strong_a because_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o be_v strong_a god_n word_n so_o that_o it_o be_v strong_a than_o mountain_n it_o be_v strong_a than_o heaven_n and_o earth_n every_o creature_n shall_v fall_v to_o the_o ground_n rather_o than_o the_o promise_v not_o be_v make_v good_a to_o thou_o again_o it_o be_v a_o strong_a consolation_n because_o neither_o the_o devil_n nor_o his_o instrument_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o overcome_v it_o though_o therefore_o thy_o enemy_n be_v strong_a enemy_n though_o thy_o trouble_n be_v strong_a trouble_n yet_o remember_v here_o be_v a_o strong_a consolation_n death_n itself_o can_v deprive_v thou_o of_o it_o if_o then_o we_o walk_v by_o faith_n and_o not_o by_o sense_n if_o we_o live_v upon_o these_o breast_n of_o consolation_n as_o the_o infant_n do_v sure_o we_o may_v then_o swallow_v down_o even_o deadly_a and_o poisonous_a thing_n yet_o they_o shall_v not_o do_v any_o hurt_n because_o the_o promise_n be_v the_o same_o thy_o heart_n will_v always_o be_v the_o fame_n as_o the_o law_n be_v write_v in_o thy_o heart_n in_o respect_n of_o obedience_n so_o let_v the_o promise_n in_o respect_n of_o faith_n faith_n from_o the_o word_n do_v show_v carnal_a reason_n all_o the_o mistake_n and_o false_a principle_n it_o proceed_v upon_o discover_v light_n in_o darkness_n love_v in_o affliction_n and_o life_n even_o in_o death_n itself_o last_o for_o these_o bunch_n of_o grape_n may_v serve_v to_o acquaint_v you_o what_o the_o land_n be_v eternal_a glory_n to_o be_v possess_v after_o the_o trouble_n vexation_n and_o exercise_n here_o be_v able_a to_o make_v the_o heart_n to_o be_v exceed_o glad_a under_o all_o our_o trouble_n thus_o the_o apostle_n 2_o cor._n 4._o 16_o 17._o we_o faint_v not_o for_o this_o light_a affliction_n work_v for_o we_o a_o more_o exceed_o and_o eternal_a weight_n of_o glory_n and_o this_o be_v by_o look_v not_o on_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v see_v but_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o see_v at_o another_o time_n the_o godly_a be_v command_v to_o lift_v up_o their_o head_n when_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n draw_v nigh_o because_o their_o redemption_n be_v at_o hand_n and_o 1_o thess_n 4._o 18._o after_o a_o discourse_n of_o our_o lord_n come_v and_o that_o the_o godly_a shall_v be_v ever_o with_o he_o they_o be_v enjoin_v to_o comfort_v one_o another_o with_o these_o thing_n that_o incomprehensible_a glory_n which_o be_v provide_v for_o we_o to_o receive_v after_o our_o suffering_n here_o make_v the_o heart_n rejoice_v while_o it_o be_v in_o the_o valley_n of_o tear_n this_o haven_n after_o our_o storm_n this_o rest_n after_o our_o trouble_n this_o crown_n after_o our_o warfare_n be_v that_o which_o revive_v the_o soul_n and_o make_v it_o a_o naomi_n while_o it_o be_v a_o marah_n serm._n xl._o how_o god_n may_v be_v say_v to_o comfort_v his_o child_n in_o all_o their_o tribulation_n though_o many_o of_o they_o may_v live_v very_o disconsolate_a 2_o cor._n 1._o 4._o who_o comfort_v we_o in_o all_o our_o tribulation_n we_o be_v discuss_v this_o three_o particular_a in_o the_o text_n but_o that_o one_o main_a doubt_n may_v present_v itself_o the_o discuss_v whereof_o be_v very_o useful_a in_o a_o practical_a way_n it_o be_v this_o see_v paul_n speak_v thus_o general_o god_n comfort_v we_o in_o all_o our_o tribulation_n do_v not_o this_o necessary_o infer_v that_o all_o the_o child_n of_o god_n in_o all_o strait_n be_v full_a of_o comfort_n and_o if_o this_o be_v so_o either_o we_o must_v condemn_v many_o who_o in_o all_o appearance_n be_v the_o dear_a child_n of_o god_n for_o hypocrite_n and_o unsound_a because_o they_o have_v no_o comfort_n yea_o all_o divine_a mean_n have_v be_v use_v and_o yet_o they_o can_v be_v comfort_v or_o else_o we_o must_v question_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o scripture_n this_o text_n say_v god_n comfort_v he_o in_o all_o their_o tribulation_n experience_n tell_v we_o that_o many_o of_o god_n child_n be_v sad_o disconsolate_a or_o else_o if_o their_o want_n of_o comfort_n be_v a_o argument_n they_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o god_n we_o shall_v then_o pass_v a_o uncharitable_a censure_n upon_o those_o who_o be_v every_o way_n to_o be_v account_v of_o as_o precious_a saint_n and_o that_o of_o the_o first_o magnitude_n let_v we_o therefore_o remove_v this_o stumble_a block_n out_o of_o the_o way_n and_o first_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o it_o may_v be_v the_o case_n not_o only_o of_o a_o godly_a person_n but_o even_o a_o whole_a church_n to_o be_v without_o all_o comfort_n that_o nothing_o but_o sorrow_n and_o disconsolate_a trouble_n do_v even_o devour_v they_o all_o the_o day_n long_o see_v this_o true_a in_o jeremiahs_n lamentation_n chap._n 1._o 2._o chap._n 2._o 20_o 21._o the_o church_n there_o sit_v in_o mourning_n with_o tear_n on_o her_o cheek_n and_o she_o have_v none_o to_o comfort_v she_o neither_o god_n or_o man_n and_o for_o a_o particular_a person_n what_o be_v clear_a than_o job_n who_o soul_n be_v as_o full_a of_o spiritual_a botch_n and_o sore_n by_o sad_a thought_n as_o his_o body_n be_v of_o corporal_a one_o job_n 17._o 13._o when_o i_o say_v my_o bed_n shall_v comfort_v thou_o skare_v i_o with_o dream_n etc._n etc._n job_n not_o in_o his_o bed_n a_o place_n of_o rest_n nor_o in_o the_o night_n a_o time_n of_o rest_n can_v be_v free_v from_o terror_n and_o fear_n yea_o chap._n 9_o 27._o when_o he_o say_v i_o will_v leave_v off_o my_o heaviness_n i_o will_v comfort_v myself_o when_o he_o set_v himself_o with_o all_o holy_a endeavour_n to_o cast_v off_o this_o viper_n of_o sorrow_n yet_o they_o do_v rather_o increase_v upon_o he_o yea_o when_o he_o himself_o can_v remove_v those_o mountain_n of_o his_o heart_n it_o may_v be_v his_o godly_a friend_n may_v and_o indeed_o such_o spiritual_a physician_n god_n do_v sometime_o bless_v for_o that_o end_n but_o chap._n 21._o 34._o he_o tell_v they_o they_o comfort_v he_o in_o vain_a none_o then_o can_v deny_v but_o there_o be_v a_o time_n at_o least_o when_o god_n do_v not_o comfort_n job_n in_o his_o tribulation_n we_o read_v also_o of_o heman_n psal_n 88_o 15._o who_o complain_v that_o he_o be_v distract_v with_o the_o terror_n of_o the_o lord_n from_o his_o youth_n up_o he_o complain_v god_n wrath_n lie_v hard_o upon_o he_o that_o god_n do_v afflict_v he_o with_o all_o his_o way_n yea_o he_o pray_v he_o cry_v and_o god_n do_v hide_v his_o face_n from_o he_o so_o that_o in_o all_o the_o psalm_n there_o be_v not_o a_o word_n of_o comfort_n no_o nor_o of_o hope_n or_o of_o confidence_n
of_o they_o confess_v that_o paul_n be_v peremptory_o elect_v and_o that_o we_o be_v not_o to_o judge_v of_o man_n ordinary_a conversion_n by_o that_o which_o be_v extraordinary_a indeed_o we_o grant_v that_o many_o thing_n be_v wonderful_a and_o extraordinary_a in_o paul_n conversion_n it_o be_v not_o for_o man_n now_o to_o expect_v such_o a_o vision_n and_o voice_n from_o heaven_n immediate_o speak_v to_o they_o but_o this_o we_o urge_v that_o if_o god_n can_v do_v thus_o on_o paul_n heart_n insuperable_o and_o irresistible_o work_v on_o it_o make_v it_o of_o unwilling_a willing_a and_o yet_o not_o the_o natural_a liberty_n of_o paul_n will_n destroy_v than_o god_n may_v still_o demonstrate_v the_o same_o efficacy_n of_o grace_n and_o yet_o man_n in_o conversion_n not_o be_v turn_v into_o a_o stock_n or_o stone_n as_o they_o charge_v the_o orthodox_n as_o paul_n then_o have_v be_v a_o sinner_n above_o measure_n so_o he_o have_v also_o grace_n exceed_v gracious_a in_o a_o overflow_a manner_n to_o he_o therefore_o how_o frequent_o and_o joyful_o do_v paul_n speak_v of_o the_o riches_n of_o grace_n and_o god_n unspeakable_a grace_n to_o he_o always_o debase_v himself_o as_o the_o great_a of_o sinner_n and_o the_o least_o of_o all_o saint_n not_o worthy_a to_o be_v call_v a_o apostle_n and_o magnify_v grace_n always_o run_v out_o like_o the_o sea_n when_o he_o come_v to_o speak_v of_o christ_n and_o grace_n in_o the_o three_o place_n his_o serviceableness_n that_o be_v as_o wonderful_a i_o labour_v admirable_a more_o than_o they_o the_o heathen_n hercules_n be_v not_o comparable_a to_o he_o to_o read_v how_o much_o he_o do_v and_o how_o much_o he_o suffer_v for_o christ_n may_v make_v we_o stand_v amaze_v yet_o still_o he_o say_v not_o i_o but_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n 1_o cor._n 15._o 10._o chrysostome_n do_v infinite_o expatiate_v upon_o all_o occasion_n in_o the_o praise_n of_o paul_n but_o paul_n himself_o be_v like_o moses_n who_o face_n shine_v glorious_o but_o he_o do_v not_o know_v it_o and_o thus_o paul_n though_o above_o all_o other_o in_o do_v and_o suffer_v for_o christ_n yet_o account_v of_o himself_o as_o nothing_o and_o give_v all_o to_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n as_o none_o preach_v more_o than_o he_o do_v so_o none_o write_v more_o epistle_n than_o he_o do_v he_o take_v care_n of_o all_o the_o church_n thus_o he_o who_o former_o do_v his_o utmost_a to_o root_v out_o the_o church_n of_o god_n be_v now_o as_o zealous_a and_o active_a to_o establish_v and_o propagate_v it_o so_o that_o you_o see_v three_o wonderful_a thing_n in_o paul_n his_o sin_n his_o conversion_n and_o his_o godly_a life_n afterward_o in_o the_o next_o place_n let_v we_o consider_v what_o reason_n there_o may_v be_v why_o god_n will_v choose_v such_o great_a sinner_n out_o of_o their_o high_a impiety_n especial_o to_o be_v apostle_n and_o officer_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n see_v that_o the_o scripture_n in_o those_o qualification_n for_o a_o elder_a require_v that_o he_o be_v without_o blame_n and_o one_o of_o a_o good_a report_n 1_o tim._n 3._o 5._o therefore_o in_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v the_o chief_a officer_n call_v by_o the_o ancient_n otuli_n dei_fw-la sedes_fw-la christi_fw-la and_o oculi_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la this_o be_v much_o more_o to_o be_v expect_v but_o there_o be_v these_o reason_n may_v be_v give_v manifest_v first_o hereby_o the_o power_n and_o strength_n of_o god_n be_v make_v evident_a if_o man_n of_o civility_n only_o and_o of_o ingenuous_a principle_n be_v bring_v home_o to_o christ_n it_o may_v be_v think_v something_o of_o man_n do_v promote_v our_o salvation_n but_o when_o there_o be_v a_o direct_a and_o violent_a opposition_n in_o a_o man_n way_n yet_o to_o become_v convert_v and_o obedient_a this_o may_v make_v we_o acknowledge_v with_o paul_n the_o exceed_a greatness_n of_o his_o power_n to_o we_o who_o believe_v ephes_n 1._o 19_o and_o if_o set_v aside_o some_o extraordinary_a circumstance_n there_o be_v the_o same_o kind_n of_o power_n see_v in_o every_o man_n conversion_n that_o be_v in_o paul_n then_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o god_n do_v not_o only_o use_v moral_a suasion_n as_o arminian_n will_v have_v it_o but_o also_o efficacious_a operation_n so_o that_o we_o may_v bless_v god_n for_o this_o precedent_n of_o paul_n conversion_n we_o may_v all_o by_o that_o see_v what_o be_v do_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o every_o man_n when_o turn_v to_o god_n we_o do_v just_o admire_v the_o power_n of_o god_n in_o creation_n and_o in_o all_o the_o wonderful_a deliverance_n the_o church_n have_v but_o the_o power_n of_o god_n upon_o man_n heart_n make_v they_o to_o love_v and_o delight_n in_o those_o thing_n which_o former_o they_o hate_v this_o may_v make_v we_o to_o sing_v psalm_n in_o the_o admiration_n of_o god_n great_a power_n about_o the_o new_a creation_n as_o well_o as_o the_o old_a creation_n of_o the_o world_n second_o as_o god_n power_n be_v hereby_o evidence_v so_o also_o his_o wisdom_n and_o that_o in_o a_o twofold_a respect_n impiety_n 1._o convert_v paul_n at_o that_o very_a time_n when_o he_o be_v in_o the_o height_n of_o his_o spirit_n act_v with_o the_o great_a violence_n against_o christ._n this_o season_n be_v most_o admirable_a for_o hereby_o it_o do_v plain_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v not_o of_o paul_n that_o will_v or_o run_v but_o of_o god_n good_a pleasure_n hence_o ephes_n 1._o paul_n speak_v of_o god_n predestination_n do_v over_o and_o over_o again_o resolve_v all_o into_o his_o good_a pleasure_n and_o that_o he_o do_v all_o thing_n according_a to_o the_o goodness_n of_o his_o will_n what_o then_o will_v become_v of_o that_o vocatio_fw-la congrua_fw-la so_o much_o boast_v of_o by_o some_o as_o if_o man_n be_v convert_v because_o god_n do_v foresee_v that_o if_o they_o be_v put_v into_o such_o a_o condition_n with_o such_o circumstance_n than_o they_o will_v ready_o consent_v to_o god_n call_v but_o be_v paul_n conversion_n accompany_v with_o a_o vocatio_fw-la congrua_fw-la do_v god_n stay_v till_o he_o have_v a_o fit_a bait_n or_o snare_n to_o catch_v paul_n in_o now_o all_o be_v here_o the_o clean_a contrary_n paul_n be_v never_o in_o high_a opposition_n against_o god_n never_o be_v the_o door_n of_o his_o heart_n more_o fasten_v up_o with_o iron-barre_n than_o at_o this_o time_n and_o then_o and_o never_o till_o then_o do_v god_n convert_v he_o that_o as_o it_o be_v with_o god_n church_n he_o never_o help_v till_o all_o thing_n be_v desperate_a therefore_o he_o be_v call_v the_o god_n that_o raise_v the_o dead_a 2_o cor._n 1._o and_o he_o that_o call_v thing_n that_o be_v not_o as_o if_o they_o be_v thus_o many_o time_n it_o fall_v out_o when_o man_n be_v more_o treasure_v up_o their_o sin_n and_o add_v high_o degree_n of_o opposition_n even_o than_o god_n take_v off_o their_o heart_n and_o thereby_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n be_v the_o more_o see_v of_o such_o crooked_a timber_n to_o make_v so_o excellent_a a_o build_n to_o raise_v up_o lazarus_n when_o he_o be_v not_o only_o dead_a but_o bury_v and_o rot_v in_o the_o grave_n this_o make_v we_o astonish_v at_o god_n wisdom_n and_o then_o in_o a_o second_o respect_n god_n wisdom_n be_v see_v because_o such_o firebrand_n other_o pluck_v out_o of_o the_o fire_n be_v fit_a to_o kindle_v a_o fire_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o other_o when_o we_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o say_v lo_o here_o be_v a_o man_n as_o profane_v as_o bitter_a and_o cruel_a a_o scoffer_n and_o enemy_n of_o all_o godliness_n as_o ever_o you_o be_v he_o be_v one_o of_o your_o company_n you_o take_v wicked_a counsel_n together_o you_o be_v often_o drink_v or_o unclean_a together_o and_o now_o behold_v what_o a_o change_n be_v make_v upon_o he_o he_o pray_v he_o humble_v himself_o he_o cry_v out_o of_o his_o former_a conversation_n if_o he_o have_v the_o whole_a world_n give_v he_o he_o will_v not_o be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o once_o certain_o when_o god_n do_v thus_o it_o do_v wonderful_o shame_n and_o confound_v all_o wicked_a man_n what_o a_o conviction_n be_v this_o to_o all_o other_o pharisee_n when_o it_o can_v be_v say_v behold_v here_o paul_n a_o pharisee_n one_o of_o your_o own_o sect_n as_o desperate_o cruel_a and_o malicious_a as_o any_o of_o you_o oh_o but_o behold_v how_o he_o be_v change_v he_o build_v up_o that_o way_n he_o once_o destroy_v now_o he_o count_v all_o those_o thing_n you_o dote_v on_o so_o much_o but_o dung_n and_o dross_n in_o comparison_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o jesus_n christ._n 3._o in_o convert_v of_o such_o above_o all_o god_n show_v the_o freeness_n and_o mere_a riches_n grace_n of_o his_o grace_n for_o what_o can_v paul_n say_v to_o justify_v himself_o with_o where_o be_v
universal_a and_o pursue_v all_o that_o call_v on_o christ_n that_o as_o with_o christ_n there_o be_v no_o bond_n or_o free_a no_o jew_n or_o gentile_n all_o be_v one_o so_o it_o be_v also_o with_o the_o enemy_n of_o god_n church_n in_o their_o persecution_n all_o be_v one_o to_o they_o look_v not_o then_o for_o a_o ark_n when_o all_o the_o people_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v in_o the_o water_n though_o a_o obadiah_n may_v live_v quiet_o in_o ahab_n court_n when_o the_o elijah_n be_v seek_v for_o to_o be_v put_v to_o death_n yet_o this_o be_v not_o always_o so_o and_o that_o man_n who_o will_v own_o christ_n upon_o no_o other_o condition_n but_o that_o he_o may_v not_o suffer_v for_o he_o or_o be_v persecute_v for_o he_o that_o man_n be_v unsound_a and_o rot_a at_o the_o very_a heart_n second_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v no_o less_o glorious_a before_o man_n and_o acceptable_a suffer_v unto_o god_n to_o be_v a_o companion_n and_o a_o associate_n with_o those_o who_o do_v suffer_v then_o 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the_o gospel_n when_o they_o can_v have_v christ_n and_o their_o mammon_n any_o long_a when_o their_o dagon_n and_o ark_n will_v consist_v no_o long_o together_o than_o you_o shall_v see_v all_o that_o poison_n vomit_v at_o the_o mouth_n which_o before_o lay_v close_o up_o in_o the_o heart_n then_o they_o will_v desire_v no_o ministry_n no_o gospel_n rather_o than_o be_v deprive_v of_o their_o gain_n serm._n lx._n a_o further_a discovery_n of_o such_o who_o take_v up_o religion_n mere_o from_o carnal_a motive_n and_o worldly_a respect_n 2_o cor._n 1._o 8._o of_o our_o trouble_n which_o come_v to_o we_o in_o asia_n the_o word_n of_o god_n pure_o preach_v with_o the_o faithful_a minister_n thereof_o meet_v with_o no_o great_a opposition_n in_o the_o world_n then_o from_o such_o who_o regard_n religion_n no_o further_o than_o it_o make_v for_o their_o carnal_a interest_n this_o truth_n have_v be_v in_o part_n open_v and_o because_o every_o christian_a unregenerate_v do_v upon_o some_o 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