a_o solemn_a fast_o of_o seven_o day_n continuance_n as_o in_o likely_a now_o it_o be_v time_n to_o give_v he_o some_o comfort_n and_o make_v he_o to_o hear_v joy_n and_o gladness_n that_o the_o break_a bone_n may_v rejoice_v this_o be_v do_v in_o the_o verse_n which_o i_o have_v read_v and_o here_o he_o have_v first_o comfort_n in_o his_o own_o mind_n by_o which_o he_o be_v able_a to_o comfort_n bathsheba_n for_o he_o shall_v have_v be_v a_o poor_a comforter_n of_o she_o unless_o he_o have_v first_o comfort_v himself_o second_o outward_a comfort_n in_o give_v he_o a_o son_n by_o she_o and_o give_v that_o son_n two_o name_n and_o that_o by_o the_o message_n of_o nathan_n the_o prophet_n one_o shelomo_n that_o be_v peaceable_a or_o his_o peace_n or_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o second_o jedidiah_n the_o lord_n will_v love_v he_o because_o both_o god_n do_v love_v he_o and_o he_o be_v to_o be_v a_o instrument_n of_o abundance_n of_o prosperity_n and_o peace_n to_o israel_n yea_o because_o god_n will_v love_v he_o with_o a_o constant_a love_n for_o jedidiah_n signify_v the_o lord_n will_v make_v to_o love_v and_o now_o the_o breach_n betwixt_o god_n and_o david_n be_v full_o make_v up_o for_o in_o calling_n solomon_n by_o that_o name_n he_o will_v signify_v that_o he_o be_v now_o at_o peace_n with_o david_n and_o by_o call_v he_o jedidiah_n he_o will_v signify_v that_o the_o lord_n do_v love_v he_o also_o the_o word_n be_v plain_a enough_o and_o the_o matter_n will_v be_v full_a understand_v if_o you_o read_v in_o 1_o chron._n 22.9_o where_o david_n tell_v solomon_n that_o god_n tell_v he_o that_o a_o son_n shall_v be_v bear_v unto_o he_o who_o name_n shall_v be_v solomon_n and_o that_o he_o will_v give_v he_o rest_v and_o peace_n whence_o it_o be_v apparent_a that_o even_o before_o the_o child_n be_v bear_v god_n send_v to_o he_o to_o give_v he_o this_o name_n and_o to_o let_v he_o understand_v that_o this_o son_n be_v he_o that_o be_v mean_v in_o the_o former_a pprophecy_n of_o nathan_n who_o must_v reign_v after_o he_o and_o build_v the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n now_o this_o can_v not_o but_o exceed_o rejoice_v david_n to_o make_v he_o assure_v that_o god_n be_v reconcile_v to_o he_o because_o he_o will_v choose_v a_o son_n of_o he_o beget_v of_o the_o same_o woman_n after_o the_o sin_n to_o be_v king_n after_o he_o to_o build_v he_o a_o house_n now_o let_v we_o see_v what_o instruction_n we_o may_v gather_v out_o of_o these_o word_n chap._n ii_o §._o i._o daavid_n become_v a_o comforter_n of_o bathsheba_n by_o which_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o he_o be_v in_o good_a measure_n comfort_v himself_o we_o hear_v he_o confess_v his_o sin_n we_o see_v he_o lie_v in_o the_o dust_n clothe_v with_o sackcloth_n tumble_v in_o ash_n now_o you_o see_v he_o cheerful_a again_o speak_v cheerful_o to_o bathsheba_n and_o strive_v to_o revive_v his_o droop_a spirit_n for_o doubtless_o she_o be_v in_o fault_n as_o well_o as_o david_n and_o when_o she_o hear_v of_o nathan_n reproof_n and_o see_v her_o child_n sickness_n and_o death_n she_o cry_v peccavi_fw-la and_o she_o cast_v down_o herself_o as_o well_o as_o he_o hence_o learn_v this_o lesson_n §._o 2._o that_o the_o people_n of_o god_n have_v humble_v themselves_o after_o their_o sin_n must_v then_o labour_v also_o to_o take_v comfort_n when_o we_o have_v cast_v down_o ourselves_o before_o the_o lord_n and_o confess_v and_o bewail_v our_o offence_n be_v they_o what_o they_o will_v then_o must_v we_o raise_v up_o ourselves_o and_o strive_v to_o settle_v peace_n and_o quietness_n and_o gladness_n in_o our_o heart_n again_o consolation_n shall_v follow_v mourning_n and_o gladness_n shall_v come_v after_o sadness_n if_o any_o saint_n have_v fall_v into_o some_o great_a sin_n yet_o when_o he_o have_v renew_v his_o repentance_n for_o the_o sin_n he_o shall_v again_o take_v comfort_n in_o god_n notwithstanding_o that_o sin_n the_o apostle_n paul_n hear_v of_o the_o incestuous_a cortuth_n great_a grief_n write_v to_o they_o to_o comfort_v he_o and_o confirm_v their_o love_n to_o he_o 9_o 2_o cor._n 2.8_o 9_o that_o he_o may_v not_o be_v swallow_v up_o of_o too_o much_o sorrow_n loe_o there_o be_v a_o time_n when_o a_o man_n must_v wade_v out_o of_o his_o grief_n for_o fear_n of_o be_v drown_v in_o they_o therefore_o you_o know_v our_o saviour_n promise_v to_o comfort_v they_o that_o mourn_v 5.4_o mat._n 5.4_o and_o to_o give_v they_o the_o oil_n of_o gladness_n instead_o 61.3_o isa_n 61.3_o of_o the_o garment_n of_o sadness_n it_o be_v not_o god_n purpose_n to_o make_v his_o people_n go_v always_o in_o black_a he_o will_v have_v they_o wear_v lightsome_a colour_n after_o a_o time_n the_o apostle_n paul_n after_o he_o have_v see_v the_o lord_n in_o the_o way_n 9.19_o act_n 9.19_o be_v in_o very_o great_a heaviness_n for_o three_o day_n and_o night_n but_o after_o he_o be_v baptize_v and_o take_v comfort_n and_o begin_v to_o preach_v christ_n the_o people_n act_v 2.37_o 46._o be_v prick_v in_o heart_n but_o we_o read_v after_o that_o they_o do_v eat_v their_o meat_n with_o gladness_n the_o jailer_n part_v cheerful_o with_o paul_n and_o silas_n though_o he_o have_v a_o lamentable_a meeting_n with_o they_o §_o 3._o now_o there_o be_v great_a reason_n that_o the_o saint_n shall_v take_v comfort_n after_o they_o have_v take_v grief_n first_o reason_n reason_n because_o they_o have_v as_o good_a and_o sure_a ground_n and_o cause_n of_o comfort_n as_o of_o sorrow_n second_o because_o they_o shall_v glorify_v god_n as_o much_o three_o because_o they_o shall_v profit_v themselves_o as_o much_o by_o take_v comfort_n as_o by_o their_o mourning_n first_o i_o say_v a_o good_a man_n that_o have_v mourn_v have_v as_o great_a cause_n to_o take_v comfort_n as_o ever_o he_o have_v to_o mourn_v for_o he_o have_v the_o promise_n of_o god_n to_o the_o penitent_a as_o well_o as_o his_o threat_n against_o the_o sinner_n he_o have_v his_o mercy_n to_o the_o humble_a as_o well_o as_o his_o justice_n against_o the_o transgressor_n he_o have_v christ_n prayer_n merit_n intercession_n to_o stand_v for_o he_o as_o well_o as_o the_o cry_n and_o clamour_n of_o his_o sin_n to_o stand_v against_o he_o god_n have_v as_o plain_o and_o as_o strong_o tie_v himself_o to_o accept_v the_o repent_a sinner_n as_o to_o punish_v the_o unrepent_v and_o have_v as_o carnest_o require_v we_o to_o believe_v his_o promise_n as_o his_o threat_n and_o be_v altogether_o as_o true_a in_o his_o promise_n and_o as_o careful_a to_o perform_v they_o as_o to_o perform_v his_o threat_n and_o it_o be_v the_o office_n and_o work_n of_o the_o spirit_n to_o be_v a_o comforter_n and_o to_o convince_v of_o righteousness_n as_o well_o as_o of_o sin_n the_o lord_n have_v as_o plain_o say_v 24._o ezek._n 18.21_o 24._o if_o the_o wicked_a man_n neturne_v from_o his_o wicked_a way_n he_o shall_v live_v as_o if_o the_o righteous_a return_n from_o his_o righteousness_n he_o shall_v die_v he_o have_v promise_v refresh_v to_o all_o heavic_a lade_v as_o well_o as_o threaten_a destruction_n to_o all_o wilful_a and_o wicked_a transgressor_n and_o to_o wound_v the_o hairy_a scalp_n of_o such_o a_o one_o as_o go_v on_o in_o his_o trespass_n 68.21_o psal_n 68.21_o see_v the_o lord_n offer_v himself_o gracious_o to_o they_o therefore_o have_v they_o cause_n to_o enjoy_v these_o consolation_n of_o his_o word_n yea_o the_o apostle_n show_v that_o the_o word_n be_v write_v that_o through_o comfort_n of_o the_o scripture_n we_o may_v have_v hope_n 15.4_o rom._n 15.4_o so_o that_o it_o may_v appear_v that_o god_n chief_a end_n in_o compile_v the_o scripture_n be_v to_o prepare_v comfort_n for_o the_o son_n of_o man_n if_o they_o humble_v themselves_o and_o become_v capable_a of_o it_o yea_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v call_v the_o comforter_n and_o god_n be_v call_v the_o god_n of_o all_o consolation_n and_o the_o god_n that_o comfort_v the_o abject_a all_o which_o ground_n of_o consolation_n be_v offer_v we_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o receive_v they_o §_o 4._o again_o it_o be_v a_o work_n as_o true_o honourable_a to_o god_n and_o make_v as_o much_o for_o his_o glory_n that_o his_o people_n do_v take_v the_o cup_n of_o consolation_n at_o his_o hand_n as_o that_o they_o drink_v the_o bitter_a cup_n of_o wormwood_n yea_o and_o more_o too_o for_o to_o grieve_v even_o for_o sin_n further_o than_o it_o tend_v to_o comfort_v and_o end_n in_o it_o be_v nothing_o at_o all_o to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n of_o itself_o for_o in_o hell_n they_o grieve_v enough_o but_o that_o grief_n be_v not_o in_o they_o a_o work_n tend_v to_o god_n glory_n because_o it_o aim_v not_o
the_o oil_n of_o gladness_n or_o comfort_n for_o deject_a sinner_n first_o preach_v in_o the_o parish_n church_n of_o banbury_n in_o certain_a sermon_n and_o now_o publish_v in_o this_o present_a treatise_n by_o william_n whately_n minister_n there_o london_n print_v by_o g_z m._n for_o george_n edward_n and_o be_v to_o he_o sell_v at_o his_o house_n in_o greene-arbour_n at_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o angel_n 1637._o to_o all_o weary_a sinner_n all_o happiness_n here_o and_o hereafter_o be_v grant_v and_o this_o follow_a treatise_n be_v dedicate_v belove_a in_o our_o lord_n you_o know_v it_o be_v one_o part_n of_o john_n baptist_n office_n 3.5_o isa_n 40.4_o &_o luk._n 3.5_o to_o fill_v valley_n as_o be_v foretell_v of_o he_o valley_n be_v deject_v sinner_n fill_v the_o valley_n be_v comfort_v of_o such_o sinner_n this_o work_n be_v both_o necessary_a and_o difficult_a for_o to_o what_o purpose_n be_v it_o to_o beat_v down_o a_o sinner_n if_o he_o be_v not_o raise_v up_o again_o the_o demolish_n of_o a_o old_a house_n do_v not_o afford_v habitation_n if_o a_o new_a building_n be_v not_o set_v up_o in_o its_o room_n so_o neither_o do_v the_o cast_n down_o of_o man_n high_a thought_n make_v they_o a_o fit_a dwell_n for_o god_n if_o the_o fair_a palace_n of_o spiritual_a comfort_n be_v not_o also_o erect_v in_o they_o our_o soul_n be_v not_o unite_v to_o god_n in_o hearty_a love_n nor_o subject_v to_o he_o in_o sincere_a obedience_n by_o bare_a terror_n nay_o that_o bitter_a anguish_n which_o flow_v from_o the_o sight_n of_o sin_n and_o death_n deserve_v by_o sin_n will_v rather_o increase_v our_o enmity_n against_o god_n and_o irritate_fw-la our_o rebellious_a nature_n if_o it_o be_v not_o somewhat_o ease_v by_o hope_n it_o be_v the_o sweetness_n of_o god_n the_o taste_n whereof_o afford_v more_o content_a in_o he_o than_o any_o thing_n can_v give_v which_o will_v allure_v we_o from_o he_o that_o make_v the_o heart_n to_o cleave_v to_o he_o and_o to_o his_o way_n worldly_n business_n be_v better_o dispatch_v after_o sunrising_a then_o at_o midnight_n so_o man_n do_v make_v best_a speed_n in_o a_o journey_n by_o daylight_n so_o do_v the_o journey_n of_o a_o godly_a conversation_n and_o the_o whole_a work_n of_o righteousness_n go_v forward_a most_o prosperous_o when_o the_o shine_a beam_n of_o spiritual_a gladness_n have_v enlighten_v the_o soul_n as_o it_o be_v a_o quiet_a and_o light_a morning_n after_o a_o dark_a and_o tempestuous_a night_n how_o hard_o a_o thing_n it_o be_v to_o quiet_a the_o trouble_a soul_n they_o can_v best_o tell_v that_o have_v be_v most_o employ_v in_o it_o the_o devil_n oppose_v the_o success_n of_o that_o labour_n with_o all_o his_o might_n and_o craft_n for_o he_o find_v inexperience_n that_o the_o lord_n have_v none_o so_o faithful_a and_o valiant_a soldier_n in_o all_o his_o army_n as_o those_o who_o he_o have_v first_o deep_o wound_v and_o after_o sound_o heal_v terror_n be_v the_o sore_n of_o the_o very_a conscience_n the_o tender_a part_n of_o the_o whole_a soul_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o easy_o cure_v carnal_a reason_n the_o false_a guide_n of_o mankind_n do_v always_o follow_v sense_n which_o in_o this_o case_n do_v minister_v nothing_o but_o appear_v argument_n of_o never_o be_v comfort_v and_o a_o world_n of_o labour_n it_o will_v prove_v to_o withdraw_v a_o man_n from_o follow_v this_o guide_n the_o truth_n be_v none_o can_v rebuke_v these_o wave_n and_o storm_n say_v to_o they_o peace_n and_o be_v still_o that_o a_o great_a calm_n may_v follow_v but_o alone_a our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n who_o even_o the_o wind_n and_o the_o sea_n do_v obey_v yet_o the_o prophet_n isaias_n tell_v we_o 57.19_o isa_n 57.19_o that_o god_n creat_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o lip_n to_o be_v peace_n peace_n instruction_n exhortation_n direction_n comfortable_a spee-&_a spee-&_a persuasion_n of_o the_o godly_a chief_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o stand_v in_o christ_n stead_n these_o be_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o lip_n these_o be_v the_o mean_n by_o which_o the_o lord_n do_v establish_v the_o soul_n of_o his_o servant_n in_o assure_a quietness_n at_o last_o i_o have_v endeavour_v to_o contribute_v something_o to_o the_o cheer_v up_o of_o spiritual_a weeper_n in_o this_o treatise_n this_o i_o offer_v to_o you_o burden_a soul_n as_o for_o other_o i_o know_v how_o little_a agreement_n such_o food_n hold_v with_o their_o palate_n but_o before_o you_o read_v what_o i_o have_v here_o write_v and_o publish_v take_v with_o you_o a_o advertisement_n or_o two_o the_o principal_a hindrance_n of_o comfort_n be_v unfitnesse_n for_o it_o and_o averseness_n from_o it_o vnfitnesse_n spring_v either_o from_o want_n of_o sincerity_n in_o one_o not_o be_v ready_a to_o see_v and_o acknowledge_v some_o sin_n or_o sin_n which_o god_n will_v have_v he_o see_v but_o he_o hang_v back_o or_o else_o from_o want_n of_o humility_n in_o that_o a_o man_n do_v not_o bring_v his_o heart_n to_o stoop_v so_o low_a to_o god_n justice_n as_o to_o yield_v himself_o into_o his_o hand_n without_o murmur_v or_o quarrel_v till_o god_n have_v wrought_v we_o to_o his_o own_o bent_n as_o it_o be_v in_o these_o two_o respect_n there_o be_v no_o hope_n of_o comfort_n make_v haste_n therefore_o to_o let_v the_o lord_n have_v his_o will_n in_o these_o two_o point_n now_o averseness_n from_o comfort_n be_v a_o kind_n of_o spiritual_a pettishnesse_n or_o peevishness_n which_o be_v sometime_o in_o the_o psalmist_n 77.2_o psal_n 77.2_o who_o say_v my_o soul_n refuse_v comfort_n which_o make_v man_n love_v to_o strive_v against_o their_o own_o peace_n take_v great_a pain_n to_o thrust_v comfort_n away_o from_o they_o &_o give_v over_o themselves_o either_o still_o to_o renew_v the_o old_a or_o multiply_v new_a objection_n against_o themselves_o to_o study_v to_o have_v something_o to_o say_v against_o all_o that_o may_v be_v allege_v for_o they_o never_o consider_v nor_o observe_v how_o true_a and_o reasonable_a the_o thing_n be_v which_o be_v speak_v on_o their_o own_o behalf_n the_o devil_n a_o great_a wranglex_n that_o labour_v still_o to_o darken_v truth_n of_o this_o kind_n and_o not_o to_o clear_v they_o sugge_v these_o cavil_n to_o the_o mind_n and_o the_o dazel_a eye_n be_v ready_a to_o fix_v itself_o upon_o they_o as_o if_o they_o be_v matter_n of_o some_o weight_n and_o argument_n or_o answer_n of_o good_a force_n be_v warn_v to_o forbear_v thus_o to_o abuse_v your_o wit_n to_o your_o own_o hurt_n study_v to_o be_v able_a to_o defend_v yourselves_o and_o to_o learn_v how_o to_o do_v it_o what_o madness_n be_v it_o to_o lay_v one_o naked_a breast_n open_a to_o his_o enemy_n weapon_n reject_v not_o the_o consolation_n of_o god_n neither_o let_v they_o seem_v small_a unto_o you_o know_v yourselves_o tie_v in_o conscience_n as_o to_o humble_a and_o to_o purge_v so_o likewise_o to_o comfort_v yourselves_o without_o which_o the_o former_a be_v do_v in_o vain_a and_o the_o latter_a can_v be_v do_v at_o all_o be_v willing_a therefore_o to_o receive_v god_n goodness_n when_o it_o be_v make_v evident_a that_o you_o have_v interest_n thereunto_o this_o be_v all_o i_o have_v to_o say_v in_o this_o epistle_n now_o i_o leave_v you_o to_o the_o book_n itself_o beseech_v god_n to_o make_v you_o read_v joy_n and_o gladness_n that_o your_o break_a bone_n may_v rejoice_v 1637._o april_n 20._o 1637._o and_o so_o wilre_v a_o wellwisher_a to_o you_o all_o william_n whately_n perlegi_fw-la hunc_fw-la tractatum_fw-la in_o quo_fw-la nihilreperio_fw-la quò_fw-la minùs_fw-la cum_fw-la utilitate_fw-la imprimatur_fw-la tho_o week_n r._n p._n episc_n lond._n cap._n dome_v the_o oil_n of_o gladness_n or_o comfort_n for_o deject_a sinner_n 2_o sam_n 12_o 24_o 25._o and_o david_n comforter_n bathsheba_n his_o wife_n and_o go_v in_o unto_o she_o and_o lay_v with_o bar_n and_o she_o hare_n a_o onne_n and_o call_v his_o name_n solomon_n and_o the_o lord_n love_v he_o and_o he_o ent_v by_o the_o band_n of_o nathan_n the_o prophet_n and_o be_v call_v his_o name_n jedidiah_n because_o of_o the_o lord_n chap._n i._n when_o agood_o chirurgeon_n meet_v with_o a_o fester_a sore_n first_o he_o appli_v corrosive_n and_o cleanse_a thing_n to_o cate_z out_o the_o dead_a and_o proud_a flesh_n and_o to_o draw_v away_o the_o filth_n and_o putrefaction_n this_o do_v he_o lay_v heal_v plaster_n to_o perfect_a the_o cure_n so_o do_v the_o lord_n proceed_v with_o david_n his_o wound_n do_v stink_n and_o be_v putrify_v as_o himself_o speak_v in_o the_o psalm_n the_o lord_n have_v use_v reproof_n by_o nathan_n mouth_n and_o correction_n by_o his_o own_o hand_n these_o sharp_a medicine_n have_v wrought_v excellent_a well_o upon_o he_o and_o bring_v he_o to_o a_o serious_a confession_n and_o
at_o comfort_n but_o be_v a_o desperate_a forlorn_a and_o uncomfortable_a grief_n for_o in_o grieve_v for_o our_o sin_n we_o give_v god_n the_o glory_n of_o his_o justice_n acknowledge_v they_o to_o be_v vile_a and_o loathsome_a and_o grievous_a but_o in_o comfort_v ourselves_o we_o give_v he_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o mercy_n acknowledge_v he_o to_o be_v more_o full_a of_o goodness_n than_o ourselves_o be_v of_o badness_n which_o be_v to_o do_v he_o the_o high_a honour_n for_o the_o lord_n delight_v in_o show_v mercy_n and_o therefore_o can_v but_o delight_v that_o man_n shall_v esteem_v and_o account_v he_o so_o ready_a to_o show_v mercy_n for_o whosoever_o love_v to_o do_v any_o good_a and_o commendable_a thing_n love_v to_o be_v account_v ready_a and_o able_a to_o do_v that_o thing_n and_o indeed_o god_n be_v not_o well_o please_v nor_o honour_v as_o i_o say_v before_o with_o his_o saint_n tear_n further_o than_o those_o tear_n be_v mean_n of_o fit_v they_o for_o and_o make_v they_o capable_a of_o comfort_n as_o the_o chirurgeon_n delight_v not_o in_o the_o smart_n of_o his_o patient_n further_o than_o it_o be_v a_o mean_n of_o heal_v the_o sore_a nor_o the_o physician_n in_o the_o bitter_a potion_n of_o his_o patient_n or_o his_o sickness_n further_o than_o it_o procure_v health_n therefore_o if_o we_o consider_v in_o the_o old_a law_n 16.14_o deut._n 16.14_o he_o call_v upon_o they_o to_o be_v sure_a that_o they_o do_v rejoice_v in_o their_o feast_n and_o whereas_o he_o appoint_v one_o only_o solemn_a fast_n throughout_o the_o year_n 26.19_o levit._fw-la 26.19_o and_o that_o but_o one_o day_n continuance_n alone_o he_o appoint_v three_o several_a most_o solemn_a feast_n in_o every_o year_n and_o those_o also_o of_o seven_o day_n continuance_n each_o of_o they_o 14._o exod._n 23_o 14._o whereby_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o he_o take_v far_o more_o content_a in_o their_o gladness_n and_o solace_n then_o in_o their_o ruth_n and_o lamentation_n for_o indeed_o he_o like_v their_o grief_n alone_o as_o i_o say_v before_o as_o a_o preparative_n to_o their_o joy_n now_o see_v our_o care_n must_v be_v to_o do_v that_o that_o may_v glorify_v and_o please_v god_n and_o our_o joy_n will_v glorify_v and_o please_v he_o after_o we_o have_v be_v humble_v as_o well_o as_o our_o humiliation_n before_o it_o be_v needful_a for_o we_o to_o cheer_v up_o our_o heart_n as_o well_o as_o to_o depress_v they_o §_o 5._o three_o this_o comfort_n be_v a_o thing_n altogether_o as_o profitable_a to_o ourselves_o and_o as_o much_o available_a to_o our_o sanctification_n and_o good_a live_n as_o grief_n nay_o grief_n will_v do_v at_o all_o no_o good_a to_o the_o work_n of_o holiness_n and_o beat_v down_o of_o sin_n further_o than_o it_o be_v so_o order_v and_o moderate_v that_o it_o may_v conclude_v in_o consolation_n as_o a_o man_n be_v fit_a to_o do_v any_o natural_a work_n when_o he_o have_v his_o limb_n all_o at_o ease_n and_o rest_n so_o to_o do_v any_o spiritual_a good_a thing_n when_o he_o have_v his_o mind_n at_o ease_n and_o rest_n 8.10_o nehem._n 8.10_o the_o joy_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v your_o strength_n say_v that_o holy_a man_n to_o the_o people_n in_o nehemiah_n which_o be_v the_o cause_n that_o god_n have_v confirm_v his_o promise_n by_o oath_n that_o as_o the_o apostle_n say_v 6.18_o heb._n 6.18_o we_o may_v have_v strong_a consolation_n the_o herb_n and_o grass_n and_o corn_n do_v ripen_v best_a in_o warm_a and_o fun-shine_a weather_n so_o the_o sunshine_n of_o consolation_n do_v bring_v up_o the_o herb_n of_o virtue_n in_o our_o heart_n carnal_a and_o earthly_a joy_n do_v nothing_o further_a the_o growth_n of_o piety_n but_o spiritual_a consolation_n such_o as_o this_o we_o entreat_v of_o do_v make_v it_o prosper_v and_o flourish_v exceed_o never_o be_v a_o christian_a man_n in_o better_a case_n to_o do_v any_o good_a duty_n to_o bear_v any_o misery_n for_o god_n sake_n to_o love_n god_n to_o pray_v to_o hear_v the_o word_n to_o do_v work_n of_o mercy_n to_o the_o afflict_a or_o to_o perform_v any_o other_o service_n then_o when_o he_o can_v comfort_v himself_o in_o god_n then_o the_o heart_n have_v more_o full_a communion_n with_o god_n and_o therefore_o be_v in_o best_a plight_n to_o do_v any_o thing_n well_o i_o confess_v sorrow_n have_v its_o use_n it_o be_v as_o plough_v and_o as_o break_v of_o the_o clod_n that_o make_v the_o ground_n ready_a for_o the_o seed_n it_o be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o sweep_a and_o cleanse_v of_o the_o house_n that_o make_v it_o fit_a for_o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o for_o aguest_n to_o inhabit_v and_o to_o dwell_v in_o but_o the_o very_a proper_a confirmer_n and_o strengthener_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v comfort_n that_o do_v minister_v to_o it_o ability_n to_o work_v god_n work_n as_o god_n love_v in_o matter_n of_o bounty_n a_o cheerful_a giver_n so_o in_o all_o service_n a_o cheerful_a servant_n and_o doubtless_o the_o service_n will_v not_o be_v cheerful_a if_o the_o heart_n be_v not_o comfort_v therefore_o in_o heaven_n where_o god_n have_v the_o best_a service_n man_n have_v the_o most_o comfort_n and_o in_o paradise_n where_o god_n have_v the_o best_a service_n next_o to_o heaven_n man_n have_v the_o most_o comfort_n and_o in_o the_o thessalonian_o 6._o 1_o thess_n 1_o 3_o 6._o in_o who_o saint_n paul_n do_v commend_v the_o labour_n of_o love_n the_o work_n of_o faith_n the_o patience_n of_o hope_n and_o who_o he_o praise_v because_o their_o love_n and_o their_o faith_n do_v grow_v exceed_o he_o show_v the_o foundation_n of_o this_o growth_n to_o have_v be_v because_o they_o receive_v the_o word_n with_o joy_n in_o the_o holy_a ghost_n see_v well-grounded_n comfort_n be_v the_o most_o profitable_a thing_n that_o can_v be_v for_o our_o soul_n we_o must_v strive_v for_o it_o §_o 6._o only_o brethren_n you_o must_v remember_v how_o we_o limit_v the_o point_n viz._n that_o after_o we_o have_v humble_v ourselves_o we_o must_v then_o take_v comfort_n and_o not_o before_o there_o be_v a_o time_n say_v solomon_n to_o mourn_v and_o a_o time_n to_o laugh_v we_o must_v take_v time_n to_o rend_v our_o heart_n and_o to_o turn_v to_o the_o lord_n with_o mourning_n and_o contrition_n and_o then_o we_o must_v take_v time_n also_o to_o stir_v up_o and_o to_o revive_v our_o heart_n and_o to_o embrace_v the_o lord_n mercy_n with_o all_o joyfullnesse_n we_o must_v beware_v of_o make_v too_o much_o haste_n to_o comfort_v ourselves_o as_o also_o of_o be_v too_o slow_a to_o the_o work_n if_o the_o sore_n be_v not_o thorough_o draw_v before_o it_o be_v heal_v than_o the_o fester_a matter_n will_v break_v out_o again_o and_o the_o cure_n will_v not_o be_v well_o effect_v and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o heal_v after_o draw_v no_o soundness_n will_v come_v to_o the_o member_n affect_v as_o the_o body_n so_o the_o soul_n must_v be_v heal_v sound_o and_o to_o the_o bottom_n and_o not_o skin_v over_o with_o untimely_a and_o preposterous_a and_o ungrounded_a consoation_n i_o pray_v you_o to_o observe_v this_o caution_n and_o this_o limitation_n that_o none_o of_o you_o may_v abuse_v and_o misapply_v the_o point_n to_o your_o own_o hurt_n for_o nothing_o be_v more_o dangerous_a than_o false_a comfort_n of_o the_o twain_o it_o be_v much_o more_o safe_a though_o it_o seem_v far_o more_o troublesome_a to_o be_v too_o much_o and_o too_o long_o in_o mourning_n then_o to_o fetch_v in_o comfort_n before_o we_o have_v at_o all_o mourn_v or_o before_o we_o have_v mourn_v in_o due_a measure_n for_o to_o comfort_v one_o self_n untimely_a be_v to_o trust_v in_o a_o lie_n and_o be_v the_o sure_a way_n to_o cut_v off_o all_o sound_n and_o good_a comfort_n and_o to_o keep_v a_o man_n self_n uncapable_a of_o true_a comfort_n thus_o daub_v with_o untempered_a mortar_n will_v never_o make_v any_o good_a work_n down_o will_v that_o daub_v come_v in_o the_o day_n when_o the_o storm_n and_o wind_n shall_v blow_v upon_o it_o §_o 7._o if_o any_o man_n ask_v how_o he_o shall_v be_v sure_a not_o to_o take_v comfort_n too_o soon_o i_o answer_v he_o that_o he_o must_v not_o be_v bold_a to_o take_v any_o comfort_n till_o he_o have_v get_v such_o a_o measure_n of_o sorrow_n and_o let_v sorrow_n continue_v so_o long_o in_o his_o heart_n that_o it_o have_v wrought_v he_o to_o a_o plain_a and_o free_a and_o full_a confession_n of_o his_o sin_n to_o god_n and_o to_o a_o firm_a and_o steadfast_a purpose_n and_o determination_n of_o will_n to_o leave_v forsake_v and_o abandon_v they_o and_o when_o he_o have_v bring_v himself_o to_o this_o then_o must_v he_o mix_v his_o sorrow_n with_o some_o comfort_n and_o after_o a_o while_o he_o must_v bid_v his_o grief_n adieu_o and_o