a word of comfort in his season that they spake Law louder than Sina they made them meditate terrour they wounded such as were vexed at the heart they gave them the cup of trembling even the dregges of the furie of the Lord. Now the opportunity now the time for him that bindes up the broken-hearted for the God of consolation and comfort to lay to his hand Hence he that was the pen of that ready Writer least these young Plants should perish for want of watering lest they for whom CHRIST dyed should bee swallowed up with over much heavinesse with all earnestnesse of exhortation hee laboureth to exile anxiety to give beauty for ashes and the garment of gladnesse for the spirit of heavinesse That the bones that were broken might flourish he inculcates consolation once and againe he makes them heare of joy and gladnesse Esay 40.1 Comfort yee That is not enough hee repeates it againe Comfort yee my people saith your GOD. See here how hee replyes as it were how he ecchoes in effect to the word of life as the Lord commanded even so did hee Reioyce alwayes in the LORD Eccles 11.6 And againe hee knowes not whether may prosper this or that or whether both may bee alike good he addes line unto line and precept unto precept as the Prophet speaketh Againe I say Reioyce Esay The parts are these First an affection incited unto Act Reioyce Secondly the extent Latitude or as they that analise will have it the Longitude of it Alwayes Thirdly the Object In the LORD Fourthly the magnitude implyed or indeed expressed in the coacernation it is accumulated it is heaped together it is full pressed and running over And againe I say Reioyce Of these or some of these at this time and first of the foremost Reioyce 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist Eth. 2. Cap. 5. sayth the Philosopher The affections of the mind as Anger feare sorrow love delight and joy they are neyther absolutely good nor simply evill of themselves but according to the cause the object and measure they are both the one and the one and the other The fathers they are Parapathetickes in the point they are of the same opinion Affectiones ordinata virtutes sunt Bern. parvi varij Sermones Inordinatae passiones Saith Saint Bernard Our affections if not irregular if ordered aright they are vertues if not that which is opposite unto them an evill sickenesse Spirituall diseases maladies of the mind they are compared by LACTANTIVS Lactant. de vero cultu Lib. 6. Equis pernicibus unto fiery unto fleet horses If good if brought to the hand if guided aright they are as they saith Saint Ambrose that carried that caught up Elias into Heaven If evill if unbridled and wilde like the Horses in the Chariots of Pharaoh and the Egyptians they hurrie us to destruction they run away with us to the ruine and subversion of our Soules So that Ars artium it is the science of man and his greatest felicitie to order them aright not to let loose the Reines to hold them as it were with Bit and Bridle lest they fall upon thee Lactant. de vero cultu lib. 6. Quibus prave uti vitium est dirigamus in rectum sayth hee whose tongue flowed with Milke and hony Those things which to use otherwise than well it is evill Let us guide and direct in the way of truth Omitting the rest I am at this time to speake of that which though one and the selfe-same thing it varies both according to the Object and Subject It is amongst Fooles as the cracking of thornes as the phrensie of the Soule but unto the righteous it is health to their Navill and marrow to their bones Ioy it is one of the principall passions of the sensitive part yet as annext unto the Rationall proper onely to a reasonable Soule arising from an Object eyther good or seeming to bee so unto which the heart opens as a friend his armes and his bosome to imbrace a friend so this opens the hidden roomes and secret closets of it selfe to entertaine the pleasure that is presented unto it Thus in effect is the definition of nature let us heare the addition of grace It is all both essentiall and integrall it is all in the whole and all every part My Spirit Luk. 1.47 saith our blessed Virgin My Soule sayth hee Psal 35.9 that made Songs with all his might and loved him that made him Psal 82.2 My Soule shall reioyce in the God of my salvation Come we to the body My heart and my flesh rejoyce in the living God For the superficies and face Cant. 5.10 My beloved is white and ruddie and such are all they that put their trust in him Eccles 26.4 Whether he be poore or rich if hee have a good heart towards the Lord hee shall at all times rejoyce with a cheerefull countenance For his Lute and harpe Psal 118.15 for the Daughters of Musicke the voyce of joy and health is in the dwelling of the righteous And last of all for his habit Eccles 9.10 Let thy garments bee alwayes white and let thine head want no oyntment as the Preacher speaketh This Beloved Such is the Subject in my Text not streightned in himselfe but open and inlarged as the Sea For grace it is not so scantie it is nothing so narrow as nature Come we to the Object it is transcendent too It is good not apparent but absolute It is the most supreame and Soveraigne good the hony-combe with the hony Eccles 11.3 It is the chiefe of sweet things as the Sonne of Syrach speaketh Psal 73.24 Iob. 35.10 I have none in Heaven but thee and there is none in Earth that I desire in comparison of thee It is God that giveth us Songs in the night season it is the God of Consolation and Comfort And how then beloved how shall I expresse the affection how shall I open the joy that issues from hence Shall I say it is like that in Harvest or the joy of them that divide the spoyle or of such as keepe holy-day Nay there is nothing upon Earth that can so much as shadow it unto us It is as the fullnesse of Ioy Iob. 38.7 it is as theirs in Heaven as the morning starres that doe sing together and as the Sonnes of God that doe showt for joy Aug. In. Ps 99. H. Gustatur hic undè ibi satiemur saith St. Augustine It is a Cluster of Canaan it is a tast of that new Wine which wee shall drinke with him in his Kingdome Bern. de Verbis Apost Stilla guttula est de flumine illo descendens saith Saint Bernard It is as the dew of Heaven it is a draught of that River that maketh glad the Citie of GOD. What shall I say It is a pure influence flowing from the glory of the Almighty It is the brightnesse of
Esa 43.2 and through the flouds they shall not overflow thee When thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt neyther shall the flame kindle upon thee Neither affliction nor tribulation nor distresse nor temptation no not all the gates of Hell shall be able to prevaile against thee I can goe no further you have all that I can comment on the point Our mouth is open unto you 2. Cor. 6.11 and our heart it is made large saith St. PAUL to his Corinthians Dilatamini vos Vnclaspe your affections extend your Soules as a Tent for to dwell in Be yee also inlarged Rejoyce in the Lord alway and againe I say Rejoyce The third part it is the Object of which because through this whole discourse I have implicitely spoken already a word or two shall suffice Rejoyce alwayes in the Lord. Sen. Ep. Ad summū pervenit qui scit quo gaudeat I am almost perswaded he was a Christian that spake so divinely Hee is come to the height in the phrase of the Holy-Ghost hee is not farre from the Kingdome of God that knowes how and wherein to Rejoyce Howbeit as in a Race many run but one receives the prize so is it here though we are all in aemulation though we strive for the more excellent gift though both our actions and affections follow hard after joy yet few are they that doe attaine unto it for according to the delights of the Sons of men are their aberrations from it Iob. 31.25 There is one that rejoyceth because his wealth is great and because his hand hath gotten much so most of the children of this generation There are others that account our life a pastime the Harpe and Violl and the Tabret and also the Pipe and Wine are in their Feasts but they regard not the worke of the Lord neither consider the operations of his hands Esay 5.12 as the Prophet speaketh Next unto these are they which are emptyed from Vessell to Vessell that they might prove what is that good of the Sonnes of men Wisd 2. They seeke for to solace themselves with variety and let no flow of the Spring passe by them In the last place there are some that sleepe not unlesse they have done mischiefe Prov. 4.16 Qui laetantur cum malefecerint Who rejoyce in doing Evill Prov. 2.14 and delight in the frowardnesse of the wicked For the joyes of all these they are but slight and superficiall Sen. Ep. Frontem remittunt non pectus implent Besides that they are shallow and inconstant even at the best they are fastidious and unpleasant but sorrowes indeed but waters of gall in respect of that which is ordered aright unto the object in my Text. Cant. 4.10 How much better is thy love than wine and the smell of thine oyntment than all spices Should the windowes of Heaven be opened should the Mountaines drop new Wine and the Hils flow with milke Might every Man be Heire of that inventory in the second of Ecclesiastes Eccles 2.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12. of those severall delights of the Sonnes of men all these things they were not worth the naming they were vanitie and lesse than nothing in respect of the person in whom we are injoyned to Rejoyce What shall I liken to God or with what comparison shall I compare him Cui aliunde comparata omnis iucunditas maeror est omnis suavitas dolor omne dulce amarum Bern. parv Serv. saith St. Bernard Extract what you can from his Creatures in Relation unto him it is but as the drop of a Bucket and as the smallest dust of the ballance Whatsoever the world affecteth as Riches Honour Pleasure or the like they are all in him and more also Bern. ubi supra In a word Ipse fecit omnia ipse habet omnia ipse est omnia saith that sweet Father He is the Maker of all things and the Owner they are all his but hee himselfe is more than they all This is my beloved and this is my friend Cant. 5.16 O yee Daughters of Ierusalem This in himselfe Let us see now what he is unto us First for affliction In the time of trouble he is an hiding place from the Wind Esa 25. as a Covert from the Tempest as Rivers of waters in a dry place as the shadow of a Rocke in a weary Land And not onely so but he deviseth blessings towards us he rejoyceth over us to doe us good with his whole heart and with his whole soule as the Prophet speaketh after the manner of men Ier. 32.41 because of our infirmities As the Bridegrome rejoyceth over the Bride that is an other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 As the Bridegrome rejoyceth over the Bride Esa 62.5 so shall the Lord re-rejoyce over thee So neare is the Relation betweene him and us My beloved is mine and I am his Cant. 2.16 And how then can wee but sympathize how can wee but answere his affection and paralell if it were possible the joy of our dearest I will rejoyce in the Lord my Soule shall be joyfull in God for he hath cloathed me with a Robe of Righteousnesse Esa 61.10 as a Bridegroome decketh himselfe with ornamēts as a Bride adorneth herselfe w th Iewels Many more are the attributes of God in that which might amplifie the joy of his chosen As that hee is our Shepheard and our strength in temptation in the day of our spirituall battell So David Psal 28.8 The Lord is my strength and my shield my heart hath trusted in him and I am helped therefore my heart danceth for ioy and in my Song I will praise him But heare the end of all the felicity of the Chosen that which includeth the Heaven of Heavens the transcendent cause of the dilatation of the hart Behold God is my salvation I will trust and wil not be afraid for the Lord IEHOVAH is my strength and my Song he is also become my salvation Therefore with Ioy shall yee draw water out of the welles of Salvation Heare our confidence Esa 12.2 3. well may we rejoyce in hope it is more than so it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is the full assurance of the Saints So that we passe being sealed unto the purchased possession we passe from Glory to Glory as by the Spirit of the Lord. The expectation our present estate the expectation of the Righteous it is gladnesse Prov. 10.28 and what then shall the fruition be when we shall enter into our Masters joy whē we shall be satisfied with the pleasures of his house when we shall alwayes behold the face of the Lord in whose presence is the fulnesse of joy and at his right hand his Sonne our Saviour Psal 16.12 pleasures for evermore To him with the Father and the Holy-Ghost bee ascribed all Power Praise Majesty Might and Dominion both this day
and for ever Amen Amen THE SECOND Sermon OVr fellowship is with the Father and with his Sonne Iesus Christ and these things write we unto you that your Ioy may be full 1. Ioh. 1.4 1. Ioh. 1◠I sate downe under his shadow with great delight and his fruit was sweet unto my taste He brought me into his banqueting house and his banner over mee was love Cant. 2.3.4 Cant. 2 3 4 Hìc est ignis quem voluit Christus vehementèr accendi Bern. of Spirituall Ioy. Declamat Bernard August Qui in viâ sic pascit in Patriâ quomodò saginabit August in Psal Bernard Quid erit in Patriâ si tanta est copia delectationis in viâ Bern. Declam PHIL. 4. The latter part of the 4. Verse Againe I say Reioyce THere is a deplored there is a desperate opinion of the wicked That Piety is pensive That the Saints are men of sorrowes That they wast their lives with heavinesse and their yeares with mourning True it is I confesse that many are the afflictions divers and sundry are the pressures the troubles of the Righteous But that which makes a man eyther miserable or happy it is not his passion but action not that which he suffereth but doth If it bee good sorrow may lye at the doore but there is no ingresse it cannot enter into it for that which is nearer than the joynts and the marrow all his inward parts they are possessed they are taken up with an hidden with a secret Ioy. So that what is without say that it may raze the skinne sure I am it cannot pierce the soule Our Rejoycing it is not shallow nor superficiall it is in the hidden man of the heart it is the testimony of a good conscience 2. Cor. 1.12 let it be sprinkled with the bloud of the Lambe let it be purged from the evill of actions and affections and behold the bones that were broken shall flourish You shall heare of joy and gladnesse and sorrow and sighing shall flye a way What is sayd of Wisedome is true of Religion also at first she will walke with him Eccles. 4.17 that is her Disciple by crooked wayes and bring feare and dread upon him and torment him with her Discipline untill she may trust his soule and try him by her Lawes and comfort him then will she returne the straight way unto him and shew him her secrets So in the Schoole of Repentance first anxiety and sorrow first terror and contrition and after this great a calme after this Iubilation and Ioy. Lodo vic Viv. Nec aliud conatur pietas Christiana quà m ut serenitas humanos actus exhilaret tranquilitate animorum compositisque affectionibus simus Deo Angelis quà m simillimi So Lodovicus Vives answeres the misprision of them that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter that are mistaken in the supposed austeritie and strictnesse of Religion Prov. 3.17 whose wayes are wayes of pleasantnesse and her pathes are Peace All that shee enjoynes it is what Not to cut our selves with knives and lances 1. King 18.28 not to sacrifice our sonnes and Daughters unto Divels Wisd 12.5 Wisd 5.7 not to goe through Desarts where there lyes no way but that even here upon earth having suppressed our passions and composed our affections wee may anticipate our Heaven and in tranquility and peace resemble the Lord and his Angels of Light Againe I say Reioyce The parts you remember First an affection incited unto Act Reioyce Secondly An Object In the Lord. Thirdly the Longitude of the affection Alwayes Fourthly the Magnitude Againe I say Reioyce For the present we are to observe First the Matter Reioyce Secondly the Manner Againe Thirdly the forme informing or indeed the bond of both I say Or thus First there is an Ingemination of an exhortation Againe Secondly there is the party Exhorting exprest or at least imployed in the verse I say Thirdly the poinct or affection exhorted Reioyce Of these in their order and first of the Repetition Againe It is the Dialect of joy it is the phrase of a comforter the voyce of the Holy-Ghost himselfe Gen. 3.8 Luk. 15.20 who as he walketh in his Iustice so hee runneth in his mercy As he expresseth our sorrowes with an Aposiopesis so our joyes with an Epizeuxis He sighes out the one but hee speakes once yea twice he ingeminates the other and sometimes more Though no Tautology not a word in his Booke but is weighed in the Ballance yet hath many Synonymies dilation of phrase to expresse this celestiall affection Sing Zeph. 3.14 O Daughter Syon Shout O Israel be glad and reioyce O Daughter Ierusalem The Lord hath taken away thy Iudgments hee hath cast out thine Enemie Zephan 3.14 See beloved how affluent how full of water is the River of the Lord. Psal 65 10. Like that which he spyed out for his people Iosh 3.15 It overfloweth his bankes in the time of Harvest Once againe nay a third time and more hee inculcates one and the selfe-same thing So in the Psalmes Psal 68.3 Let the Righteous be glad and reioyce in the Lord let them also be merry and ioyfull In a word throughout this whole volume you shall seldome heare of this Heavenly affection without an Ingemination at least Reioyce in his holy name saith the sweet singer of Israel Psal 105.3 Let the heart of them reioyce that seeke the Lord. And againe Psal 149.2 Let Israel reioyce in him that made him and let the children of Syon be ioyfull in their King Thus hee watereth the Hils from above hee sendeth raine into the little Vallyes Psal 65.11 He maketh them soft with the drops of the first of the former and the latter raine Haec locutus these things and thus have I spoken unto you Ioh. 15.11 that my joy might remaine in you and that your joy might be full Heare his Disciple and you cannot but confesse that he leaned on his bosome Surely thou art one of them for thy very speech bewrayes thee These things I write unto you that your Ioy might be full 1. Ioh. 1.4 1. Ioh. 1.4 So our Apostle O the heavenly harmony of the Songs of the Sonnes of Syon here is a whole Quire a choyce Consort of him that spake as never mā spake of him that tooke pleasures in afflictions Christ and his Disciples Rejoyce alwayes in the Lord. And againe A word as the Wise-man speaketh of a Consort of Musicke with Wine like a Carbuncle set in gold Eccles 32.5 Againe I say Rejoyce Ambr. apud Lyram in locum Hoc adeò necessarium est vobis quod iterum dico gaudete non ut quaedam alia semel saith St. Ambrose as he is alleadged by Lyra. Hee that speakes but once for the most part in the incitation of other things he doubles his exhortation of joy and without doubt there is
value sayth that upright and Iust man Iob. 16.2 Miserable comforters are they all I looked on my right hand sayth the Prophet DAVID and there was no man that would know mee Psa 142.4 5 I had no place for to flye vnto no man cared for my Soule So in the 69. Psalme 21. verse I looked for some to have pitie vpon mee but there was no man neither found I any to comfort mee Now for our selves though wee are all right deare in our owne eyes though benevolous and well affected to felicity and joy Yet there is no man that quickeneth his owne soule all consolation it is from without If I said I will forget my complaint sayth IOB Iob 9.27 28. I will leaue off my heavinesse and comfort my selfe I am afraid of all my sorowes So the Prophet IEREMY When I would comfort my selfe against sorrow my heart is faint within me Ierem. 8.18 Ier. 8 18. The true nature of griefe it is so with all those that are in anguish of spirit as they that are fallen they need another mans hand for to lift them up O how happie then are wee that are raised from the gates of death that are comforted on euery side not of others not of our selves but by the God of all consolation and peace I say there is power and spirit there is authority there is life and emphasis in the word and hee that speakes it with a double expression will haue it deepely to be observed of vs. I even I am hee that comforteth thee who art thou that thou shouldest bee afraid Esay 51.12 Esa 51.12 Afraid of man sayth the Prophet I may adde principalities and powers such as neyther slumber nor sleepe The girdle of their loynes is not loosed nor the latchet of their shooes broken Their wheeles are like a whirlewinde and their charriots as swift as the winges of an Eagle Who art thou that thou shouldst bee afrayd of all the armies of hell Are the consolations of God small with thee said Eliphaz vnto Iob. Chap. 15. v. 11. Iob 15.11 Were our estate as his were our griefe throughly weighed and layd in the ballances together yet behold a farre more excellent a farre more immense and ponderous weight of Ioy. Hee that comforteth those that are cast downe hee thinkes towards vs thoughts of peace and with all earnestnesse he expresseth the same Heare the word of the Lord yee that tremble at his word Feare thou not for I am with thee bee not dismaid for I am thy God I will strengthen I will helpe thee yea I will vphold thee with the right hand of my righteousnesse Esay 41.10 Esa 41.10 See how full how copious is the consolation of the Lord But not a world of wordes not the tongue of men and Angels can expresse it so much as the person as this one thing that t is his Prov. 27.9 Oyntment and perfume they reioyce the heart sayth Salomon so doth the sweetnesse of a mans friend how much more the consolation of Heaven The sweetnesse of the Lord himselfe Anima lique sacta est Cant. 5.6 My soule melted when my beloued spake Cant. 2.14 His voyce it is sweet and his countenance lovely The friend of the Bridegroome which standeth and heareth him reioyceth greatly because of the bridegroomes voyce Ioh. 3.29 So at all times but especially when his voyce of joy Psal 137.4 which with us upon earth is as a Song of Syon in a strange Land in the world you shall have affliction while by the waters of Babylon untill the Lord turne againe the captivity of his people It is the Antheme of the Enemy for the most part wee heare of nothing but trouble and distresse But bee it as the Sonne of Syrach speaketh Ecclus 40.20 that Wine and musicke reioyce the heart Esa 9.3 or as the Prophet Esay That there bee a Ioy in harvest or of those that divide the spoile All these if the comforter that should relieve our Soule bee farre from us all these they are nothing at all Domino privante suo gaudio Cyril Alexandrinus quodnam potest esse gaudium saith St. Cyril If the Lord deprive us of the joy that is his alas what is our joy What but sorow But anguish and bitternesse of spirit And on the other side If hee that comforteth the wast places of Hierusalem If hee that satiates the weary Soule make vs for to heare of Ioy and gladnesse when hee giveth quietnesse who then can make trouble Iob 34.29 Iob. 34.29 Though the earth bee moved and though the hilles be carried into the middest of the Sea Psal 46.2 3 4. though the waters thereof rage and swell though the mountains shake at the tempest of the same The riuers of the floud the consolations of heauen shall make glad the cittie of God I am hee that comforteth thee who art thou that thou shouldst be afraid I say Reioyce So somtimes within by the same spirit that maketh intercession for vs with sighs that cannot be uttered he comforteth us in all our griefes hee makes us glad with the joy of his countenāce he prophesieth good things and speaketh peace to our Soules So that wee may not say now as the Children of Israell unto MOSES Speake thou with vs and wee will heare but let not the Lord speake vnto vs Exod. 20.19 least wee dye Nay rather let the Lord his voyce it is not of Law but of Gospell it is of Ioy not of feare Let the Lord as a man with his friend speake vnto vs face to face Or which is the same let his spirit talke and communicate with our spirit that our joy might be full Behold hee doth this and more also he speakes not only within but his voyce it soundeth in our eares from without from his word from the ministers of the manifold graces of God from the disposers of the unsearchable riches of the Gospell First for his Word It is almost as his voyce As in the vision of ELIAH 1. King 19.12 There was a soft and still voyce and the Lord as the Text doth imply was in it So in the word of God especially of Peace GOD in effect is that Word and therefore it speaketh with Spirit and power it is mighty and lively in operation it puts more gladnesse into our hearts than their wine and oyle than all that the Earth can yeeld Thy wordes were found and I did eate them And thy word was vnto mee the Ioy and reioycing of mine heart Ierem. 15.16 Ier. 15 16. You have seene how in the water face answeres face so doth the effect resemble the word of the Lord. Double the Exhortation of Ioy and so the Eccho vnto it double In Gods word Psal 56.10 will I reioyce In the Lords word will I comfort me saith the sweet Singer of Israel Who for all his Instruments of musicke had not his
the Sonne of Syrach the living and sound in heart shal praise the Lord. Ecclesiasticus 17.28 Cum sit Lilium inter lilia commoratur cum sit candor delectatur candidis Bern. in Cant. Serm. 71. My beloved is white and ruddy and as hee is so he loves to be among the Lillies Hee rejoyceth to be with them that rejoyce The troubled spirit 〈◊〉 confesse the broken and the contrite it is a sacrifice to God and so without doubt so is the merry and joyfull In the 8. of Nehemiah you may see Neh. 8.9 That the sanctity of Ioy it is not inferiour to say no more it is not inferiour unto that of sorrow This day say the Levites that taught the people This day is holy vnto the Lord your GOD mourne not nor weepe Do but observe the words and you shall perceive not only an imparity betweene the affections but a kinde of difference betweene sanctification and sorrow betweene Holinesse and griefe of mind which for the most part interrupts and hinders all divine and heavenly exercise So that though it be the curse of the heart though it breaketh the strength though it dryeth up the bones it is nothing so prejudiciall to the body as it is unto the health of the Soule in that which is her spirit and life Preaching and Prayer For the first Gregogius propter tristitiam Intermi sit Ezechielis Expositionem saith Aquinas Aquinas That blessed Byshop a Master a nursing father in Israel by reason of overmuch sorrow hee desisted from opening the book that is sealed from the Interpretation of EZECHIEL the Prophet Now for the disciple and hearer If affliction and sorrow be extreame it so oppresseth the heart it straightens it so that a Barnabas that hee that knoweth how to administer a word of comfort in his season the Sonne of consolation himselfe is not able to open it Though MOSES and AARON bee fitted and prepared of the Lord though they bring unto Israel glad tydings of great joy yet they wil not hearken unto them and the reason it is giuen for anguish of spirit and cruell bondage Exod. 6.9 Now for Prayer Muscae morientes corrumpunt vnguentum Eccles 10. sayth the wise King Dead Flies cause the oyntment of the Apothecary to send forth a stinking sauour So doth bitternesse and vexation of spirit so doth anxiety and sorow it pollutes it corrupts that which is as oyntment powred out That which for the most part is a sacrifice of a sweet smelling savour supplication and prayer Yee have not yet halfe the Evill or the Sinne of sorow Semper malitiatur contristat Spiritum sanctum Athan apud Bern. de moâ—dâ— bene vovendi Serm. 11. sayth Auncient ATHANASIVS It is the poyson of Dragons and the cruell venome of Aspes it is full of envie and malice it grieves the Holy-Ghost by which we are sealed to the purchased possession And not onely so but it takes off or at least it defaces the Seale of the spirit Aug. apud Aquin. in Gen. 12. IACOB sayth Saint AVGVSTINE vpon Genesis Hoc timuisse videtur ne tristitia sic perturbaretur vt non ad regnum beatorum iret sed ad inferos peccatorum Hee that was an heyre of the promise the royall seed of the father of the faithfull by reason of our much heavinesse drew nigh unto hell hee was affraid hee should not goe unto the place of blisse not unto ABRAHAMS bosome but unto the Region of death unto the Land of darknesse The ground of this opinion I cannot conceiue how be it it is certaine there is a diffidence and distrust there is feare and trembling horrour and euen almost despaire in the sorrow not onely for crosses and afflictions but for transgression and Sinne. In the sorowes of the Saints what aduantage Sathan hath taken by the griefe which causeth Repentance not to bee repented of by the hearty contrition for sinnes committed against GOD the neere approaching of so many afflicted soules unto death whom the conscience of Sinne sayth that venerable Hooker hath brought unto the very brinke of extreame dispaire Hooker Serus doth but too abundantly expresse deepe disconsolate and something diffident is the sorow of such as mourne in Syon they sayle lower than the Grave by the gates of hell They sayle unto Heaven heare I pray you their inundation their Sea of anxiety and sorow Hee hath given vs waters of gall to drinke Ierem. 8.14 because wee have sinned against him Ier. 8.14 So the Prophet DAVID though hee were of a sanguine complexion and by consequence naturally cheerfull though hee were acquainted with the instrument of musick yet see how his Harpe is turned into mourning and his Organ into the voyce of them that weepe There is no health in my flesh because of thy displeasure Psal 38.3 neyther is there any rest in my bones because of my sinne Psal 38.3 And againe The sorrowes of death compassed mee and the overflowing of vngodlinesse made me afraid Psa 18.3.4 The paines of death came about me and the snares of Hell overtooke mee These and the like are the voyce of the mourning Turtles the Lamentations and Threnes even of the Saints themselves unto whom not as if I did disswade from repentance let them weepe still and still desire to weepe but let their teares be as the rayne in the Sun-shine comfortable and hopefull We are to inculcate consolation Dr. Hall to preach the good and acceptable yeare of the Lord to make them heare of joy and gladnesse that the bones that were broken might flourish give strong drinke the double exhortation in my Text give strong drinke unto him that is ready to perish Prov. 31.6 and wine to those that are of heavie hearts If the Apostle wrote to the Corinthians 2. Cor. 2.7 concerning him that was guilty of a sinne that was not so much as named amongst the Gentiles themselves to comfort him least peradventure such an one bee swallowed up with overmuch sorow how should we powre out our soules How should we heape our consolation on those that come short of his sinne and yet in sorrow doe exceed Comfort yee Esay 4.1.2 comfort yee my people saith your God speake yee comfortably to Hierusalem and cry vnto her that her warfare is accomplished and that her sinne is pardoned See there is remission there is forgivenesse for Man and there is mercy with God it is over all his works so and much more over ours We cannot offend so much as he is able to forgive Neyther may wee imagine that our sorrow is sufficient for sinne were our head a fountaine of water were our breach as the Sea did our eyes gush out with teares should wee weepe as much as the cloudes from the beginning of the world untill this very day it were too little to make our agreement with God too little to wash away the least of our sinnes Wee have
beene with child sayth the Prophet Esay such is the griefe Esay 26.18 the anguish of the soule as the travell as the labour of a woman Will you see the Sonne of our sorowes But in respect of imputation it is nothing Parturivimus ventum Wee have as it were brought forth winde we have not wrought any deliverance upon earth Yet heare our consolation heare that which will make our wildernesse like Eden Esa 51.3 and our desert like the garden of the Lord. There is one that hath wrought it for us Vir dolorum that is his description in the Prophet Esa 53.3 Hee is a man of sorowes and acquainted with griefe farre beyond that of affliction or Repentance Behold and see if there bee any sorrow like vnto my sorow Lam. 1.12 which is done vnto me All that we suffer all that wee deplore it is but a drop to the Sea in respect of the Passion of our Saviour The reason Aug. de temp Serm. 117. Suscepit tristitiam nostram vt largiretur laetitiam suā saith St. Augustine Surely hee hath borne our griefe hee hath taken our sorowes upon him that he might communicate and impart his joy unto us Now if one should coëquall the other if our gladnes should be correspōdent to his griefe how pregnāt how unspeakable should be the joy of the Saints With him you know there is mercy and plentifull redemption Oh let our rejoycing be as full let our exultation be answerable unto it The ransommed of the Lord shall returne and come to Syon with Songs and everlasting joy upon their heads They shall obtaine joy and gladnesse Esa 35.10 and sorrow and sighing shall flee away It is the case of the contrite ones the estate of those that are reconciled unto him whose workes are righteousnesse and peace quietnesse and assurance for ever Esa 51 22 23. Behold I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling even the dregs of the Cup of my fury thou shalt no more drinke it againe but I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee They are the wordes of him that hath sealed us to salvation That speakes peace unto the soules of his Saints Wherefore lift up the hands that hang downe and strengthen yee the feeble knees Faint not in the spirit of your mindes Love your owne soules and comfort your hearts Rejoyce in hope your names they are written in Heaven And Rejoyce in tribulation in the fiery tryall in temptation and assaults of Sathan as being assured that you are throughly fenced against them We have a strong citie Salvation hath GOD appointed for walls and bulwarkes Esay 26.1 Wee will therefore Rejoyce in our salvation Psal 20.5 and triumph in the name of our GOD. To whom with the Father and the Holy-Ghost three persons and one GOD bee ascribed all Power Praise Majesty Might and Dominion both this day and for evermore AMEN AMEN THE THIRD SERMON THe River of the Lord is full of water Psalm 65.11 Finally my brethren Reioyce in the LORD To write the same thinges to mee indeed is not grievous but to you it is safe Phil. 3.1 The Lord shall comfort Syon hee shall comfort all her wast places and make her wildernesse like Eden and her desert like the garden of the Lord. Ioy and gladnesse shall bee found therein Thankesgiving and the voyce of melodie Esa 51.3 Levium metallorum fructus in summo Est illa Opulentissima Sunt quorum in Alto lateT vena assiduè plenius responsura fodienti Seneca Epist PHIL. 4.4 Againe I say Reioyce IN that day the Lord called vnto weeping and to mourning Esa 22.12 13. to baldnesse and girding with Sackcloath and behold Ioy and gladnesse sayth the Prophet Esay There is a generation as yet that when iminent judgement calls upon Repentance for sorow and contrition they mocke at feare and are not afraid they sing a Requiem to their soules they solace themselves with the pleasures evill day farre from them that say Peace peace untill their destruction commeth that spend their dayes in mirth and in a moment they goe downe into hell To sing this Song of Syon to ingeminate joy unto these what were it else but to adde unto drunkennesse thirst What were it else but to sow pillowes under the armes of security Strange is the method of joy Psal 51.8 the bones must be broken before they can flourish They must first mourne and if so blessed are they Blessed are they that mourne Math. 5.4 for they shall bee comforted Who is hee that maketh mee glad 2 Cor. 2.2 sayth St. PAVL but he that was made sorie by mee His exhortation without doubt it was onely unto those whom hee had made for to meditate terrour onely to those whom hee had smitten with remorse of Conscience Esa 66.2 Vnto this man will I looke sayth the Lord even vnto him that is poore and of a contrite heart and that trembleth at my Word Esa 66.2 See the most gracious aspect the light of the countenance that is a thousand times more cleere than the Sunne it shineth full upon those that sit in darknesse that have the sentence of death in themselves I dwell sayth the Lord in the high and holy place Esay 57.15 and yet hee humbleth himselfe vnto those that lye among the pots that are smitten into the place of Dragons with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit to receive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones Vnto this purpose hee speakes once yea twice but man perceiveth it not When the Sunne is at height in the middest of consolation loe darknesse and sorrow Esay 5.30 Esa 19.5 And the light as the Prophet speaketh is darkened in the heavens thereof So that once more a third time O if yet the soule of him that refuseth comfort would heare But the waters they fayle from the Sea and the Rivers are wasted and dryed up all that hath beene spoken it is too little to the afflicted Soule So a third time am I to presse you with the Exhortation of Ioy. Reioyce alwayes in the Lord and Againe I say Reioyce The Parts the last day were these FIrst an Ingemination of an Exhortation Againe Secondly the party exhorting expressed or at least implyed in the verbe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I say Thirdly the Point or affection exhorted Reioyce Of the former of these have I spoken plentifully already out of this place it was the subject of my whole discourse and yet so true is that of St. Hierom Hierom. Singula verba plena sunt sensibus Much more might be spoken of it howbeit I intend not to build a new but to worke on the line that I layd the last day in the later part of the Sermon Rod. Agric. lib. 3. Dial. cap. 3. Againe Contrariorū affectus discutimus contrarijs affectibus you remember they are the
wordes of Rodulphus Agricola As in the diseases of the body so in the affections of the minde the cure for the most part it is wrought by the contrary So that with this double Exhortation we are to take away a twofold evill First the joy that is enmity with this in my text The joy of the world The sport unto him that is destitute of wisdome The cracking of thornes The mirth or indeed the madnesse of fooles And on the other side The sore evill under the Sunne The supreame sicknesse of the soule Sorow which as it is the rottennesse of the bones as it breaketh the strength as it dryeth the marrow as it drinketh up the spirit so it taketh possession of all in the whole and all in every part So that as the Physitian of the body so wee of the soule are most troubled about the cure thereof for besides the inherency besides the deepnesse of the disease there is an inaptitude more there is an Antipathy an opposition of health in the patient Consol ad Mar. cap. 5. Partem mali putant audire solatia sayth the Stoicke of such as are overwhelmed with anguish Doe but administer comfort unto them and you make the breach the greater do but speake of joy though you seeke to asswadge yet in their opinion you doe but increase their griefe As hee that taketh away a garment in cold weather and as vineger vpon niter Prov. 25.20 so is hee that singeth songs vnto an heavie heart Proverbs 25.20 See how uncomfortable That word not enough how refractory how contumacious is the griefe of an afflicted Soule They say of sorrow that it is an oppression a straightning a constriction of the heart so indeed and it should seeme so of the senses also Hence I suppose that in respect of the sullenness or indeed the stupidity of sorrow is that figure Prosopopeia of speaking to things inanimate such as have neyther eyes nor see not neyther eares nor heare not neyther passeth their breath through their nostrils so obvious and common in the word of the Lord. Sing O yee heavens Esay 44.23 for the Lord hath done it showt yee lower parts of the earth breake forth into singing O yee mountaines Esa 49.13 O Forrest and every tree therein for the Lord hath redeemed and glorified himselfe in Israel Esa 44.23 So in the 49. Chapter and 13. verse In exprobation of their diffidence and feare because of their sorrow and distrust hee turnes aside to his creatures he speakes unto thinges without sense as if they would sooner heare than the distressed Soule Sing O heaven and bee ioyfull O earth and breake forth into singing O yee mountaines for God hath comforted his people and will have mercy vpon the afflicted But Syon sayd The Lord hath forsaken me and the Lord hath forgotten mee It is the true dialect of the Male-content of the disconsolate Christian that hee is not in the state of Grace that the deliverer is farre from him that the Lord hath cast him out of his sight that hee is destitute forlorne and forsaken and so long though you have the tongue of the Eloquent though your lippes drop like an hony-combe though your mouth flow with the precious balme of Gilead all your consolations they are but as delicates powred upon a mouth that is shut up They are but as messes of meate upon a Grave Ecclus 30.18 as the Sonne of Syrach speaketh You have now the nature of Sorow a full expression of the anguish of the Spirit it is deafe and stupid it is both obstinate and stubborne and yet wee may not despaire of the cure thereof nor sinne against God in ceasing to administer medicine for to heale their sicknesse What if the Earth bee of yron shall the Heavens bee brasse God forbid Let them rather melt with compassion let them rather dissolue into showers let them water the hilles from aboue let them make soft the cloudes thereof with the drops of the former the later raine Gutta cavat lapidem So without doubt the assiduity of consolation the continuall dropping of comfort it cannot but peirce through sorow it cannot but enter into the most obstructedst heart And therefore as the raine cōmeth downe the snow frō heaven and turneth not thither but watereth the earth and maketh it to bring forth and bud Esa 55.10 Neque enim bonis mediocribus gaudent Latinus Pacatus inter Plinij opera qui exultandi modum non habent They are no meane thinges the object in Grace it alwayes exceeds the affection they are no meane thinges that can cause an indificient a bound lesse and unlimitted Ioy. All gold as the supposed Salomon of wisedome it is as a little sand and silver well may bee accompted even as clay before them They are the first fruits of the Spirit they are peace tranquility of minde they are the testimony of a good Conscience they are quietnesse and assurance for ever August in Psal 57. Et qui in viâ sic pascit quomodò in patria saginabit Sayth St. Augustine Hee that feeds us in Aegypt hee that in the wildernesse in a dry and barren land where no water is gives us drinke out of a Rocke O what will he do when we come unto Canaan when wee shall tast of his cup drinke of the wine that hee hath mingled Then shal our joy be full prest running over it is so already it shall then be more more than the repetition more than the amplification can expresse Our hearts shall bee inlarged as the Sea our soules shall be satisfied with the plenteousnesse of his house and hee shall give us drink out of his pleasures as out of a river Chris Aur. Cat. Maiora erunt premia quam desideria Sanctorum The satiety of Saints shall be more than their hunger their happinesse shall out-reach their desires Thus much of the Repetition Againe I proceed to the person exhorting expressed or at least implyed in the Verbe I say Dilectus meus locutus est It is the voyce of my beloved Cant. 2.8 the voyce of GOD and not of man of him that speakes by the mouth of the Prophets and Apostles who are all but the pen of that ready writer What they have received from him they deliver unto us and they that are anoynted with the Spirit they know who it is that speaketh his sheepe they heare his voice If any man thinke himselfe to bee a Prophet or Spirituall 1 Cor. 14.37 let him acknowledge that the thinges that I write vnto you they are the commandements of the Lord. 1. Corinth 14.37 See the wordes of the Apostle they are the Oracles of GOD and if so as so without doubt heare another ingemination The repetition and more the double exhortation it speakes not with so much power as the person I. For the Sonnes of men wee know what they are Iob. 13.4 Physitians of no
delight had not his joy beene in the Law of the Lord had not his Statutes beene his Songs in the house of his pilgrimage he had utterly fainted in his owne phrase hee had perished in his trouble Heavinesse in the heart of man maketh it stoope Prov. 12.25 but a good word maketh it glad sayth that wise King So that from the lips of a friend so and much more if from the father of raine if from him that hath begotten the drops of dew Iob 38.24 and therefore in the multitude of the sorrowes that he had in his heart in his anxiety and distresse hee flies not to his Lute and Harpe the Pipe and the Psaltery make sweet musicke Eccles 40.21 but a pleasant tongue is beyond them both he flyes not I say vnto these but vnto that which is beyond the choyce in the booke of the Preacher of men-singers and women-singers beyond musicall Instruments and that of all sorts the word of the Lord. Psal 119. part 4. v. 4. My soule melteth away for very heavinesse O comfort thou mee according to thy word And againe in a branch of the same Psalme O thinke vpon thy seruant as concerning thy word Par. 7.1 2. v where in thou hast caused mee to put my trust The same is my comfort in my trouble for thy word hath quickeneed mee So there is a vivification there is a resurrection there is as it were a raysing from the dead in the faith of the truth in the affiance of all those promises that are Yea and Amen The words that hee spake they were spirit and life And therefore as Peter sayd sometimes Whither or to whom shall wee goe Ioh. 6.68 thou hast the wordes of Eternall life In the day of distresse in the evill houre when wee are destitute afflicted and tormented where should wee solace our selues where may wee finde any ease but in the word of mercy and truth but in the word of the Lord Sen. Epist 99 172 Infantium fletum infuso lacte compescimus sayth Seneca And our obseruation the same wee still the cry we take away the teares of our little ones with the bosome with the brest of the Mother So grace in this it imitates Nature in the anguish of the Soule in the bitternesse of Spirit to silence our sorrowes to quiet discontent wee have no other meanes but the sincere milke of the Word Mater Ecclesia Aug. Tract 3 in Epist Iohannis Sub Initio vbera eius duo testamenta divinarum Scripturarum sayth St. Augustine The Church is our Mother her breasts are the two Testaments of the Scriptures whence shee giveth her children sucke In effect wee have the same similitude in the Prophet Esay Esa 66.13 As one whom his Mother comforteth so will I comfort you Heare this yee that mourne in Syon Come hither all yee that are weary and heavie laden In the evill day in the heat of affliction in what estate soever you are Loe a hiding place from the winde Esay 32.2 a covert from a tempest a shadow of a rocke in a weary Land Wee haue Moses and the Prophets more wee haue Evangelists and the Apostles we haue a Mother that we may sucke and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolation Esay 66.11 as the Prophet speaketh Now for the nursing Fathers they are the Pastors of the Church they are the Embassadors of heauen they are the Preachers of the Gospell by whom the God of all consolation administers comfort and speakes peace vnto the wounded in spirit Zach. 4.12 They are as the olive branches in the Prophet Zacharie which our of the golden pipes empty the golden oyle out of themselues They are as the Clouds Eccles 11.3 Ecclesiastes 11. full of raine that water the earth They are as the Mountaines in Ioel that drop new wine Ioel 3.18 and as the hilles that flow with milke In a word Esa 61.1 the Comforter him selfe the Spirit of the Lord is upon them Esa 50.4 hee hath anoynted them that may know how to speake a word in his season vnto him that is weary Esay 61.2 to preach good tydings to the meeke Eccl. 17.24 to comfort those that faile in patience to repayre the breach to strengthen with the mouth and as that vpright just man speaketh Iob 16.5 with the moving of the lips to asswage greife To cause the widowes heart or that which is far more afflicted Iob 29 13. to cause the contrite and broken to sing to raise vp the soule to giue life Eccles 34.17 health and blessing All these thinges worketh one and the selfe same spirit by that which hee hath shed forth among us by the words that hee hath put into the mouth of his Sonnes of consolation of the helpers of your joy so are they stiled by Saint Paul 2. Cor. 1.24 although in your opinion not so but supercilious and austere the very death of your feasts and the interrupters of your mirth For this cause as if they were made to reprove your thoughts Wisd 2.14 15. as if they were grievous unto you to behold as if their lives were of another fashion when you would forget your sorrowes when you would bee excused of the upbraidings of your Conscience when you would shake off the terrours of the Soule you seeke the society of vaine men you joyne your selves as if Sathan could cast out Sathan unto those that can preach of Wine and strong drinke they shall be even the Prophets of this people unto those that laugh their sinnes out of countenance and deride the sorrowes and Repentance of the righteous But alas beloved what mirth but shall bee turned into sorrow what mirth but that which is the bread of mourners all that eate thereof shall bee poluted Hos 9.4 can this laughter of Fooles administer unto you Would you exile discontent Doe yee seeke after joy Ecclus 9.16 Let the Iust man as the Son of Syrach speaketh let the iust man eate and drinke with you 2 Cor. 12.14 Or at least for I will not sayth St. Paul bee burthensome vnto you doe you so with him Eate of his bread and drinke of the wine that he hath mingled Prov. 11.5 His lippes O how sweet is his breath they abound with consolation and joy and therefore how can you but affect his communication and society 2 Sam. 18.27 Hee is a good man as DAVID sayd of AHAMAAZ hee is a good man and commeth with good tydings He is a medicine of life as the Sonne of Syrach speaketh of a faithfull friend and they that feare the Lord shall finde him Eccles 6.16 Slight him as much as you may Iob â—9 25 hee is as a King in an Army saith IOB As one that comforteth the mourners hee strengthens the weake hands hee confirmes the feeble knees Esa 35.3 4. hee sayth to them that be of
THE OYLE OF GLADNESSE OR Musicke at the House of Mourning DELIVERED In III. severall Sermons by ROB ALLVVYN Master of Artes and Rector of Stedham cum Heyshot in the County of Sussex 1631. And now vpon Intreaty published O tast and see how gracious the Lord is LONDON Printed by B A. and T. F. for NATH BVTTER dwelling at St. Anstones Gate 1631. TO THE RIGHT WOR pfull RICHARD LEVVKEN OR Esq one of his Majesties Iustices of the Peace and Quorum and Deputy Lieutenant in the County of SVSSEX Robert Allwyn wisheth the continuance and increase of all Spirituall graces heere and the Eternall weight of glory hereafter WORTHY SIR THere are two sorts of Men that are reputed happie to whom it is given Plin. Epist Lib. 6. Epist 16. Aut Scribenda facere aut Legenda scribere Eyther to doe thinges worthy to bee written or to write what is worth the reading Were I as succesfull in the one as you in the other I might presume of a faire approbation and friendly entertainement of these few notes which I conceive fit for the presse for no other cause but that they haue already appeared in the Pulpit whence they were receiued with zealous silence deepe attention and fullnesse of affection such as I may not hope for or expect abroad For readers are not for the most part so beneuolous as hearers and I haue obserued of the eye it is farre more censorious than that sanctified sense of salvation There are many thinges that in Elocution Ambr lib 6. Epist 40. Aurem praetereunt as St Amb ose speaketh That doe passe and escape the Eare which when they come vnto publicke view are more neerely noted and more stricktly obserued not a sentence not a word but it is weighed somtimes with the false weights of misprision sinister construction and Envie weighed in the ballance and therefore it is good counsell of that Reuerend father that before wee deale out our poore endeauours wee should doe the same Trutinare discutere omnes scrupulos maleuolentiae ponderatè discussè Idem ibid. Try and proue every graine as it were and scruple against which the enuious man may except But for my selfe I acknowledge I haue beene delinquent herein this labor I leaue vnto those that haue leisure to bee curious Thus much the paines that I haue taken doe assure mee that I haue not done the worke of God negligently and yet I confesse not exactly according to the itching eares and eyes of this age It shall suffice that I haue followed the example of a more Elder and Auncient of the Primitiue fathers Qui non secundum artem scripserunt sed secundum gratiam Ambr. lib. 8. Epist 63. They deliuered what they receiued not in the intising words of mans wisdome Gal. 1.10 1 Cor. 2.4 whom if wee should seeke to please wee were not the Servants of Christ not in the intising wordes of mans wisdome but in the demonstration of the spirit In whose language I had rather speake fiue wordes and these I speake are his than ten thousand wordes in the tongue of men and Angells 1 Cor. 14.9 And truly this is my confidence that of those that are Religious and by consequence iudicious these my meditations will bee approued in that they speake in the Dialect and phrase so familiar vnto them As for the matter and subiect it is such as I suppose will afford acceptance also it is the desire of our Soule it is the ayme of our hearts Ioy. Next that which may adde audacitie and boldnesse to the Booke and life vnto the Authour it wil be your courteous Censure or of which you see I haue presumed your benigne Patronage and fauorable Tuition of it As for applause it is a thing I neither affect nor expect Pardon is fayre yet approbation better and this the summe of my desires Cyprian ad D. CorneliuÌ„ Papam de Cardinalibus virtutibus vsque ad eius ascensuÌ„ Non gloriaÌ„ mendico sed gratiam as that blessed Martyr speaketh I seeke not for fame but fauour If you may approue if not excuse mee to your selfe and others aboue others by how much your iudgement is more solid than theirs To your selfe and you honour my labours more than enough I know in respect of my immature yeres these preproperous Meditations will be reputed as the hastie fruits before the Summer Vnto this you are prompted of the Prophet how to reply Esay 65.8 Thus saith the Lord As new wine is found in the cluster and one sayth destroy it not for there is a blessing in it These Sermons though not the first of my labours are something forward I confesse yet I dare say there is blood in these grapes there is wine in the cluster Esa 63.3 and what will I but that it make glad the heart of man God grant that there may bee a blessing in it that it may cause him that is ready to perish to forget his sorow that it may comfort all that mourne in Syon that it may giue beauty for ashes and the garment of gladnesse for the Spirit of heauinesse These things haue I written to none other end but this may I bee so bold to borrow the wordes of the Apostle that their 1 Ioh. 1.4 that your Ioy might bee full As there is diffusion in the affection So with the dilatation of mine heart I wish you all the Contents of this Booke And if it may be more a stedfast continuance in the feare of the Lord which is honour and glory and gladnesse Ecclus 1.11 12. and a Crowne of Reioycing the feare of the Lord which giueth ioy and gladnesse and a long life I conclude in the benediction of St. PAVL Now the God of hope fill you with all Ioy Rom. 15.13 and peace in beleeuing that you may abound in hope through the power of the holy-Ghost vnto whom in my prayers that proceed from him I commend both you and youâ—â—â—â—â—est Your Worships observant and respective Friend Robert Allwyn THE OYLE OF GLADNES OR Musicke at the House of Mourning PHIL. 4.4 Reioyce in the Lord Alway And againe I say Reioyce AFter the shutting of the Booke the first place that my Text lights on is that of Ezechiel in the 34. Chapter Ezech. 34.4 The Diseased have yee not strengthened neither have yee healed that which is Sicke neither have yee bound vp that which is broken neither have yee brought againe that which was driven away neither have yee sought out that which was lost but with force and cruelty have yee ruled them Some such Shepheards or indeed Cyprian Non Pastores sed Lanij in the words of St. CYPRIAN they came for to kill and to steale Pseudo-Apostles and false-teachers Zanch. in locum As ZANCHY and others conceive even at the Plantation of the Gospell were crept into the Church so farre from healing the breach of the spirit from administring
the everlasting light and that unspotted mirror of Heaven All these things which in some measure may expresse the affection they plucke off the covering from the face of the Saints Esay 64.5 and the vaile from such as mourne in Syon Thou meetest him that rejoyceth and worketh righteousnesse as the Lord doth us so we the Lord both by nature and Grace doe we goe out as it were doe we meet him in this Injunction of Ioy. Ita se beatos esse omnes velle consonant quemadmodum consonarent Aug. Conf. lib. 10. Si hoc interrogetur se velle gaudere saith Saint Augustine in his Confessions As all men doe affect felicitie so that which is the Diamond in the Ring that which is inclosed within it Ioy and gladnesse of heart O how happy then are we how good and gracious is the Lord that enjoynes that which is the desire of our soules that which we so earnestly seeke of our selves Opto vt ea potissimum iubear Plin Epist quae me deceat vel sponte fecisse saith Plinie and it is the wish of the world too Who but would willingly bee injoyned that which is the Ioy and reioycing of his heart Let the Lord command us what he will so that we will but what hee commands Ioh. 5.3 Mat. 11.30 Psal 19.8 Praecepta cius non sunt gravia his yoake is easie and his burthen light His Statutes are right and rejoyce the heart All that he requires of man it is his felicitie it is his happinesse it is his Heaven upon Earth To reioyce Eccles 3.12 and to doe good in our life Both these as they are united by the Spirit so they may not bee severed by a man for as there is no good under the Sun but to rejoyce so there is no Ioy but in doing good Let the righteous saith the Prophet David once and againe nay a third time hee names in effect who they are unto whom our Apostle speakes Psal 68.3 Let the righteous be glad and reioyce before God let them also be merry and ioyfull See how affluent how exundant is the joy of the Saints how full and copious is the Prophet in the point Though not a cypher in the Psalmes he hath many words to expresse one and the selfe-same thing This is the Dialect of the Holy Ghost these things are written That his Ioy which no man can expresse Ioh. 15.11 but he that hath it nay hee that hath it cannot expresse it might bee fulfilled in us Bee glad Psal 32.12 ô yee righteous and rejoyce in the Lord and be joyfull all yee that are true of heart There are many moe places that I might produce to shew you the superabundance the streames of consolation the joyfull gladnesse of such as are in the state of Grace but as St. Paul to his Corinthians Ye are our Epistle 2. Cor. 3.2 So I unto you yee are the proofes you your selves are the places unto which I referre you Have yee received the first-fruits of the Spirit Have you tasted of the heavenly gift Have you beene made pertakers of the powers to come the Songs of Syon the Anthemes of Heaven they are more than written within you A stranger may not intermeddle with neyther can hee possibly conceive this joy It is farre beyond that of the Sonnes of men Prae consortibus Psal 45.8 true not onely of Christ but of all those that are his They that love righteousnesse and hate iniquitie they are anoynted with the Oyle of Gladnesse above their fellowes for the worke of righteousnesse it is peace Esay 32.17 Is not that enough It is more quietnesse and assurance for ever Oh how erronious then is the opinion of such as imbrace this present world Such as suppose all our wayes to be grievous That imagine Religion to be nothing but melancholy full of anxietie vexation and feares Oh that they would but turne into her that they would but repose their Soules with her without doubt they should find more pleasure than in that which they so eagerly pursue Her consolation hath no bitternesse and to live with her hath no sorrow Prov. 3.17 but mirth and joy Her wayes are wayes of pleasantnesse and all her paths are peace Bern. de vit solitar pag. 1027. Delectationes enim non perdimus sed mutamus de corpore ad animum de sensibus ad conscientiam saith St. Bernard We doe not lose our delights but wee change not for the worse but for the better from the body to the soule from the senses to the Conscience In stead of the pleasures of Pharaohs Court we have those of the Land of Canaan for the delights of the Sonnes of men we have the consolations of God Quietnesse Peace and Ioy in the Holy-Ghost joy unspeakable and full of Glory Goe to then you that rejoyce in that which is naught You that spend the time in mirth Iob. 21.13 and in a moment goe downe to the Grave you that say as they in the second of Wisedome Wisd 2.6.9 Come on let us inioy the good things that are present let none of us passe without part of our voluptuousnes let us leave the tokens of our ioy in every place Doe but joyne your selves to the Saints doe but adhere to Heaven Let your soules but cleave unto God and he shall give you the desire of your hearts you shall be satisfied with the plenteousnesse with the pleasures of the life that now is and of that which is to come even in this Valley of teares Psal 36.8 He shall give you drinke out of his pleasures as out of a River Wherefore you that have wearied your selves in the wayes of wickednesse and destruction returne unto your rest and for famine Lu. 15.15.25 huskes and Swine or if you will strange women Harlots and the like you shall heare of joy and gladnesse you shall be received with musicke and dancing not onely of others but of your owne Soules Doe this then Haec ante omnia fac sayth Seneca as divinely as if he had beene St. PAVLS Disciple indeed Above all things doe this Disce gaudere Sen. Epist 23 Learne to Rejoyce It is a lesson unto which though we are incited of our selves though we are schollers by nature yet no man attaines unto it but he that breaks off his transgression hee that forsakes his sinne he that purgeth his conscience from dead workes to serve the living God who hath reserved the bloud of the grape the purest pleasure for piety and appropriated his joy unto those that are his But as for the ungodly he writes bitter things against them and in the middest of their mirth he makes them to possesse the sinnes of their youth so that as their mercies are cruell so their very joyes are but Wine mingled with Mirrhe Plut. Moral de Audiendis poetis alibi saepius They are like the City in Sophocles of
which Plutarch often makes mention that it was full of exultation and tryumph full of shouting and joy and withall as every towne that is taken with the enemy full of Lamentation weeping and mourning It is so with the wicked Prov. 14 13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowfull and the end nay the middest of their mirth is heavinesse Non est gaudere impijs So Saint Augustine Es 48.22 Au. Ps 96.7 Bern. de verb. Apost alibi sapius so Saint Barnard so most of the Fathers reade that place of the Prophet There is no ioy to the wicked And least beholding their prosperity you should stagger at the truth Non dicit homo sed Dominus saith the same Father It is the voyce of God and not of man Once yea twice nay a third time hath he deepely expressed himselfe in the poynt Doe but marke the Metaphors doe but observe the similitudes concerning the ungodly and you cannot but deplore the joyes of the most glorious sinner upon earth Psal 7.15 He travaileth with mischiefe he hath conceived sorrow See that which is the fruit of his wombe that for which hee takes so much paines his very pleasures they are the pangs of a woman in her travell Eccl. 14.20 Againe The iniquity of the wicked it dryeth vp the Soule though his mouth bee filled with laughter Though lasciviousnesse like oyle make him looke with a cheerfull countenance yet is hee full of heavinesse within Like some wilde Beast layed over with vermillion and paint and covered with red as the wise man speaketh Whatsoever he seemes for to be doe but enter into him and you shall see that his heart is ashes and his hope is viler than the earth all his dayes are sorrowes his delights are griefes and his soule taketh no rest in the night season Prov. 22.5 To conclude Prov. 15 Hos 2.9 Prov. 29.6 his wayes are hedged with thornes and there is a snare in all his paths In the transgression of an evill man there is a snare but the Righteous doth sing and Rejoyce The Corollarie the use that we are to make of the point it is this Eccl 21.2 To flye from sinne as from a Serpent for the poyson thereof of it drinketh up the Spirit and its venome it is the curse of the heart But joy and honour and glory and a crowne of rejoycing shall bee to every one that departeth from iniquity who is onely capable of this exhortation of S. Paul Rejoyce I proceed to the Extent or Longitude of the affection Alwayes 1. At all times as some doe interrpret or as others 2. In all Estates For the first Rejoyce in the Lord Ansel in locum Plut. Mor. Non per intervalla ut modò gaudeatis modò non gaudeatis saith Anselmus on the place not by startes not as they say of Songs that they consist of sounds times and rests betweene but continually without intermission not onely in habit but in Act. For though in Philosophy theyr blessed man per dimidium vitae Arist Eth. lib. 1. doe not differ from the wretched it is not so with us that are in the state of grace Our bed is greene sayth the Spouse in the Canticles Cant. 1.16 Even in the season of sorrow even in the most disconsolate time there springeth up light for the righteous and joyfull gladnesse for them that are true of heart Psal 97.11 While the ungodly pine away in their iniquitie They have Songs saith IOB Songs in the night season Iob. 35.10 Such as are not farre from the Hallelujahs of Angels Though not vocall though they may not be heard they are celestiall heavenly and divine As whē an holy solemnity is kept and gladnesse of heart Esay 30.29 As when one goeth with a pipe to come into the Mountaine of the Lord the mighty one of Israel the God of consolation well may they lay them downe and take their rest the Comforter himselfe he illuminates he inlightens with that which is a thousand times more clearer than the Sunne with the spirit of Wisedome with the Revelation of himselfe and him whom he hath sent IESUS CHRIST So he giveth his beloved sleepe And therefore Let the Saints bee joyfull with glory Psal 149.5 let them rejoyce in their beds as the Prophet David speaketh Now for the day Not a Moment but administers matters of joy Lament 3.22.23 Behold saith the Prophet his compassions faile not They are new every morning There is a continuall flowing There is an incessant supply of that which maketh glad the heart of man Iob. 29.20 Our glory to speake with that upright and Iust man our glory it is fresh within us And our bowe it is renewed in our hand Our strength is restored and in our body there is spirit and life Goe we forth to our labours Eccles 2.24 Ibid. 3.22 Behold a blessing in the Field and he that is with us injoynes us to joy therein Deut. 12.18 Thou shalt Rejoyce before the Lord in all that thou puttest thine hand unto Doe we behold the dew of Heaven and the fat of the earth The things that concerne the body they are to put gladnesse into our hearts Psal 4.8 Thou shalt rejoyce in every good thing that the Lord thy God hath given thee Thou and thine house not onely without but within Deut. 26 11 where the Lord hath crowned thee with blessings and plentifully expressed himselfe in his bounty unto thee Thou hast annointed mine head with Oyle and my Cup shall be full Psal 23.5 But all these things they are nothing unto that which immediately followes Thy loving kindnesse and mercy Ibid. shall follow mee all the dayes of my life For the things that concerne our corporall Estate for the glorious beautie that is in the fat of the Valley Esay 2◠4 in thy Barne Wine presse or something nearer unto thee it is as the fading flower or as the hasty fruit before the Summer which when he that looketh upon it and seeth it even while it is in his hand hee eateth it up But though these things perish though they bee taken away though there were a famine in the Land yet have wee the food of Angels meate and drinke that you know not of Although the Figge-tree shall not blossome neyther shall fruit be in the Vine Though the labour of the Olive shall faile neyther the Field shall yeeld any meate the flocke shall be cut off from the Fold and there shall bee no heard in the stalles Yet I will rejoyce in the Lord I will joy in the God of my Salvation Hab. 3.19 Hab. 3.17.18 Heare a fountaine indeficient heare an object that makes our joyes as the dayes of Heaven Though it be the 3. part of my Text I cannot but incroach upon it forasmuch as our affection would faile if not fastened aright for how could we rejoyce alwayes but in
something in it it is expedient nay it is necessary unto us that are in this Valley of teares that now goe on our way weeping The Ioy of the Lord is your strength Neh. 8.10 Neh. 8.10 So in our spirituall war-fare against those that have evill will at Syon Our shield and our Buckler nay the might of our inward man it is joy In the 10. of St. Luke wee reade of the 70. Luk. 10.17 that went out to preach the Kingkome of God that they returned againe with joy saying Lord even the divels themselves are subiect unto us through thy name Cause of tryumph cause of exultation indeed to tread upon the Lyon and Adder to overcome the evill to cast downe strong holds and every high thing that exalts it selfe against the knowledge of God It cannot but put gladnesse into the heart of man Yet this I dare say the joy of the Saints it woundeth him more than this supreame and transcendent power Vae nobis As Hugo the Cardinall sweetly applyes the words of the Phililistines 1. Sam. 4.7 when they heard the exultation the shouting of the Host of Israel Woe unto us for there hath not been such a thing heretofore woe unto us Bis dicunt vae nobis sicut hic dicitur bis Hug. Card. in locum Gaudete According to the joy of the Saints so is the sorrow above and besides their Hell The sorrow of that uncircumcised Host Their woe it answers and the repitition in the Text. Reioyce alwayes in the Lord and againe I say Reioyce The next thing wee are to observe it is the Quantity and the constancy of our spirituall joy expressed or at least implyed in the Reiteration Againe The word it puts a difference betwixt the joyes of the Saints and the delights of the Sonnes of men In which though you empty your selfe from Vessell to Vessell though you make proofe of those things in the booke of the Preacher Eccles 2.1 2 3 4. In all the pleasures of Pharaohs Court you cannot finde this Againe Quod delectat momentaneum though the guilt of sinne be eternall yet the joy is not so but of a moment but of a minute but of the twinkling of an eye In the fift of Wisdome there are sundry similitudes to expresse it unto you What hath Pride profited us Wisd 5.8 9 10 11. and what good hath riches with their vaunting brought us All these things they are passed away like a shadow and as a Post that hasteth by and as a Ship that passeth over the Waves of the Waters which when it is gone by the trace thereof cannot be found neyther the Path way of the Keele thereof in the Waves Or as when a Bird hath flowne through the ayre there is no token of her way to bee found See how swift how transient how voluble is all that is in the world The lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes and the pride of life Besides their brevity for the most part they end in bitternesse and in the enjoying they are fastidious and unpleasant Not to speake of them in grosse but to single out some of your beloved sinnes as Concupiscence Drunkennesse and that which you call pastime Were they such as you suppose yet evill in this that they vanish with a breath and even in the enjoying they perish For the former Come on sayth the woman whose lips drop as the hony-combe and her mouth is smoother than Oyle Prov. 7.18 Come on let us take our fill of loves how long Brevis non vera voluptas Ovid. Let us take our fill of loves untill the morning but see what followes Before that time every Sinner is a lyer before that time he is in bitternesse of spirit Prov 7.23 and a dart striketh through his liver In the next place is the darling of our dayes Drunkennesse a sociable and insinuating sinne that flatters with the profession of joy But marke but the end thereof Sen. Ep. 29 Vnius horae hilarem insaniam longi temporis tedio pensat as the Stoicke At the last it biteth like a Serpent Prov. 23.32 and stingeth like an Adder as the Preacher speaketh Now for those things that are indifferent Am. 8.10 Our Feasts they are turned into mourning and our Songs into Lamentation Am. 8.10 In a word The Vine languisheth the merry hearted doe sigh the mirth of the Tabrets ceaseth the noyse of them that reioyce endeth Esay 24.7 Esa 24.7 So not onely in the time of Famine so not onely in the time of dearth but when the wine oyle putteth gladnes into our heart both in peace and plenty The world and the glory thereof it passeth away and when once gone thou mayst as soone make the flowers greene that are withered as soone mayst thou recall the Sunne from his course as redintegrate the joyes and pleasures that are past Which though they were alwayes present though of constancy and continuance yet for this very cause would they be loathed of us Scult de Gaudio Satietas mortales capit etiam mellis florum venenis sayth Pyndarus as hee is alledged by Scultetus If thou eate too much hony the end thereof will bee gall Sen. de tranq in cap. 2. Sweetnesse it selfe in time turnes to choller Quosdam ad mortem adegit illud rabidarum deliciarum Quo usque eadem Saith Seneca Satiety for the most part it breeds dislike and no such surfeit as of pleasure and joy it endeth in furie or deepe discontentment at the least O the dolefull estate the deplored delights of the Sonnes of men that are neyther solid nor certaine or if so if of continuance they cause satiety and loathing The reason it is our Aberration from the right Object So Aquinas Aqu. 12. d. Quaest 31. art 7. Delectatio in affectibus animae proportionatur Quieti in corporibus Ioy in the affections of the mind it resembles Rest in the Physicall body Sed appetitus corporis naturalis non quiescit nisi in loco connaturali Strange that our affections should not be on the things that are above The naturall body cannot rest but in its proper place whence I may inferre that it is as easie for a stone to lodge in the ayre it is as easie for the earth to ascend up on high as the Soule to bee at peace to enjoy it selfe in whatsoever but with relation to God in whatsoever is under the Sunne So farre the similitude holds Heare the difference the inclination of that which is inanimate it is at rest it ceaseth in the place that is appointed for it But the soule not so When her joy is full her affections are fresh and behold there is neyther surfeit nor sorrow there is neyther loathing nor satiety in them They that feare the Lord shall alwayes Rejoyce A peculiar a priviledge proper to the pretious Sonnes of Syon whose joy not the enjoying neyther Estate nor time
can take away from them It is established in the Lord and it standeth fast It is once and for ever it is alwayes and againe Thus much for the difference betweene the joyes of the Saints and the delights of the Sonnes of men expressed or at least implyed in the Reiteration Againe To descend to particulars Solet Apostolus Paulus in verbis esse brevis in sentētijs copiosus Bernard saith St. Bernard And my Text the same In which there are two sentences in one word Aug. de verb. Ap. Serm. 2. Gaudendū de ijs quae expectamus gaudendum de ijs quae sustinemus saith St. Augustine All this in the word Againe We are to rejoyce in the future for the good that we hope for and in the present for the evill that we suffer For the first our heart shall rejoyce in him why Because wee have hoped in his holy name Psal 33.20 Psal 33.20 So St. Paul Spe gaudentes Rom. 12.12 Reioycing in hope The Prerogative of Piety it hath the promises the pleasures of the life that now is and of that which is to come Angustè fructus rerum determinat Sen. 171. Ep. 99. qui tantùm prasentibus laetus est saith the Stoicke and it is spoken like a Christian sure I am it is so in Divinitie He imprisons the heart he straightens dilatation he deminisheth the felicity the good estate of the chosen that sees not so farre as the future that onely rejoyceth in that which now is And yet all delectation and delight it is de bono praesenti Damasc Aqu. 12. Qu. 32. art 3.1 sayth Damascene and how then may wee rejoyce in hope which is of things not seene By knowledge and application it is in effect the answere of the Angelicall Doctor The nature of hope it is to call the things that are not as if they were it hath affiance in the future it hath the securitie of heaven it hath the obsignation the seale of the Spirit from whence ariseth Iubilation and Ioy joy unspeakable and full of glory By way of comparison we have it plentifully expressed by our Saviour The 70. returned againe with Ioy saith St. LUKE Luk. 10.17 Saying Lord even the Divels are subiect unto us through thy name Heare the reply And hee sayd unto them Behold I give you power to tread upon Serpents and Scorpions and over all the power of the enemy See what a word is this What soveraigne what supernaturall might have wee heere If Moses and Miriam if Deborah and David did so shout and sing at their corporall Conquests how inconceiveable is the joy of such as tread downe Sathan under their feet Of those that spoyle Principalities powers And yet behold I shew you a farre more excellent joy In this reioyce Luk. 10.20 not that the spirits are subiect unto you but rather reioyce that your names are written in Heaven Luk. 10.20 Heare the inlargement of the heart heare the dilatation of joy that deifies as it were the estate and sublimates the nature of man Cum accepta fuerit ineffabilis illa laetitia perit quodammodò mens humana fit divina August in Psal 55. saith St. Augustine So soone as wee receive this inconceiveable joy though in our earthly mansions though in our houses of Clay our mortality it is as it were swallowed up of life our humane Soule it is made coelestiall and divine In so much that for the Glory that is set before us wee feare not that which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist Eth. lib. 3. sayth the Philosopher In the phrase of the Holy-Ghost the King of terrours Death Wee sing our Dimittis with joy My heart was glad my glory reioyced Psal 16.9 my flesh also shall rest in hope To goe one step further Heare the full expression of joy that ariseth from the hope of the faythfull at the meditation of the dreadfull day when the Sun shal be blacke as a sackcloath of haire and the Moone shal be turned into blood when the heavens shall vanish like a scroll and the powers above shall bee shaken when the last trumpe shall sound and the bookes shall be opened At the meditation of all this it is so far from feare O the blessed trust and confidence of a christian Soule it is so farre from feare that it breakes out into a Prosopopëia into the deepest straine of melody and joy Let the flouds Psal 98.9 sayth the soule of the Saints let the floods clappe their hands and let the hills bee ioyfull together before the Lord for hee is come to iudge the Earth Psalme the 98.9 I proceed to the second particular or branch of the Repetition Againe Gaudendū de ijs quae sustinemus We are to take pleasure in pressure to reioyce in tribulation Blessed sayth he who for the glory that was set before him indured the Crosse despised the shame and is set downe at the right hand of God Blessed are yee when men shall revile you and persecute you Math. 10.11 12 and shall say all manner of euill against you falsely for my sake Reioyce and bee exceeding glad See in the midst of calumny which is sharper than a two edged sword In persecution which is almost as much In the multitude of sorrowes which they haue in their heart how affluent how full is the joy of the Saints Bee glad that is not enough once and againe be glad and exceeding joyfull In the journey of Israel through the waters of blood The dry Land sayes the Wise-man appeared Wisd 19.7 and out of the red Sea a way without impediment and out of the violent streame a greene field It is assuredly so with us that are in via in our way out of Egypt unto the Land of Promise In the great water floods when the waves lift up their heads In our manifold afflictions there is an evasion a faire passage and escape from them all For hee that comforteth those that are cast downe Psal 31.8 32.8 hee considers our trouble hee knowes our Soule in adversity hee compasseth us about on every side with songs of deliverance And not onely so but in the violence of our passions inundation of affliction hee doth more than make a way to escape Hee turnes our Sorrow into Ioy the violent streame into a greene field Vnto the godly O their happie estate Psal 112.4 whose night is cleerer than the noone of the wicked unto the godly there ariseth light in the darknesse Even in the season of Sorrow in the most disconsolate time of tribulation and anguish there is a day-starre that ariseth in their hearts More there is a Sonne of righteousnesse that shineth upon them Sen. Epist 27 Si quid obstat nubium modò intervenit quae infra feruntur nec vnquam diem vnicum Whatsoever may befall for the afflictions of this life like the cloudes that are below they are sublunary they
a fearefull heart Esa 21.14 be strong feare not he brings wine to the thirsty and prevents those that faint for bread These beloved such are they whose wayes are grievous unto you the Preachers of peace the ministers of the Spirit And how is it then will some man say Nay it is the demaund of the Lord himselfe How is it that the health of the Daughter of my people is not recovered Ier. 8.22 Iob 24.12 Behold the teares of the oppressed and they have no Comforter men groane out of the Citie and the soule of the wounded cryeth out There is Lamentation and mourning there are sighs even to the breaking of the loynes There are threnes of the poore in spirit and yet as if they may not bee comforted as if their wounds were incurable there is none to binde them up Ier. 30.13 Esa 1.6 They have no healing medicines as the Prophet speaketh for such as should bee Physitians in Israel they are as St. Cyprian saith of Novatian they are like the Levite or the Priest in the Gospell that are so farre from powring Oyle into the wounds of the poore Samaritane Cyprian ad Novationum Haereticum Epist Vt Ingeniosâ novâ potiùs crudelitate occiderent They speake the piercings of swords their teeth are speares and arrowes and their lips of knives nothing but Law and that louder than Synai nothing but thundring but a storme and tempest is sounded in the eares of the bruised Spirit in the hearing of the wounded Soule Plinij Epist lib. 20. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Pliny hath it of Pericles Such sonnes of Thunder as these Solatium aeternae spei adimunt arborem à radice subvertunt Cyprian navem ad scopulos ne perveniat illidunt They take away all hope of salvation They overturne the tree by the rootes They dash the ship least it should come to the haven where it should bee they dash it against the rockes If the Lord be angry yea but a little they helpe forward the affliction they binde one evill to another they persecute him whom sinne hath smitten and they talke how they may vexe those whom their owne Conscience have wounded So that in the labour of Repentance in the travell of contrition to multiply sorowes there are they that are ready to strangle the fruit of the Soule I have heard a voyce Ier. 4 31. as of a woman in travell sayth the Lord as of her that bringeth forth her first Child saying The voyce of the Daughter of Syon Ier. 4 31. that bewayleth herselfe that spreadeth her hands saying Woe is mee because of murderers Ier. 4 3◠There are such as these even untill this very day there are man-slayers of the Soule there are bloudy Preachers that if it were possible would murther Saints themselves with the edge of their wordes their tongues that are set on fire of hell That speake nothing but despaire nothing but death and destruction And what then beloved What shall we judge of these Doe they bring tydings from a farre Countrey Are they come out from God No they bring a vision of their owne and not of the mouth of the Lord whose song it is of Mercy and Iudgment Psal 101.1 Though of Iudgement a Song and for the most part his mercy rejoyceth against it Iam. 2.13 Heare I pray you how hee bemones his people Ierem. 8.22 Is there no balme in Gilead Is there no Physitian in Israel And againe these thinges are come vpon thee Esa 51.19 desolation and destruction and the famine the sword by whom shall I comfort thee How much more is hee solicitous about the consolation of those that are prest aboue measure that are crusht with the weight of their sinnes that are affrighted with the horror of hell With a feareful expectation not of these light and momentany not of temporall but eternall judgments To him that is afflicted pitty should bee shewed from his friend so sayth Nature it selfe Iob 6.14 So Grace So the Lord by the mouth of his seruant Iob. How much more is it his pleasure in a case of conscience that the plaister should couer the wound That consolation should spread and effectually answeare the anguish of the Soule the sorrow of his Saincts Hence the large the exundant command to his Prophet Esa 33.21 hence that place of broad waters and streames Comfort yee Comfort yee my people sayth your God Esa 40.1 2. Speake ye comfortably to Hierusalem And againe O Hierusalem that bringest glad tydings lift vp thy voyce Esay 40 9. lift it vp with strength Now beloued you haue the person exhorting I say First hee speakes by himselfe Secondly hee speakes by his word And thirdly by those that tread out the new wine by those that breathe as it were the Holy ghost vpō vs. So you Vse 1 see to vse the wordes of the Apostle how on euery side hee confirmes his loue towards you 2. Cor. 2.8 And how then to make some vse of the poynt how shall we grieue that God that comforteth vs in all our griefes how shall wee doe despight vnto the Spirit that at all times that in euery place administers joy and consolation vnto vs. Doe yee remember how inhumane was the Act of Haman in the 2. Sam. when David sent to comfort him by the hand of his seruants Hee returned hatred for his good-will 2 Sam. 10.4 Hee euill intreated the messengers Hee shaued the halfe of their beards and cut off their garments in the middle Beloved as much as in vs lyes wee doe the same The same and more also When with sinnes of malice wee affront his goodnesse When wee oppose with presumptuous wickednesse the comforts that hee administers vnto vs wee doe despight that is the word we doe despight vnto the spirit of Grace and so to our selues wee sinne against our owne Soules So that instead of a comforter for joy and gladnesse what can wee expect but a trembling heart but fayling of eyes and sorow of mind What can we expect but the same which happened vnto Hanun and more also Sen. Epist That the Lord vt à nobis tractatur ita nos tractat That the Lord set himselfe in array against vs that hee muster vp his charriots and come foorth with all his armies that are created for vengeance They rebelled saith the Prophet of the house of Israel they rebelled and vexed his Spirit Heare what immediately followes Therefore was hee turned to bee their enemy and fought against them Esa 63.10 Esay 63.10 Vse 2 The next use we are to make of the point it is in our straites in our sorrow and distresse to have recourse unto the author unto the Orator of our joy When I am in heavinesse I will thinke vpon God Psal 77.4 sayth he that had as much as a Kingdome can yeeld for to comfort his soule but all these things it should