Basil calls anger drunkennesse and Hierom saith there are more drunken with passion than with wine Seneca calls anger brevis insania a short fit of madnesse sometimes it suspends the use of reason in the best things we are coole enough in Religion we are all yce in contention all fire How unbeseeming is rash anger how doth it disguise and disfigure Homer saith of Agamemnon that when he did moderate his passion he resembled the gods he was like Jupiter in feature like Pallas in wisdom but when he was in his fury he was a very Tyger nothing of Jupiter did appear in him as Plato counselled the great Revellers and drinkers of his time that they should view themselves in a glasse when they were in their drunken humour and they would appear loathsome to themselves So let a man disguised with passion view himself in the glasse and sure he would ever after be out of love with himself Ora tument ira nigrescunt sanguine venae Ephes 4.26 27. Let not the Sun go down upon your wrath neither give place to the Divel Oh saith one he hath wrong'd me and I will never give place to him but better give place to him than to the Divel an hasty spirit is not a meek spirit Caution Caution Not but that we may in some cases be angry There is an holy anger that anger is without sin which is against sin meeknesse and zeal may stand together in matters of Religion a Christian must be cloathed with the spirit of Eliah and be full of the fury of the Lord Jer. 6.11 Christ was meek Mat. 11.29 yet zealous John 2.14 15. The zeal of Gods house did eat him up 2. Meekness is opposed to malice malice is the Divels picture John 8.44 Malice is mental murder 1 John 3.15 it unfits for duty How can such a man pray I have read of two men that lived in malice who being asked how they could say the Lords prayer one answered he thank'd God there were many good prayers besides The other answered when he said the Lords prayer he did leave out those words As we forgive them that trespass against us But Saint Austin brings in God replying Because thou dost not say my prayer therefore I will not hear thine * Quia tu non dicis meam ego non audiam tuam Were it not a sad judgement if all that a man did eat should turn to poyson to a malicious man all the holy Ordinances of God turn to poyson the table of the Lord is a snare he eats and drinks his own damnation a malicious spirit is not a meek spirit 3. Meekness is opposed to revenge malice is the scum of anger and revenge is malice boyling over malice is a vermin lives on blood revenge is Satans Nectar and Ambrosia * Nihil Diabolo gratius Luth. this is the savoury meat which the malicious man dresseth for the Divel the Scripture forbids revenge Rom. 12.19 Dearly Beloved avenge not your selves this is to take Gods office out of his hand who is called the God of recompences Jer. 51.56 and the God of vengeance Psal 94.1 This I urge against those who challenge one another to Duels indeed spiritual Duels are lawful it is good to fight with the Divel James 4.7 Resist the Divel 'T is good to Duel with a mans self the regenerate part against the carnal Blessed is he that seeks a revenge upon his lusts 2 Cor. 7.11 Yea what revenge but other Duels are unlawful Avenge not your selves The Turks though a barbarous people did in Ancient times burn such as went to Duel in their sides with hot coals of fire they who were in heat of revenge were punished sutably with fire Object But if I am thus meek and tame in bearing of injuries and incivilities I shall lose my credit it will be a stain to my reputation Answ 1. To pass by an injury without revenge is no Eclipse to a mans credit Solomon tells us it is the glory of a man to pass over a transgression Prov. 12.11 'T is more honour to bury an injury than revenge it and to slight it than to write it down †* Melius est injurias ignoscere quam vindicare The weakest creatures soonest turn head and sting upon every touch the Lyon a more Majestick creature is not easily provoked the Bramble tears the Oak and Cedar are more peaceable passion imports weakness a noble spirit over-looks an injury Answ 2. Suppose a mans credit should suffer an impair with those whose censure is not to be valued yet think which is worse shame or sin Wilt thou sin against God to save thy credit surely it is little wisdom for a man to adventure his blood that he may fetch back his Reputation and to run into hell to be counted valorous 1. Not but that a man may stand up in defence of himself Caution 1 when his life is endangered Some of the Anabaptists hold it unlawful to take up the sword upon any occasion though when they get the Power I would be loth to trust them their river-water often turning to blood but questionless a man may take up the sword for self-preservation else he comes under the breach of the sixth Commandment he is guilty of self-murder in taking up the sword he doth not so much seek anothers death as the safe-guard of his own life his intention is not to do hurt but prevent it self-defence is consistent with Christian meekness the Law of Nature and Religion justifie it that God who bids us put up our sword Matth. 26.51 yet will allow us a buckler in our own defence and he that will have us innocent as Doves not to offend others will have us wise as serpents in preserving our selves Caution 2 2. Though revenge be contrary to meekness yet not but that a Magistrate may revenge the quarrels of others indeed 't is not revenge in him but doing justice The Magistrate is Gods Lieutenant on earth God hath put the sword in his hand and he is not to bear the sword in vain he must be in terrorem for the punishment of evil doers 1 Pet. 2.14 Though a private person must not render to any man evil for evil Rom. 12.17 yet a Magistrate may the evil of punishment for the evil of offence this rendring of evil is good Private men must put their sword into the sheath but the Magistrate sins if he doth not draw it out As his sword must not surfeit through cruelty so neither must it rust through partiality Too much lenity in a Magistrate is not meekness but injustice for him to indulge offences and say with a gentle reproof as Eli 1 Sam. 2.23 24. Why do you such things nay my sons for it is no good report that I hear This is but to shave the head that deserves to be cut off such a Magistrate makes himself guilty 4. Meekness is opposed to evil-speaking Eph. 4.31 Let all evil-speaking be
the children of God present Christ in the Arms of their Faith 2. The prayers of Gods children indited by the Spirit are ardent prayers Ye have received the Spirit whereby we cry Abba Father Rom. 8.15 Father that implies Faith we cry that implies fervency The incense was to be laid upon burning coals Lev. 16.12 The incense was a type of prayer the burning coals of ardency in prayer Elias prayed earnestly Jam. 5.17 In the Greek it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Verbis addita verbalia apud Hebraeus vehementiam significant Grot. IN PRAYING HE PRAYED that is he did it with vehemency †in prayer the heart must boyle over with heat of affection Prayer is compared to groans unutterable * Rom. 8.26 it alludes to a woman that is in pangs We should be in pangs when we are travelling for mercy such prayer commands God himself Isa 45.11 3. The prayers of Gods children are heart-cleansing prayers they purge out sin many pray against sin and sin against prayer Gods children do not only pray against sin but pray down sin 3. The Spirit of God hath a witnessing work in the heart Gods children have not only the influence of the Spirit but the witness Rom. 8.16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God There is a three-fold witness a child of God hath the witness of the Word the witness of Conscience the witness of the Spirit the Word makes the major Proposition He who is in such a manner qualified is a childe of God Conscience makes the minor but Thou art so divinely qualified the Spirit makes the conclusion therefore Thou art a child of God The Spirit joyns with the witness of Conscience Rom. 8.16 The Spirit witnesseth with our spirits The Spirit teacheth Conscience to search the Records of Scripture and finde its evidences for heaven it helps conscience to spell out its name in a promise it bears witness with our spirit Quest Quest But how shall I know the witness of the Spirit from a delusion Answ Answ The Spirit of God always witnesseth according to the Word as the Eccho answers the voyce Enthusiasts speak much of the Spirit but they leave the Word That inspiration which is either without the Word or against it is an imposture The Spirit of God did indite the Word 2 Pet. 1.21 Now if the Spâ—rit should witness otherwise than according to the Word the Spirit should be divided against it self it should be a spirit of contradiction witnessing one thing for a truth in the Word and another thing different from it in a mans conscience 4. The fourth sign of Gods children is Zeal for God they are zealous for his Day his Truth his Glory they who are born of God are impatient of his dishonour Moses was cool in his own cause but hot in Gods when the people of Israel had wrought folly in the golden Calf he breaks the Tables When Saint Paul saw the people of Athens given to Idolatry his spirit was stirred in him Acts 17.16 In the Greek it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his spirit was imbittered or as the word may signifie he was in a Paroxysme or burning fit of zeal He could not contain but with this fire of zeal dischargeth against their sin As we shall answer for idle words so for sinful silence it is dangerous in this sense to be possessed with a dumb Divel David saith the zeal of Gods house had eaten him up Psal 69.9 Many Christians whose zeal once had almost eaten them up now they have eaten up their zeal they are grown tepid and neutral the breath of preferment blowing upon them hath cooled their heat I can never believe that he hath the heart of a childe in him that can be patient when Gods glory suffers Can an ingenuous childe endure to hear his father reproached though we should be silent under Gods displeasure yet not under his dishonour When there is an holy fire kindled in the heart it will break forth at the lips zeal tempered with holiness is the white and sanguine which gives the foul its best complexion Of all others let Ministers be impatient when Gods glory is impeached and eclipsed A Minister without zeal is like salt that hath lost its savour Zeal will make men take injuries done to God as done to themselves It is reported of Chrysostom that he reproved any sin against God as if he himself had received a personal wrong * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let not Ministers be either shaken with fear or seduced with flattery God never made Ministers to be as false glasses to make bad faces look fair for want of this fire of zeal they are in danger of another fire even the burning lake Rev. 21.8 into which the fearful shall be cast 5. Those who are Gods children and are born of God are of a more noble and celestial spirit than men of the world they minde 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 things above * Col. 3.2 1 John 5.4 Whatsoever is born of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 overcometh the world The children of God live in an higher Region they are compared to Eagles Isa 40.31 in regard of their sublimeness and heavenly-mindedness their souls are fled aloft Christ is in their heart Col. 1.27 and the world is under their feet Rev. 12.1 Men of the world are ever tumbling in thick clay they are terrae filii not Eagles but Earth-worms the Saints are of another spirit they are born of God and walk with God as the childe walks with the father Noah walked with God Gen. 6.9 Gods children shew their high Pedigree in their heavenly Conversation Phil. 3.21 6. Another sign of Adoption is love to them that are children Gods children are knit together with the bond of love as all the members of the body are knit together by several nerves and ligaments If we are born of God then we love the brotherhood 1 Pet. 2.17 Idem est motus animae in imaginem rem he that loves the person loves the picture The children of God are his walking pictures and if we are of God we love those who have his Effigies and Pourtraiture drawn upon their souls If we are born of God we love the Saints notwithstanding their infirmities Children love one another though they have some imperfections of nature a squint-eye or a crooked back We love gold in the Oar though it have some drossiness in it the best Saints have their blemishes We read of the spot of Gods children Deutr. 32.5 A Saint in this life is like a fair face with a scar in it If we are born of God we love his children though they are poor we love to see the image and picture of our father though hung in never so poor a Frame we love to see a rich Christ in a poor man And if we are children of the Highest we shew our love to Gods children 1. By prizing their persons
God giveth him not power to eat thereof Religion makes no man a Niggard though it teacheth prudence yet not sordidness 2. Who act below themselves as they are Christians while they sinfully comply and prostitute themselves to the humours of others a base kind of mettle that will take any stamp they will for a piece of silver part with the jewel of a good conscience they will be of the State-Religion they will dance to the Divels Pipe if their Superiour commands them These are Poor-spirited but not Poor in Spirit 4. I distinguish between Poor in an Evangelical sense and in a Popish sense the Papists give a wrong gloss upon the Text by Poor in spirit they understand those who renouncing their Estates vow a voluntary poverty living retiredly in their Monasteries * Monasteriis Caenobiiâ— Pauperes Bellarm. but Christ never meant these he doth not pronounce them blessed who make themselves poor leaving their Estates and their Callings but such as are Evangelically poor Well then what are we to understand by Poor in spirit the Greek word for Poor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not only taken in a strict sense for those who live upon Alms * Ad extremam inopiam reducti Beza quibus nihil superest but in a more large sense for those who are destitute as well of inward as outward comfort Poor in spirit then signifies those who are brought to the sense of their sins and seeing no goodness in themselves despair in themselves and sue wholly to the mercy of God in Christ * Qui serio cordis affectu pauperiem suam agnoscunt spem fiduciam in una miserecordia Dei propter Christum repositam habent Paraeus Poverty of spirit is a kind of self-annihilation such an expression I find in Calvin The poor in spirit saith he are they who see nothing in themselves but flie to mercy for Sanctuary such an one was the Publican Luk. 18.13 God be merciful to me a sinner of this temper was Saint Paul Phil. 3.9 That I may he found in Christ not having mine own righteousness these are the poor which are invited as Guests to Wisdoms Banquet Prov. 7.3 4. Here several Questions may be propounded 1. Why doth Christ here begin with poverty of spirit Quest 1 why is this put in the fore-front I answer Answ Christ doth it to shew that poverty of spirit is the very basis and foundation of all the other graces that follow * Totius a â—ificii fundamen Avendanus You may as well expect fruit to grow without a root as the other graces without this till a man be Poor in spirit he cannot mourn Poverty of spirit is like the fire under the Still which makes the water drop from the eyes when a man sees his own defects and deformities and looks upon himself as undone then he mourns after Christ the springs run in the vallies Psal 104.10 When the heart becomes a valley and lies low by poverty of spirit now the springs of holy mourning run there Till a man be Poor in spirit he cannot hunger and thirst after righteousness he must first be sensible of want before he can hunger therefore Christ begins with poverty of spirit because this ushers in all the rest Quest 2 2. The second Question is What is the difference between poverty of spirit and humility Answ These are so like that they have been taken one for the other Chrysostom by poverty of spirit understands humility * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost in loc yet I think there is some difference they differ as the cause and the effect Tertullian saith none are poor in spirit but the humble * Nulli pauperes spiritu nisi hamiles Tert. he seems to make humility the cause of poverty of spirit I rather think poverty of spirit is the cause of humility for when a man sees his want of Christ and how he lives on the Alms of free-grace this makes him humble he that is sensible of his own vacuity and indigence with the Violet hangs down his head in humility humility is the sweet spice that grows from poverty of spirit Quest 3 3. What is the difference between poverty of spirit and self-denial I answer in some things they agree in some things they differ In some things they agree for the Poor in spirit is an absolute self-denier he renounceth all opinion of himself he acknowledgeth his dependance on Christ and free-grace but in some things they differ the self-denier parts with the world for Christ the poor in spirit parts with himself for Christ i. e. his own righteousness the poor in spirit sees himself nothing without Christ the self-denier will leave himself nothing for Christ And thus I have shewed what poverty of spirit is The words thus opened present us with this truth Doctr. That Christians must be poor in spirit or thus Doctr. Poverty of spirit is the jewel which Christians must wear As the best creature was made out of nothing namely light so when a man sees himself nothing out of this nothing God makes a most beautiful creature it is Gods usual method to make a man poor in spirit and then fill him with the graces of the Spirit as we deal with a Watch we take it first in pieces and then set all the wheels and pins in order So the Lord doth first take a man all in pieces shews him his undone condition and then sets him in frame The Reasons are 1. Till we are poor in spirit we are not capable of receiving Reason 1 grace he who is swell'd with an opinion of self-excellency and self-sufficiency is not fit for Christ he is full already intus existens prohibet extraneum if the hand be full of pebbles it cannot receive gold the glass is first emptied before you poure in wine God doth first empty a man of himself before he poures in the precious wine of his grace none but the poor in spirit are within Christs Commission Isa 61.1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted that is such as are broken in the sense of their unworthiness 2. Till we are poor in spirit Christ is never precious Reason 2 before we see our own wants we never see Christs worth poverty of spirit is sal condimentum the sawce which makes Christ relish sweet to the soul mercy is most welcome to the poor in spirit he who sees himself clad in filthy rags Zach. 3.4 5. what will he give for change of rayment the righteousness of Christ what will he give to have the fair Mitre of salvation set upon his head when a man sees himself almost wounded to death how precious will the balm of Christs blood be to him when he sees himself deep in Arrears with God and is so far from paying the debt that he cannot sum up the debt how glad would he be of a surety the Pearle
with sweet spices the lower it sails the more a Christian is filled with the sweet comforts of the Spirit the lower he fails in humility the fuller a Tree is of fruit the lower the bough hangs the more full we are of the fruits of the Spirit joy and peace Gal. 5.22 the more we bend down in humility St. Paul a chosen Vessel * Acts 9.15 fill'd with the wine of the Spirit * 2 Cor. 5.1 did not more abound in joy than in lowliness of mind Eph. 3.8 Unto me who am less than the least of all Saints is this grace given c. He who was the chief of the Apostles calls himself the least of Saints Those who say they have comfort but are proud they have learned to despise others and are climb'd above Ordinances their comforts are delusions the Divel is able not only to transform himself into an Angel of light 2 Cor. 11.4 but he can transform himself into the Comforter 'T is easie to counterfeit money to silver over brass and put the Kings image upon it the Divel can silver over false comforts and make them look as if they had the stamp of the King of heaven upon them the comforts of God are humbling though they lift the heart up in thankfulness yet they do not puff it up in pride 2. The comforts God gives his Mourners are unmixed they are not tempered with any bitter ingredients worldly comforts are like wine that runs dregs there is that guilt within checks and corrodes in midst of laughter the heart is sad Prov 14.13 Queen Mary once said if she were opened they would find Callis lying at her heart if the breast of a sinner were anatomized and opened you would find a worm gnawing at his heart guilt is a Wolf which feeds in the breast of his comfort a sinner may have a smiling countenance but a chiding conscience his mirth is like the mirth of a man in debt who is every houre in fear of arresting the comforts of wicked men are spiced with bitterness they are worm-wood wine Hi sunt qui trepidant ad omnia fulgura pallent Hor. Cum tonat exanimes primo quoque murmure coelum But spiritual comforts are pure they are not muddied with guilt nor mixed with fear they are the pure wine of the Spirit what the Mourner feels is joy and nothing but joy 3. These comforts God gives his Mourners are sweet Eccles 12.7 Truly the light is sweet so is the light of Gods countenance How sweet are those comforts which bring the Comforter along with them John 14.16 Therefore the love of God shed into the heart is said to be better than wine Cant. 1.2 Wine pleaseth the palate but the love of God chears the conscience the lips of Christ drop sweet smelling myrrhe Cant. 5.13 The comforts God gives are a Christians Musick they are the golden Pot and the Manna the Nectar and Ambrosia of a Christian they are the Saints Festival their banquetting stuffe so sweet are these Divine comforts that the Church had her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fainting fits for want of them Cant. 2.5 stay me with flagons Metonymia Subjecti pro adjuncto the flagons are put for the wine by these flagons are meant the comforts of the Spirit the Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies all variety of delights to show the abundance of delectability and sweetnesse in these comforts of the Spirit Comfort me with Apples Apples are sweet in taste fragrant in smell so sweet and delicious are those Apples which grow upon the tree in Paradise These comforts from above are so sweet that they make all other comforts sweet health estate relations they are like sawce which makes all our earthly possessions and enjoyments come off with a better relish So sweet are these comforts of the Spirit that they do much abate and moderate our joy in worldly things he who hath been drinking spirits of wine or Alkermes will not much thirst after water and that man who hath once tasted how sweet the Lord is Psal 34.8 and hath drunk the cordials of the Spirit will not thirst immoderately after secular delights Those who play with dogs and birds it is a signe they have no children such as are inordinate in their desire and love of the creature declare plainly that they never had better comforts 4. These comforts which God gives his mourners are holy comforts they are call'd the comforts of the holy Ghost Acts 9.31 Every thing propagates in its own kind * Omne agens operatur secundum naturam agens the holy Ghost can no more produce impure joys in the soul than the Sun can prduce darknesse he who hath the comforts of the Spirit looks upon himself as a person engaged to do God more service Hath the Lord looked upon me with a smiling face I can never pray enough I can never love God enough The comforts of the Spirit raise in the heart an holy antipathy against sin the Dove hates every feather that hath grown upon the Hawke so there is an hatred of every motion and temptation to evil he who hath a principle of life in him opposeth every thing that would destroy life he hates poison so he that hath the comforts of the Spirit living in him sets himself against those sins which would murder his comforts divine comforts give the soul more acquaintance with God 1 John 1.4 Our fellowship is with the Father and his Sonne Jesus 5. The comforts reserv'd for the mourners are filling comforts Rom. 15.13 The God of hope fill you with joy John 16.24 Ask that your joy may be full When God pours in the joyes of heaven they fill the heart and make it run over 2 Cor. 7.4 I am exceeding joyful the Greek word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I overflow with joy as a Cup that is filled with wine till it runs over Outward comforts can no more fill the heart than a Triangle can fill a Circle Spiritual joyes are satisfying Psal 63.5 My heart shall be satisfied as with marrow and I will praise thee with ioyful lips Davids heart was full and the joy did break out at his lips Psal 4.7 Thou hast put gladnesse in my heart worldly joyes do put gladnesse into the face 2 Cor. 5.12 they rejoyce 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the face but the Spirit of God puts gladnesse into the heart divine joyes are heart-joyes Zach. 10.7 John 16.22 Your heart shall rejoyce a believer doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luke 1.47 My spirit rejoyceth in God And to show how filling these comforts are which are of an heavenly extraction the Psalmist saith they create greater joy than when wine and cyle encrease Psal 4. Wine and Oyle may delight but not satisfie they have their vacuity and indigence we may say as Zach. 10.2 they comfort in vaine outward comforts do sooner cloy than chear and sooner weary than fill Xerxes offered great rewards to him
that could finde out a new pleasure but the comforts of the Spirit are satisfactory they recruit the heart Psal 94.19 Thy comforts delight my soul There is as much difference between heavenly comforts and earthly as between a banquet that is eaten and one that is painted on the wall 6. The comforts God gives his Mourners in this life are glorious comforts 1 Pet. 1.8 Joy full of glory 1. They are glorious because they are a prelibation and fore-taste of that joy which we shall have in a glorified estate * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys These comforts are an handsel and earnest of glory they put us in heaven before our time Ephes 1.13 14. Ye were sealed with that holy Spirit which is an earnest of the inheritance the earnest is part of the sum behind so the comforts of the Spirit are the earnest the cluster of grapes at Eshcol * Num. 13.23 the first-fruits of the heavenly Canaan 2. The joyes of the Spirit are glorious 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in opposition to other joyes which compared with these are inglorious and vile A carnal mans joy as it is aery and flashy so it is sordid he sucks nothing but dregs Amos 6.13 Ye rejoyce in a thing of naught A carnal spirit rejoyceth because he can say this house is his this estate is his but a gracious spirit rejoyceth because he can say this God is his Psal 48.14 For this God is our God for ever and ever The ground of a Christians joy is glorious he rejoyceth in that he is an heir of the promise the joy of a godly man is made up of that which is the Angels joy he triumphs in the light of Gods countenance his joy is that which is Christs own joy he rejoyceth in the mystical union which is begun here and consummate in heaven Thus the joy of the Saints is a joy full of glory 7. The comforts which God gives his Mourners are infinitely transporting and ravishing so delightful are they and amazing that they cause a jubilation which as some of the Learned speak is so great that it cannot be expressed * Jubiliatio dicitur cum cordis laetitia oris efficacia non expletur of all things joy is the most hard to be deciphered 't is called laetitia inenarrabilis joy unspeakable 1 Pet. 1.8 You may sooner taste honey then tell how sweet it is the most pathetical words can no more set forth the comforts of the Spirit then the most curious Pensil can draw the life and breath of a man the Angels cannot express the joyes they feel some have been so overwhelmed with the sweet raptures of joy that they have not been able to contain but as Moses have dyed * Plurimis mortem attulit gaudium ingens Gell. with a kiss from Gods mouth Thus have we seen the glass oft breaking with the strength of the liquor put into it 8. These comforts of the Spirit are powerful they are strong cordials so the Apostle phraseth it Hebr. 6.18 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 strong consolation Divine comfort 1. Strengthens for duty Nehem. 8.10 The joy of the Lord is your strength Joy whets and sharpens industry a man that is steeled and animated with the comforts of Gods Spirit goes with vigour and alacrity through the exercises of Religion he believes firmly he loves fervently he is carried full sail in duty the joy of the Lord is his strength 2. Divine comfort supports under affliction 1 Thes 1.6 Having received the Word in much affliction 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with joy The wine of the Spirit can sweeten the waters of Marah * Amaritudines mundi dulces reddit Aug. They who are possessed of these heavenly comforts can gather grapes of thorns and fetch honey out of the Lyons carcass They are strong consolations indeed that can stand it out against the fiery tryal and turn the flame into a bed of Roses How powerful is that comfort which can make a Christian glory in tribulation Rom. 5.3 A believer is never so sad but he can rejoyce the Bird of Paradise can sing in Winter 2 Cor. 6.10 As sorrowing yet alwayes rejoycing Let sickness come the sense of pardon takes away the sense of pain The Inhabitant shall not say I am sick Isa 33.24 Let death come a Christian is above it O death where is thy sting 1 Cor. 15.55 At the end of the Rod a Christian tastes honey these are strong consolations 9. The comforts Gods Mourners have are heart-quieting comforts they cause a sweet acquiescence and rest in the soul * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist Ech. The heart of a Christian is in a kind of ataxy and discomposure like the Needle in the Compass it shakes and trembles till the Comforter comes Some creatures cannot live but in the Sun a Christian is even dead in the Nest unless he may have the Sun-light of Gods countenance Psal 143.7 Hide not thy face from me lest I be like them that go down into the pit Nothing but the breast will quiet the child 't is only the breast of consolation quiets the believer 10. The comforts of the Spirit are abiding comforts as they abound in us so they abide with us John 14.16 He shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever Worldly comforts are still upon the wing ready to flie they are like a land-flood or a flash of lightning Mart. Saepe fluunt imo sic quoque lapsa sinu All things here are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but the comforts with which God feeds his Mourners are immortal 2 Thes 2.16 Who hath loved us and hath given us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 everlasting consolation Though a Christian hath not always a full beam of comfort yet he hath a dawning of it in his soul he hath still a ground of hope and a root of joy there is that within him which bears up his heart and which he would not on any terms part with Use Use Behold the Mourners priviledge he shall be comforted David who was the great Mourner of Israel was the sweet singer of Israel The weeping Dove shall be covered with the golden feathers of comfort O how rare and superlative are these comforts Quest But may not Gods Mourners want these comforts Answ Spiritual Mourners have a title to these comforts yet they may sometimes want them God is a free Agent he will have the timing of our comforts he hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a self-freedom to do what he will The holy one of Israel will not be limited he will reserve his Prerogative to give or suspend comfort pro libitu and if we are awhile without comfort we must not quarrel with his dispensations for as the Mariner is not to wrangle with Providence because the wind blows out of the East when he desires it to blow out of the West nor is the Husbandman to murmure when God stops the bottles of heaven in
The bitter herbs of repentance he that tasts the gall and vineger in sin hungers after the body and blood of the Lord. 2. Affliction God oft gives us this sawce to sharpen our hunger after Grace Reuben found Mandrakes in the field Gen. 30.14 The Mandrakes are an Herb of a very strong savour * Herba magni odoris stomacho laboraâ—tibus tribuit medelam and among other vertues they have they are chiefly medicinable for those who have weak and bad stomacks Afflictions may be compared to these Mandrakes which do sharpen mens desires after that spiritual food which in time of prosperity they began to loath and nauseate penury is the sawce which cures the surfeit of plenty In sicknesse people hunger more after righteousness than in health The full stomach loaths the honey-comb Christians when ful-fed despise the rich cordials of the Gospel I wish we do not slight those truths now which would taste sweet in a prison how precious was a leaf of the Bible in Queen Maries dayes The wise God sees it good sometimes to give us the sharp sawce of affliction to make us feed more hungrily upon the bread of life And so much for the first part of the text Blessed are they that hunger MATTH 5.6 For they shall be filled CHAP. XV. Shewing that the spiritual hunger shall be satisfied 2. The Promise annexed I Proceed now to the second part of the text a Promise annexed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they shall be filled A Christians fighting with sin is not like one that beats the aire 1 Cor. 9.26 and his hungring after righteousnesse is not like one that sucks in only ayre Blessed are they that hunger for they shall be filled Doctr. Doctr. Those that hunger after righteousnesse shall be filled God never bids us seek him in vain * Isa 45.19 here is an hony-comb dropping into the mouths of the hungry they shall be filled Luke 1.53 He hath filled the hungry with good things Psal 109.7 He satisfieth the longing soul God will not let us lose our longing here is the excellency of righteousnesse above all things a man may hunger after the world and not be filled the world is fading not filling Cast three Worlds into the heart yet the heart is not full but righteousness is a filling thing nay it so fills as it satisfies a man may be filled and not satisfied a sinner may take his fill of sin but that is a sad filling it is far from satisfaction Prov. 14 14. The back-slider in heart shall be filled with his own wayes he shall have his belly full of sin he shall have enough of it but this is not a filling to satisfaction this is such a filling as the damned in hell have they shall be full of the fury of the Lord But he that hungers after righteousness shall be satisfyingly filled Jerem. 31.14 My people shall be satisfied with goodness Psal 63.3 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow Joseph first opened the mouth of the Sacks and then filled them with corn and put money in them Gen. 42.25 So God first opens the mouth of the soul with desire and then fills it with good things Psal 81.10 For the illustration of this consider these three things 1. That God can fill the hungry soul 2. Why he fills the hungry soul 3. How he fills the hungry soul 1. That God can fill the hungry soul he is called a fountain Psal 36.9 With thee is the fountain of life The Cistern may be empty and cannot fill us Creatures are oft broken Cisterns Jer. 2.13 But the fountain is filling God is a Fountain if we bring the Vessels of our desires to this Fountain he is able to fill them the fulness in God is 1. An infinite fulness though he fill us and the Angels which have larger capacities to receive yet he hath never the less himself as the Sun though it shines hath never the less light Luke 8.46 I perceive that vertue is gone out of me Though God lets vertue go out of him yet he hath never the less the fulness of the creature is limited it ariseth just to such a degree and proportion but Gods fulness is infinite as it hath its Resplendency so its Redundancy it knows neither bounds nor bottom 2. It is a constant fulness The fulness of the creature is a mutable fulness it ebbs and changeth I could saith one have helped you but now my Estate is low the blossoms of the Fig-tree are soon blown off creatures cannot do that for us which once they could but God is a constant fulness Psal 102.27 Thou art the same God can never be exhausted his fulness is over-flowing and ever-flowing then surely it is good to draw nigh to God Psal 73.28 it is good bringing our Vessels to this spring-head 't is a never-failing goodness 2. Why God doth fill the hungry soul The Reasons are 1. God will fill the hungry soul out of his tender compassion he knows else the Spirit would fail before him and the soul which he hath made Isa 57.16 If the hungry man be not satisfied with food he dyes God hath more bowels than to suffer an hungry soul to be famished when the Multitude had nothing to eat Christ was moved with compassion and he wrought a miracle for their supply Matth. 15.32 Much more will he compassionate such as hunger and thirst after righteousness When a poor sinner sees himself almost starved in his sins as the Prodigal among his husks and begins to hunger after Christ saying There is bread enough in my Fathers house God will then out of his infinite compassions bring forth the fatted Calf and refresh this soul with the delicacies and provisions of the Gospel oh the melting of Gods bowels to an hungry sinner Hosea 11.8 My heart is turned within me my repentings are kindled We cannot see a poor creature at the door ready to perish with hunger but our bowels begin to relent and we afford them some relief and will the Father of mercies let a poor soul that hungers after the blessings of the Gospel go away without an Alms of free-grace no he will not he cannot let the hungry sinner think thus Though I am full of wants yet my God is full of bowels 2. God will fill the hungry that he may fulfill his Word Psal 107.9 Jer. 41.14 Luke 6.21 Blessed are ye that hunger now for ye shall be filled Isa 44.3 I will poure water upon him that is thirsty I will poure my Spirit upon thy seed c. Hath the Lord spoken and shall it not come to pass promises are obligatory if God hath passed a promise he cannot go back Thou that hungerest after righteousness hast God engaged for thee he hath to speak with Reverence pawned his truth for thee As his compassions fail not Lam. 3.22 so he will not suffer his faithfulness to fail Psal 89.33 If the hungry soul should not be filled the
off the ruggedness in mens spirits grace turns the Vulture into a Dove the Bryar into a Myrtle Tree * Isa 55.13 the Lyon-like fierceness into a Lamb-like gentleness Isa 11.7 8. The wolf also shall dwell with the Lamb and the Leopard shall lie down with the Kid c. It is spoken of the power which the Gospel shall have upon mens hearts it shall make such a Metamorphosis that those who before were full of rage and antipathy shall now be made peaceable and gentle The Leopard shall lie down with the Kid. SECT 1. Peaceableness a Saints Character Use 1 IT shews us the Character of a true Saint he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Inform. given to peace he is the Keeper of the peace he is filius pacis a son of peace Caution Not but that a man may be of a peaceable spirit yet seek to recover that which is his due if peace hath been otherwise sought and cannot be attained a man may go to Law and yet be a peaceable man It is with going to Law as it is with going to War when the Rights of a Nation are invaded as 2 Chron. 20.2 3. and peace can be purchased by no other means than War here it is lawful to beat the Plough-share into a Sword so when there is no other way of recovering ones right but by going to Law a man may commence a suit in Law yet be of a peaceable spirit Going to Law in this case is not so much striving with another as contending for a mans own it is not to do another wrong but to do himself right it is a desire rather of equity than victory I say as the Apostle 1 Tim. 1.8 The Law is good if a man use it lawfully Quest Is all peace to be sought how far is peace lawful Answ Peace with men must have this double limitation 1. The peace a godly man seeks is not to have a league of amity with sinners though we are to be at peace with their persons yet we are to have war with their sins we are to have peace with their persons as they are made in Gods image but to have war with their sins as they have made themselves in the Divels image David was for peace Psal 120.7 but he would not sit upon the Ale-bench with sinners Psal 26.4 5. Grace teacheth good nature we are to be civil to the worst but not twist into a cord of friendship that were to be Brethren in iniquity Eph. 5.11 Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness Jehoshaphat though a good man was blamed for this 2 Chron. 19.2 Shouldst thou help the ungodly and love them that hate the Lord The fault fault was not that he entertained civil peace with Ahab but that he had a league of friendship and was assistant to Ahab when he went contrary to God therefore there was wrath upon Jehoshaphat from the Lord Ver. 2. We must not so far have peace with others as to endanger our selves If a man hath the plague we will be helpful to him and send him our best Receits but we are careful not to have too much of his company or suck in his infectious breath So we may be peaceable towards all nay helpful pray for them councel them relieve them but let us take heed of too much familiarity lest we suck in their infection In short we must so make peace with men that we do not break our peace with conscience Hebr. 12.14 Follow peace and holiness we must not purchase peace with the loss of holiness 2. We must not so seek peace with others as to wrong truth Prov. 23.23 Buy the truth and sell it not Peace must not be bought with the sale of truth truth is the ground of faith the rule of manners truth is the most orient gem of the Churches Crown truth is a depositum or charge that God hath intrusted us with we must God with our souls he trusts us with his truths we must not let any of Gods truths fall to the ground * Petius ruat coelum quam pereat una mica veritatis Luth. the least filings of this gold are precious we must not so seek the flower of peace as to lose the pearle of truth Some say let us unite but we ought not to unite with Errour What communion hath light with darkness 2 Cor. 6.14 There are many would have peace with the destroying of truth peace with Arminian Socinian Antiscripturist this is a peace of the Divels making Cursed be that peace which makes War with the Prince of peace though we must be peaceable yet we are bid to contend for the faith Jude 3. We must not be so in love with the golden Crown of peace as to pluck off the jewels of truth rather let peace go than truth the Martyrs would rather lose their lives than let go the truth SECT 2. Containing a Reproof of such as are unpeaceable IF Christians must be peaceable-minded what shall we Use 2 say to those who are given to strife and contention Exhort who like Flax or Gun-powder if they be but touch'd are all on fire how far is this from the spirit of the Gospel 't is made the note of the wicked Isa 57. They are like a troubled Sea there is no rest or quietness in their spirits but they are continually casting forth the fome of passion and fury We may with Strigelius wish even to dye to be freed from the bitter strifes which are among us There are too many like the Salamander who live in the fire of broyles and contentions Jam. 3.14 15. If ye have bitter envying and strife this wisdom descends not from above but is Divellish the lustful man is Brutish the wrathful man is Divellish Every one is afraid to dwell in an house which is haunted with evil spirits yet how little afraid are men of their own hearts which are haunted with the evil spirit of wrath and implacableness And which is much to be laid to heart the divisions of Gods people Gods own Tribes go to War In Tertullians time it was said See how the Christians love one another but now it may be said See how the Christians snarle one at another Saevis inter se convenit Ursis Wicked men agree together when those who pretend to be led by higher principles are full of animosities and heart-burnings Was it not sad to see Herod and Pilate uniting and to see Paul and Barnabas falling out Acts 15.39 When the Disciples called for fire from heaven Ye know not saith Christ what manner of spirit ye are of Luk. 9.56 As if the Lord had said This fire you call for is not zeal but is the wilde-fire of your own passions this spirit of yours doth not suit with the Master you serve the Prince of peace nor the work I am sending you about which is an Embassage of peace 't is Satan who kindles the fire of contention in mens
Expedient Be ye kind one to another Ephes 4.32 3. Look not upon the failings of others but their graces there is no perfection here We read of the spots of Gods children Deutr. 32.5 The most golden Christians are some grains too light Oh let us not so quarrel with the infirmities of others as to pass by their vertues If in some things they fail in other things they excel 'T is the manner of the world to look more upon the Sun in an Eclipse than when it shines in its full lustre 4. Pray to God that he will send down the Spirit of peace into our hearts we should not as Vultures prey one upon another but pray one for another Pray that God will quench the fire of contention and kindle the fire of compassion in our hearts one to another So much for the first thing in the Text implied that Christians should be peaceable-minded I proceed to the second expressed That they should be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Peace-makers SECT 5. Pressing Christians to be Peace-makers Doctr. 2 THAT all good Christians ought to be peace-makers Doctr. 2 they should not only be peaceable themselves but make others to be at peace as in the body when a joynt is out we set it again so it should be in the body Politick When a garment is rent we sowe it together again when others are rent asunder in their affections we should with a spirit of meekness sow them together again Had we this excellent skill we might glue and unite dissenting spirits I confess it is oft a thankless office to go about to reconcile differences * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gr. Naz. Acts 7.27 Handle a bryar never so gently it will go near to scratch he that goes to interpose between two Fencers many time receives the blow but this duty though it may want success as from men yet it shall not want a blessing from God Blessed are the peace-makers O how happy were England if it had more peace-makers Abraham was a peace-maker Gen. 13.8 Moses was a peace-maker Exod. 2.13 and that ever to be honoured Emperor Constantine when he called the Bishops together at that first Council of Nice to end Church-controversies they having instead of that prepared bitter invectives and accusations one against another Constantine took their papers and rent them gravely exhorting them to peace and unanimity Use 1. Reproof It sharply reproves them that are so Use 1 far from being peace-makers that they are peace-breakers Reproof If blessed are the peace-makers then cursed are the peace-breakers If peace-makers are the children of God then peace-breakers are the children of the Divel Hereticks destroy the truth of the Church by Error and Schismaticks destroy the peace of it by division the Apostle sets a bâ—â—nd upon such Rom. 16.17 Mark those which cause divisions and avoid them Have no more to do with them than with Witches or Murderers The Divel was the first peace-breaker he divided man from God he like Phaeton set all on fire There are too many make-bates in England whose sweetest Musick is in discord who never unite but to divide as it was said of one of the Arian Emperours he procured unity to prevent peace * Unitatem procurat ne pax sit How many in our dayes may be compared to Sampsons Fox-tails which were tyed together only to set the Philistines Corn on fire Judges 15.4 5. Sectaries unite to set the Churches peace on fire these are the persons Gods soul hates Prov. 6.19 Sowers of discord among Brethren these are the children of a curse Deutr. 27.24 Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly That is who backbites and so sets one friend against another if there be a Divel in mans shape it is the Incendiary Use 2 Use 2. It exhorts to two things Exhort 1. Let us take up a bitter lamentation for the divisions of England the wild Beast hath broken down the hedge Branch 1 of our peace we are like an house falling to ruine if the Lord doth not mercifully under-prop and shore us up None of the sons of England comfort her but rather rake in her bowels Will not an ingenuous child grieve to see his mother rent and torn in pieces It is reported of Cato that from the time the Civil Wars began in Rome between Cesar and Pompey he was never seen to laugh or shave his beard or cut his hair That our hearts may be sadly affected with these our Church and State-divisions let us consider the mischief of divisions 1. They are a Prognostick of much evil to a Nation here that Rule in Philosophy holds true omne divisibile est corruptibile When the vail of the Temple did rend in pieces it was a sad omen and fore-runner of the destruction of the Temple the rending the vail of the Churches peace betokens the ruine of it Josephus observes that the City of Hierusalem when it was besieged by Titus Vespasian had three great factions in it which destroyed more than the enemy and was the occasion of the taking it How fatal intestine divisions have been to this Land Cambden and other learned Writers relate our discerptions and mutinies have been the scaling ladder by which the Romans and the Normans have formerly gotten into the Nation How is the bond of peace broken we have so many Schisms in the body and are run into so many particular Churches that God may justly unchurch us as he did Asia 2. It may afflict us to see the garment of the Churches peace rent because divisions bring an opprobrium and scandal upon Religion these make the ways of God evil spoken as if Religion were the fomenter of strife and sedition Julian in his invectives against the Christians said they lived together as Tygers rending and devouring one another and shall we make good Julians words 'T is unseemly to see Christs Doves fighting to see his lilly become a bramble Alexander Severus seeing two Christians contending commanded them that they should not take the name of Christians any longer upon them for saith he you dishonour your Master Christ Let men either lay down their contentions or lay off the coat of their profession 3. Divisions obstruct the progress of piety the Gospel seldom thrives where the apple of strife grows the building of Gods spiritual Temple is hindered by the confusion of tongues Division eats as a worm and destroys the peaceable fruits of righteousness * Hebr. 12.11 In the Church of Corinth when they began to divide into Parties one was for Paul and another for Apollo there were but few for Christ confident I am Englands divisions have made many turn Atheists 2. Let us labour to heal differences and be repairers Branch 2 of breaches Blessed are the peace-makers 1. Jesus Christ was a great peace-maker he took a long journey from heaven to earth to make peace 2. Peace and unity is a great means for the corroborating and strengthning the Church
end of the Creature to bring glory to God better lose our lives than lose the end of our living 3. The fuller we are of Fruit the more we are like Christ who was full of grace and truth Joh. 1.14 he received Spirit without measure Joh. 3.34 This Tree of life was ever bearing and he brought forth several sorts of Fruit Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification c. The more we are filled with the fruits of righteousness the more we resemble the Sun of Righteousness We were elected to this end to be made like Christ Rom. 8.30 and then are we most like this blessed Vine when we bear full clusters 4. The more fruit a Christian brings forth the more will Christ love him Now saith Leah will my husband be joyned unto me because I have born him three sons Gen. 29.34 When we bear much fruit now will Christs heart be joyned to us If Christ builds a nest of comfort it is in those Trees which fructifie most though the Lord Jesus doth accept of the truth of grace yet he commends only the degrees of grace Matth. 8.10 I have not found so great faith no not in Israel he sets a trophy of renown upon that Faith Christ will pardon a weak Faith he will honour a great Faith It was not a sparckle of love Christ commended in Mary Magdalen but love flaming Luke 7.74 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 she loved much Christians would you be as that beloved Disciple which leaned on the bosome of Jesus would you have much love from Christ let him have much fruit from you 5. Bearing much fruit will usher in abundance of comfort into the soul in these two Exigences 1. In the hour of tentation Satan wiil be sure to besiege the weakest Christian all his darts fly that way and a strong tentation may overcome a weak faith but a flourishing Faith stands like a Cedar and is not blown down by the wind of tentation a strong Faith can stop the mouth of the Divel that roaring Lion 1 Pet. 5.9 2. Store of fruit will give comfort in the hour of death a little danger will make us above the danger of death but degrees of grace will make us above the fear of death O what joy will it be on the death-bed when a Christian can bring his sheaves full of Corn when he can show his five Talents that he hath gained by trading when there is not only a drop or two of Oyle but his Lamp full of Oyl what though the Divel show God our debts if we can show him our fruit O how sweet will death be it will not be interitus but introitus not a destruction but a deliverance * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost Death like a whirlwind may blow down the tree of the body but it cannot blast the Fruit of our graces The Trees of Righteousness carry their fruit with them Rev. 14.13 Their works follow them The Christian who abounds in holiness may say as Simeon Luke 2.29 Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace He who bears but a little fruit departs in safety but he who bears much fruit departs in peace 6. Consider what need we have to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 putting forth still more Fruit our graces are yet in their non-age indeed in heaven this Doctrine will be out of season we shall not need to hear it then we shall have done growing being arived at our full stature then our light shall be clear and our love perfect but while we live here there is something * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lacking in our faith 1 Thes 3.10 therefore we had need encrease the stock of grace and bring forth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more fruit Our grace is eclipsed with sin our Faith is full of unbelief now as when the Sun is Eclipsed it is by degrees getting out of the Eclipse and it shines brighter and brighter till it recover its perfect lustre so it must be with us we must be getting out of the Eclipse till we shall arrive at our perfect lustre in glory 7. He who doth not encrease to more fruitfulness will soon be on the losing hand he that hath not more faith will quickly have lesse non progredi est regredi Rev. 2.4 Thou hast left thy first love It is with grace as it is with fire if it be not blown up and encreased it will soon decay Such as thrive not in their spiritual estate we may perceive sadly to decline Though a Christian cannot lose the seed of grace 1 John 3.9 yet he may lose the actings of grace and the comfort therefore bring forth more fruit no sooner doth a Christian begin to stand still but you may perceive him going backward 8. The more your fruit is encreased the more your glory will be encreased he whose pound gained ten was made Ruler over ten Cities Luke 19.16 17. If you would have your Crown hung full of jewels let your boughs be hung full of fruit 4. The last use is of Direction I shall lay down some Use 4 means to fruitfulness Direction 1. Be sensible of unfruitfulness Many might have been fruitful in grace if they had not conceited themselves so he that thinks himself fruitful enough is barren enough be sensible of your wants 't is better to complain than presume 2. If you would be fruitful remove those things which will hinder fruitfulness 1. Cherishing any secret lust in the heart sin lived in is like Vermin to the tree which destroyes the fruit grace cannot thrive in a sinful heart In some soil plants will not grow the cherishing of sin is the withering of the Fruit. 2. The love of riches The cares of the world choaked the seed Matth. 13. The love of sin poisons the Fruit the love of riches choaks it This is like a blast upon trees it destroyes the pretious Fruits of godliness Love not the world 1 Joh. 2.15 3. The third means to fruitfulness is weeping for sin Moisture helps germination in trees holy tears do water the trees of God and make them more fruitful Mary Magnalen a weeping plant how fruitful was she in love to Christ moist grounds as your Marshes are more fertile the soul that is moistened and steeped in tears is most frugiferous never did Davids graces flourish more than when he watered his Couch with tears When the Plant hath been pricked whereby it lets forth gumm or tears it is fuller of Fruit and the Fruit is sweeter That Christian who hath been pricked at heart for sin whereby he lets forth plenty of tears beareth the sweetest Fruits of grace Moisture helps fruitfulnesse 4. If you would be fruitful often apply the blood of Châ—ist and the Promises 1. Apply the blood of Christ Naturalists say that blood applyed to the Root of some trees makes them bear better Sure I am the blood of Christ applyed to the heart makes it flourish more in holiness None so fruitful as a Believer
to be gray-headed in Religion what a credit when it shall be said of him His last works are better than his first Revel 2.19 A good Christian is like wine full of spirits which is good to the last drawing A Limner makes his last work more compleat and curious blessed is that man who the nearer he is to death moves swifter to the heavenly Center FINIS THE TABLE Alphabetical A. ABusers of their souls page 462 Acceptance through Christ 422 Adoption wherein it consists 291 Afflictions no sign of Gods anger 321 322 Afflictions light 395 Angels in some sence inferiour to Saints 319 Anger opposite to meekness 133 Appearance of sin to be avoided 242 Appearing of Christ 579 Arguments to brotherly love 618 Assurance to be laboured after p. 437 Assurance though feisible yet difficult to be attained 440 It is useful 441 How this jewel of assurance may be had 442 B. BAlm of Gilead 490 Beauty of grace 511 Blessedness in reversion 17 Wherein blessedness doth not consist 18 Wherein it doth consist 24 Believe a blessedness to come 27 The godly in some sense blessed in this life 31 32 Blood of Saints pretious 317 C. CHearfulness 588 Childship a state of freedom 332 Children of God 290 291 They labour to make others Gods Children 310 They have boldnesse in Prayer 331 All things turn to their gaod 335 They shall never finally perish 338 They should endeavour to carry themselves as Children 343 Christ the best of Preachers 2 Christ our Righteousness 421 Christ a most transcendent blessing 432 Christ a soul-Physitian 485 Why a Physitian 486 The best Physitian 493 Christs love to his Patients 495 Christ can cure a relapse 504 Christianity no disgraceful thing 60 The nature of Christianity 363 Christians should shine forth in their Relations 594 Comforts belonging to mourners in this life 108 111 In the life to come p. 125 Commands of God not grievous 402 Concatenation of the Graces 38 Conversation must be pure 246 Covetousness a multiplying sin 234 235 D. DAnger of despair 98 99 Dangerous to phancy sin less than it is 101 Deceit of the heart 538 539 Dead in sinne healed by Christ 498 Debt of love differs from other debts 624 Degrees of fruit 607 Deriding holiness a fatal sinne 237 Desertion 323 Differences between true and false desires 194 195 Differences between the Christian race and other 559 Divisions dangerous 626 E. EMissaries of Satan 8 Examples of meekness 143 Excellency of grace 516 Excellency of the mourners comfort 113 Exhortation ton to mutual love p. 627 F. FAith in our heavenly Physiitian 505 Faith makes us Children 952 Faith a suffering grace 381 How faith enables to suffer 382 Fences about the heart 550 Fear an enemy to suffering 370 Fickleness of the heart 540 Flesh not to be listned to 371 Forethoughts of sufferings 366 Forgiving of injuries 138 Forsaking of sinne may have its deceits 241 Fruitfulness 591 Fruit in the season 595 Exhortation to fruitfulness 604 Fulness of Christ 417 G. GOod Conscience 373 Glory proportioned to the service we do for God 65 Godly have cause to long for death 61 Gospel-precepts facill compar'd with the severity of the Law 409 Grace severally taken in Scripture 512 Grace not bestowed on all p. 514 Grace quickneth the soul 516 Grace enricheth 517 Grace adorneth 518 Grace a Spiritual perfume 520 Grace the ballast of the soul 523 Grace fits for glory 523 524 How grace is to be obtained 526 H. HArdness of heart dangerous 87 Heart-custody 529 Heart kept with all kind of keeping 531 At all times 534 Heart the Fountain of our actions 541 Motives to heart-custody 552 Hindrances of the successe of the Word 9 10 Honour of Gods children 315 Honour to suffer for Christ 391 Hope of a Christian 576 Hope and Faith differenced 577 Signs of a true hope 583 How Christ heals 489 Hunger of the soul described 153 A reproof of those who have no spiritual hunger 156 Who hunger after unrighteousness 160 Signs of Spiritual hunger 162 Helps to spiritual hunger p. 170 Hungry shall be filled 172 173 I. IMpure hearts deciphered 229 230 Interest in Christ to be laboured after 431 Joys of heaven resembled to a feast 116 K. KEeping the heart 531 Kingdom of heaven excells other Kingdoms 56 57 How we may know we belong to it 62 Thoughts of this Kingdom sweetens poverty 66 Knowledge alone will not make a man happy 633 634 L. LIfe to be denied for Christ 377 Loss of the soul foolish 464. Fatal 465 Love of God in making us his children 313 Love to be centred on Christ 445 Love to Gods Children 307 Love of the world an enemy to suffering 369 Love among Christians 616 617 M. MAlice mental murder 134 Manner of the Spirits comforting p. 111 112 Manner of our seeing God in heaven 259 Means of a Spiritual cure 507 Meekness what it is 132 Motives to meekness 145 146 Directions for meekness 152 Mercifulness 180 Mercifulness to mens souls 183 Names 188 Estates 193 Offences 194 Wants 195 Exhortatâ—â—n to mercifulness 206 Motives to mercifulness 210 Rules about showing mercy 218 Ministers must take all opportunities for soul-service 6 Ministers Seedsmen 7 Their dignity 12 Ministers under the torrid zone of persecution 354 What need there is of Ministers in the Church 477 Misery of a Christless person 428 Mourners are blessed 67 Sin the object of mourning 69 What is not the right mourning for sin 70 What is the right mourning p. 72 Mourn for the sins of others 80 For the miseries of the Church 82 Seasons of mourning 83 Degrees of mourning 85 Motives to mourning 91 Hinderances of mourning 98 Helps to mourning 106 N. NAmes of others not to be wronged 188 189 Nicities in Religion too much minded 159 This discovers want of appetite ibid. O. OBjections of sinners answered 501 502 Opposites to meekness 133 Opposite to mourning 86 Ordination needful for Preachers 4 5 6 Outward things not suitable to the soul 20 Not durable 21 P. PAssions to be watched over 548 Patience abused grows furious 105 Patience a Christians Armour of proof p. 386 Peaceable mindedness 269 Motives to it 277 Peace-makers blessed 285 People to encourage their Ministers 14 15 Persecution 347 VVhy it must be 351 352 What that persecution is which will not make a man blessed 358 What that is will make him blessed 359 A reproof to such as refuse to suffer persecution 364 To such as inflict persecution 365 How to prepare for persecution 368 Persecution cannot hinder blessedness 397 Poverrty of spirit 41 How poverty of spirit differs from humility 42 How from self-denial ibid. Why Christians must be poor in spirit 43 Signs of poverty of Spirit 47 Practice of Religion makes us happy 638 What it is hinders practice 642 Pretiousness of the soul 451 Pride of spirit dangerous 45 Priviledges of Gods Children 320 Procrastination dangerous 103 Promises made to suffering p. 388 Purity of heart 222 Why we must be pure 224 Why the heart must be 226 Purity the souls beauty 227 Signs of a pure heart 238 An exhortation to peart purity 248 Means for heart purity 254 R. REasons why mourners want comfort 122 123 Reasonings of the flesh dangerous 379 Recompencing good for evil 140 141 Regarding iniquity what it is 231 Regeneration 301 Rejoycing in Christ 448 Religion a Race 554 Reproof to be taken kindly 479 Reverence in Gods worship 245 Rewards for Christs Martyrs 399 Righteousness what it implies 154 Righteous person who 368 S. SAints perseverance 524 Saints glorified are Kings 53 Scandals p. 415. Self-denial needful for suffering 375 Scripture to be resorted to 374 Signs of Gods Children 298 Signs of sincerity 238 Sins commands grievous 411 Sin a deadly evil 106 Sin a soul desease 469 How resembled to sickness 469 470 Sin the worst sickness 475 Sick souls think themselves well 481 The reasons of that mistake 482 Sin spreads over the whole soul 470 471 Sin a spiritual sleep 545 Soul more precious than a world 458 Spirit of Adoption a Spirit of supplication 302 303 Sufferings of Christ 392 Suffering-graces 381 T. TEaching 330 Tears pretious 92 Tenderness of heart 299 Thankfulness for Christ 450 Thoughs to be watched over 549 Tongue-persecution 350 Torments of the damned unexpressably grievous 412 Trial of grace p. 526 Truth to be prized 373 V. VAnity of the Creature 425 Vindication of the Church of England 200 Vision of God in heaven glorious 260 It will be speedy 264 Unbelief how great a sin 233 Unfruitfulness 600 Unmercifulness reproved 203 Unworthiness should not keep us from Christ p. 501 W. WAant of love reproved 625 Watchfulness needful in prosperity 537 Witness of the Spirit 305 Word of God healing 489 Works commendable 201 Z. Zeal 305 FINIS
joy God poures the golden oyle of comfort into broken Vessels the Mourners heart is emptied of pride and God fills the empty with his blessing the Mourners tears have helped to purge out corruption and after purging physick God gives a Julip The Mourner is ready to faint away under the burden of sin and then the bottle of strong water comes seasonably The Lord would have the incestuous person upon his deep humiliation to be comforted lest he should be swallowed up with over much sorrow 2 Cor. 2.7 This is the Mourners priviledge he shall be comforted the Valley of tears brings the soul into a Paradise of joy a sinners joy brings forth sorrow the mourners sorrow brings forth joy John 16.22 Your sorrow shall be turned into joy The Saints have a wet seed-time but a joyful Harvest 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They shall be comforted SECT I. Showing the mourners comforts here NOw to illustrate this I shall show you what the comforts are the mourners shall have These comforts are of a divine infusion and they are two-fold either Here or Hereafter * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost 1. Comforts here 1. COMFORTS HERE They are called the consolations of God Job 15.11 That is Great comforts such as none but God can Give they exceed all other comforts as far as heaven doth earth The root on which these comforts grow is The blessed Spirit he is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Comforter John 14.26 and comfort is said to be a fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 Christ did purchase peace the Spirit speaks peace Quest How doth the Spirit comfort Answ Either Mediately or Immediately 1. Mediately By helping us to apply the Promises to ourselves and draw water out of those Wells of salvation we lie as dead children at the breast till the Spirit helps us to suck the breast of a Promise and when the Spirit hath taught Faith this Art now comfort flows in O how sweet is the breast-milk of a Promise 2. The Spirit comforts immediatly The Spirit by a more direct act presents God to the soul as reconciled it sheds his love abroad in the heart from whence flows infinite joy Rom. 5.5 The Spirit secretly whispers Pardon for sin and the sight of a Pardon dilates the heart with joy Matth. 9.2 Be of good chear thy sinnes are forgiven thee That I may speak more fully to this point I shall show you the qualifications and excellencies of these comforts which God gives his mourners 1. These comforts are real comforts the Spirit of God cannot witness to that which is untrue There are many in this age do pretend to comfort but their comforts are meere impostures the body may as well swell with wind as with flesh a man may as well be swelled with false as true comforts * Distinguendum est inter Gaudia Veritatis Vanitatis Aug. The comforts of the Saints are certain they have the seal of the Spirit set to them Ephes 1.13 2 Cor. 1.22 A seal is for confirmation when a Deed is sealed it is firme and unquestionable When a Christian hath the seal of the Spirit stamped upon his heart now he is confirmed in the love of God Quest Wherein do these comforts of the Spirit which are unquestionably sure differ from those which are false and pretended Answ Three ways 1. The comforts of Gods Spirit are laid in deep conviction John 16.7 8 and when he that is the Comforter verse 7. is come he shall reprove or as the Greek word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he shall convince the world of sinne Quest Why doth conviction go before consolation Answ Conviction fits for comfort by conviction the Spirit doth sweetly dispose the heart to these two things 1. To seek after Christ When once the soul is convinced of sin and the hell that follows it now a Saviour is precious When the Spirit hath shot in the arrow of conviction now saith a poor soul where may I meet with Christ In what Ordinance may I come to enjoy Christ saw ye him whom my soul loves All the world for one glimpse of my Saviour 2. The Spirit by conviction makes the heart willing to receive Christ upon his own termes man by nature would article and indent with Christ he would take half Christ he would take him for a Saviour not a Prince he would accept of Christ as he hath an head of gold Cant. 5.11 but not as he hath the government upon his shoulders Isa 9.6 But when God le ts loose the spirit of bondage and convinceth a sinner of his lost undone condition now he is content to have Christ upon any termes When Paul was struck down to the ground by a spirit of conviction he cries out Lord what wilt thou have me to do Acts 9.6 Let God propound what Articles he will the soul will subscribe to them Now when a man is brought to Christs termes to beleeve and obey then he is fit for mercy when the Spirit of God hath been a Spirit of conviction then it becomes a spirit of consolation when the plough of the Law hath gone upon the heart and broken up the fallow ground now God sows the seed of comfort Those who brag of comfort but were never yet convinced nor broken for sin have cause to suspect their comfort to be a delusion of Satan It is like a mad mans joy who fancies himself to be King but it may be said of his laughter it is mad Eccles 2.2 The seed which wanted depth of earth withered Matth. 13. that comfort which wants depth of earth deep humiliation and conviction will soone wither and come to nothing 2. The Spirit of God is a sanctifying before a comforting Spirit as Gods Spirit is called the Comforter so he is called a spirit of grace Zach. 12.10 Grace is the work of the Spirit Comfort is the seal of the Spirit the work of the Spirit goes before the seal the graces of the spirit are compared to water Isa 44.3 and the comforts of the spirit are compared to oyle Isa 61.1 First God pours in the water of the spirit and then comes the oyle of gladnesse The oyle in this sence runs above the water Hereby we shall know whether our comforts are true and genuine Some talk of the comforting spirit who never had the sanctifying Spirit they boast of assurance but never had grace these are spurious joyes these comforts will leave men at death they will end in horror and despair Gods Spirit will never set seal to a Blank First the heart must be an Epistle written with the finger of the Holy Ghost and then it is sealed with the Spirit of Promise 3. The comforts of the Spirit are humbling Lord saith the soul What am I that I should have a smile from heaven and that thou shouldest give me a privy seal of thy love The more water is poured into a Bucket the lower it descends the fuller the ship is laden