Ioy in tribulation. Or, Consolations for the afflicted spirits. By Phinees Fletcher, B.D. and minister of Gods Word at Hilgay in Norfolke

CHAP. XV. The application of this comfort by meditation.

NOw then when thou fin∣dest thy Spirit cast downe within thee, rowze it up with some such meditation.

How is it (my Soule) how is it, oh thou of little faith, that thus in the day of trouble thou refusest comfort?* 1.1 Hast thou not good leave, yea, a precious liberty, nay, a sweet command from thy gracious Lord,* 1.2 Is any man afflicted? let him pray. Oh my my Lord, Shall all flesh come unto thee, because thou hearest praier?* 1.3 And shall not I who have had so much experience,* 1.4 how often thou hast enclined thine eare unto me, shall

not I call upon thee as long as I live?* 1.5 In the verie day that I cried, thou hast answered mee, and strengthenest mee with the strength of thy right hand in my soule. Can I then want comfort, who have thine eare to heare me, thy compassion to pitty me, thy strong hand to relieve mee?* 1.6 Is there no time untimely in prayer, no season unseasonable, but the time of affliction the very set howre of audience? (Psa. 50. 15.) and shall I not then take hold of this privilege, and use it with cheerfulnesse? Oh my heavenly Father, even I a sin∣full wretch wil give any good thing to the childe of my bo∣dy, when he asketh: But if he desire me to teach him things profitable, his book, his trade,

his duty to thee, to my selfe, and others, how joyfully doe I heare him? how gladly doe I instruct him? how willingly reward him? How then shouldest thou (so infinitely good) so (beyond all that I can thinke) gracious & boun∣tifull, deny me thy poore crea∣ture begging of thee any thing that is truly good, especially when longing after thee & thy righteousnes, in this barren and thirstie land, my soule panteth and fainteth for thy presence, and for that holy Spirit, w••ereby I call upon thee Abba Father? Oh how shouldst thou not (according to thy Covenant) delight in me to doe me good, and as thou hast promised, rejoyce over me to give me my hearts desire?* 1.7

Now then thou, my gracious

Father, who art more ready to give thy Spirit,* 1.8 than wee to aske him, even that Spi∣rit of Prayer and supplica∣tion; Thou who hast com∣manded, Call upon mee in the time of trouble, and hast promi∣sed, I will heare thee; Heare now rhe supplication of thy servant, and when thou hea∣rest, be mercifull. Thou who commandest,* 1.9 Seeke my face, and hast given thy servant an heart to answer, Lord thy face will I seeke: oh hide not thy face from me, nor cast thy creature away in displeasure: Yea, oh my God, quickē thy servant in the sense of my want and miserie, and in the knowledge of thy pow∣erfull grace and mercy, alwaies to pray, and never to faint:* 1.10 So, though I walke in the midst of

troubles, thou wilt revive me, and perfect that which concerneth me.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Psal. 77.2.
• * 1.2

  Iam. 5.
• * 1.3

  Psal. 65.2.
• * 1.4

  Psal. 116. 2
• * 1.5

  Psal. 138.3
• * 1.6

  Iam. 5.13.
• * 1.7

  Zeph. 3.7••
• * 1.8

  Psal. 1••
• * 1.9

  Psa. 27.8,9
• * 1.10

  Ps. 138.7,••