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

CHAP. XXXII. Removing that tentation which riseth from comparison with other Chri∣stians.

ANother ordinary tentati∣on of Satan, is, when he worketh the humbled soule to compare the graces of some other with their

owne, and the meanes either common, and equall to both, or perhaps lesse to others, who yet (as he conceives) out∣strip him in grace; and so to discourage, and overthrow this worke of faith in him.

Oh (sayes a dejected spi∣rit) I have had more time, more seed, more labour be∣stowed on mee, farre more than such, or such a Christi∣an, and yet how fruitfull are they? But I, how barren, and bare in knowledge, in faith, in love, &c. how wonderfully have they outgrowne me?

But first, let such a troubled heart observe, that this de∣pressing, despising, and con∣demning our selves in respect of unfruitfulnesse, whereby we seeme to come short of o∣thers,

is an eminent grace of God, unto which, by promise, he hath tyed all his other gra∣ces. God gives grace to the ••um∣ble. And this is a certaine fruit of true humility.

S••condly, they are often deceived in their judgements. For know this, and remember it as a sure truth; the more thou hast profited in grace, and art enriched in this dura∣ble substance, the more cove∣tous will thy heart be of spi∣rituall gifts. When a world∣ling begins to taste the sweet∣nesse of earthly lucre, oh how greedily doth hee thirst after it? And though hee lay up treasure as dust, & gulp downe sinfull pleasure as water, yet a dry drop••ie possesseth him. The more he drinks, the more

he thirsts: so is it with that soule which being weaned from this, and in love with that world to come, is fired with an holy, and heavenly covetousnesse of spirituall riches: The more he bags up of those evelasting treasures, the more poore will he seeme to himselfe: oh how good a signe is it, when the riches of grace make thee poore in spi∣rit: when Christ speakes unto thee, as somtime to the church of Smyrna, I know thy tribulati∣on and poverty, but thou art rich. For as it is a certaine signe that he who supposes he knowes, beleeves, loves much, knowes nothing as hee ought to know: that when we thinke we are in∣creased in goods, and want no∣thing, then there is nothing

which we want not, Wee are wretched, poore, miserable, blinde, and naked: so when the desires sayling to the heavenly Jeru∣salem•• & filled with the breath of that holy Spirit, are carri∣ed so swiftly, that they thinke the actions stand still, and ei∣ther move not, or goe backe∣ward; certainly that heart which sends forth these de∣sires, is strong, and fervent in the life of grace.

Thirdly, if those whom [ 3] thou thus preferrest before thy selfe, were asked their o∣pinion, thou shouldst heare them heartily, and earnestly professe, and protest with sighes their many infirmities, as farre preferring thee, as thou them.

But withal, and above all re∣member,

and apply to this purpose that common axiom, That truth, or substance is not ca∣pable o•• more, or lesse. Suppose thy mis-conceit true, that thou wert farre inferiour in grace to many, who are farre youn∣ger in the life of grace than thou; this hinders not, but that thou hast the true life of Christ and his Spirit, as well, though not so full as they. Neither in this life, nor in the other, the eldest are ever the strongest. But as a childe, or weake man, troubled with much sicknesse, hath as true and very life as hee that is strong, and never tasted one sicke houre; so the weake Christian, held downe inten∣tation, hath as verily the life of God, as they who have out∣wrastled

Satan, and sinne, and enjoy much liberty, and en∣largement of spirit. Who doubts but that Paul, after conversion, though borne out of time, excelled in grace ma∣ny of the Apostles themselves: yet were they not onely li∣ving, but eminent members of Christ.

Apply these things to thy soule, and so cast out this wa∣vering in spirit, and those feares whi••h breed painfulnesse: And then endevour to ground thy assurance, and establish thy soule by some infallible and evident signes of thy ele∣ction and ••alvation.

Notes

• 1 Pet. 5,5.
• Mar. 5.3.
• Rev. 2.9,
• 1 Cor. 8.••.
• Rev. 2.17.
• 1 Ioh. 4.18