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ANother cōfortable help [ 4] in a long journey especi∣ally if the beast which carry∣eth us be dull, or stumbling, is good furniture: In such an occasion who would willing∣ly set out without strong
reynes, a sharpe snaffle, a spur and switch to quicken his slow beast. Oh then what so∣lid and plentifull consolation will those Prophetical Scrip∣tures poure forth unto us. For when wee consider our unto∣ward disposition, by reason of so much sinne cleaving yet stil so fast unto us, when wee re∣member how slow and slip∣pery our affections are, which carry on our actions in the wayes of life, it cannot but be a great comfort that the Lord hath given us meanes to cast out this frowardnesse, and to bring into order our disorder∣ly nature. I will insist onely in two particulars of our cor∣ruption.
First, although our gracious [ 1] God hath by the light of his
Word as well discovered the way of life leading to him∣selfe, and cleared our eyes to discerne it, although hee hath given us the hystorie of his Saints as excellent Guides, to direct us, yet how dull and sluggish are we, how heavy in every good duty? How dull of hearing? How slow of heart to beleeve? Our hands hang downe, our knees how feeble? Now the words of the wise are as goads to quicken our sluggishnesse.
Secondly, wee are as slip∣pery as we are sluggish. I ap∣peale to any Christian who hath any knowledge of him∣selfe, what trouble, griefe, and wrastling hee findes in him∣selfe to hold fast his heart from starting and wandring in every service of God. If we
looke to our minds, how slip∣pery our memories? In re∣tayning that good word of God, very ••ievs.
In which respect we often enforce our gracious Teacher to chide with us. Can a Maid forget her ornaments, or a Bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me dayes without num∣ber. Doe you not remember the five loaves, &c. You have for∣gotten the exhortation. Our harts and affections how sliding? Nothing so deceitfull: readie to depart from the living God. Sa∣lomon loved the Lord, and wal∣ked in the waies of David his fa∣ther: But wee see how soone that love cooled in him. The Galatians loved Paul, even to plucke out their eyes, and give them to him. But how soone
left they to be zealously affected in that which was good? And as their affections were to the Minister of the Gospell, so to the Gospell it selfe, soone re∣moved to another Gospell. How fervent was that first love of the Ephesians? But it quickly decayed. The Israelites when they heard the Lord speake out of the fire, solemn∣ly protested, Speake thou unto us all that the Lord our God shall speake unto thee; and we wil heare and doe it. But how suddenly had they corrupted themselves, and turned out of the good way? How earnestly was Peter resolved, and vehemently promised, that he would dye with Christ, and not denie him. But oh how soone, how easily, and fearefully he slipt, and headlong fell into
an utter denyall with oathes and curses.
Now then when a Christi∣an is cast downe in the sight of this his sinful corruption, how comfortable is that Ordinance of God (which hee knoweth to bee appointed, assisted, and sanctified by the blessed Spi∣rit) as nayles, fastned and dri∣ven home, holding in, and keeping close his starting heart unto the feare of God, and not suffering it to warpe by this treacherous revol∣ting? Certainly, as that Word spoken by Christ, fiered the hearts of his Disciples, that they felt them to burne within, while he discoursed with them, & opened the Scriptures. So those faithfull Christians, who give up their hearts unto a constant
reading, hearing, and medita∣ting in that holy Word, shall experimentally find and feele it to bee a fire to thaw their frozen, dead, and sluggish spirits; to put forward and quicken them; strong bonds to tye and knit their wavering affections unto all constancie, and chearefulnesse in Gods service. How doth that re∣proving Word awaken Da∣vid, rouze, & rayse him from his deepe and long security? How doe those sweete pro∣mises quicken him, and, inlar∣ging his heart, hasten his feet to runne in the way of Gods Com∣mandements.
The same effects of this bles∣sed Ordinance our experience teacheth us, in which respect not onely those precious pro∣mises,
but even those sharpe reproofes also are sweet and comfortable: bitter indeede in the mouth, but sweete and very cordiall to the inward man; stirring up our sleepy nature, dashing out that sl••g∣gishnesse, and binding our hearts more close and fast in that feare of God, which is the very knot of our Cove∣nant.
Lastly, how welcome to [ 4] a weary Traveller is good companie, who will goe a∣long with him in the same way, and intend to lodge in the same Inne. Much com∣fort therefore will arise to us from those practicall Scrip∣tures, (Psalms, &c.) For how are we refreshed in our jour∣ney by those pleasing confe∣rences
which we enjoy with those blessed Saints.
Looke as in our Travell nothing more cheareth, and maketh us forget all wea∣rinesse, than good Company, discoursing of things profita∣ble, and delightfull: So, when we goe along with these bles∣sed Saints, in those practicall writings, opening their very hearts unto us, and unfolding the whole frame of the in∣ward man, how are wee re∣created and strengthned? How sweetly do we forget, & with little or no trouble swal∣low many difficulties & hard passages in our journy throgh this wretched world? How cōfortable is the Communion of Saints, even in this life? Our conversation with them is a
little Paradise. Oh how infi∣nite joy will flow from that holy fellowship in heaven? It is one, and not the least part of our happinesse, that we shall come to that general assembly, and the Church of the first-born which are written in heaven? Now then when wee here converse and conferre with them, it cannot but be a great delight and refreshing to our soules. And the more, because in all occurrents and occasions they will furnish us in any duty.
In receiving of any bles∣sing, how shall we see their hearts swell, and their lips overflow with all thankful∣nesse? How doe they melt in humiliation, and swimme in teares? How doe they shar∣pen their voyces in fervent
Heb. ••.11.
Luk. 24,25
Heb. 12,12
Eccl. 12.••1
Ier. 2.31.
Mat. 16.9.
Heb. 12 5.
Ier, 17. 9.
Heb. 3.12.
1 Kin. 3.3.
Gal. 4.15, 18.
Gal. 1.6.
Rev. 2.3•• 4
Deu. 5.27.
& 9.12.
Luk. 24.32
2 Sam 12.
Psal. 119. 32.50.
Heb. 12.23••
Psal. 51.••2