The strong helper, offering to beare euery mans burthen. Or, A treatise, teaching in all troubles how to cast our burden vpon God but chiefly deliuering infallible grounds of comfort for quieting of troubled consciences. By Iohn Haivvard.

CHAP. XXXI.

THE storme is ouer: our afflicted sinner by this time seeth no cause any longer to dreame of terrifiing death: and were it not that one d•…•…am of bitternes disseasoneth the com∣forts of life that God hath lent vnto him, he should grow to some reasonable temper. But one thing hee hath cause to complaine of, and let vs heare him, that we may (vnderstanding his griefe) be the better able to helpe him. Hee telleth vs of a heauie case, his sleepe he saith, is not quiet, but mixt with fearefull dreames:

at his table his minde taketh in more sad thoughts, then his mouth doeth bits of meate: the voice and face of his old ac∣quaintance and former friends doeth now reuiue his greefe, so oft as he doeth either see them, or heare them: the fairest roomes of his house, which he had trim∣med vp for his delight, if hee come into them, doe strike him with grieuous ter∣rour: and all those things that hee de∣lighted in before, are new matter of sor∣row and heauines vnto him, and it is his onely content (though without) to sit alone in darknesse. This hee taketh to be some curse of God folowing him, and an euident signe of Gods iust and fearefull anger following him: for what should make Gods good creatures, (other mens comforts) to be discom∣forts to him, but the onely displeasure of God?

To this I answer, that it is very likely that it is so, and will continue to bee so with him, so long as this burden of ac∣cusing thoughts lies heauy, remaining vpon his wounded conscience. It is a very kindly effect of it, that hath grow∣en out of it, and wil vanish with it. Thou

sleepest & catest, with a wounded heart; and hence it is, that while thou sleepest and eatest, thou still feelest the smart of thy wounded heart. Thy ancient friends and former woonted delights appeare vnto thee now, when thou art not fit to take pleasure in them, as before time thou didst, and that maketh thee at the present to be the more troubled, think∣ing vpon thine old liberty now lost. And the things prepared for thy pleasure while thou wert capable of pleasure in the contrary disposition of thine heart, (bent altogether to feare and sorrow) doe now bring •…•…orth a contrary effect vnto thee, euen increase of sorrow. And a desire of shaddow and solitarienesse (though they be hurtfull) doth follow a grieued minde, as Ieremy saith of the man that beareth the yoke in his youth, Hee sitteth alone and keepeth silence, be∣cause he hath borne it vpon him. And this desire of darknesse and solitarinesse, ei∣ther is an effect of mortification in him that is crucified to the world (seeing the world crucified to him) or else it grow∣eth, partly out of shame, and partly out of anger, that things are in no better

tune: and vpon the recouering of thy peace, and ceasing of thy temptation, this trouble will certainly vanish away. In the meane time, giue place to this griefe as little as thou canst, and striue to reioyce in the Lord, and in the good blessings hee hath bestowed vpon thee, & pray him that bestowed good things vpon thee, to giue thee a free heart to take comfort in his guiftes, that thou maiest be prouoked to praise his name. And withall, craue and vse the counsell and helpe of some learned and skilfull Physician, for there is somthing in this griefe, that hath neede of his iudgement and diligence. And the God of hope fill thee withal ioy, and peace in beleeuing, that thou maiest abound in hope, thorow the power of the holy Ghost. Amen.

And now after some delay in answe∣ring such obiections, as the vnquiet soule hath made out of his grieuous feare, let vs grow vnto a conclusion, concerning this burden of accusing thoughts: and let vs gather together briefly & orderly, the scatterd grounds of hope, that this burden may be cast off (when God shall be pleased to giue his

blessing) and the scattered rules of aduice, that teach how to cast it vpon God.

And for grounds of hope, that this burden of accusing thoughts may bee cast off vpon God for the sinners •…•…ase, it hath beene shewed and proued. First, that his sinne, not being that sinne that is called blasphemy against the holy Ghost, is a pardonable sinne, though certainly worthy of a thousand damna∣tions. According to that saying of Christ in the gospel, Verily I say vnto you, all sinnes shalbe forgiuen to the children of men and blasphemies wherewith they blas∣pheme. Secondly, that the Lord Iesus Christ hath commanded him, and by his commandement, giuen him leaue to aske forgiuenesse of sinnes, and hath drawen for him a forme of petition, by which to craue that forgiuenesse of our heauenly Father, when he taught him in the Gospel to say, Forgiue vs our sinnes, for euen wee forgiue euery man that is in∣debted to vs. Thirdly, that God the fa∣ther of our Lord Iesus Christ, who is rich in mercy to all that call vpon him, hath promised, both to forgiue, and to

forget all our sinne and iniquity. In thos•…•… gracious words record•…•…d by Iere∣my, I will forg•…•…ue their iniquity, and re∣member thei•…•… sinnes no more. Fourth∣ly, the condi•…•…ions to bee obserued on our part, which God requireth where hee forgiueth sinnes, and vpon which hee doth most assuredly forgiue sinnes, haue beene shewed to be these three.

First, repentance bringing forth in vs amendmēt of life, according to that say∣ing o•…•… the Lord in Ezek•…•…el, I•…•… the wicked will returne from all his sins that he hath committed and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawfull and right, hee shall surely liue, and shall not die: all his trans∣gressions that he hath committed, they shal no: be mentioned vnto him but in his righ∣teousnesse that he hath done, he shall liue. Secondly, loue vnto our brother, in forgiuing vnto him whatsoeuer wrong he hath done vnto vs: according to that saying o•…•… the Lord Iesus in the Gospel, If ye•…•… do•…•… forgiue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their trespasses, your 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Father 〈◊〉〈◊〉 also forgiue you. Thirdly, saith in God, expec•…•…ing at his hands that mercy that he hath promised

to grant, and ex•…•…cting it, in, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his sonne Iesus Christ his son•…•…e▪ Iesus Christ his 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all the promises of God are yea and amen. According to that most precious saying of the Lord in the Gospel, Uerily, verily 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to you, whatsoeuer yee shall aske th•…•… 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 my name, he will giue it y•…•…u. These are grounds of truth, giuing hope vnto vs, that the burden of accusing thoughts, may bee cast off and turned vpon God, for the case of the poore sinner.

The rules of adui•…•…e, in obseruing whereof this burden is cast vpon God, and the neglect whereof hindereth the ca•…•…ling of this burden vpon God, are these. First, that without deniall, excu sing, or extenuating of his sinne, he doe ingenuously and fully confesse vnto God his sinne, saying with the Pro∣phet in the Psalme, Against thee, a∣gainst thee onely haue I sinned, and done euill in thy sight. For hee that seeketh by any meanes to hide, extenuate, or excuse his sinne before God, as if he had not offended, or had not deser∣ued wrath by his offence, shall not bee pardoned, but he that freely confesseth,

shall finde fauour. Salomon saith in the Prouerbs, He that hideth his sinnes, shal not prosper, but he that confesseth and for∣saketh them, shal haue mercy. Secondly, let him patiently beare, and without all murmuring, the stroke of Gods hand, which his confessed sins conuince him to be most worthy of, and let him say with the Church, I will beare the wrath of the Lord because I haue sinned against him. For murmuring & impatience pro∣uoketh God more. The Prophet saith thus of God, With the froward thou wilt shew thy selfe froward. But patience win∣neth fauour at Gods hands for deliue∣rance. The Apostle Peter saith: Humble your selues vnder the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Third∣ly, he must now hate sinne that hath bin so chargeable vnto him, and inquire af∣ter the will of God, and do it. As Saint Peter likewise teacheth vs saying, amend your liues and turne, that your sinnes may bee done away. For hee that continueth with delight in sinne shal neuer finde fa∣uour, but heapeth vp more wrath vnto himselfe, against the day of wrath: the Prophet saith, Him that loueth iniquity

doth his soule hate. A fourth aduice is, that hee haue compassion vpon his fel∣low seruant, and forgiue the offences of his brother, putting from him all pur∣pose of seeking reuenge for iniuries re∣ceiued. As Saint Paul aduiseth saying, Forbearing one another, and forgiuing one another, if any man haue a quarrell to an∣other. For he that hath no pitty vpon his brother, and exacteth satisfaction of him, shall finde no pitty with God, and shall be solde to pay the vttermost far∣thing of his owne debt. As the Lord Iesus hath plainly said, If ye doe not for∣giue men their trespasses, no more will your father forgiue you your trespasses. A fifth aduice is, that he in•…•…orme himselfe daily more and more of the mercy of God, & merits of Iesus Christ, by searching the Scriptures, that doe beare witnesse ther∣to, that he may by this meanes grow to beleeue in God, whereunto the written word affordeth great helpe for the say∣ing of Iohn is true of all the Scriptures. These things are written that yee might be∣leeue. And without faith that staieth our mindes vpon God in the merit of his son there is no accesse vnto God, as wee are

taught by the Apostle saying, Without faith it is vnpossible to please God. Lastly, he must with sighes and grones, with humble and harty praiers, solicite the maiesty of God continually, that he will be pleased to respect him with fauour, and to forgiue his sinnes; as the Pro∣phet Hosea teacheth vs, saying, O Israel, returne vnto the Lord thy God, for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity: take vnto you words, and turne to the Lord, and say vnto him, take away all iniquity, and receiue vs graciously, so will wee render the calues of our lips. The neglect of this duty of pray∣ing to God, is esteemed to be a marke of a wicked man: For of them whom he calleth workes of iniquity, the Prophet saith, They call not vpon God. In these •…•…ew rules of confession, patience, repen∣tance, loue, faith, and praier, standes the right casting of this burden vpon God. These things let him practise con∣stantly, and God will ease his wearied conscience. And thus haue we declared, what burdens are heere meant; and what it is to cast euery such burden vp∣on God.

Which things vnderstood, wee haue

the Prophets meaning, in this precept of our text, Cast thy burden vpon the Lord: That is, in al thy trouble seeke helpe and deliuerance at 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hand, depending vpon him.

Notes

• A four∣teenth ob∣iection, all things are grieuous to him, that are pleasant to other men.
• Answere to this obiecti∣on.
• I. am. 3. 28.
• Rom 15. 13
• Conclusion concerning this burden of accusing thoughts.
• Grounds of hope that i•…•… may be cast off vpon God.
• Mark. 3. 28
• Luk▪ 11. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• Ier. 31. 34.
• Eze. 18. 21
• Math. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 14
• Io•…•…. 16. 23.
• Rul•…•… of ad∣ui•…•…, how to ca•…•…l this burden vpon God.
• Psal. 51. 4,
• Pro. 28. 13.
• Mic. 7. 9.
• Psa. 18. 26. 1. Pet. 5. 6.
• Act. 3. 19.
• Psa. 11. 5.
• Col. 3. 13.
• Mat. 6. 15.
• Ioh. 20. 31.
• Heb. 11. 6.
• Hos. 14. 1.
• Psal. 53. 4.