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. XXXVI.

NOW let vs for a Con∣clusion,* 1.1 Consider wherfore these pro∣mises were added. Euery one may rea∣dily perceiue & vn∣derstād the purpose of the Holy-ghost in it: namely, to incourage men to practise the aduice giuen them in the precept be∣fore, knowing, and assured by these pro∣mises, that their labour shall not bee in vaine. Then let vs make such vse of these promises, and seeing God will nourish his poore that wait vpon his hand, and will raise vp his righteous seruants that craue his helpe, and though he see, and suffer them to fall, yet wil not suffer them to fall for euer: Let vs come vnto him

with our burdens, and call to this strong helper to ease vs, to whom the Prophet truly saith in the Psalme, Thou Lord hast* 1.2 not failed them that seeke thee. They that trust to other helpes, euen to helps that are in their owne hands, being men of power, lik•…•…ly to breake thorow all diffi∣culties, they shall misse: but they that seeke help of the Lord, and cast their bur∣den vpon him, shall not misse. The Pro∣phet saith, The Lions do•…•… lacke and suffer* 1.3 hunger, but they which seeke the Lord shall want nothing that is good. The lion is the Lord of the forrest, he hath strength and courage to catch the prey. Such as bee the strong and commanding lions of the world shall be disappointed, when the sheepe of GODS pasture, seeking vnto him, shalbe fedde and preserued. And the rather seeke him, because he offereth himselfe to bee found; the rather bring your burdens vnto him, because he cal∣leth for them. Heare his voice, and take that course, that may turne to your souls peace. God speaketh thus in the Pro∣phecie* 1.4 of Esay▪ Ho, euery one that thir∣steth, come yee to the waters▪ and you that haue no siluer come buy and eate, come I

say, buy wine and milke without siluer, and with money: wherefore doe yee lay out siluer, and not for bread? and your la∣bour without being satisfied? Hea•…•…ken di∣ligently vnto mee, and eate that which is good, and let your soule delight in fatnesse: Incline your •…•…are, and come vnto me, heare and your soule shall liue. And I will make an euerlasting couenant with you, euen the sure mercies of Dauid. Heere God offe∣reth all mercies, all deliuerance, all sal∣uation; and offereth it freely, without desert, merit, price, or recompence, on∣ly if wee will come vnto him, will pray vnto him, hearken vnto him, and rest in him. You therefore that are hungrie, and weake, that are thirstie and faint, that are poore and emptie, that are sicke and pained, that are sorrowfull and hea∣uie, and that are laden and wearie; come vnto the strength of Israel▪ come vnto the Lord of Hostes, come vnto this mightie and strong helper, that offereth to beare your burdens, and to giue you case: and after the counsell of the Pro∣phet, Cast thy burden vpon the Lord, and hee shall nourish thee, he will not suffer the righteous to fall for euer. And vnto this

great Lord, our strong helper, euen to GOD the Father, GOD the Sonne, and GOD the Holy-ghost, three Persons, and one immortall and only wise God, be honor and power euerlasting, Amen.

2. Tim. chap. 4. v. 18.

The Lord will deliuer me from euerie euill worke, and will preserue mee to hi•…•… heauenly Kingdome: to whome bee praise for euer and euer. Amen.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The conclu∣si•…•…n of all.
• * 1.2

  Psa▪ 9. 10.
• * 1.3

  Psa. 34. 10.
• * 1.4

  Esay 55. 1.