Medulla theologiæ, or, The marrow of divinity contained in sundry questions and cases of conscience, both speculative and practical : the greatest part of them collected out of the works of our most judicious, experienced and orthodox English divines, the rest are supplied by the authour / by Sa. Clarke ...

CHAP. XXXII. Questions, and Cases of Conscience about the comforts of Gods people.

Quest. HAve Gods people alwayes comfort in their souls?

Answ. God may hide his comforts from them for a time, but at length they shall shine out upon them again, Psal. 34.19.

Quest. Why doth God sometimes hide comfort from them?

Answ. First, To shew forth his wisdome, and [ I] power: the Lord knows how to enlighten their darkness, Psal. 112.4. To turn all things to the best, Rom. 8.28.

Secondly, Its the godly mans priviledge above all others, to finde God sweet to their souls, either in afflictions, or by deliverance out of them: and [ II] that

1. Because their persons are accepted with God, whereas others are re∣jected.

2. They are sealed with the earnest of Gods Spirit, and can goe to God in fervent prayer, which others cannot, Psal. 18.41.

3. They have the grace of repentance which removes sin, that caused God to hide his face.

4. They have patience which supports them till God returns with com∣fort.

Thirdly, Its one end of Gods much humbling, and afflicting his Chil∣dren, not to sink, or forsake them, but that at last his powerfull work may be [ III] shewed upon them for his glory, and their comfort, Deut. 8.16. Job 23.10. 1 Pet. 1.7.

Fourthly, God manifesteth hereby his care, and faithfulness in his pro∣mises, whereby he hath engaged himself not to leave them comfortless: Dr. [ IV] Taylor on Temp.

Quest. What is the onely way to finde comfort in the time of Spirituall di∣stresse?

Answ. To fly unto God, and seek it of him, Psal. 51.1, 2. and 120.1. and 73.25. &c. So did Paul, 2 Cor. 12.8.

Quest. Why must we do thus?

[ I] Answ. First, because there is a command for it, Psal. 50.15·

[ II] Secondly, There is a promise of success, Isa. 65.24.

[ III] Thirdly, There is ability in Cod to give a gracious issue to all our distresses, Pro. 18.8. Eph. 3.20.

[ V] Fourthly, He is ready to be found, and to afford that which is desired. Mercy pleaseth him, Mich. 7.18. He is near to all that call upon him, Psalm 145.18. So Psal. 46.1.

[ IV] Fifthly, Because he would have all his to seek to him, he furnishes them with the Spirit of prayer: For this end, Gal. 4.6. Rom. 8.26. Hieron on Psal. 51.

Quest. But hath God comforts wherewith to support his children in any fears and straits?

Answ. Yea, he hath such consolations, as will make a man sleep without a bed, live almost without a soul, they will make one bold in danger, qui∣et in trouble, and to live in the jaws of death. Nehem. 8.10. Act. 16.24. Psal. 3.5, 6. and 94.19.

Quest. But whence comes their strength?

[ I] Answ. First, Because they be Gods joys, the joyes of the Spirit, derived immediately from the Fountain, and things be purest, and strongest there.

Secondly, Because they are spiritual, and as spirits are more active then bodies, [ II] so spiritual things then bodily, and natural.

Thirdly, This comfort is most certain, and lasting; they (for the present) [ III] ouertop, and (for the future) overcome, and survive all other, both crosses, and comforts.

Fourthly, It is independant, and in a sort all-sufficient, borrowing no help [ IV] from the creatures: Nature, and Art work with instruments, and by means: they cannot support without meat, strengthen without sleep, give sleep without warmth, nor warmth without a bed, &c. But God can, beyond means, without means work comfort, make one see in the darke, live in death.

Quest. But what be these comforts of God?

[ I] Answ. First, Precious promises, applyed by God in due season, and brought home to the heart, which revive the spirits more then any Balm.

Secondly, Strengthening graces, God powers the Spirit of Faith, patience, [ II] power, courage into his in due time, and they raise the hearr, as wine the fainting spirits, every saving grace is healing, strengthening, and establish∣ing.

[ III] Thirdly, Hourly experience of Gods care, and providence: As the childe never sees the love of a Mother so much, as when he is sick: So Gods children never finde God to be so good, as in their miseries, and that makes them pluck up their feet with Jacob, and to say with Paul, I know whom I have trusted: and with the Church, Thou wilt guide us unto the death, and after, receive us unto glory.

[ IV] Fourthly, Special peace of conscience, and joy of the holy Ghost, by new ex∣pressions of Gods favour, and ravishments of heaven. Then God opens hea∣uen, and they see their life, and Crowns, and so are carried over all.

Quest. When doth God thus comfort his?

Answ. First, when they most need it, as then the Mother brings out her Cor∣dials [ I]

when the childe is sick, when they be most humbled, and empty of them∣selves: After greatest humiliations, come greatest consolations.

Secondly, But especially in the day of tryal and persecution: The more the [ II] Divel bestirs him, the more God bestirs him. Thus the sweetest nights, that ever Jacob spent, were in the field: So with Peter in prison, Acts 12. and David had those large affections to rise at midnight, and Gods word was so sweet to him, when his troubles were bitter. Dr. Haris Peters enlargement.

Quest. Whence comes it to pass that Gods children oft want comfort?

Answ. They fault is in themselves, and it usually proceeds from some of these causes.

• 1. The are unkind to Christ, and repell the motions of his Spirit.
• 2. They improve not the pretious means of Salvation which they en∣joy.
• 3. They are careless of their conversation, and company.
• 4. They linger after carnal liberty, and ease.
• 5. They yeild to carnal Policy, and shifts to keep them off from the power of Religion that they may goe on in a lukewarm course.
• 6. They linger after earthly things and comforts, and wrap up themselves in fleshly Policy for ease.
• 7. They tremble not at Gods judgements, and threatnings, and at the signs of them. Dr. Sibs on Cant.