Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity and duty of Gods children by the late Reverend and Faithfull Minister of Jesus Christ, John Preston ...

AN ANTIDOTE AGAINST HEART-FEARS.

JOHN 14. 1.

Let not your hearts be troubled.

THe point that we delivered out of these words was this; That

It is the will and advice of Christ our Lord and Master, that our hearts should be established, and not be troubled in the day of fear.

Now after we had delivered the reasons of this point, we came then to set down some means, how we might be capable of this advice and instruction, that our Lord and Saviour perswades us unto. Some of the means I have already opened unto you; four we handled in the fore-noon.

The first was, to set our selves another task, another

employment, and so divert our thoughts and affections from fears about these outward things. This point we opened at large, and shewed what effect it took in the case of Saint Paul and other Christians, Heb. 10. In Abrae∣ham, and his family in removing out of the Land where he had possessions: being he was mindful of another pos∣session in Heaven, and regarding not the possessions he left.

Again, a second means we delivered was this, to get a clear light to burn by us, that so we be not mistaken in the apprehension of things: for this ground was here de∣livered, that nothing works upon the heart and affections of a man according to the truth of it, but evermore ac∣cording to the apprehension. Indeed if the apprehensi∣on be joyned with truth, then it works according to the truth of it; or else the apprehension stirs up the affections. As in that example, Mark. 6. 49. The disciples were trou∣bled when they saw Christ himself supposing that he had been a spirit.

A third means that we delivered, and opened at large in the fore-noon, was to take heed of promising our selves great matters from the things of this world: for this is a truth, when a mans hopes lift him up to Heaven, if he be disappointed of this home he is thrown down to Hell. Therefore we should use the things of the world, as if we used them not, according to Saint Pauls exhortation: then when a man useth them as if he used them not, he will be as if he had them not. Other things I added for the o∣pening of this point.

Fourthly, The last thing that I touched in the fore-noon it was this, to labour to be humbled, labour I say, to be humbled under the hand of God: for as it is said a fro∣ward proud heart finds nothing good, nothing that it is contented with but it will pick quarrels with God, mea∣sure out what portion he will; So on the contrary, a spi∣rit that is truly humbled, finds nothing but that which is good: Whatsoever God affords a man that is truly hum∣bled, he takes it for a great savour and mercy. I open∣ed

that place, Isay. 49. the Lord saith the pastures of his people should be in the High wayes, and on the tops of the Mountains. There is the poorest feeding of all, the grass is the shortest, there is nothing to be gotten, yet sheep will live and do well with such feeding, where the fat oxen would be starved: so a poor and mean Saint will pick a contented life, where a proud heart gets nothing but vexation, and trouble.

We proceed to a fifth means; for there are three more.

The fifth means we must add, which ought to take place before any other, and that is it which the Apostle speaks of, Ephes. 6 10. be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might: What is that? that is account and e∣steem the power of the Lord as your own. Now if a man had so much strength, and power of his own as the Lord hath, he would make no question that any man should be able to encounter with him, or any trouble or temptation in the world. Now if we were perswaded that the power and strength that God hath, were ours, that he would be ready to put it out for our comfort and deli∣verance that would stablish our hearts; as David saith, be strong and he shall stablish your hearts: be strong, and re∣lie on him, and then that will strengthen, and stablish your hearts.

And here before we euter into conflict with trouble, take heed that we do not strengthen our selves in other things: this breeds a man much vexation of spirit in the day of fear and danger; because he gives his heart to re∣ly upon a broken staff, the arm of flesh, and when these come to break, and disappoint him, he falls to the ground. Therefore, my brethren, however we be provided in re∣gard of second means against the time of tryal, as for ex∣ample, it may be we have healthfull bodies, good estates, and are full of friends in this countrey, and in forreign countreys, where we may betake our selves whatever may happen; yet we must look on these things as David did on his sword and his bow when he went to the battel, I

will not trust in my bow, my sword shall not helpe me. Mark, he sayth not that his bow should help him, or his sword deli∣ver him. Now surely David knew what his sword was, and what his bow could do: but before he set out, he gave these his good word, he made sure before hand that these should not be his strength: and if he did overcome, they should not carry the praise and thanks of it, but he would be sure to reserve these for the Lord, which were his due. So we should do in other things, though we have this and that means to support, and sustain our selves, take heed that we be not strong in these, for these will deceive us.

You know, though a man of himself be never so weak and frail a creature, as indeed our hearts being conscious and privy, we are but earthen vessels, very brittle, capa∣ble of troubles, and sorrowes; and many paines, and much bitterness, and we have but little power to with∣stand them: now this is a cause of trembling and fear, But suppose we were weaker then we are; and frailer, yet notwithstanding if we have one to assist us, and second us and stand by us, that is able enough, as able as we desire, this makes us partakers of that strength. As for exam∣ple, a feather, or any light thing that is easiest tossed with the wind, if it be tied fast to a rock, it partakes of the same firmness and stability with the rock. So we though we be never so frail, and easily tossed up and down with the storms of afflictions and troubles in the world, yet if we bind our selves with cords to the Lord, the Scripture pronounceth such to be a rock, constant. It is a metaphor that Christ useth.

Look to the tract of the ancient fathers, the patriar∣ches, and other servants of God, where they found the Lord, we shall be sure to find him; he stands still, he is a rock now, as he was at the foundation of the world. Now then there are two things to be considered that will help us to do this, to be strong in the might of the Lord.

First, Consider what God hath done, how he hath

dealt with others in this case when they were under temptations, when they were in the point and heat of tryal. Look in Psalm. 22. there are diverse places in that Psalm to this purpose, I will onely name them. Not far from the beginning, Our Fathers trusted upon thee, and thou heardest them, and they were delivered. And so in the verse following there is a place to the like purpose, they cryed to thee and thou deliveredest them, they trusted on thee and were not confounded. This was one means whereby David got this strength of the Lord, because the Lord al∣ways dealt so with other of his servants, all those trusted in thee and were delivered. They made thee their strength, they were strong in thee, and they found thy strength to sup∣port them. And so in other places, Psal. 119. 53. you shall find such a place David was greatly perplexed, and troubled much; but saith he yet nevertheless I called to mind the dayes of old, and was comforted within me. So I comforted my self by calling to mind the dayes of old.

This is a great matter of comfort, and a reason why we should be strong in the Lord, because the Lord hath alway done so for others, there was never any that went away disappointed, but sped of that they sought for. Now if a man should hear a report of a fountain, that were ex∣cellent to cure such diseases: the man before he goes per∣haps he hath no great conceit or opinion of it, but yet he will try: but all the way as he goes he meets with com∣panies that come running one after another, and they tell him that they went as diseased as he, and he hears no news to the contrary at any hand, but they all agree that they are perfectly sound: this man will not ima∣gine his case to be worse then the rest. So brethren, if you lock back and consider all the examples of the chil∣dren of God in all ages, if you hear but of one man that trusted in the Lord, and was not delivered, and sup∣ported, then let all this fall to the ground, let all we have said be accounted nothing: but if the Lord have never

disappointed any, let it be acknowledged as a truth, and encourage us to come to him.

Again, more particularly, consider what he hath done for us since we knew him, and were acquainted with him, since we came under his Government and protection. I make no question but he that hath had the hardest measure, hethat hath felt the worst since he came into the world, yet he hath had some pledge of Gods mercy and favour to∣wards him. Now this course we ought to take at all times, when we receive any favour as a pledge of Gods love, we should lay it up in our store-house and treasury. For the pledges of Gods love there is a double use to be made of them; Carnal, natural men go without that which is best, and most comfortable; for the present use it may be what they take, that is welcom; for God deli∣vers them out of sicknesse, out of fear, &c. to a better e∣state and favour. Now a godly man besides the present comfort should lay up the things themselves. For there will be a day and time of necessity when we shall need these comforts, to strengthen our hearts. For alwayes the Lord deals not alike, he gives not alway a full cup, now it is necessary that a man should be provided with grounds of comfort for a day of need. In Luke 9 44. there is a notable place. Christ there wrought a great miracle, he cast out a devil; and when the work was done, he comes to his Disciples, and bids them make this use of it, Lay, or put these words, Let these sayings sink down into your ears. When they were all amazed at the mighty power of God, at the power of Christ that had wrought this miracle in dispossessing a devil; but when they wondred every one at the thing that Jesus did, Christ said to his Disciples, Let these sayings, &c. that is, these works, mark what I have done, what you see you have an expe∣riment of my power; and then he gives the reason, For the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men, &c. but they understood not these sayings. You will say how could this be understood? it seemeth hard, Let those

sayings sink down into your ears; for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. As if he should have said, remember, now you have an experiment of my pow∣er and Godhead, let it be a means to strengthen you; for the dayes will come when your faith will be put to the tryal, when I shall be delivered into the hands of men, when you shall see me crucified, and then you will be rea∣dy to stagger, and waver in your hearts: Therefore now when you see an experiment of my power and ability, lay it up in your hearts, that you may be stablished in that day. So in divers places in the Psalms. David took that course when he was in trouble, and fear and perplexity; he brings out of his Treasury ancient things, pledges of Gods love, and so he recovered himself.

So, if a man can but get hold of a promise of God, he may work himself, and wind himself into the Armes of God; for this is like a rope, or a line taken out from him, if a man take hold of it by Faith, and depend upon it; That is the power of the Word of Truth, Isay 50. 9. I said not to Iacob seek my face in vain, but I the Lord declare faithful things. I declare faithful words. So when God I say, hath given a man a promise that he will not leave him nor forsake him. First there is in every pro∣mise of that nature, there is a spiritual truth in it; and in the heart of a man that is a believer, there is a spirit of Faith likewise; and these two know one another. Now the spirit of Faith in the man meets there with the spirit of truth and power in the Word (in regard it comes from God) these joyn together, and draw a man close to God. So though a man see not God, yet he rests his soul, and stayes upon him, because he leans on that promise.

As as a Mariner at Sea that casts an Anchor, that holds the Ship, he sees not the Anchor, that falls to the bottom, yet he knows the Cable will hold it safe, the Ship may tosse the length of it, but no further. So the Anchor that the soul hath in the promises of God, it is fixed; now though a man see him not stand by and strengthen him in

the tryal, yet he hath the Word of truth for it. And these promises, though it be a long time ere they speak, yet at such times as these then they speak. Before then, they are sealed up, and it is not known perfectly what trea∣sure is in them, whether they be empty, or any thing worth; but when there comes a day of tryal, now is the the time; the Lord hath made such promises for such a day.

And here I must give you a caveat concerning this means. If you will be strong in the Lord make not haste, that is the phrase that is used, he that believeth maketh not haste: That is, he gives the Lord liberty, he lets him move round in his sphere, he is not ready to snatch deli∣verence out of his hand, but let the Lord take his own leisure; for then he will do things best. And this is an item that must be understood. The Lord notwithstand∣ing those promises that are plentifully made for the safety and preservation of his, yet many times he deferres the fulfilling of them to the last cast. Many times he will use all that liberty that he hath left himself: for indeed therefore it is left, he may use it when it seems good in his eyes: I mean a liberty in regard of the means how he will help, and of the time when he will help us; but fur∣ther we know he hath left himself no liberty, but hath bound himself, and it is impossible he should deceive us, if we rest and rely on him for this, and cast our selves in the armes of God. Nay we make no question, as long as we have the promise of God and keep our hearts, and our faith close cleaving to that, we are sure the Lord in his own time will remember us, and come to us to deliver us.

Remember that which is said Psal. 9. Salvation belongs to the Lord. Therefore if it belong to him, let us take heed that we ascribe it to him not to be strong in any other. Even as the making of any thing in Art belongs to such and such a Trade, shoos to a shoo-maker, there are none makes them but those of that trade, and so for other things:

so Salvation belongs to the Lord, there is nothing in hea∣ven or earth that can work salvation but he; all the help that is done in the earth he doth it himself.

Now the onely way for a man to make him his friend that is able to work it, is to ascribe it to him, to acknow∣ledge it belongs to him, that he hath been the do••r of it from the foundation of the World, and so will continue this blessed trade, and gracious manner of working and doing for his. So much now for the fift means, be strong in the Lord.

A sixth means is this, Wee must likewise compell, and work our hearts to take this cordial, you have it, Rom. 8. 28. We know saith Saint Paul that all things work together for the best to those that love God. I say, let us have this perswasion in our hearts ready, that all things shall work together for the best: therefore, they shall not hurt thee: Now he saith they work together, that is to be marked; the Apostle saith not that this or that thing a∣lone worketh for good to the servants of God. As now there are divers ingredients in a receipt; if a man take one or two or three, they may poyson and kill, and be deadly, but altogether being tempered by the Physician, are a preservative, and save life. So if a man stay Gods leisure, as before I said, to adde one thing to another, to do that he hath to do, as well as that he hath done; when you put all together, and make the up shot of all, you shall see and acknowledge it for the best. David saith, It was good for him to have been in adversity. Now certainly whatsoever hath been true, in regard of the time past, hath been true for the present then as now. It was as true for David when he was in adversity to say it is good for me to be afflicted, as well as after when he was come out of it to say it was good that he had been; for if it were not good, then it was never good. Therefore in regard of this, the assurance that all things shall work for good, we are commanded to give thanks in all things, Ephes. 5. 25. There is great reason to thank God for all things,

since a part and portion of our comfort and happiness is in all things, in Iohn. 16. Christ useth these words, he tells them that they should mourn, and the world should re∣joyce, but their sorrow should be turned into joy. Now I conceive the meaning of those words not onely to be this, that they should have an exchange in time; their sorrow, and mourning should not last alway with them, but they should have a condition of comfort. But this I take it is further implyed, that that joy and those comforts that succeeded their sorrow, that happi∣ness should be answerable in the degree and quantity, to that sorrow, and sufferings they had. For you know when one thing is turned into another the more of the substance there is of that from which the conversion and change is made, so much accrews to that in which the change is made. As for example, in Iohn. 2. we read of a change of water into wine. There were six water pots full. Now so much water as there was, so much wine when the miracle was wrought. If there had been twelve pots more, if they had been all full, there had been so much wine as there was water. So (brethren) the more sorrow and trouble, and affliction any man undergoes here; when a change comes, when the Lord comes about to us, and turns all, comfort comes in more abundance, it comes in more plenty. This I take to be the meaning of David, Psal. 30. 11. he useth the same word that Christ doth to his disciples, thou hast turned my heaviness into joy; and the latter part of the verse seems to favour this interpretation, thou hast loosed my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness, implying that as Davids sorrow was large enough to make a garment of sackcloth: so his joy was large enough to make him a vesture of glad∣ness.

So we have this assurance that all shall work for the best; whatsoever God hath in hand to do with us, and howe∣ver he deal by us, we shall see it to be best in the latter end: For God can draw light out of darkness: take that

rule that is the purest comfort, and light that is drawn out of darkness; I say God will do it; though∣•••• be hard, he will set his mighty hand to do it. In Iudges. 14. Sampson slew a Lion that came roar∣ing upon him: put the case that six Lions had come upon him roaring, if Sampson had been sure of the victory, and to have slain them as fast as they came on him, it had been no matter how many he had meet with: especially con∣sidering that within a few dayes after (as we see in the story) he came, and in the carkase of the Lion he found honey. This Lion resembles the troubles and afflictions of this world, that come roaring upon us, and threaten a deluge, and confusion: but we have the promise of God that cannot deceive us, God will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able, but with the temptation will give an issue. Now what if they come never so thick, and roar never so loud? what if the waves threaten to overwhelm us? (as David saith) we are sure of the victory before hand. As Samson found honey in the carkase, so when we look back upon affliction conquered and subdued, we shall find honey in the carkase, that is abundance of comfort, and experience of the love of God helping us to go through them, and overcoming them.

But you will say, it is true, it may be God will give an issue, but it may be a great while first; alas! what shall we do in the mean time? If we had any thing to support and sustain our selves, this were something, we should be able to endure while Gods rod rested on us; but this fills our spirits full of bitterness, this is that which is gall and wormwood.

To this I answer, there is none of us that love our out∣ward estate, that love our Children, and houses, better then a usurer loves his money, yet we see he usually takes this course, he puts it out of his hand a long time upon se∣curity, knowing that being abroad it works for him all the while, and will come home with advantage. Why

then should Christians make more adoe, and trouble themselves more about this, if at any time God borrow these things at their hands, their life, or credit, or out∣ward man; God takes them for a time that he may re∣store them again more rich, and plentiful then he took them.

But you will say, how shall we do in the mean time? yet we are not satisfied: alas if God should strip us of all comfort we do not know where to betake our selves, what will become of us, we shall go out of home and har∣bor? userers though they do so and so with their mo∣ney, yet they keep so much by them that they may live up∣on, and they are rich men, &c.

To this in a few words I answer, many times men that love money, we see what hard shift they make to live, though their money increase, we see they pinch and pine, so what if a Christian have nothing else to find himself with the comfort and contentment of his being, what if he have nothing to live by but faith, and a joyful ex∣pectation of deliverance, that he sees comming though afar off? Such a mans case is not much to be pitied, Heb. 11. 35. there is a notable place. It is said, they are rack∣ed not accepting deliverance, they made not reckoning of deliverance, that is, they did not care for it, they did not desire it. What was the reason? It is said, that they might obtain a better resurrection. So they might have it at that day, at the great day, they cared not for the present what pain they did undergoe.

You know, it is a usual thing with men, if there be any great sum or payment of money comes to them, they say they desire rather to have the whole sum together though they stay longer then to have it by small parcels, it doth them little good. So if we were able to see and conceive it were better for us to have it at the day of the resurecti∣on, it were better then to have our comfort, to have that re∣ward together as it were that the Lord hath provided and laid up for us.

You see the Lord himself, that is wise for his glory, and more provident then we can be for our happiness and comfort, he hath taken this course to make one no∣tible day of the world for his glory. You see in the mean time how he suffers himself to be contemned, and suffers an eclipse of his glory: he suffers men to live in re∣bellion, and opposition against him, he suffers men to swear, and blaspheme his name. Now it is in his power no question to strike dumb the swearer, as soon as the blasphemy is out of his mouth; and to strike the Adulterer: yet these are wrapt up in silence, they hear no news from heaven of anger. What is the reason of this? because God hath made a day of great assize, a more honourable day, and he hath reserved this honor for that day, to make that a notable day, as the Scripture calls it.

Secondly, I answer to the last objection, and that is more pertinent, and comfortable to the heart, when we que∣stion how we shall do in the mean time till de∣liverance be sent, if we be put upon hard service, and tryals.

I answer it is a most usual and common thing in the providence of God, and the dispensation of his good∣ness to his Church, when men are at the lowest ebbe in the world, and outwardly, then he makes a more plenti∣ful supply of the inward comforts and consolations of his spirit, Mark, and remember; for now it is not a thing thaty ou must look to find till there be occasion. A man cannot know whether this be true or no till he have ex∣perience that the world leave him; when he hath little comfort in the world, then he shall find the truth of this. You heard that place opened at large in the forenoon, 2 Cor. 5. 16. though our outward man perish our inward man is renewed day by day. He saith not there, after our out∣ward man is perished, when God hath pulled down the old building, he will build a new house: no, but in the while he takes the ruins a pieces, the timber of the out∣ward

man, and builds a new house, he makes it up in o∣ther comforts, so in 2 Cor. 1. 3. 4. blessed be God the father of Christ, &c. Who comforteth us in all our tribulations, he saith not that comforteth us after tribulation, but in the time of tribulation, so in 2 Cor. 11. When I am weak then I am strong. This sounds as a riddle: that is, when I am full of infirmities, when I am compassed with heavy dan∣gers, I am at the best pass, and strongest in the inward man. So David, Psalm. 94. 14. he saith there, in the mid∣est of my sorrowes and troubles thy comforts refreshed my soul. David stayed not till his sorrow was past; but then when his troubles were about him, the Lords hand was to com∣fort him. And so diverse other places you shall find to the like purpose.

Now if you look you shall find examples of this. When had Abraham the father of the faithful, those frequent ap∣paritions and revelations from God? was it not after he had left his countrey? When he was in his own land, a∣mong his possessions there was nothing but silence, but after he was abroad the Lord appeared to him from time to time. And so in one place after this. As long as Lot was with him to comfort him, there is no mention that the Lord revealed himself to him: but that is the particular expression, Gen. 18. 6. Then saith he after Lot was departed from him the Lord came to Abraham and fell a talking with him, and renewed that great promise, that in him all the Nations of the world should be blessed. So Iacob in his journey, when a man would have thought he had had the hardest nights lodging, that ever he had since he was man upon the earth, when he had nothing but heaven for his Canopy and a hard stone for his pillow, he had the most glorious, and blessed vision of the ladder, that had the top of it in heaven, and the foot on earth.

So Hagar, she never had an Angel to comfort her till she wept by the well, and was cast out of her mistresses house. And so in the story of Ioseph, we shall not finde it expresly said that God was with him, till he was in pri∣son,

and there you shall find these very words. Not to name all passages to this purpose, in Dan. 3. Those three children, as they are called, they never had the familiar presence of the fourt•• man, till they were cast into the furnace. They might have gone long enough, and ser∣ved God, and faithfully too, and yet never have had that interview, that presence in a visible manner of the Sonne of God standing by them if they had not been cast into the furnace. So Christ himself till he sweat drops of blood, we read not of Angels sent from Heaven, but then they were present to comfort him, Luke 23. 43. And so in the history of the Acts we shall find still the Apostles when they were brought to any danger, any trouble, any im∣prisonment, or the like, evermore there were messengers sent from Heaven to them. So we may assure our selves out of all these promises and experiences of the Saints of God, that then we are likeliest to have the quickest com∣merce, and the clearest interview between Heaven and us, we are like to hear oftest from Heaven, and have more plenty of comforts from God, when we are deepest in trouble; when we are plunged in troubles in the World, then the Lord reacheth most plenty of joy from Heaven. Therefore as Christ saith Iohn 16. concerning his presence with his Disciples, It is expedient that I go, the Com∣forter cannot come else, but if I go I will send him to you. So I say it is true, it is expedient for us that God depart from us in outward things; for till he leave us in these, the comforts of the Holy Ghost come not so purely to us, I say there is need that they should leave us that we may have those comforts. This is the sixth means, for us to assure our selves, and know this with Saint Paul, that all things shall work for the best.

There is onely one more remains, that is that which must go along with all the rest, Prayer. You know there is a large Charter granted to prayer; but besides that ge∣neral oue, Whatsoever we ask according to his will we shall re∣ceive; there are special particular promises in this case,

that if any man, be driven to a strait and necessity, if he send this messenger into the presence of God, he shall have a guard sent down presently to him. Look in that place Phil. 4. 6. In nothing be careful, sait•• the Apostle, but let your prayers and requests be made known to the Lord. And what follows? The peace of God which passeth understand∣ing shall keep your hearts and mindes in the Love of God through Christ Iesus. As if he should say, do but this, if you be in any extremity or distress, trouble not your selves and your thoughts about it; but this is your course, your onely wisdom is, let your requests be made known to God with thanksgiving.

I told you before, we must give thanks whatsoever the case was, because light is working out, for us as David saith Light is sown for the righteous; therefore a man hath cause to thank God as well when he sowes, as when he reaps, therefore the work must begin with thanksgiving; and then assure your selves that the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and mindes through Christ Iesus. The word in the Original is properly, a warlike guard, that saveth from the assault of an enemy. Implying that if we make our case known to God, and be thankful, then he will send such a safe guard, such a garison of peace about your souls, that you shall enjoy your selves, and think your selves in a happy condi∣tion.

Now because we are apt to enquire, but in what man∣ner, how shall we finde our selves in such a case? What constitution of soul shall we have?

Saith Saint Paul, this is more then I can tell you; it is a peace which passeth understanding: I cannot explain it, and tell you that, what manner of peace it is; but this you shall have, this is the operation, the nature and bene∣fit of it, that it will guard your hearts through Christ; that peace that comes first from Jesus Christ, shall keep your hearts and minds from being troubled.

So our Saviour layes the same ground in another place,

Iohn 14. 27. My peace I leave you, my peace I give unto you, not as the World gives so give I, Let not your hearts be troubled. As if he should say, I leave you that which will preserve your souls in peace, peace of conscience, assurance of the favour of God: therefore since you have that means to keep you and save you, never let your hearts be trou∣bled. In one place Christ speaketh thus to Peter, saith he, Thinkest thou not that I can pray to my Father, and he will send me more then twelve Legions of Angels? but how then should the Scripture be fulfilled. So I say, on the con∣trary, think you if you pray to your Father in Heaven, that he will not send this peace to guard your souls? how should the Scripture else be fulfilled? For there is one and the same authority of Scripture, that if none for Christs sake shall be frustrate, or falsefied, much more (if there were any difference) is it true of every particular promise of grace and mercy made to those that belong to God. So now you have the seventh and last means, whereby to e∣stablish and strengthen our hearts in the day of fear.

But now happily you will object and say, It is true, these things that you deliver may be good, and to pur∣pose, but alas, I find little strength in my heart, I am the same man I was, I find no great courage or resoluti∣on wrought in me.

To this I answer; First, my brethren, you must first gather sticks and make a fire, before you can warm your selves: you must first gather these and the like savoury meditations out of the Word of God, before you can find the strength and vertue of them upon your souls and consciences. It is an old report concerning the Phenix (it is no matter for the truth of it, it concerns us not) when it is about to die, she gathers in Arabia, plenty of spices that are odouri erous, Calamus and the like, and the Sun sets fire on them, and the bird burns her self to ashes in the midst of the perfume: so my brethren, if in the dayes of peace and health we gather sweet medi∣tations and considerations, out of the Word of God, we

shall find in the day of need the Holy Ghost will come, and set all on fire as it were; and so whensoever you of∣fer your sacrifice to God, whether it be your life, or e∣state, or whatsoever, it will not onely be a savour of a sweet smell in the nostrils of God, but in your own souls you will find it a sweet and comfortable thing to offer up your sacrifice in the midst of those strong and sweet perfumes.

Again, whereas you say, you have not that great strength of spirit wrought in you. It is no great matter; for the present, the Lord doth not call you to these trou∣bles, he puts you not upon that service. You must know that such things as these, that strengthen the spirit, God gives them not to boast of. If a man had them now, what would he do? he would boast of them; such ex∣cellent gifts as these are not for this purpose, but for our use and Gods glory. We must look for this to be done in the day of necessity, when we have need of it. Then we shall be just in the case of Sampson, Iudg. 16. after his hair was cut off, the Lord departed from him, and he was as another man: yet when the Lord had another piece of business for him, at that time the Lord restored his strength, and so he pulled the beams, and supports, and pillars of the house upon the Philistines heads. So the Apostles of our Lord and Saviour, Mat. 10. It is said, In that very hour, when you are brought before Rulers, be not careful what you shall answer, for in that hour it shall be gi∣ven you. Now if a man had come before that hour and time, surely the Apostles had been but like other men, they could have said no more for themselves, they could no more have convinced their adversaries, &c. but the Lord promised to give it in that hour. So brethren, this is a ground of comfort, God will work strength in that hour, in the time of affliction, the Lord sees we may do him service in that day, and therefore he will make us strong.

But still you will reply, you are sure it is not so with

you, you have found experience of the contrary, you have had far less tryals and afflictions, then happily may befall you, or are like to befall you, and you have found your selves much distempered. You will say, I was not able to run with the foot-men, how shall I hold out with the horse?

To this I answer divers things.

First, it may be a mans strength may increase more af∣terwards, then i•• was at the first, then the same burden is not the same, when there is a disproportion of strength and enabling to bear it. As Abraham, Gen. 12. you shall find that he was another manner of man, then he was, Gen. 22. for when the tryall was but little, he began to falter, when he went into Egypt: but when he came to offer Isaac, he was couragious, and stuck close to God.

Again, secondly, I answer, there may be another reason why there may be a less affliction, and it may be born with much impatience, when a great and heavy one may be born with more patience and more comfort. The reason hereof is this, because when a man hath but one particular loss, when a man hath but a light cross, this serves onely to provoke and stir up corruption in him, and then a man (as it were) is armed against God, then he is ready to fight against him: but now if the tempta∣tion or tryal be a sore, and through temptation, it will vanquish and subdue corruption, and bring him on his knees, and so he falls flat before the Lord: In such a case I say, a man that hath his corruption subdued, though it were a tryal tentimes greater, and more sore, yet he may live upon better terms with the Lord, and more comfor∣tably then another man with a lighter cross.

As it falls out many times in the time of War and ho∣stility between two Cities or Nations, the weaker part in the time of War indures and sustains more inconveni∣ence and blood-shed, and loss of men, then after the full conquest is made, especially if the government of the Conqueror be moderate and just, as it is sometimes. So

as long as a man stands out with God in pride of spirit, and will not yield, he lives far more uncomfortably then when he is truly humbled and subjected to God.

Thirdly and lastly, these general and greater afflictions may be born more comfortably, and a less may more disquiet and trouble the heart; because when a man hath been afflicted but in some one thing, or a few things, and hath many outward contentments and comforts yet remaining to him; this is the usual course of men in such a case, they think when their spirits are bruised and wounded with grief of heart, they have lost such a friend, they have lost part of such an Estate or credit, then presently they fall to other things that are left them, and they think to make themselves whole there; when they have lost their contentment in one particular they enjoy, they think to make them whole, and to supply it with the outward things that remain. This succeeds not, because the wound that is made in the spirit, by the loss of that whatsoever it be thou art crossed with, it may be the anger of the Lord is mixed with it; it may be the arrow of the Lord sticks in thy soul. Now if that be thy case, all the outward application of comforts of the world will not do the turn. Onely that hand that strook the arrow in our side is able to pluck it out of us.

And we see nothing more frequent and usual in the world; men as long as they have other things to solace themselves with, to set their delight on, they never go to God. If a man go to God for comfort, it is (as it were) because he shuts every door else against him, he hath no passage else, that he must needs go that way, or no way. Therefore as long as God affords men the things of the world to solace and comfort them, they do their utmost to seek it there; but when God takes away all things, and strikes away every prop, that he hath nothing to rest on: (as the Dove that Noah sent, that had no rest for the sole of her foot, till she returned to the Ark) this forceth a man of

necessity to the Lord. Now though the wound were ten times more grievous and heavy, coming to the right Phy∣sitian, the Lord that made the wound, he can cure it, and comfort a man again. If a man have but a scratch with a pin, if he have an unskilful Chyrurgion, the wound goes on to ranckle more and more, and at last it costs a man his life. On the other side, if a man have a wound that is dangerous, if he go to one that is skilfull, this man recovers and lives in the world. So many times, many men live with disquiet minds, they go to the world and seek to be whole there, they seek their Physitian there, and make the wound that is made worse, and the latter end is worse then the beginning. But now, though a man be never so empty of comfort, and be struck down, and the hand of God be never so heavy upon him, if he go to God and seek to him, the Lord is able to make him a comfortable man again, and to revive his spirit, and bring him again from the grave. So we see that objection fully answered, that though we be not able to stand un∣der lighter afflictions, we may be able and strong enough to bear greater. So much for this time.

Notes

• Doct. Our hearts should be sta∣blished in the day of fear.
• Means to keep the heart from fear.
• 1. To divert the thoughts ano∣ther way. Heb. 10.
• 2. Get a clear light by us:
• Mark. 6. 49.
• 3. Not to pro∣mise our selves much from the world:
• 4. Get a humble heart.
• Isay 49.
• 5. To be strong in Gods strength. Ephes. 6. 10.
• Two helps to it. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 To consider what God hath done for others.
• Psalm 22.
• Psalm. 119. 53.
• ••2. What he hath done for us.
• Luke 9. 44.
• Isay 50. 9.
• Simile.
• Psalm 9.
• 6. Means. To consider all shall work together for the best, Rom, 8. 28.
• Ephes 5. 25.
• Iohn 16.
• Iohn 2.
• Psalm 30. 11.
• Iudges 14.
• Object.
• Answ. To wait Gods time,
• Object.
• Answ.
• Heb. 11, 35.
• Simile.
• Inward com∣forts supply outward.
• 2 Cor. 5. 16.
• 2 Cor. 1. 3, 4.
• 2 Cor. 11:
• Psal. 94. 14.
• Gen. 18. 6.
• Dan. 3.
• Luke 23. 43.
• Iohn 16.
• Means. 7. Prayer.
• Phil. 4. 6.
• Quest.
• Answ.
• Iohn. 14. 27.
• Object.
• Answ.
• Iudg. 16.
• Object. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• Answ. 1.
• Gen. 12.
• Gen 22.
• 2.
• Great afflicti∣ons may be born with more patience then less.
• Simile.