Comfort nearest, when Afflictions are at the highest. [ 1979]
IT may seem a strange course in the eye of common reason which Christ took at the Marriage Feast in Cana of Galilee, the guests wanted wine,* 1.1 he bids them fetch Water; cold comfort, when Wine was expected, to call for water, yet for all that Wine was then nearest, when the Water-pots were filled with water even to the brim: So oftentimes comfort is then nearest us,* 1.2 when our Afflictions are at the highest; God works by contraries, as light out of darknesse, at the Creation; life out of death, glory out of shame, as in the Redemption; the blind Mans sight out of clay and spittle; yea Heaven out of Hell,* 1.3 for when he brings his children into Heaven, he throws them first down into Hell, first humbles them, and then exalis them; It is not then for any one to be discouraged, though Christ pour never so much water on them, for look what their water is, that shall their wine be, what their crosses such their comforts, Psalm 90. 15.