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Againe, it is a worke as truly honourable to God, and maketh as much for his glory, that his people doe take the cup of consolation at his hands, as that they drink the bitter cup of worme∣wood, yea and more too. For to grieve even for sinne, further then it tends to comfort, and ends in it, is nothing at all to the glory of God of it selfe: for in hell they grieve enough, but that griefe is not in them a worke tending to Gods
glory, because it aimes not at comfort, but is a desperate forlorne and uncomfortable griefe. For in grieving for our sinnes, we give God the glory of his justice, ac∣knowledging them to be vile and loathsome and grievous. But in comforting our selves we give him the glory of his mercy, acknow∣ledging him to be more full of goodnesse, then our selves bee of bad∣nesse, which is to doe him the highest honour. For the Lord delighteth in shewing mercy, and
therefore cannot but de∣light that men should esteeme and account him so ready to shew mercy. For whosoever loveth to doe any good and commendable thing, loves to bee ac∣counted ready and able to do that thing.
And indeed God is not well pleased nor honou∣red, as I said before, with his Saints teares further then those teares bee meanes of fitting them for, and making them capeable of comfort: As the Chyrurgion deligh∣teth not in the smart of
his patient further then it is a meanes of healing the sore: nor the Physi∣tian in the bitter potions of his patient, or his sicknesse, further then it procureth health. Ther∣fore (if we consider) in the old Law, he calleth vpon them to bee sure that they doe rejoyce in their feasts. And where∣as he appointed one on∣ly solemne fast through∣out the yeare, and that but one daies continu∣ance alone, he appointed three severall most so∣lemne feasts in every yeare; and those also of
seaven daies continuance each of them. Whereby it is manifest that hee takes farre more content in their gladnesse and so∣lace, then in their ruth and lamentation. For in∣deed hee liketh their griefes alone, as I said before, as a preparative to their Joy.
Now seeing our care must be to doe that that may glorifie and please God, and our joyes will glorifie and please him, after wee have beene humbled, as well as our humiliation before: it is needfull for us to
cheare up our hearts, as well as to depresse them.
Deut. 16.14.
Levit. 26.19.
Exod. 23 14.