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Thirdly, this comfort is a thing altogether as profitable to our selves, and as much availeable to our sanctification and good living, as griefe: nay griefe will doe at all no good to the wor∣king of holinesse and beating downe of sinne, further then it is so orde∣red and moderated, that it may conclude in con∣solation. As a man is fit∣test to doe any naturall work, when he hath his
limmes all at ease and rest: so to do any spiritu∣all good thing, when he hath his minde at ease and rest.* 1.1 The joy of the Lord is your strength, saith that holy man to the people in Nehemiah, which is the cause that God hath confirmed his promise by oath, that as the Apostle saith,* 1.2 wee might have strong consola∣tion. The herbs and grasse and corne doe ri∣pen best in warme and fun-shine weather: so the sun-shine of consolation, doth bring up the herbe of vertues in our hearts.
Carnall and earthly joyes doe nothing fur∣ther the growth of piety, but spirituall con∣solations, such as this we intreate of doe make it prosper and flourish ex∣ceedingly. Never is a Christian man in better case to doe any good du∣ty, to beare any misery for Gods sake, to love God, to pray, to heare the Word, to doe works of mercy to the afflicted, or to performe any other services, then when he can comfort himselfe in God. Then the heart hath more full commu∣nion
with God, and ther∣fore is in best plight to doe any thing well. I confesse sorrow hath its use, it is as plowing, and as breaking of the clods, that make the ground ready for the seed: It is as it were the sweeping and cleansing of the house, that maketh it fit for the Holy Ghost as for aguest to inhabit and to dwell in. But the ve∣ry proper confirmer and strengthener of the soule is comfort: that doth minister to it ability to worke Gods works. As God loves, in matter of
bounty, a cheerefull gi∣ver: so in all services a cheerefull servant. And doubtlesse the service will not be cheerefull if the heart be not comfor∣ted: therefore in hea∣ven, where God hath the best services, men have the most comfort. And in Paradice, where God had the best service next to heaven, man had the most comfort. And in the Thessalonians,* 1.3 in whom Saint Paul did commend, the labour of love, the worke of faith, the patience of hope, and whom he praiseth, be∣cause
their love and their faith did grow excee∣dingly, hee shewes the foundation of this growth to have beene, because they received the Word with joy in the Holy Ghost.
Seeing well-grounded comfort is the most pro∣fitable thing that can be for our soules, we must strive for it.
Nehem. 8.10.
Heb. 6.18.
1 Thess. 1 3, 6.