The silent soul, with soveraign antidotes against the most miserable exigents: or, A Christian with an olive-leaf in his mouth, when he is under the greatest afflictions, the sharpest and sorest trials and troubles, the saddest and darkest providences and changes, with answers to divers questions and objections that are of greatest importance, all tending to win and work souls to bee still, quiet, calm and silent under all changes that have, or may pass upon them in this world, &c. / By Thomas Brooks preacher of the Word at Margarets New Fish-street London, and pastor of the Church of Christ meeting there.

Consider first, The greatnesse, soveraignty, majesty and dignity of God, and let that move thee to silence. Psal. 46. 8, 9, 10. Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations hee hath made in the earth. Hee maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth: hee breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder, hee burneth the chariot in the fire. Bee still, and know that I am God: I will bee exalted among the Heathen, I will bee exalted in the earth. Who can cast his eye upon the greatness of God, the majesty of God, and not sit still before him? Zeph. 1. 7. Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God. Oh chat not, murmure not, fret not, but stand mute be∣fore him! Shall the childe bee hush'd before his Father, the ser∣vant before his Master, the subject before his Prince, and the guilty person before the Judge when hee

majestically rises off his judgement seat, and composes his countenance into an aspect of terrour and seve∣rity, that his sentence may fall upon the offender with the greater dread? and shall not a Christian bee quiet before that God that can bathe his sword in Heaven, and burn the chariots on earth? Nay, shall the Sheep bee hush'd before the Wolf, Birds before the Hawk, and all the Beasts of the field be∣fore the Lion? and shall not wee bee hush'd and quiet before him, who is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah? Rev. 5. 5. God is mighty in power, and mighty in counsel, and mighty in working, and migh∣ty in punishing; and therefore bee silent before him. It appears that God is a mighty God, by the Epi∣thite that is added unto El, which is Gibbor, importing that hee is a God of prevailing might; in Daniel hee is called El Elim, the mighty of mighties. Moses magnif••ing of his might, saith, Who is like unto thee among the gods? Now certainly

this Epithite should bee a mighty motive to work souls to that which Ha••akkuk perswades to, Hab. 2. ult. The Lord is in his holy Temple: let all the earth keep silence before him. Upon this very con∣sideration, Moses commands Israel to hold their peace.

It is reported of Augustus the Emperour, and likewise of Tam∣berlain that war-like Scythian, that in their eyes sate such a rare Ma∣jesty, that many in talking with them, and often beholding of them, have become dumb. Oh my brethren! shall not the brightnesse and splendor of the Majesty of the great God, whose sparkling Glory and Majesty dazles the eyes of Angels, and makes those Princes of glory stand mute before him, move you much more to silence, to hold your peace, and lay your hands upon your mouths? Surely yes. But

Secondly, Consider, That all your afflictions, troubles and

trials, shall work for your good, Rom. 8. 28. And wee know that all things shall work together for good to them that love God. Why then should you fret, fling, fume? see∣ing God designs your good in all. The Bee sucks sweet hony out of the bitterest herbs: so God will by afflictions teach his children to suck sweet knowledge, sweet obedi∣ence, and sweet experiences, &c. out of all the bitter afflictions and trials hee exercises them with; that scouring and rubbing which frets others, shall make them shine the brighter, and that weight which crushes and keeps others under, shall but make them like the palm∣tree, grow better and higher. And that hammer which knocks o∣thers all in peeces, shall but knock them the nearer to Christ the cor∣ner-stone. Stars shine brightest in the darkest night: Torches give the best light, when beaten: Grapes yeeld most Wine, when most pressed: Spices smell sweet∣est, when pounded; Vines are the

better for bleeding; Gold looks the brighter for scouring; Juniper smells sweetest in the fire; Camo∣mile, the more you tread it, the more you spread it; the Salaman∣der lives best in the fire; the Jews were best, when most afflicted; the Athenians would never mend, till they were in mourning; the Christ's-cross (saith Luther) is no letter in the book, and yet (saith hee) it hath taught mee more than all the letters in the book. Affli∣ctions are the Saints best benefa∣ctors to heavenly affections; where afflictions hang heaviest, corrup∣tions hang loosest. And grace that is hid in nature, as sweet wa∣ter in Rose-leaves, is then most fra∣grant, when the fire of affliction is put under to distill it out. Grace shines the brighter for scouring, and is most glorious, when it is most clouded.

Pliny in his natural history, writeth of certain Trees growing in the red Seas, which being beat upon by the waves, stand like a

rock, immoveable, and that they are bettered by the roughness of the waters. In the Sea of affli∣ctions God will make his people stand like a rock, they shall bee immoveable, and invincible, and the more the waves of afflictions beat upon them, the better they shall bee, the more they shall thrive in grace and godliness. Now how should this ingage Christians to bee mute and silent under all their troubles and trials in this world, considering that they shall all work for their good? God cha∣stises our carkasses, to heal our consciences, hee afflicts our bodies, to save our souls, hee gives us gall and wormwood here, that the pleasures that bee at his right hand may bee the more sweet hereafter; here hee layes us upon a bed of thorns, that wee may look and long more for that easie bed of down (his bosome) in Hea∣ven.

As there is a curse wrapt up in the best things hee gives the wick∣ed,

so there is a blessing wrapt up in the worst things hee brings up∣on his own. As there is a curse wrapt up in a wicked mans health, so there is a blessing wrapt up in a godly mans sickness: As there is a curse wrapt up in a wicked mans strength, so there is a blessing wrapt up in a godly mans weak∣ness: As there is a curse wrapt up in a wicked mans wealth, so there is a blessing wrapt up in a godly mans want: As there is a curse wrapt up in a wicked mans ho∣nour, so there is a blessing wrapt up in a godly mans reproach: As there is a curse wrapt up in all a wicked mans mercies, so there is a blessing wrapt up in all a godly mans crosses, losses, and changes: and why then should hee not sit mute and silent before the Lord? But

Thirdly, Consider, That a ho∣ly silence is that excellent precious grace, that lends a hand of sup∣port to every grace. Silence is

Custos, the Keeper of all other vir∣tues, it lends a hand to Faith, a hand to Hope, a hand to Love, a hand to Humility, a hand to Self∣denial, &c. A holy silence hath its influences upon all other graces that bee in the soul, it causes the Rose-buds of grace to blossome and bud forth. Silence is (virtus versata circa adversa) a grace that keeps a man gracious in all con∣ditions; in every condition Si∣lence is a Christians right hand; in prosperity, it bears the soul up un∣der all the envy, malice, hatred and censures of the world; in ad∣versity, it bears the soul up under all the neglect, scorn and contempt that a Christian meets with in the world; it makes every bitter sweet, every burden light, and e∣very yoak easie. And this the ve∣ry Heathen seemed to intimate in placing the Image of Angeronia with the mouth bound upon the Al∣tar of Volupia, to shew, that silence under sufferings, was the ready way to attain true comfort, and make

every bitter sweet. No man ho∣nours God, nor no man justifies God at so high a rate, as hee who layes his hand upon his mouth, when the Rod of God is upon his back. But

Fourthly, To move you to Si∣lence under your sorest and your sharpest trials, consider, That you have deserved greater and heavier afflictions than those you are un∣der; hath God taken away one mercy? thou hast deserved to bee stript of all; hath hee taken away the delight of thine eyes? he might have taken away the delight of thy soul; art thou under outward wants? thou hast deserved to be un∣der outward and inward together; art thou cast upon a sick-bed? thou hast deserved a bed in Hell; art thou under this ach and that pain? thou hast deserved to bee under all aches and pains at once; hath God chastised thee with whips? thou hast deserved to bee chastised with Scorpions; art thou fallen from

the highest pinacle of honour to be the scorn and contempt of men? thou hast deserved to bee scorned and contemned by God and An∣gels; art thou under a severe whip∣ping? thou hast deserved an utter damning. Ah Christians! let but your eyes bee fixt upon your de∣merits, and your hands will bee quickly upon your mouths; what∣ever is less than a final separation from God, whatever is less than Hell, is mercy; and therefore you have cause to bee silent under the smartest dealings of God with you. But

Fifthly, Consider, A quiet si∣lent spirit is of great esteem with God: God sets the greatest value upon persons of a quiet spirit, 1 Pet. 3. 4. But let it bee the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. A quiet spirit is a spark of the divine na∣ture, it is a ray, a beam of glory,

it is a heaven-born spirit: No man is born with a holy Silence in his heart, as hee is born with a tongue in his mouth: this is a flower of pa∣radise, it is a precious Jem that God makes very great reckoning of. A quiet spirit speaks a man most like to God, it capacitates a man for communion with God, it renders a man most serviceable to God, and it obliges a man to most accu∣rate walking with God: A meek and quiet spirit is an incorruptible ornament, much more valuable than gold.

First, There is a natural quiet∣ness, which proceeds from a good temper and constitution of bo∣dy.

Secondly, There is a moral quietness, which proceeds from good education and breeding, which flows from good injuncti∣ons, instructions, and examples.

Thirdly, There is an artificial

quietness; some have an art to im∣prison their passions, and to lay a Law of restraint upon their an∣ger and wrath, when they are all in a flame within: As you may see in Cain, Esau, Absalom, and Joab, who for a time cast a close cloak over their malice, when their hearts were set on fire of Hell: so Domitian would seem to love them best, whom hee willed least should live.

Fourthly, There is a gracious quietness which is of the spirits in∣fusion, Gal. 5. 22,—25. Now this quietness of spirit, this spiritual frame of heart, is of great price in the sight of God. God values it above the world, and therefore who would not covet it more than the world, yea more than life it self? Certainly the great God sets a great price upon nothing but that which is of an invaluable price; what stretching, strugling and stri∣ving is there for those things that the great ones of the earth do high∣ly

prize? Ah what stretching of wits, interests, and consciences is there this day, to gain and hold up that which justice will cast down? how much better would it bee if all persons would in good earnest struggle and strive, even as for life, after a quiet and silent spirit, which the great and glorious God sets so great a price upon? this is a pearl of greatest price, and happy is hee that purchases it, though it were with the loss of all. But

Sixthly, Consider, that if you sit not quiet and silent under your greatest troubles, and your sorest trials, you will bee found fighters against your own prayers. How often have you prayed that the will of God may bee done, yea, that it may bee done on the earth as the Angels (those glistering Courtiers, those Princes of glory) do it now in Heaven? when troubles and af∣flictions come upon you, the will of God is done, his will is accom∣plished, why then should you fret,

fling, and fume, and not rather quietly lye down in his will, whose will is a perfect will, a just and righteous will, a wise will, an o∣ver-ruling will, an infinite will, a soveraign will, a holy will, an immutable will, an uncontroul∣able will, an omnipotent will, and an eternal will; certainly you will but add affliction to affliction, by fighting against your own prayers, and by vexing and fretting your selves when the will of God is done; it is sad to see a man to fight against his friends, it is sadder to see him fight against his relations, it is saddest of all to see him fight against his prayers, and yet this every Christian doth, who mur∣mures and mutters when the Rod of God is upon him; some there be that pray against their prayers, as Augustine, who prayed for con∣tinency, with a proviso, Lord give mee continency, but not yet; And some there bee who fight a∣gainst their prayers, as those who pray that the will of God may be

done, and yet when his will is done upon them, they are like the troubled Sea, when it cannot rest, they are still fretting against the Lord. Ah Christians! have you not sins to fight against, and temptations to fight against, and a Devil to fight against yea a whole world to fight against? why then should you bee found fighting a∣gainst your own prayers? But

Seventhly, Consider, A holy Silence under the heaviest bur∣dens, the greatest afflictions, the saddest providences and changes, will make all tollerable, and ea∣sie to a Christian; the silent soul can bear a burden without a bur∣den; those burdens and troubles that will break a froward mans back, will not so much as break a silent mans sleep; those afflictions that lye as heavy weights upon a murmurer, will lye as light as a feather upon a mute Christian; that bed of sorrow, which is as a bed of thorns to a fr••tful soul, will

bee as a bed of down to a silent soul; a holy Silence unstings every affliction, it takes off the weight of every burden, it adds sweet to every bitter, it changes dark nights into Sunshiny daies, and terrible storms into desirable calms; the smallest sufferings will easily vanquish an unquiet spirit, but a quiet spirit will as easily triumph over the greatest suffer∣ings. As little mercies are great mercies, so great sufferings are but little sufferings in the eye of a si∣lent soul; the silent soul never complains that his affliction is too great, his burthen too heavy, his cross too weighty, his sufferings too many; Silence makes him victorious over all; And therefore as ever you would have heavy af∣flictions light, and bee able to bear a burthen without a burthen, labour as for life after this holy si∣lence. But

Eighthly, Consider, That a holy Silence under afflictions will

bee your best armour of proof against those temptations that af∣flictions may expose you to; times of afflictions, often prove times of great temptation; and therefore afflictions are called temptations, James 1. 12. Blessed is the man which endureth temp〈…〉〈…〉on, for when hee is tried, hee shall receive the Crown of life, &c. The Greek word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, is to bee under∣stood of temptations of proba∣tion, of afflicting temptations, and not of temptations of suggestion, of seduction, for they are not to bee endured, but resisted and ab∣horred. Now affliction is cal∣led temptation,

1 Because, as temptation tries what metal a Christian is made of, so do afflictions.

2 Because, as Satan usually hath a great hand in all the temp∣tations that come upon us, so hee hath a great hand in all the af∣flictions that befall us. As you see in that great instance of Job.

3 Because, as temptations

drive to God, 2 Cor. 12. 7, 8. so doe afflictions, Isa. 26. 16. Hosea 5. ult. but mainly, because Satan chuses times of afflictions as the fittest season for his tempta∣tions; when Job was sorely afflict∣ed in his estate, children, wife, life, then Sa〈…〉〈…〉 lets flie, and makes his fiercest assaults upon him; now Satan tempts him to enter∣tain hard thoughts of God, to di∣strust, to impatiency, to murmur∣ing and muttering: As when Is∣rael was feeble, faint and weary, Amaleck assaulted them, and smote the hindmost of them, Deut. 25. 17, 18. So when Chri∣stians are most afflicted, then u∣sually they are most tempted.

Luther found this by experi∣ence, when hee said, I am with∣out, set upon by all the world▪ and within, by the Devil and all his Angels. Satan is a coward, and loves to strike us, and trample up∣on us, when afflictions have cast us down. When besiedged Towns, Cities and Castles are in

greatest straights and troubles, then the besiedgers make their fiercest assaults: So when Chri∣stians are under the greatest straights and trials, then Satan assaults them most, like a roaring Lion. Now silence under af∣flictions is the best antidote and preservative against all those temptations that afflictions lay us open to. Silence in afflictions is a Christians armour of proof, it is that shield, that no spear or dart of temptation can peirce; whilst a Christian lies quiet under the Rod, hee is safe; Satan may tempt him, but hee will not conquer him, hee may assault him, but hee cannot vanquish him, Satan may entice him to use sinful shifts, to shift himself out of trouble, but hee will chuse rather to lye, yea dye in trouble than to get out up∣on Satans terms. But

Ninthly, Consider, That holy Silence under afflictions and trials, will give a man a quiet and peace∣able

possession of his own soul, In patience possess your souls; now next to the possession of God, the possession of a mans own soul is the greatest mercy in this world. A man may possess honours & riches, and dear relations, and the favour and assistance of friends under his trials, but hee will never come to a possession of his own soul un∣der his troubles, till hee comes to bee mute, and to lay his hand up∣on his mouth. Now what are all earthly possessions, to the possessi∣on of a mans own soul? he that pos∣sesses himself, possesses all, he that possesses not himself, possesses no∣thing at all; hee possesses not the use, the sweet, the comfort, the good, the blessing of any thing hee enjoyes, who enjoyes not himself; that man that is not Master of himself, hee is Master of nothing; holy Silence gives a man the grea∣test Mastery over his own spirit, and Mastery over a mans own spi∣rit, is the greatest Mastery in the world. The Egyptian Goddesse they

paint upon a rock standing in the Sea, where the waves come roar∣ing and dashing upon her, with this Motto, Semper eadem, storms shall not move mee. A holy Si∣lence will give a man such a quiet possession of his own soul, that all the storms of afflictions shall not move him; it will make him stand like a Rock in a Sea of troubles; let a man but quietly possess him∣self, and troubles will never trouble him. But

Tenthly, Consider the com∣mands and injunctions that God in his word hath laid upon you to bee silent, to bee mute and quiet, under all the troubles, trials and changes that have or may pass up∣on you. Zach. 21. 3. Bee silent, O all flesh! before the Lord; for hee is raised up out of his holy habitation, Isa. 41. 1. Keep silence before mee▪ O Islands. Hab. 2. 20. The ••ord is in his holy Temple; let all the earth keep silence before him. Amos 5. 1••. Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in ••hat

time, for it is an evil time. Psa. 46. 10. Be still, and know that I am God. Psa. 4. 4. Commune with your heart, and be still. Exod. 14. 13. Stand still, and see the salvation of God. 2 Chron. 20. 17. Stand yee still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Ju∣dah and Jerusalem. Job 37. 14. Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God. It is a dangerous thing for us to neglect one of his commands, who by another is able to com∣mand us into nothing, or into Hell at pleasure; to act or run cross to Gods express command (though under pretence of revelation from God) is as much as a mans life is worth, as you may see in that sad story, 1 King. 13. 24, &c. Divine commands must bee put in speedy execution, without denying or delaying, without debating or dis∣puting the difficulties that may attend our subjection to them. Gods commands are spiritual, ho∣ly, just and good; and therefore to bee obeyed without muttering or

murmuring: Divine commands are backed with the strongest rea∣son, and attended with the highest encouragements. Shall the ser∣vant readily obey the commands of his Master? the subject the commands of his Prince, the souldier the commands of his Ge∣neral, the child the commands of his Father, the wife the commands of her husband, and shall not a Christian as readily obey the com∣mands of his Christ? nay, shall vain men readily and willingly o∣bey the sinful and senseless com∣mands of men, and shall not wee bee willing to obey the commands of God? 2 Sam. 13. 28, 29. Now Absalom had commanded his ser∣vants, saying, Mark yee now when Amnons heart is merry with Wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Am∣non, then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be couragious, and be valiant. And the servants of Absolom did unto Amnon, as Abso∣lom had commanded: they made no bones of obeying the bloody

commands of Absolom, against all Law, Reason and Religion.

I have read of one Johannes Ab∣bas, who willingly fetched water neer two miles every day for an whole year together, to pour upon a dry stick, upon the bare com∣mand of his Confessor.

I have also read of the old Kings of Peru, that they were wont to use a tassel or fringe made of red wool, which they wore upon their heads, and when they sent any Governour to rule as Vice Roy in any part of their Country, they delivered unto him one of the threeds of the tassel, and for one of those simple threeds hee was as much obeyed, as if hee had been the King himself: Now shall one single threed bee more forcible to draw Infidels to obedience, than all those golden commands last ci∣ted, shall bee of force to draw you to bee quiet and silent under the troubles and changes you meet with in this world? the Lord forbid.

Shall carnal and wicked persons

bee so ready and willing to com∣ply with the bloody, and senseless, and superstitious commands of their superiours? and shall not Christians bee more ready and willing to comply with the com∣mands of the great God? whose commands are all just and equal, and whose will is the perfect rule of Righteousness. Prior est auto∣ritas imperantis, quam utilitas ser∣vientis. Tertul. The chief reason of obedience, is the authority of the Lord, not the utility of the servant. Ah Christians! when your hearts begin to fret and fume under the smarting Rod, charge one of those commands last cited upon your hearts, and if they shall mutter, charge another of those commands upon your hearts, and if after this they shall vex and mur∣mure, charge another of those com∣mands upon your hearts, and never leave charging and rubbing those commands one after another upon your hearts, till you are brought to lay your hands upon your

mouths, and to sit silent before the Lord under your greatest straights, and your sorest trials.

Eleventhly, Consider, That mercy is nearest, deliverance and salvation is at hand, when a Chri∣stian stands still, when hee sits quiet and silent under his greatest troubles, and his sorest trials. Exod. 14. They were in very great straights; Pharaoh with a mighty Army was behinde them, the Red Sea before them, Moun∣tains on each hand of them, and no visible means to deliver them: But now they stand still to see the salvation of the Lord, vers. 13. and within a few hours their enemies are destroyed, and they are glori∣ously delivered, vers. 24,—ult. Psal. 39. 9. David is dumb, hee sits mute under his smart afflicti∣ons, but if you look to the second and third verses of the fortieth Psalm, you shall finde mercy draws near to him, and works salvation for him. Hee brought mee up

also out of an horrible pit, out of the mire and clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And hee hath put a new song into my mouth, even praise unto our God: ma∣ny shall see it and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. And so when Absa∣lom had made a great conspiracie against him, and his subjects fell off from him, and hee was forced to flee for his life, his spirit was quiet and calm, 2 Sam. 15. 25, 26. And the King said unto Za∣dock▪ Carry back the Ark of God in∣to the City: if I shall finde favour in the eyes of the Lord, hee will bring mee again, and shew mee both it, and and his habitation. But if hee thus say, I have no delight in thee, Be∣hold here am I, let him do to mee as seemeth good unto him. And the same calmness and quietness of spirit was upon him, when Shimei bitterly cursed him, and railed up∣on him, chap. 16. 5,—14. And within a few daies, as you may see in the two following Chapters, the conspirators are destroyed,

and Davids Throne more firmly established; mercy is alwaies near∣est, when a man can in quietness possess his own soul; salvation is at hand, when a Christian comes to lay his hand upon his mouth; mer∣cy will bee upon the wing, loving kindness will ride post, to put a period to that mans troubles, who sits silent in the day of his sor∣rows and sufferings. Ah Christi∣ans, as you would have mercy near, as you would see to the end of your afflictions, as you would have deliverance come flying up∣on the wings of the wind, sit mute and silent under all your troubles. As Wine was then nearest when the water-pots were filled with wa∣ter even to the brim: so when the heart is fullest of quietness and calmness, then is the Wine of mer∣cy, the Wine of deliverance nearest.

The twelfth and last Motive to work you to silence under your greatest trials, is this, Seriously

consider the hainous and dange∣rous nature of murmuring; now that you may, let mee propose these following particulars to your most sober consideration.

Notes

• Rev. 4. 10, 11. Jer. 10. 7. chap. 5. 22. 2 King. 2. chap. 3. 5.
• Exod. 15.
• Exod. 14. 13, 14
• Turk. Hist. 236. 415.
• Afflictio∣nes Bene∣dictiones. Bern. Af∣flictions are bles∣sings. Doubtless Manasseh would not exchange the good hee got by his Iron chains for all the gold chains that bee in the world.
• Lib. 12. cap. 9.
• Psa. 25. 10. Deut. 28 26
• Rom. 15. 4
• Lam. 3. 39 Mic. 7. 7, 8, 9
• 1 King. 12. 11, 14.
• 2 Sam. 13. 20,—33
• Mat. 6. 10
• Voluntas Dei neces∣sitas rei, e∣very gra∣cious soul should say Amen to Gods A∣men; hee should put his fiat, his placet, to Gods, go it never so much a∣gainst the hair with him.
• Micah 7. 7, 8, 9, 10 Psal. 62. 1,—6
• Luk. 22. 31,—34. Job 1. 3 Zach. 1. 2, 3, 4 Mat. 4. 1, 2, 3
• James 4. 7. 1 Pet. 5. 9
• Many Saints have expe∣rienced this truth, when they have been upon their sick and dying beds
• Luk. 21. 19. Vide Greg. in Evan∣gel. Hom. 35.
• Prov. 16. 32
• Gods com∣mands are like those of the Medes, that can∣not bee changed.
• Obedientia non discu∣tit Dei mandata, sed facit. Prosper. Rom. 7. 12, 14
• Cassian. de Institut. renunci∣ant. lib. 4. cap. 24
• Non paren∣tum aut majorum authoritas, sed Dei docentis imperium. Jerom. The com∣mands of God must out-weigh all autho∣rity and example of men.
• Act. 27. 20,—26 Dan. 9. 20,—24. Isa. 58. 8, 9. chap. 30. 19. & ch. 65. 24
• John 2. 1,—12.