A staffe of comfort to stay the weake from falling very needfull for the afflicted. By Richard Bernard, preacher of Gods word; at Batcombe in Somerset-shire. Art thou any way tempted, or troubled? reade, beleeue, and reioyce.

Of particular callings and courses of life, and first concerning Parents.

Ob. I Am a careful father, and yet am I vexed with a lewd and rebellious child,, which doth not a lit∣tle afflict me.

Answ. Faithfull Abra∣ham (the friend of God)

had a mocking Ismaell; good Isaac, a prophane E∣sau; and zealous Dauid, his most wicked and vnnaturall sonne Absolom.

Obiect. I haue instructed him, but he is not the better, I will therefore leaue him to himselfe.

Answ. A childe left to himselfe, bringeth his Pa∣rents to shame, Pro. 29.15. But correct thy sonne, and hee shall giue thee rest, yea hee shall giue delight vnto thy soule, Verse, 17.

Obiect. I am not in want my selfe, nor euer was desti∣tute of competent meanes to liue (I thanke God), yet am I very much troubled about my childrens welfare, how they should doe after me, be∣cause

I haue little or no∣thing to leaue them.

Answ. The Lord is a strong confidence to him that feareth him, and his children shall haue a place of refuge, Prou. 14.26. The iust man walketh in his in∣tegrity, and his children are blessed after him, Prou. 20.7. For the generation of the vpright shall bee bles∣sed, Psal. 112.2. Of which Dauid speaketh from his experience, saying, I haue beene young, and now am old, yet haue I not seene the righteous forsaken, nor his seede begging bread, Psal. 37.25.

Obiect. I am desirous to haue my children well brought vp, and could be con∣tent

to be at cost (to the vt∣most of my power) for the same, but that I can not see how possibly they may come to preferment; for not mens deserts, but (for the most part) fauour, friends, money, outward grace, and counte∣nance of the world, fraude and flattery get men their places and preferments.

Answ. Behold, God exalteth by his power, Iob, 36.22. Preferment (what∣soeuer man thinketh, or whatsoeuer meanes hee v∣seth to obtaine it) commeth neither from the East, nor from the West, nor from the South: but God is the iudge, hee putteth downe one, and setteth vp another, Psalm. 75.6.7. Both riches

and honor come from him. He raigneth ouer all. In his hand is power and might. In his hand it is to make great, and to giue strength vnto all, 1. Chron. 29.12. He raiseth the poore out of the dust, and lifteth the needy and beggar out of the mire from the dung-hil, that hee may set him with Princes, euen with the Princes of his people, Psal. 113.7. And to make him inherit the throne of glory, 1. Sam. 2.8.

Children.

Ob. I Am a child, (I speake it with harts griefe,) of ill disposed Parents, I

feare that God will visit vp∣on mee their sinnes and ini∣quities.

Answ. Behold (saith the Lord) all soules are mine, as the soule of the fa∣ther, so the soule of the sonne is mine. The soule that sinneth, it shall die, the father in his owne iniquity, Ezech. 18.4.18. But loe, if hee beget a sonne that seeth all his fathers sinnes, which he hath done and conside∣reth, and doth not such like, he shall not die for the ini∣quity of his father, hee shall surely liue, Verses, 18.14.17.

Obiect. Wee bee father∣lesse children, wee haue none to flye vnto for succour, to haue remedy for the wrongs we doe sustaine.

Answ. The Lord is the helper, and a father of the fatherlesse, Psalm. 10.14. & 68.5. Hee is their mightie redeemer, hee will plead their cause with the oppres∣sor, Prou. 23.11. Hee will iudge the fatherlesse and oppressed, that the man of earth may no more op∣presse, Psal. 10.18.

Obiect. I haue very vn∣kind and vnnaturall bre∣thren, without cause on my part.

Answ Not more vn∣kind and vnnaturally cruel, than Cain was to innocent Abell, or Esau to Iacob, and Iacobs ten sonnes to their brother Ioseph, whom they did intend mercilesly to murther, euen of meere en∣uie,

for the graces of God in him.

Married persons.

Ob. I Am vnequally yoked.

Answ. God so dis∣poseth by his prouident hand in his wisedome, that a religious Dauid, shall match with a mocking Mi∣chol; and a wise Abigail with a foolish and churlish Nabal.

Obiect. We are of so crosse natures, as we shall neuer be brought to accord.

Answ. Pray vnto the Lord, for hee maketh them of the house to bee of one minde. Psal. 68.6.

Obiect. Wee haue too

many children.

Answ. Say not so, be∣hold, children are an heri∣tage of the Lord, and the fruit of the wombe is his reward, Psal. 127.31. Bles∣sed is the man that hath fil∣led his quiuer, his house full of them, Ver. 5. It is a bles∣sing promised to him that feareth God, that his wife shall bee as a fruitfull vine by the sides of his house, and his children as Oliue branches round about his Table, Psal. 128.31.

Obiect. But I am growne old, and haue the charge, not onely of mine owne chil∣dren, but of my childrens children.

Answ. There is no cause of discontentment, but of

glory and reioysing, for childrens children are the crowne of old men, Prou. 17.6.

Obiect. See how very vnthankefull some are for Gods blessing, in giuing them children! but I that desire them can not haue them, and remaine hopelesse.

Ans. Hannah remained long childlesse, yet at the length God made her fruit∣full, 1. Sam. 1.20. & 2.21. For the Lord setteth the so∣litarie in families, Psal. 68.6. And maketh the barren woman to keepe house, and to bee a ioyfull mother of children, Psal. 113.9, when it pleaseth him. If thou dost remaine childlesse, be con∣tent to bee without a cer∣taine

care, for an vncertaine comfort. For as a wise child maketh a glad father, and causeth the mother to re∣ioyce, Prou. 15.20. & 23.24.25. So a foolish sonne is a griefe to his father, and bitternesse to her that bare him, Prou. 17.25.

Vnmarried.

Ob. I Haue a mind to mar∣ry: but I feare to bee ill sped.

Answ. Goe vnto God for his furtherance & bles∣sing; for house and riches are inheritance from Pa∣rents, but a prudent wife commeth of the Lord, Pro. 19.14. By his fauour thou

shalt finde her, Pro. 28.22. And hee will send his An∣gel with thee to guide thee in the way, Gen. 24.7.

Obiect. I haue beene married, but haue now lost a comfortable yoke-fellow, and a most obedient louing wife: the remembrance of her is such, as though I hard∣ly can containe, yet am I ve∣ry loth to marry againe.

Answ. Abraham had his beloued Sarah, for beautie hardly comparable, admi∣rable in graces, matchlesse for her loue to her husband, and held worthy to bee re∣corded by the Apostle, as a patterne to all wiues, for her reuerence and obedi∣ence in word and deede vn∣to her Lord and husband,

yet at the Lords call shee went before him, who mourned and wept greatly for her: but yet hee being very old, afterwards marri∣ed Keturah. But for the younger sort in yeeres, that can not containe, let them euer consider what the Apostle saith: It is better to marry then to burne, 1. Cor. 7.9.

Obiect. I am a poore wi∣dow that haue lost a good husband, a man fearing God, yet hath he left me in a great debt, and with a charge of children, and now the credi∣tors come vpon me to take all away, and to leaue me no∣thing, neuer poore woman was in such a case. Alas, I know not what to doe.

Answ. Bee patient and waite on God: thou maiest read of a good mans wife, one that feared God, to haue beene left in the verie selfe same case, 2. King. 4.1. Yet did the Lord (as an hus∣band to her), and a merci∣full father to her children, miraculously prouide for them, both for their main∣tenance and paiment of the debt, Verse 3-7. For the Lord is a father of the fa∣therlesse, and a iudge of the widow, Psal. 68.5. He also relieueth the fatherlesse and widow, Psal. 146.9. And e∣uer hath had speciall care of them, both for their reliefe, Deut. 24.19.21, the pre∣seruation of their state, Prouerbs, 15.25, and pre∣uenting

of wrongs offered vnto them, Exo. 22.22.24.

Masters and Seruants.

Ob. I Am a master of a fa∣mily, but a world of griefe it is to see the deceit and falshood of seruants, I am almost vndone by them, I thinke neuer master was thus dealt with.

Answ. Had not most ho∣nest, most true hearted Me∣phibosheth, a notable decei∣uer to his seruant, that wic∣ked villaine Zibah? 2. Sam. 16. Had not religious Phi∣lemon, his pilfering Onesi∣mus? Doest thou not know that Iesus Christ himselfe had a traitour to his ser∣uant,

who for gaine sold his life into the hands of his bloudy enemies? Consider and learne patience.

Obiect. I am a poore ser∣uant, I labour faithfully, but my reward is small.

Answ. In so doing thou seruest the Lord Christ, of whom thou shalt receiue thy reward, Col. 3.24. For if with a good will thou doest seruice to thy master, as vnto Christ, with feare and trembling in singlenes of heart, not with eye-ser∣uice, as a man-pleaser, but as a seruant to Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, for the good thing thou doest, thou shalt bee recompensed of the Lord, Ephes. 6.5-8.

Obiect. My master is a very worldling, and dealeth not honestly with mee in my wages, according to coue∣nant. If it were not for com∣mon shame, or that he knowes by law I may recouer my dew, he would send me away empty-handed: it can not but grieue a man to doe faithfull seruice to such a man.

Answ. Thou maist not yet cease to be faithfull, loo∣king for a reward at God•• hand, Iacob was a mos•• faithfull and painefull ser¦uant to Laban, yet did thi•• his vncle and master wron•• him, and changed his wa¦ges tenne times, Gen. 31. •• 41. And except the God o•• Abraham, and the feare o•• his father Isaac, had been

with him, surely his master Laban had sent him away emptie, Gen. 31.42. But God saw the faithfulnes of Iacob, and all that Laban did vnto him, and the affli∣ction of his seruant, and the labour of his hands, and therefore did he graciously reward him, & God is one and the same to all faithfull seruants, Ephes. 6.8.

Obiect. I am constrained to be at command to such, as be enemies to true religion, idolaters, and persecutors, and can not get away, which maketh me to thinke my selfe left of God, and not to bee reckoned among such as feare him.

Ans. Ioseph a godly man, liued in Pharaohs Court,

Gen. 41.40. Iacob was a seruant to idolatrous La∣ban, Gen. 31. Daniel was with Nebuchadnezzar and Darius, Dan. 2.48. & 6.3. Abedmelech was one in Ze∣dechias Court, Ierem. 38.7. And Obediah, one fearing God was in Achabs house, 1. King. 18.3. Yet were they not left of God, but such as did serue and feare him. For though they were seruants to men: yet were they (be∣ing good) euen the Lords freemen, 1. Cor. 7.22.

Men in publike autho∣ritie.

Ob. I Am a magistrate, but much discouraged in the execution of my magi∣stracy,

for matters are so packt vp of others, lewde persons so borne with all, and my selfe for iust proceeding so little regarded of my bet∣ters, so opposed by my equals, and so despised hereby of in∣feriours, as in deede, I must either giue ouer my place, or cease to be vpright.

Answ. For all this take heed what thou doest: thou iudgest not for man, but for the Lord, who is with thee in the iudgement, 2. Chro. 19.6. Blessed are they that keepe iudgement, and he that doth righteousnesse at all times, Psal. 106.3. Let therefore the feare of the Lord bee with thee, take heed and do it, 2. Chr. 19.7.

Obiect. I am a iudge, and

one sitting in the place of iu∣stice: but indeed a very per∣uerter of iustice and truth: for I haue more often pre∣tended law, than followed it; and if I had law, (then for my owne aduantage and profit, or to reuenge mee on my ad∣uersaries, or to pleasure my friends, or for hope of a bribe, or to haue (in the like occa∣sion) an other to doe as much for me, or my friend, or for feare somtime) I would make the best of that law; & where it would serue the turn, there would I stretch it vpon the ten•••••••• making the sinewes thereof cracke againe; and where it might make for the aduerse party, that braunch I would falsly interpret, or make it to bee of no force.

Thus vniustly haue I sit in iudgement. Woe is me: I can not hope of mercy.

Ans. Saluation is come to Zacheus house, if he be∣leeue in Christ, shew mer∣cy freely and bountifully to the poore, and shall restore backe againe, what he hath gotten by forged cauillati∣on. For the Lord looketh vpon men in his mercy. And if any say I haue sinned, and peruerted that which was right, and it profited mee not, hee will deliuer that mans soule for going into the pit, and his life 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the light, Iob, 33.2••••

Pastors and Teachers.

Ob. I Am a Pastour ouer a flocke, but haue a re∣bellious

people, who cause me to feare to discharge faith∣fully my dutie, they are so wickedly bent against me.

Answ. Be not afraide of their faces, for though they doe fight against thee, they shall not preuaile: for I am with thee, to deliuer thee (saith the Lord,) Ier. 1.18.19. And I will deliuer thee out of the hand of the wic∣ked, Ier. 15.20.21.

Obiect. I haue preached painfully, yet I finde no fruit of my labours, my diligence is but lost vpon them.

Answ. The word (saith God) that goeth out of my mouth, shal not returne vn∣to mee void, but it shall ac∣cōplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the

thing, wherto I send it, Esa. 55.11. Howsoeuer it doth preuaile with them, yet art thou in thy ministery, a sweet sauour of Christ vnto God, both in them that are saued, and in them that pe∣rish, 2. Corinth. 2.15. Thy iudgement is with the Lord, and thy worke with thy God, Esa. 44.4. And though the people bee not gathered, yet shalt thou bee glorious in the Lords eyes, and he shal be thy strength, Verse, 5.

Ob. But if they amend not, I feare to become guiltie of their bloud.

Ans. If thou dost warne the wicked, and hee turne not from his wickednesse, nor from his wicked way,

he shall die in his iniquitie, but thou hast deliuered thy soule, Eze. 3.19. And art free from his bloud, Act. 20.26.

Ob. Truely, I am weary of my calling, and ready to giue ouer my ministery, I am so discouraged both at home and abroad, of the laietie I am reproached, and of the clergie (in authority) I am not assisted, but rather base∣ly esteemed and neglected as a contemptible person. I haue suffered of all sorts such wrong, onely for my faith∣fulnesse in my ministery, as I am not able to indure it.

Answ. That thou maiest not be wearied and faint in minde, consider the Lord Iesus, who indured such contradiction of sinners a∣gainst

him, and for the ioy that was set before him, in∣dured the crosse, despised the shame, and is now set at the right hand of the throne of God, Heb. 12.2.3. Saint Paul fought a good fight, kept the faith, and so finished his course, & there∣fore was a crowne of righ∣teousnesse layed vp for him, 2. Tim. 4.7.8. For he that in∣dureth tentation, when hee is tried, shall receiue the crowne of life, Iam. 1.12.

Obiect. I am complained off to the highest authority, as an vnsufferable man.

Ans. So was Amos the Prophet, by Amaziah to Ieroboam, Amos, 7.10.

Obiect. They hold me a mad fellow, an enemy to the

State, & some preach against the truth which I teach, and yet must I be silent, if I com∣plaine, I am not heard, I haue so many, and those great enemies against me.

Answ. Ieremy that most sincere, zealous, and faith∣full Prophet of God, was held a mad fellow, one that taught without authoritie, to be worthy stocking, and imprisonment, Cha. 29.26.27. The Priests and false teachers spoke against him, and brought him before au∣thoritie, as an enemy to the Sate, Chap. 26.8.10.11. & 28.1—& 38.4. They deuised mischiefes against him, a∣busing him with their tongue, Chap. 18.18. They had him and his ministery

in derision, mocking & re∣proaching him, Ch. 20.7.8. His familiars watched to catch aduantage against him, Chap. 20.10. His very life was sought, Cha. 18.20.23. Pashur smote him, and put him in the stockes, Cha. 20.2. His writings were burnt, Chap. 36.21.23. And hee cast into a most loath∣some, filthie and stinking prison, Chap. 38. Verse, 6. Thus was Ieremy dealt with. What shall I speake of other Prophets? Micha∣iah, 1. Kings 22.27. Vriiah. Ier. 26.23. Eliah, and the rest also of the Apostles, Bi∣shops, and Pastors, faithfull Martyrs of Iesus Christ af∣ter them? Thou hast not with these resisted vnto

bloud striuing against sin, Heb. 12.4.

Marchants.

Ob. WE dwell by the sea side, and the seas doe so often swell, and rage in a storme, as wee may feare they will at length ouerflow the earth.

Answ. The Lord hath placed the sand for the bound of the sea, by a per∣petuall decree, that it can∣not passe it; and though the waues thereof tosse them∣selues, yet can not they preuaile, though they roare, yet can they not passe ouer it, Ierem. 5.22, to turne a∣gaine to couer the earth, Psal. 104.9. For the Lord

hath set barres and doores, saying, hitherto shall you come, but no further, and heere shall the proud waues bee staied, Iob, 38.10.11.

Ob. I am a Marchant, and am often to trade vpon this vnstable element, and doe feare casting away, for the waues are mightie, and rage horribly, when the stor∣my winde lifteth them vp, so as we in the shippes mount vp to heauen, and downe againe to the depth, reeling and stag∣gering to and fro (like drun∣ken men), and sometime are almost brought vnto our wits end.

Answ. There is yet safety vpon the seas, for the Lord ruleth the raging of the sea,

when the waues thereof a∣rise he stilleth them, Psalm. 89.9. Hee is mightier than they, Psal. 93.4. For when men doe cry vnto him in their troubles, he deliuereth them out of their distresse: hee makes the storme to cease, and the waues to bee still, and bringeth them to their desired harbour, Psal. 107.28.30. O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodnesse, and his wonderful works to the children of men! Psal. 31.

Trades-men.

Ob. I Am a trades-man, & desire to liue honest∣ly: but if I so doe, I see I shal not thriue.

Answ. The vpright shall haue good things in posses∣sion, Prou. 28.10.

Ob. But by my honest dea∣ling, I get but little, when o∣thers possesse great riches.

Ans. Better is a little in the feare of God, then great riches without equitie and right, Prou. 16.8. And a lit∣tle that a righteous man hath, is better thā the riches of many wicked. Ps. 37.16.

Ob. But thus shal I leaue little to my children, when o∣thers make theirs gentlemē.

Ans. The iust man that walketh in his integrity, his children are blessed after him, Prou. 20.7. As for the heritage hastily gotten, it shall not bee blessed in the end, Prouerbs, 20.21. For

wealth gottē by vanity, shal be diminished, Pro. 13.11.

Ob. I could gaine, if I might but vse the common shifts, and speake vntruely now and then, which are vsu∣all euery where betweene the buyer and the seller. Yea, those that are held the most honest market-men, and ap∣proued chap-men, are not free from some shifts, and vn∣true speaking without which they can not liue, by buying and selling and gaine therby.

Ans. The getting of trea∣sures by a lying tongue, is a vanitie tossed too and fro, of them that seek death, Pr. 21.6. Also lying lippes, are abomination to the Lord: but they that deale truly are his delight, Prou. 12.22.

Husband-men.

Ob. MY calling is very litle esteemed off, and doth want wherewith to commend it.

Answ. It is not so, for this calling of the husband-man is of very great anti∣quitie. The first man of the first world was an husband-man, euen Adam, who also brought vp his children therein, Gen. 4. And the first man of the latter world, was an husband-man, euen righteous Noah, Gen. 9. It is also of very great necessity, for the profit of the earth is for all. The King himselfe is serued by the field, Ecc. 5.9.

Ob. But none of account

had euer esteeme thereof, for now men of any ciuill bring∣ing vp, scorne to be imployed about this calling of hus∣bandry, though they doe not put their hands to the labor.

Ans. The first Monarch euen God himselfe planted a garden, Gen. 2.8. The two next vnder him, the sole Monarches of the earth, A∣dam and Noah were hus∣band-men. Also Vzziah a valiant King, 2. Chron. 26. Whose name, for his noble acts and victorious battells spread farre, Vers. 8. Yet lo∣ued husbandry, Vers. 10. If therefore most honourable persons, may make a calling honourable: then is this calling of husbandry most honourable.

Ob. It may be God doth not respect so much a man in this calling, as he doth in an∣other, and then there is small comfort in it, how honoura∣ble, ancient, and necessary so∣euer it be.

Answ. How much God respects the husband-man, appeareth in these things: that God is his God, and in∣structeth him to discretion, & teacheth him, Esa. 28.26. He promiseth also blessing vpon his labour, if he be di∣ligent, Pro. 27.23.27. & 28.19. & 12.11.

Ob. But sometime it fal∣leth out, that doe what wee can, one crop will not bring in an other, though wee hus∣band it neuer so well.

Ans. If you will walke in

my statutes (saith the Lord) your threshing shall reach to the vintage, and the vin∣tage shall reach to the sow∣ing time, and yee shall eat your bread to the ful, Leuit. 26.5. Ye shall eat old store, and bring forth the old be∣cause of the new, Vers. 10.

Ob. Wee oftentimes want raine, and many times haue it vnseasonably.

Ans. If you will hearken diligently vnto my cōman∣dements (saith the Lord) which I command you, to loue the Lord your God, & to serue him with all your heart, and with all your soule, then I will giue you the raine of your Land in his due season, the first raine and the latter raine, that

thou maiest gather in thy fruits, Deut. 11.13.14, haue grasse also in the field for thy cattell, that so thou maiest eat and be full, Vers. 50. And praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you, Ioel, 2.26.

Ob. I thinke the raine falleth according onely to the course of nature, and is carried (as wee common people thinke) by Planets, and not by any such a proui∣dent hand of God; for I haue knowne it to raine in one place, and not in another, & the same not far asunder.

Ans. It is the Lord God that calleth for the waters of the sea, & poureth them out vpon the face of the

earth, Amos, 5.8. And sen∣deth waters vpon the field, Iob, 5.10. Yea it is hee that watereth the ridges of the earth abundantly, making it soft with showers, and blesseth the springing ther∣of, Psal. 65.9.10. Hee doth also withhold the raine be∣fore the haruest, and causeth it to raine vpon one Citie, and causeth it not to raine vpon another, Amos, 4.7— And he only it is that reser∣ueth vnto vs, the appointed weekes of the haruest, Ier. 5.24. Praised be his name.

Notes

• Parents.
• Godly pa∣rents may haue vngod∣ly children.
• Correction good for children.
• The childrē of the righ∣teous are blessed. Psal. 103.17. & 115.14. Prou. 13.22.
• Preferment is onely of God, and the earth dispo∣sed at his pleasure. Ier. 27.5.
• Psal. 107.41.
• A good child shall not fare the worse, for his fathers wickednes.
• God is the guardian to father∣lesse chil∣dren.
• Children are the blessing of God.
• God can make the barren to beare chil∣dren.
• A good wife is Gods gift.
• 1. Pet. 3.6.
• Gen. 23.2.
• Chap. 25.1.
• God proui∣deth for poore wi∣dowes, and fatherlesse children.
• A good ser∣uant serueth the Lord.
• A good ser∣uant serueth the Lord.
• The masters wickednes, should not make the seruant faithlesse. Gen. 30.26.33. & 31.6.37.38.39.40.
• Gen. 31.9.12.42.
• A good man may serue a bad master sometime.
• We may not cease to doe well, though we be cros∣sed in our callings.
• Luk. 19.8.9. An vniust Iudge may finde mercy, if he repent and make restitution.
• Ezech. 3.9.
• A painefull Pastour shall not lose the reward of his labour.
• Christ is to vs his mini∣sters, a pat∣terne of patience.
• Ieremies mi∣series.
• The sea can∣not passe the bounds.
• There is safety vpon the seas.
• Goods ill gotten shall not prosper. Prou. 12.3. & 28.8. & 13. & 11.22. Iob, 27.17. & 21.5.6.7. Ier. 22.13.17
• Husbandry a calling not to be despi∣sed.
• Gen. 3.
• Most hono∣rable per∣sons, haue honoured husbandry.
• God re∣spects the husband-man.
• Mens sinnes marre their husbandry.
• God promi∣seth seasona∣ble weather, to such as serue him. Leuit. 26.4. Deut. 28.12. Ioel, 2.23.26
• Raine is by Gods ap∣pointment.