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 trouble for Reli∣gion.

Ob. I Am in great heaui∣nesse through the ma∣nifold tentations, troubles, and vexations that come vp∣on me, for my Christian pro∣fession.

Answ. Sure it is, that tri∣bulation is not ioyous for the present, but grieuous; neuerthelesse afterwards it yeeldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousnesse, vnto them that are exercised thereby, Heb. 12.11. Also consider, that vnto vs it is giuen for Christ (saith the Apostle), that not onely we should beleeue in him, but also suffer for his sake, Phi∣lippians 1.29. And being partakers of the sufferings, so shall wee bee also of the consolations, 2. Cor. 1.7. Knowing that this is but the tryall of our faith, being much more precious than gold that perisheth (though it be tryed with fire), that it might bee found vnto our

praise, and honour, and glo∣ry, at the appearing of Iesus Christ, 1. Pet. 1.7.

Obiect. I am loaden a∣boue measure with reproa∣ches: the wicked enemies and vngodly vaine persons doe hate mee, and speake all manner of euill against mee, that they can imagine, sepe∣rating me from their compa∣ny, and doe cast mee out, as a man of an euill name, from a∣mong them.

Ans. Thus haue the wic∣ked done heeretofore vnto the godly, Lu. 6.23. Psa. 35.15.16. & 57.4. & 31.18. But (saith our Sauiour) blessed are you, when men shall hate you, seperating you from ther company, re∣uile you, and say all manner

of euill against you falsely, casting out your name (as e∣uill) for mee, the Sonne of mans sake: Reioyce yee in that day, be exceeding glad, and leape for ioy; for be∣hold, great is your reward in heauen, Matth. 5.11.12. Luke 6.22.23. And be∣cause also the spirit of glory resteth on you, which on their part is ill spoken of, 1. Pet. 4.14. Therfore feare not the reproach of men, neither bee afraide of their reuilings; for the moth shal eat them like a garment, and the worme shall eat them like wooll, Esay 51.7.8.

Obiect. Oh, but in the meane space I feare, by such vnsufferable euills, such de∣spitefull

tauntings, odious re∣proches, hatefull slanders, & cruell persecutions, to be sha∣ken off from my profession, & drawne from my stedfastnesse to the wayes of the wicked.

Answ. We stand not of our selues, but wee are kept (as Saint Peter saith) by the power of God vnto salua∣tion through faith, 1. Pet. 1.5. Hee worketh all our workes in vs, Esay 26.12. Trust therefore in the Lord for euer, for in the Lord Ie∣houah is euerlasting strength Vers. 4. Cast thy burthen vpon the Lord; hee will beare thee vp, hee will ne∣uer suffer the righteous to be moued, Psal. 55.22. & 16.8. Also God is faithfull, who will not suffer vs to be

tempted aboue that wee are able; but will with the tentation also make away to escape, that wee may be able to beare it, 1. Cor. 10.13.

Obiect. My outward man is ready to perish, and I am in danger of my life euery day, and for the maintenance of the truth.

Answ. Though our out∣ward man perish; yet the inward man is renewed dai∣ly; and our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for vs a farre more exceeding and eternall weight of glory, 2. Cor, 4.17. So that the sufferings of this present life, are not worthy to bee compared with the glory, that shall be

reuealed in vs, Rom. 8.18. Therfore faint not to death, knowing what Christ saith: that whosoeuer shall hate his life in this world, and shall lose it for his sake, shal keepe it vnto eternall life and finde it, Matth. 10.39. & 16.25. Iohn 12.25.

Obiect. I want strength, and feele my selfe to faint, vnder the burthen of my heauy crosses.

Answ. Hast thou not knowen (saith the Prophet) hast thou not heard, that the euerlasting God, the Lord, the Creatour of the ends of the earth fainteth not, neither is weary? he gi∣ueth power to them that faint, and to them that haue no might, hee increaseth

strength, Esa. 40.28.29. They that wait vpon the Lord shall renue their strength, they shall mount vp with wings as Eagles, they shall runne and not be weary, they shall walke and not faint, Ver. 31.

Obiect. My tryalls and troubles are as waters, ready to drowne mee, and as fire to consume, the flame whereof is almost kindled vpon me.

Answ. Feare not (saith the Lord to his people) when thou passest thorow the waters, I will bee with thee; and thorow the riuers they shall not ouerflow thee: when thou walkest thorow the fire, thou shalt not bee burnt, neither shall the flame kindle vpon thee, Esa. 43.1.2.

Obiect. The world is full of seducers, and I am of so meane a capacity, of so shal∣low a iudgement, and so weak hearted, that (I feare) being set vpon I shall turne aside, either to the right, or to the left.

Answ. To escape these, be humble, and God will teach thee the way thou shalt choose, Psal. 25. Glo∣rifie God according to thy present knowledge, and haue a loue to the truth, and pray, so God will not giue thee ouer to thy selfe, and to beleeue lyes, Rom. 1. 2. Thes. 2. And this vnder∣stand, that to deceiue the elect it is vnpossible, Matth. 24.24. Mark. 13.22.

Obiect. I am to bee cal∣led

before authority, to an∣swere for my religion, which I am willing to doe: but in∣deed, I feare I am not able to defend the truth, against their subtle sophistry.

Answ. Bee not afraide, neither bee troubled, but sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts (saith Saint Pe∣ter), and bee ready alwayes to giue an answere to euery man, that asketh you a rea∣son of the hope that is in you, with meekenesse and reuerence, hauing a good conscience, 1. Pet. 3.14.15.16. Not being carefull, nei∣ther taking thought how or what thing yee shall an∣swere, or what ye shall say; for the holy Ghost shall teach you in the same

houre, what yee ought to say, Luke 12.11.12. And Christ will giue you a mouth, & wisedome; which all your aduersaries shal not be able to gainesay, nor re∣sist, Luk. 21.15.

Obiect. Ah, the false∣heartednesse of this world! when I was in prosperity and in peace, I had many that would say well of mee; looke vpon mee cheerefully, not holding it any disgrace to be in my company; and if any did oppose me, they were rea∣dy to answere in my behalfe: but now as soone as authori∣ty called mee in question, they are shrunke backe; yea my neerest acquaintance haue forsaken me, and doe auoide my company for feare, though

my cause be the truth, which they also professe.

Answ. Saint Paul saith, that at his first answering no man stood with him; but all men forfooke him, 2. Tim. 4.16. Notwithstan∣ding the Lord stood with him, and strengthened him, and hee was deliuered out of the mouth of the Lion, Vers. 17. Let this be there∣fore thy comfort, that God doeth stand by thee; and consider also how Iesus Christ was thus dealt with. His Disciples (whom hee calls friends) Ioh. 15.14.15. forsooke him and fled, and such as at other times ap∣plauded his doctrine, reue∣renced his person, admired his workes, and wondered

at his gracious words; did when he was taken of his e∣nemies, leaue him; and in¦stead of their former cry∣ing Hosannah, now with the mighty they tooke part & cryed, away with him, let him be crucified, Mat. 27.

Ob. I can haue no rest, nor peace with the nighest of my bloud, but they also are against me, onely for my pro∣fession, and doe seeke my bloud; yea I am not safe in mine owne house, but there∣in haue I aduersaries. I thought I should haue beene more peaceable, but I finde it cleane contrary.

Answ. Doth not our Sauiour say: I came not to send peace, but rather a sword and diuision, Matth.

10.34. Luk. 12.51. I am come to send fire, Vers. 49. And to set a man at vari∣ance against his father, and the daughter against the mother, and the daughter in law, against hir mother in law, Matth. 10.35. There shall bee fiue in one house diuided, three against two, and two against three, Luk. 12.52. A mans foes shall be they of his owne house, Matth. 10.36. The brother shall deliuer vp the brother to death, and the father the childe: and the children shall rise vp against their parents, and cause them to be put to death, Matth. 10.21. Yea, yee shall (saith Christ) be betrayed by pa∣rents, and brethren, and

kinsfolkes, and friends; be∣ing hated of all men for my names sake, Luk. 21.16.17. But there shall not a haire of your head perish: in your patience possesse your soules, Vers. 18.19. For he that indureth to the end shall bee saued, Matthew 10.22.

Obiect. I haue lost ma∣ny friends by rebuking sinne, though I did it very respec∣tiuely, in true loue to the par∣ties, in compassion to their soules, and in regard of Gods glory, and discharge of my Christian duty; because men are so full of selfe-loue, and for that the world affoordeth so many flatterers, to whom men easily giue an eare; that they cannot with patience

heare a louing, wise, and Christian reprehension.

Answ.He that rebuketh a man shal finde afterwards (though not perhaps at the first) more fauour, than hee that flattereth with his tongue, Prou. 28.23. Hee that saith vnto the wicked, thou art righteous; him shal the people curse, nations shall abhorre him; but to him that rebuketh him shall be delight, and a good bles∣sing shall come vpon him, Prou. 24.24. When as hee that speaketh flattery to his friends, euen the eyes of his children shall faile, Iob 17.5.

Obiect. The wicked doe curse mee for crossing their lewd courses, and because I

am an enemy to their Idola∣try, superstitions, and wicked vanities.

Answ. The curse that is causlesse shall not happen vnto thee. Prou. 26.2. And where God doth blesse, the wicked cannot curse. Num. 23.8. So as with Dauid, thou maist say; it may bee the Lord will look vpon my affliction, and that the Lord will requite good for the cursing, 2. Sam. 16.12.

Obiect. I haue lost very much for my conscience, and more than euer I looke to get againe.

Answ. Verily, there is no man (saith our Sauiour Christ) that hath forsaken house, or brethren, or si∣sters, or father, or mother,

or wife, or children, or lands for my sake and the Gospels, but hee shall re∣ceiue an hundreth fold: now in this time house and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come, shall inherit euerlasting life, Marke 10.29.30. Mat. 19.29.

Obiect. I am almost (for all this) made weary of my profession, by so many ten∣tations and trialls at home and abroade.

Answ. Be not weary of well doing, Gal. 6.9. But rather account it exceeding ioy (saith Saint Iames) when you fall into diuers tenta∣tions, knowing that the

triall of your faith worketh patience, Iam. 1.2.3. Pa∣tience experience, and ex∣perience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed, Rom. 5.4.5. For in due time we shall reape, if we faint not, Gal. 6.9. And blessed is the man, that indureth ten∣tation; for when hee is tri∣ed, hee shall receiue the crowne of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that loue him, Iames 1.12.

Obiect. I haue entertai∣ned such as haue come with the truth of Christ, onely for my spirituall comfort, and for the same haue I beene molested and troubled.

Answ. Howsoeuer men deale with thee, God will

reward thee: for wee read, that hee which receiueth a Prophet in the name of a Prophet, shal receiue a Pro∣phets reward: and hee that receiueth a righteous man, in the name of a righteous man, shall receiue a righte∣ous mans reward, Mat. 10.41.42. And for thy farther comfort, know who then were thy guests; euen God the Father, and Christ his Sonne. For (saith he) hee that receiueth whom I send, receiueth me; and hee that receiueth me, receiueth him that sent me, Ioh. 13.20.

Obiect. Neuer man hath beene so afflicted, and suffe∣red the sufferings, which I haue indured of my malici∣ous enemies, for the truth.

Answ. For thy comfort, least thou shouldest bee wearied and faint in minde, Heb. 12.3. Consider the Lord Iesus (thy master) who endured the speaking a∣gainst of sinners, endured the crosse, and despised the shame, Vers. 2.3. Behold, thy fellow seruants, and ho∣ly men, and Saints of God recorded in Scripture, their like and farre greater af∣flictions.

Obiect. I haue beene cast (as a malefactour) into the common goale, and straight∣ly kept.

Answ. So were the A∣postles, Act. 5.18. &. 12.4.

Obiect. I haue beene brought before authority, & before examination I haue

beene commanded to be bea∣ten, whipped, set in the stocks and imprisoned.

Answ. Thus were Paul and Silas dealt with, being grieuously whipped vnto bloud, and then were thrust into an inner prison, Act. 16.22.23.24. Ieremy was smitten, and put into the stockes, Ier. 20.2.

Obiect. Yea, but I ha∣uing beene examined and found not guilty, but inno∣cent in the Iudges owne con∣science; yet most vniustly, for feare and fauour haue I been commanded to be whip∣ped, and deliuered to the se∣cular power to bee put to death, and had died, but that God strangely deliuered mee.

Answ. Thus dealt Pi∣late, that fearefull flattering and vniust Iudge, with our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ, Matth. 26.18.24.26. Who was not onely in dan∣ger of death; but was put to death indeede, in his cru∣cifying was very despight∣fully abused, Vers. 29.34.39.48. Marke 15.19.20.23.29.31.

Obiect. The prison I lay in was filthy and stinking.

Answ. The dungeon which Ieremy was cast into was full of mire; so as the poore soule stucke fast ther∣in, and had there dyed, be∣ing allowed no food at all to eat: but that one Abed∣melech the Morian, went to the King himselfe, to get

him deliuered from thence, Ier. 38.6.9-13.

Obiect. I haue indured manifold persecutions, be∣sides these now mentioned.

Answ. By many tribula∣tions haue many of the most holy Saints of God, entred into the kingdome of God: they haue beene tried by mockings, scour∣gings, bonds and imprison∣ment, Heb. 11.36. They haue beene made gazing∣stockes, by reproches and afflictions, and spoiled of their goods, Heb. 10.33.34. Some haue beene cast into a burning ouen, Dan. 3. Others into the denne of Lions, Dan. 6. Some haue beene stoned, some slaine with the sword, some hew∣en

in sunder; others wan∣dred in Wildernesses, and Mountaines, and Dennes, and Caues of the earth vp and downe, clad in sheepe skinnes, and goates skins, being destitute, afflicted, and tormented, Hebr. 11.37.38. And wanting re∣liefe of men, haue eaten no other food, then that the foules of the heauen, (by Gods admirable and most wonderfull prouidence) did bring them, 1. Kin. 17.6.

Obiect. Men haue lien in wait to take mee, and di∣uers haue banded themselues sometimes together, swea∣ring to kill mee, and cursing me; though I neuer had any thing to doe with them, nor euer gaue them iust occasion

of offence, farther then they tooke offence, by my profes∣sing and defending the truth.

Answ. Ieremy did not meddle with worldly busi∣nesses among the people, neither giuing nor taking to vsury, yet the people cursed him. The Iewes lay in wait by the gates of the City, for Paul, (day and night) to kil him, Act. 9.24. being aboue fortie men did sweare his death, and neuer to eat or drinke till they had done it, Act. 23.12.13.21. Though he was to them all a harmelesse person, nei∣ther had hee giuen any iust occasion to them (in any worldly respect) so to doe. But God in mercy, proui∣ded meanes to deliuer him∣selfe

safely from them, Acts 9.25. & 23.30.31.

Obiect. These things are able to separate a man from Christ.

Answ. Verily no: the holy Prophets, Apostles, and Saints of God; haue for the Lords sake beene killed all the day long, and beene accounted as sheepe to the slaughter, Rom. 8.36. 2. Cor. 4.11. Shall then tribu∣lation, or distresse, or perse∣cution, or famine, or naked∣nesse, or perill, or sword se∣parate vs from the loue of Christ? Nay in all these things, wee are more then conquerours, through him that loued vs. And the A∣postle is perswaded not on∣ly for himselfe; but also for

those that bee truely the Lords; that neither death, nor life, nor Angells, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall bee able to separate vs from the loue of God, which is in Christ Ie∣sus our Lord, Rom. 8.37.38.39.

Notes

• Rom. 8.17.
• The godly are to re∣ioyce greatly in afflictions, for righte∣ousnes sake.
• A man stands not constant in suffering, but by Gods assisting power, and grace onely.
• A good man by suffering gaineth much.
• God wil giue strength, that we faint not in trouble.
• God is in our compa∣ny in all af∣flictions.
• How, and by whom, to es∣cape sedu∣cers.
• God will as∣sist his, in answering for the truth, against their aduersaries.
• In peace they accom∣pany vs, who in aduersity and dangers may forsake vs.
• Religion here on the earth, affords little out∣ward rest to vs, but rather occasions of trouble frō the wicked. Luk. 12.35.
• Faithfull dealing findes, a better bles∣sing in the end, then flattery shall.
• A causlesse curse, is not to be feared.
• God rewards all losses for righteousnes sake.
• To entertain the faithfull, is a worke that shal not want the re∣ward.
• Christs pati∣ent suffering, and other following his steps before vs, helpe greatly to comfort our fainting spi∣rits.
• Mark. 15.15.
• Act. 14.22.
• Many and sundry tor∣ments haue the Saints suffered, for righteousnes sake.
• Ier. 15.10. It is the good graces in Gods chil∣dren (which the wicked hate them for), as Cain did his bro∣ther Abell.
• Afflictions shall not faint the hart of the faith∣full, to make them fall frō the truth.