The use of this doctrine, is first of all to teach all men, 1to esteem aright of the afflictions that God layeth upon them in this world: commonly men take them impatiently, & our nature grudgeth against them: but let a Christian man consider with himself, how God hath always dealt with his children, and he hath cause not to think so: for doth God lay some great affliction on thee? it may be he hath some mighty work of ⟨p. 65⟩his grace to work in thee, or some great work of mercy to be wrought by thee in his Church, and hereby prepareth thee for the same. Say therefore with the holy Prophet;2 I held my tongue • Lord, and spake nothing, because it was thy doing: and what God may intend in his so doing to thee, thou canst not tell:3 and therefore in silence and patience possess thy soul. Again, here is a comfort to all such as are distressed in mind, in sense of their sins, and sight of Gods wrath: their states is not miserable, much less desperate, for they are in the high way to grace and favour. God justifieth not, but him that repents: God exalts not, but him that is humbled: God comfort not, but him that is distressed: God hath mercy on none, but such as both know and feel they want it: and know also, that they know not where to have it, but at his hands. Happy therefore is that soul, that feels the weight and burden of sin for to him will Christ bring most ease and comfort. Gods Ministers therefore are hereby to comfort ⟨p. 66⟩distressed consciences, to assure them, that if with this Prophet they be so deeply touched with sight of their sins, and Gods justice, as that they cry, Woe is me, I am undone. Then, even Then, are they most capable of comfort, and best prepared to receive it, as here it fell out to the holy Prophet. Thirdly, here is the way taught us how to attain to any excellent graces of God,4 either for our own salvation, or the good of the Church, namely to labour for a sensible feeling of the want of them in our selves: for God useth to bestow no gifts on any man, but such as do in humility & lowliness, confess to God, & acknowledge in themselves, the want of them. So the blessed Virgin singeth,5 God f•lleth the hungry with good things, but the rich he sends empty away: And so the psalmist, God satisfieth the hungry soul, and filleth the empty soul with goodness.
The vse of this doctrine, is first of all to teach all men, 1to esteeme aright of the afflictions that God layeth vpon them in this world: cōmonly men take them impatiētly, & our nature grudgeth hagainst them: but let a Christian man consider with himselfe, how God hath alwaies dealt with his children, and he hath cause not to thinke so: for doth God laye some great affliction on thee? it may be he hath some mighty work of ⟨p. 65⟩his grace to worke in thee, or some great worke of mercy to bee wrought by thee in his Church, and hereby prepareth thee for the same. Say therefore with the holy Prophet;2 I helde my tongue • Lord, and spake nothing, because it was thy doing: and what God may intend in his so doing to thee, thou canst not tell:3 and therefore in silence and patience possesse thy soule. Againe, here is a comfort to all such as are distressed in minde, in sence of their sinnes, and sight of Gods wrath: their states is not miserable, much lesse desperate, for they are in the high way to grace and fauour. God iustifieth not, but him that repents: God exalts not, but him that is humbled: God comfort not, but him that is distressed: God hath mercie on none, but such as both knowe and feele they want it: and knowe also, that they knowe not where to haue it, but at his hands. Happy therfore is that soule, that feeles the waight and burden of sin for to him wil Christ bring most ease and comfort. Gods Misnisters therefore are hereby to comfort ⟨p. 66⟩distressed consciences, to assure them, that if with this Prophet they bee so deepely touched with sight of their sins, and Gods iustice, as that they cry, Woe is me, I am vndone. Then, euen Then, are they most capable of comfort, and best prepared to receiue it, as here it fell out to the holy Prophet. Thirdly, here is the way taught vs how to attaine to any excellēt graces of God,4 either for our own saluation, or the good of the Church, namely to labour for a sencible feeling of the want of them in our selues: for God vseth to bestowe no gifts on any man, but such as do in humility & lowlinesse, confesse to God, & acknowledge in themselues, the want of them. So the blessed Virgin singeth,5
- 1Use 1.Vse 1.
- 2Psal. 39.9.
- 32 To men distressed in conscience.
- 4Use. 3.Vse. 3.
- 5Luke. 1.53 2. •sal. 107 •.
