Thirdly, this comfort is a thing altogether as profitable to our selves, and as much available to our sanctification and good living, as grief: nay grief will do at all no good to the working of holiness and beating down of sin, further then it is so ordered and moderated, that it may conclude in consolation. As a man is fittest to do any natural work, when he hath his ⟨p. 23⟩limbs all at ease and rest: so to do any spiritual good thing, when he hath his mind at ease and rest.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,2 we might have strong consolation. The herbs and grass and corn do ripen best in warm and fun-shine weather: so the sun-shine of consolation, doth bring up the herb of virtues in our hearts. ⟨p. 24⟩Carnal and earthly joys do nothing further the growth of piety, but spiritual consolations, such as this we entreat of do make it prosper and flourish exceedingly. Never is a Christian man in better case to do any good duty, to bear any misery for Gods sake, to love God, to pray, to hear the Word, to do works of mercy to the afflicted, or to perform any other services, then when he can comfort himself in God. Then the heart hath more full communion ⟨p. 25⟩with God, and therefore is in best plight to do any thing well. I confess sorrow hath its use, it is as ploughing, 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 very proper confirmer and strengthener of the soul is comfort: that doth minister to it ability to work Gods works. As God loves, in matter of ⟨p. 26⟩bounty, a cheerful giver: so in all services a cheerful servant. And doubtless the service will not be cheerful if the heart be not comforted: therefore in heaven, where God hath the best services, men have the most comfort. And in Paradise, where God had the best service next to heaven, man had the most comfort.
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 working of holinesse and beating downe of sinne, further then it is so ordered and moderated, that it may conclude in consolation. As a man is fittest to doe any naturall work, when he hath his ⟨p. 23⟩limmes all at ease and rest: so to do any spirituall good thing, when he hath his minde at ease and rest.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,2 wee might have strong consolation. The herbs and grasse and corne doe ripen best in warme and fun-shine weather: so the sun-shine of consolation, doth bring up the herbe of vertues in our hearts. ⟨p. 24⟩Carnall and earthly joyes doe nothing further the growth of piety, but spirituall consolations, such as this we intreate of doe make it prosper and flourish exceedingly. Never is a Christian man in better case to doe any good duty, 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 communion ⟨p. 25⟩with God, and therfore 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 very 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 ⟨p. 26⟩bounty, a cheerefull giver: so in all services a cheerefull servant. And doubtlesse the service will not be cheerefull if the heart be not comforted: therefore in heaven, 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.
- 1Nehem. 8.10.
- 2Heb. 6.18.
