It is his sole ⟨p. 202⟩Prerogative to comfort the afflicted. I, even I, am he that comforts you. The Woman in the Gospel that had a bloody Issue, no human Art could afford her aid and relief: And when her Estate was wasted on the Physicians, and her Strength by her Disease, she came to our Saviour, and by touching the Hem of his Garment was presently healed. Thus the afflicted Spirit, whom no worldly things are able to support and make joyful, finds everlasting comfort in God. He satisfies the Soul with his Love, and establishes this Persuasion, That all things shall turn for the best to his People. Now by Prayer the divine Power and Favour is engaged for our support and deliverance. How many Psalms of David begin in Tears, and end in Triumph? In his great Exigency, ⟨p. 203⟩when ready to be swallowed up by his Enemies, he dispatched a flying Prayer to Heaven for relief; Lord, take bold of Shield, and Buckler, and stand up for my help: And the Almighty appeared in Arms for his Rescue. And he recounts another blessed experience of the efficacy of Prayer, In the 1day when I cried, thou answeredst me: and strengthenest me with strength in my Soul. The Affliction was still incumbent, but did not overwhelm him: which was a more gracious testimony of God's love, than if it had merely been taken away. It is said of the distressed, They looked to him and were lightened. It is the Perfection and Propriety 2of the Saints in Heaven to see the glorious Face of God without Veil or Shadow; but here some Rays of his quickening Countenance ⟨p. 204⟩comfort his afflicted Servants, while they lift up their Eyes and Hearts to his Sanctuary, a joyful Light breaks forth, that leads them out of the dark Labyrinth of their troubled Thoughts. If the Saints remain disconsolate, it is not for want of Mercy and Power in God to refresh their Sorrows, but from neglecting to improve their Interest in him, and deriving Spiritual Comforts from his fullness by humble believing Prayer. When the Disciples were surprised with a Storm in the Sea of Tiberias, they toiled with hard labour to save the Ship that was like to be over-whelmed by the Waves: but all in vain, till by their Cries they waked our Saviour who was asleep in the Ship. He lifts up his Head, and the proud Waves presently sink; he speaks a word of Command, ⟨p. 205⟩and the boisterous Winds are silent; and a great Tempest is changed into a great Calm.
It is his sole ⟨p. 202⟩Prerogative to comfort the afflicted. I, even I, am he that comforts you. The Woman in the Gospel that had a bloody Issue, no human Art could afford her aid and relief: And when her Estate was wasted on the Physitians, and her Strength by her Disease, she came to our Saviour, and by touching the Hem of his Garment was presently healed. Thus the afflicted Spirit, whom no worldly things are able to support and make joyful, finds everlasting comfort in God. He satisfies the Soul with his Love, and establishes this Persuasion, That all things shall turn for the best to his People. Now by Prayer the divine Power and Favour is engaged for our support and deliverance. How many Psalms of David begin in Tears, and end in Triumph? In his great Exigency, ⟨p. 203⟩when ready to be swallowed up by his Enemies, he dispatch'd a flying Prayer to Heaven for relief; Lord, take bold of Shield, and Buckler, and stand up for my help: And the Almighty appeared in Arms for his Rescue. And he recounts another blessed experience of the efficacy of Prayer, In the 1day when I cryed, thou answered'st me: and strengthenest me with strength in my Soul. The Affliction was still incumbent, but did not overwhelm him: which was a more gracious testimony of God's love, than if it had meerly been taken away. It is said of the distressed, They looked to him and were lightned. It is the Perfection and Propriety 2of the Saints in Heaven to see the glorious Face of God without Veil or Shadow; but here some Rayes of his quickning Countenance ⟨p. 204⟩comfort his afflicted Servants, while they lift up their Eyes and Hearts to his Sanctuary, a joyful Light breaks forth, that leads them out of the dark Labyrinth of their troubled Thoughts. If the Saints remain disconsolate, it is not for want of Mercy and Power in God to refresh their Sorrows, but from neglecting to improve their Interest in him, and deriving Spiritual Comforts from his fulness by humble believing Prayer. When the Disciples were surprized with a Storm in the Sea of Tiberias, they toil'd with hard labour to save the Ship that was like to be over-whelmed by the Waves: but all in vain, till by their Cries they waked our Saviour who was asleep in the Ship. He lifts up his Head, and the proud Waves presently sink; he speaks a word of Command, ⟨p. 205⟩
- 1Psal. 138.
- 2Psal. 34. 5.
