Doct. 5. When Christ shall again appear to his Disciples, their sorrows shall be turned into joy: When Christ returneth, Joy returneth, saith David, Psal. 30.7. Thou hidest thy face, and I was troubled. But v. 11, 12. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: Thou hast put off my Sackcloth, and girded me with gladness, to the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent: O Lord my God I will give thanks unto thee for ever. When the Sun ariseth it is day, and its approach dispelleth the Winter Frosts, and reviveth the almost dying Creatures, and calleth up the Life which was hidden in the seed, or retired unto the root, after a sharp and spending Winter, how quickly doth the Suns return recover the verdure and beauty of the Earth, and cloth it in green, and ⟨p. 30⟩spangle it with the ornaments of odoriferous Flowers, and enrich it with sweet and plenteous fruits: The Birds that were either hid or silent, appear and sing, and the face of all things is changed into joy. So is it with the poor deserted Soul, upon the return of Christ; unbelieving doubts and fears then vanish: The Garments of sadness are laid aside, and those of gladness are put on: The language of distrust and despairing lamentations are first turned into words of hope, and then into words of peace, and then into joyful thankfulness and praise. The Soul that was skilled in no spiritual discourse, but complaining of a dead and frozen heart, of dull and cold and lifeless duties, is now taken up in the rehearsals of the works of infinite love, and searching into the mysteries of redemption, and reciting the great and precious promises, and magnifying the name and grace of its Redeemer, and expatiating in the praises of the everlasting Kingdom, the heavenly glory, the blessed Society, and especially of the Lamb, and of the eternal God. You would not think that this is the same Person, that lately could scarce think well of God, or that dwelt in tears and dust, and darkness, and could think of nothing but Sin and Hell, and from every text and every Providence, concluded nothing, but [undone] or damned: Would you think this joyful, thankful Soul, were the same that lately was crying on the Cross, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me! that could find nothing written on the tables of his heart, but forsaken, miserable and undone;
Doct. 5. When Christ shall again appear to his Disciples, their sorrows shall be turned into joy: When Christ returneth, Joy returneth, saith David, Psal. 30.7. Thou hidest thy face, and I was troubled. But v. 11, 12. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: Thou hast put off my Sackcloth, and girded me with gladness, to the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent: O Lord my God I will give thanks unto thee for ever. When the Sun ariseth it is day, and its approach dispelleth the Winter Frosts, and reviveth the almost dying Creatures, and calleth up the Life which was hidden in the seed, or retired unto the root, after a sharp and spending Winter, how quickly doth the Suns return recover the verdour and beauty of the Earth, and cloth it in green, and ⟨p. 30⟩spangle it with the ornaments of odoriferous Flowers, and enrich it with sweet and plenteous fruits: The Birds that were either hid or silent, appear and sing, and the face of all things is changed into joy. So is it with the poor deserted Soul, upon the return of Christ; unbelieving doubts and fears then vanish: The Garments of sadness are laid aside, and those of gladness are put on: The language of distrust and despairing lamentations are first turned into words of hope, and then into words of peace, and then into joyful thankfulness and praise. The Soul that was skilled in no spiritual discourse, but complaining of a dead and frozen heart, of dull and cold and lifeless duties, is now taken up in the rehearsals of the works of infinite love, and searching into the mysteries of redemption, and reciting the great and precious promises, and magnifying the name and grace of its Redeemer, and expatiating in the praises of the everlasting Kingdom, the heavenly glory, the blessed Society, and especially of the Lamb, and of the eternal God. You would not think that this is the same Person, that lately could scarce think well of God, or that dwelt in tears and dust, and darkness, and could think of nothing but Sin and Hell, and from every text and every Providence, concluded nothing, but [undone] or damned: Would you think this joyful, thankful Soul, were the same that lately was crying on the Cross, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me! that could find nothing written on the tables of his heart, but forsaken, miserable and undone;
