A29372:714
Seasonable truths in evil-times in several sermons / lately preached in and about London
Seasonable truths in evil-times in several sermons / lately preached in and about London by William Bridge, late preacher of the word of God at Yarmouth.Seasonable truths in evil-times in several sermons / lately preached in and about London by Willam Bridge, late preacher of the word of God at Yarmouth.
London: printed for Nath. Crouch, 1668
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Then will the Lord turn your former sorrow into future comforts: Then will the Lord return unto you with joy: Then shall you certainly be comforted, and God will make your after-comforts, to run Parallel with your former troubles. Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted: Those that sow in tears, they shall reap in joy. As surely as now you go forth, carrying precious seed; the sense of this condition upon your hearts, you shall return again with your sheaves of joy with you.
But wherein lies this Parallel? and how shall our after-comforts run Parallel with our former troubles, in case we be thus sensible?
The Scripture tells you; First of all, in case that you have been scattered in the day of the reproach of the Solemn Assembly: In case you have been scattered, then the Lord will gather you, your gathering shall answer to your scattering. I will gather them that are sorrowful, gather, he will gather you under his wings, as a Hen gathers her Chickens. O Jerusalem, &c. How often would I have gathered thy Children together, as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under ⟨p. 205⟩her wings: Gather you, as a shepherd gathers his sheep into his fold, and he will gather you into his bosom; and therefore saith our Saviour Christ, I was a stranger, and ye took me in. The word is, you gathered me. I was a stranger, and ye gathered me not. Why? because when the Lord gathers, then he takes us in, and receives us into his bosom: So that in case you have been scattered, then will the Lord gather you.