A29709:118
A word in season to this present generation, or, A sober and serious discourse…
A word in season to this present generation, or, A sober and serious discourse about the favourable, signal and eminent presence of the Lord with his people in their greatest troubles, deepest distresses, and most deadly dangers : with the resolution of several questions, concerning the divine presence, as also the reasons and improvements of this great and glorious truth ... / by Thomas Brooks ...A word in season to this present generation, or, A sober and serious discourse about the favorable, signal and eminent presence of the Lord with his people in their greatest troubles, deepest distresses, and most deadly dangers : with the resolution of several questions, concerning the divine presence, as also the reasons and improvements of this great and glorious truth ... / by Thomas Brooks ...
London: printed for Dorman Newman, 1675
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.
Quiet in the greatest combustions; freed if not from the common destruction, yet from the common distraction. A good conscience is an impregnable Fort; it fears no colours, it will enable a man to stand against the fiercest batteries of men and devils. A good conscience will fill a man with courage and comfort, in the midst of all his troubles and distresses. Paul had enough to say for himself, when standing before the Council, he could say: Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience 1before God, until this day. And though as soon as he had said so, Ananias commanded to smite him on the mouth, yet he bears up bravely, because his conscience did not smite him, but acquit him. That man can never want music whose conscience speaks in consort, and is harmonious with himself. A good conscience is a Paradise in a wilderness, it is riches in poverty, and health in sickness, and strength in weakness, and liberty 2in bonds, and life in death. A good conscience will enable a man to triumph over innumerable evils, yea over death it self: Death to such a person is not the King of terrors, but the King of desires. A good conscience 3will be a Christians best friend in the worst times; it will be a sword to defend him, a staff to support him, a pillar of fire to lead him, a Joseph to nourish him, a Dorcas to clothe him, a Canaan to refresh him, and a feast to delight him: He that is of a merry heart hath a 4continual feast; Now there is nothing that can make a man Divinely merry, below a good conscience. A good conscience (saith one) is Thalamu• Dei, palatium 5Christi, habitaculum Spiritus Sancti, Paradisus delitiarum: ⟨p. 76⟩The bed of God, the palace of Christ, the habitation of the holy Ghost, the Paradise of delights; and wherein every Tree yieldeth a Feast. Tranquillitas conscientiae, 6