An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

Use of Direction, To all contrite broken hearts, who like that woman troubled with the bloody flux, have spent all they had upon Physicians that could do no good. Thou hast thus many years been bowed down, a stranger to all joy and peace, look up to God more, know he alone can give thee true joy. For this reason we see David and others, still making their addresses to God, That he would make the bones that were broken to rejoice, that he would make the parched wilderness to be like a pleasant spring, for otherwise they are undone and miserable, till he looks upon them. Now then, if God be the only cause of thy peace; take heed how thou provokest him; better offend all the world than God. For the world, though it rage and persecute thee, yet cannot deprive thee of this peace; but God hideth his face in a moment, and then thou must needs be troubled. Therefore do not think to get this grace and peace from thy own works and doings, but imitate David, who said, He would hear what the Lord will speak, Psal. 85. 8. for he will speak peace to his people. Thus we are to be attending more to the voice of God in his Word, by his promises speaking to our comfort, then to our own hearts; thou wilt hear what thy own perplexed heart speaks, or what the Devil speaks, which always suggest matter of terror and diffidence, and doest not hearken to what God by his Spirit through his Word speaketh to thee. Only take the caution along with thee, the Psalmist giveth, If God have spoken peace, take heed of returning to folly. Sin may in that particular be well called folly, for thereby we unsettle our souls; we that had the quiet enjoyments of God, and his embracements of grace, for some sin that pleaseth or tickleth but for a moment, do cast our selves into darkness and misery. So that then sin is especially folly, when we have once experimentally tasted the good grace of God, and then afterwards voluntarily chase it away by our own carelessness. Oh how long mayest thou with tears and cries pray for light and comfort again ere thou canst enjoy it?

Use of Direction, To all contrite broken hearts, who like that woman troubled with the bloudy flux, have spent all they had upon Physicians that could do no good. Thou hast thus many years been bowed down, a stranger to all joy and peace, look up to God more, know he alone can give thee true joy. For this reason we see David and others, still making their addresses to God, That he would make the bones that were broken to rejoyce, that he would make the parched wildernesse to be like a pleasant spring, for otherwise they are undone and miserable, till he looks upon them. Now then, if God be the only cause of thy peace; take heed how thou provokest him; better offend all the world than God. For the world, though it rage and persecute thee, yet cannot deprive thee of this peace; but God hideth his face in a moment, and then thou must needs be troubled. Therefore do not think to get this grace and peace from thy own works and doings, but imitate David, who said, He would hear what the Lord will speak,