Secondly, Although God giveth not only grace, but comfort to his people, yet we are not to serve him only for comforts sake, but for his own sake, and that while he denieth us the breasts of consolation to suck on, yet we are as fervently and zealously to obey him, as ever. It is many times the sad complaint of Gods children, that they want comfort, and thereupon are dejected and discouraged; they care not for praying, for hearing; they have no heart for the Ordinances, and all because they find their hearts like a barren wilderness full of howling beasts. Oh, when they have comfort, then they can run the way of Gods Commandments, then they have fire in their bosom! But when this is gone, they become like a stone, or a lump of earth. But although it be true, That the joy of the Lord is our ⟨p. 163⟩strength, Nehem. 8. 10. yet for all that it is too low and mercenary to serve him only for comfort. This is Amor concupiscentiae, not amicitiae towards God. The grace of love carrieth us to God so, that we choose him, and delight in him above all things; that though he should not give us Heaven and everlasting glory, yet we were to love him, because he is the supreme and most excellent good: How much more than are we to serve God, to be diligent in his work, though we find not those experimental suavities upon our souls for the present? Therefore thou art to deny thy self in this matter of joy, when God dispenseth it to thee, walk thankfully, humbly, and fruitfully under it: And when in darkness, in desolateness of soul, yet let not thy soul abate in love and service to God. The Stoic was so severe, that he thought he could not be virtuous, who did any virtuous action for the delight and sweetness that followeth it: They would not have Virtus propter voluptatem, but voluptas propter virtutem. How much more should our Christianity teach us to prefer Gods will, and his honour, above all consolations. If Job said, Though he kill me, yet I will trust in him; then do thou, though when thou askest for bread, he give thee a stone, when thou askest for fish he give thee a serpent. yet still say, I will own him as a Father, honour him as a Father. Christ when he was in those agonies, and destitute of all comfort, yet he did not refuse to accomplish the will of God.
Secondly, Although God giveth not only grace, but comfort to his people, yet we are not to serve him onely for comforts sake, but for his own sake, and that while he denieth us the brests of consolation to suck on, yet we are as fervently and zealously to obey him, as ever. It is many times the sad complaint of Gods children, that they want comfort, and thereupon are dejected and discouraged; they care not for praying, for hearing; they have no heart for the Ordinances, and all because they find their hearts like a barren wildernesse full of howling beasts. Oh, when they have comfort, then they can runne the way of Gods Commandments, then they have fire in their bosome! But when this is gone, they become like a stone, or a lump of earth. But although it be true, That the joy of the Lord is our ⟨p. 163⟩strength, Nehem. 8. 10. yet for all that it is too low and mercenary to serve him onely for comfort. This is Amor concupiscentiae, not amicitiae towards God. The grace of love carrieth us to God so, that we choose him, and delight in him above all things; that though he should not give us Heaven and everlasting glory, yet we were to love him, because he is the supream and most excellent good: How much more than are we to serve God, to be diligent in his work, though we find not those experimental suavities upon our souls for the present? Therefor thou art to deny thy self in this matter of joy, when God dispenseth it to thee, walk thankfully, humbly, and fruitfully under it: And when in darkness, in desolateness of soul, yet let not thy soul abate in love and service to God. The Stoick was so severe, that he thought he could not be virtuous, who did any virtuous action for the delight and sweetness that followeth it: They would not have Virtus propter voluptatem, but voluptas propter virtutem. How much more should our Christianity teach us to preferre Gods will, and his honour, above all consolations. If Job said, Though he kill me, yet I will trust in him; then do thou, though when thou askest for bread, he give thee a stone, when thou askest for fish he give thee a serpent. yet still say, I will own him as a Father, honour him as a Father. Christ when he was in those agonies, and destitute of all comfort, yet he did not refuse to accomplish the will of God.
