A30241:1893
CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…
CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, or, Christs prayer before his passion explicated, and both practically and polemically improved by Anthony Burgess ...
London: printed by Abraham Miller for Thomas Underhill, 1656
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.
Do we not think by works to come to Faith, and not by faith to works? To do enough to comfort our selves and then go to Christ for comfort: This is the preposterous course that every afflicted soul doth naturally take? Oh then as the wise men when they saw the Star that directed them to Christ, rejoiced with exceeding great joy, so when the Spirit of God shall direct thee by the word into this supernatural way of rejoicing bless God for thou mightst have wandered through dark and uncomfortable ways into hell it self.
Do we not think by works to come to Faith, and not by faith to works? To do enough to comfort our selves and then go to Christ for comfort: This is the preposterous course that every afflicted soul doth naturally take? Oh then as the wise men when they saw the Starre that directed them to Christ, rejoyced with exceeding great joy, so when the Spirit of God shall direct thee by the word into this supernatural way of rejoycing blesse God for thou mightst have wandred through dark and uncomfortable waies into hell it self.
3. The Spirit of God is given by Christ to comfort us Causali•èr, that is, it doth by a mighty efficacious power work joy in the soul; Is bids the heart rejoice,1 and it will rejoice; Neither greatness of sins, sense of unworthiness, weight of Temptations, oppositions of Satan shall discourage; But as it's said in Job, when he speaks peace, who shall make Trouble? So it's here; When God commands the heart to be quiet and to rejoice before him, who can forbid it? Hence Gal. 5.22. Joy and peace are made the fruits of the Spirit; It's only the God of all Consolation and Father of all comforts that comforteth us in tribulations, 2 Cor 1. So that as the Almighty insuperable power of God goeth to make a gracious heart, so also it doth to give a comfortable heart; That God who made Iron to swim, and the waters of Jordan to go backward, he also and he alone makes the heavy heart to sing for joy; Oh therefore pray for this work of Gods Spirit, though thou canst not of thy self rejoice, yet the Spirit of God can make thee joyful.