A44697:251
A treatise of delighting in God from Psal. xxxvij. 4. Delight thy self also…
A treatise of delighting in God from Psal. xxxvij. 4. Delight thy self also in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. In two parts. By John Howe, M.A. sometime fellow of Magdalen College, Oxon.
London: printed by A. Maxwell for Sa. Gellibrand, 1674
A TREATISE OF Delighting in GOD: From PSAL. 37. 4. Delight thy self… › Part 1
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.
And all humane endeavours to apply and bring home the comforts proper and suitable to their case prove fruitless and ineffectual, nothing can be fastened upon them; they refuse to be comforted, while God himself doth not create (that which is the fruit of his own lips) peace, peace; while, as yet, they are not filled with joy and peace in believing,1 and made to abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost. It is plain there needs a more learned tongue than any humane one, 2to speak a word in season to such weary ones. ⟨p. 118⟩How many, again, have spirits overcome with deadness and sloth under a settled (perhaps not altogether mistaken but more notional) apprehension of the same love! They have only that assurance which arises it may be not from a false but the single testimony of their own spirits; at least unaccompanied with other than the ordinary help of the Spirit, not very distinguishable from the workings of their own; Have reasoned themselves (perhaps regularly, by observing the rule and the habitual bent of their own spirits) into an opinion of their own good estate, so that they are not vexed with doubts and fears as some others are. But they do not discover to others, nor can discern in themselves any degree of life and vigour, of heavenliness and spirituality, of love to God or zeal for him, proportionable to their high expectations from him, or the great import of this thing to be beloved of God: There is no discernible growth or spiritual improvement to be found with them; How remote is their temper from that of the Primitive Christians!3 It is apparent what is yet wanting, they are not edified (as those were) walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost.
And all humane endeavours to apply and bring home the comforts proper and sutable to their case prove fruitless and ineffectual, nothing can be fastened upon them; they refuse to be comforted, while God himself doth not create (that which is the fruit of his own lips) peace, peace; while, as yet, they are not fill'd with joy and peace in believing,