Again, here is a comfort to all such 1as are distressed in mind, in sense of their fins, and sight of Gods wrath: their state is not miserable, much less desperate, for they are in the high way to grace and favour. God justifieth not, but him that repents: God exalts not, but him that is humbled: God comforts not, but him that is distressed: God hath mercy on none, but such as both known ⟨p. 122⟩and feel they want it: and know also, that they know not where to have it, but at his hands. Happy therefore is that soul, that feels the weight and burden of sin, for to him will Christ bring most ease and comfort. Gods Ministers therefore are hereby to comfort distressed consciences, to assure them, that if with this Prophet they be so deeply touched with sight of their sins, and Gods justice, as that they cry, Woe is me, I am undone. Then, even Then, are they most capable of comfort, and best prepared to receive it, as here it sell out to the holy Prophet. Thirdly, here is the 2way taught us how to attain to any excellent graces of God, either for our own salvation, or the good of the Church, namely to labour for a sensible feeling of the want of them in our selves: for God useth to bestow no gifts on any man, but such as do in humility & low-linesse, confess to God, & acknowledge in themselves, the want of them. So the blessed Virgin singeth, God filleth the 3hungry with good things, but the rich he ⟨p. 123⟩sends empty away: And so the Psalmist, God satisfieth the hungry soul, and filleth the empty soul with goodness. So then if thou be rich in thy conceits, God hath not for thee: but if thou be hungry, he is ready to fill thee with good things: and dost thou acknowledge thy soul empty, then behold treasures of goodness, to feed and fill thee: and art thou cast down with the Prophet, and is thy soul empty of hope, and fraught with fear, then behold, even then, God and his Angels ready to raise thee up, & to fill thee with consolation. Thus much for the time of his consolation: the minister, by whom was,
Againe, here is a comfort to all such 1as are distressed in mind, in sense of their finnes, and sight of Gods wrath: their state is not miserable, much lesse desperate, for they are in the high way to grace and fauour. God iustifieth not, but him that repents: God exalts not, but him that is humbled: God comforts not, but him that is distressed: God hath mercie on none, but such as both knowne ⟨p. 122⟩and feele they want it: and knowe also, that they knowe not where to haue it, but at his hands. Happie therefore is that soule, that feeles the waight and burden of sin, for to him wil Christ bring most ease and comfort. Gods Ministers therefore are hereby to comfort distressed consciences, to assure them, that if with this Prophet they bee so deepely touched with sight of their sins, and Gods iustice, as that they cry, Woe is me, I am vndone. Then, euē Then, are they most capable of comfort, and best prepared to receiue it, as here it sell out to the holy Prophet. Thirdly, here is the 2way taught vs how to attaine to any excellēt graces of God, either for our own saluation, or the good of the Church, namely to labour for a sencible feeling of the want of them in our selues: for God vseth to bestowe no gifts on any man, but such as do in humilitie & low-linesse, confesse to God, & acknowledge in themselues, the want of them. So the blessed Ʋirgin singeth, God filleth the 3hungry with good things, but the rich hee ⟨p. 123⟩sendes emptie away: And so the Psalmist, God satisfieth the hungry soule, and filleth the emptie soule with goodnesse. So then if thou be rich in thy conceits, God hath not for thee: but if thou be hungry, he is readie to fill thee with good things: and dost thou acknowledge thy soule emptie, then behold treasures of goodnesse, to feede and fill thee: and art thou cast downe with the Prophet, and is thy soule emptie of hope, and fraught with feare, then behold, euen then, God and his Angels ready to raise thee vp, & to fill thee with consolation. Thus much for the time of his consolation: the minister, by whom was,
- 12 To men distressed in conscience, that their state is not desperate as they Imagine but most comfortable
- 2Use 3. The way to get excellent graces at Cods band, is to labour to feel the wan. of them.Vse 3. The way to get excellent graces at Cods band, is to labour to feele the wan. of them.
- 3Luke. 1. 53. 2 Psal. 107. 9.
