A77605:46
Cases considered and resolved. Wherein all the tender godly conscientious ministers in England (whether…
Cases considered and resolved. Wherein all the tender godly conscientious ministers in England (whether for a Congregational, or a Presbyterial way) are concerned. Or pills to purge malignants. And all profane, ignorant, and scandalous persons. (But more particularly calculated for the meridian of Margarets Fishstreet-hill) from those gross conceits that they have of their children's right to baptism; and of their own right to the Supper of the Lord, &c. Also good counsel to bad men. Or friendly advise (in several particulars) to unfriendly neighbours. By Thomas Brooks, a willing servant unto God, and the faith of his people, in the glorious Gospel of Christ, at Margarets Fishstreet-hill.Cases considered and resolved. Wherein all the tender godly conscientious ministers in England (whether for a Congregationall, or a Presbyteriall way) are concerned. Or pills to purge malignants. And all prophane, ignorant, and scandalous persons. (But more particularly calculated for the meridian of Margarets Fishstreet-hill) from those grosse conceits that they have of their childrens right to baptisme; and of their owne right to the Supper of the Lord, &c. Also good councell to bad men. Or friendly advise (in severall particulars) to unfriendly neighbours. By Thomas Brooks, a willing servant unto God, and the faith of his people, in the glorious Gospel of Christ, at Margarets Fishstreet-hill.
London: printed by M. Simmons for John Hancock, 1653
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.
7. I Query, whether your want of profit and comfort by the word, did not spring from your want of interest in Gospel-consolations.1 Oh, 'tis not the hearing of Gospel-consolations that comforts, but the knowledge of a mans interest in them that cheers up the heart. Ah, where is that word to be found in all the Book of God, that does evidence comfort, (which is children's bread) to be of right belonging to profane, ignorant, malignant, and scandalous persons, as you can't but know your selves to be, if conscience be in the least measure awakened. God hath all along in the Scripture, made a separation between sin and comfort; and how then can you expect comfort, who hold on in sinful ways? though love and wrath, life and death, heaven and hell, be often set before you. God is not prodigal of Gospel-consolations: they are the best, and strongest Wines in Gods Cellar, and reserved only for his best and dearest friends, Isa. 40.1.2. Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God, speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, &c. The Hebrew word that is here rendered comfort, signifies first to repent, and then to comfort. And certainly, the sweetest joy is from the sourest tears. Tears are the Breeders of spiritual joy: When Hannah had wept, she went away and was no more sad. The Bee gathers the best honey of the bitterest herbs: Christ made the best wine of water. The purest, the strongest, and most excellent joy, is made of the waters of Repentance. Ah, lay your hands upon your hearts, and tell me, whether you can look God in the face and say, Lord we are thine; First, by Purchase. Secondly, we are thine by Choice. Thirdly, we are thine by Conquest. Fourthly, we are thine by Covenant. Fifthly, we are thine by Marriage.2 Ah, if you are not the ⟨p. 6⟩Lords in these respects, what Minister on earth hath a commission to comfort you? their commission is to read other Lectures to profane, ignorant, scandalous persons, &c. then those of comfort and joy, as you may see in these Scriptures, (if you will but take the pains to read them) Psal. 7.11