A77618:21
The silent soul, with sovereign antidotes against the most miserable exigentsThe silent soul, with soveraign antidotes against the most miserable exigents
The silent soul, with sovereign antidotes against the most miserable exigents: or, A Christian with an olive-leaf in his mouth, when he is under the greatest afflictions, the sharpest and sorest trials and troubles, the saddest and darkest providences and changes, with answers to divers questions and objections that are of greatest importance, all tending to win and work souls to be still, quiet, calm and silent under all changes that have, or may pass upon them in this world, &c. / By Thomas Brooks preacher of the Word at Margarets New Fish-street London, and pastor of the Church of Christ meeting there.The silent soul, with soveraign antidotes against the most miserable exigents: or, A Christian with an olive-leaf in his mouth, when he is under the greatest afflictions, the sharpest and sorest trials and troubles, the saddest and darkest providences and changes, with answers to divers questions and objections that are of greatest importance, all tending to win and work souls to bee still, quiet, calm and silent under all changes that have, or may pass upon them in this world, &c. / By Thomas Brooks preacher of the Word at Margarets New Fish-street London, and pastor of the Church of Christ meeting there.
London: printed by R.I. for John Hancock, 1660
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.
First, Read, and look up for a blessing; Paul may plant, and Apollo may water, but all will be to no purpose, except the Lord give the increase. God must1 do the deed, when all is done, or else all that is done will do you no good; if you would have this work successful and effectual, you must look off from man, and look up to God, who alone can make it a blessing to you. As without a blessing2 from Heaven thy clothes cannot warm thee, nor thy food nourish thee, nor physic cure thee, nor friends comfort thee: So without a blessing from3 Heaven, without the precious breathings and influences of the Spirit, what here is done, will do you no good, it will not turn to your account in the day of Christ; and therefore cast an eye heavenwards. It is Seneca's observation, that the husbandmen in Egypt never look up to Heaven for Rain, in the time of drought, but look after the overflowing ⟨image 9⟩of the banks of Nilus, as the only cause of their plenty. Ah! how many are there in these days, who when they go to read a book, never look up, never look after the Rain of Gods blessing, but only look to the River Nilus, they only look to the wit, the learning, the Arts, the parts, the eloquence, &c. of the Author, they never look so high as Heaven; and hence it comes to pass, that though these read much, yet they profit little.
First, Read, and look up for a blessing; Paul may plant, and Apollo may water, but all will be to no purpose, except the Lord give the encrease. God must1 do the deed, when all is done, or else all that is done will do you no good; if you would have this work successeful and effectual, you must look off from man, and look up to God, who alone can make it a blessing to you. As without a blessing2 from Heaven thy cloaths cannot warm thee, nor thy food nourish thee, nor physick cure thee, nor friends comfort thee: So without a blessing from3