walk in the comfort of the Holy Ghost; as these two are set together. If we would have the Spirit to be our comforter, we must follow the Spirit as our guide and counsellor. If we would find rest unto our souls, we must take Christ's yoke upon us , the yoke of his precepts, which are all holy, and just, and good. A state of inward comfort and true tranquillity of spirit can never be secured and preserved, but by a continued care to walk before God, in faithful obedience to his will in all things.

For "there is no peace to the wicked'," as is twice expressed by the noble prophet Isaiah ; but

great peace have they that love thy law'," saith the royal psalmist, the man after God's own heart, who herein spake his own experience; and elsewhere," Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace"." While he lives, he lives in peace, his soul dwells at ease; he feels an unspeakable joy and pleasure within, upon the sense of his doing his duty, and being faithful in obedience to his Lord and Master in heaven. And when he dies, he departs in peace", and shall" enter into peace," and "into the joy of his Lord"." Here he "tastes how sweet the Lord is," but there "he shall be abundantly satisfied with the plenty of God's house, and made to drink of the river of his pleasures "." "The meek shall eat and be satisfied, and their heart shall live for ever." And so full and complete shall

be their joy and satisfaction, that "they shall neither hunger nor thirst any more; for the Lamb shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes'." This is the happy portion of those souls, who have the Lord for their God, with whom "there is fulness of joy, and at whose right hand there are pleasures," most pure and permanent, "for evermore."

Rev. vii.

THE

INTRODUCTION.

THE work of the ministry consists in two things, in threatenings or comforts. The first is useful for the greatest part of Christians, who are led by the spirit of bondage, and fear to do evil, because of wrath to come; which grows out of love to themselves. The second is fit for the best Christians, that are led by the spirit of love; who endeavour to do righteousness, because they love righteousness, and to be like unto God, who, they know, is only good (which grows out of the spirit of adoption), and obey as sons and daughters, and not as servants.

Our Saviour and his apostles insist sometimes upon the former way, threatening the impenitent, yet qualifying it with tidings of peace, if they return and amend their lives. For sharpness must be applied, according to the power which the Lord has given us, for edification, and not for destruction". The same apostle propounds both in the former epistle," Shall I come unto you with a rod? or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?" Which latter is most

suitable to the Gospel, to proclaim peace on earth, and good will towards men; and when James and John would have had fire to come down from heaven upon the Samaritans, Christ reproved them, saying, " The Son of Man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them":"and St. Paul, "God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ"." And surely there is cause to apply a cluster of consolation against a few grains of terror: 1. Because we are all concluded under sin, and the guilt is ever present unto us. 2. Because of the weakness

a 2 Cor. xiii. 10. b Ibid. iv. 21.

c Luke ix. 56.

d 1 Thess. v. 9.

of the graces that are in us; not that they are weak, but that human corruption is mixed with them. 3. Because of the strength and manifoldness of temptations. 4. Because we are to be exercised with the sufferance of the cross, and we are infirm to bear it. Lastly, because little is communicated to us, at the present, of that reward we look for; least of all, is any share of it present and before our eyes. Forasmuch then, as there are so many in-draughts that break into our heart, to make us sick of sorrow and fear, let us seek comfort from God, who hath left no disease without a remedy to cure it," who healeth all thy diseases." I say, it is to be sought from God, lest we light upon them that tell false dreams, and comfort in vain. The right place for it must be the word of God, as it is: "that we, through patience, and comfort of the Scripture, might have hope." Which comfort scattered up and down in that holy book, and not cast all in a lump together, by searching it diligently, we may draw our consolation out of five things, faith, hope, the in-dwelling of the Spirit,-prayer,-and the sacraments.

• Psalm ciii. 3.

f Zach. x. 2.

Rom. xv. 4.

CHRISTIAN CONSOLATIONS,

&c. &c.

CHAPTER I.

That Faith is the Ground and Foundation of a Christian's Comfort: several Doubts and Scruples about believing,

answered.

FAITH is the root of all blessings. Believe, and you shall be saved: believe, and you must needs be sanctified: believe, and you cannot choose, but be comforted: believe that God is true in all his promises, and you are the seed of faithful Abraham, and shall inherit the promises made to Abraham; believe that you are Christ's, and Christ is yours; and then you are sure that none can perish, whom the Father hath given to him. "There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus." And as Martha said, "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died:" so let all that groan and pine away in sorrow, say, Lord, if thou hadst been here, if thou hadst appeared to my soul in thy goodness, I had not fainted in my trouble. Isaiah foretels, that it should be Christ's office "to give the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." For St. John saw in the spirit, that they that follow Christ, are clothed "in white garments," in garments of joy, in the livery of gladness. Solomon, describing the provident mistress of a family, says, "She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet." So the household of Christ are not afraid of frost and snow, nor of any bitter blast; they have put on the garment of dependence on Christ, which protects them, and do resolve never to put off their privy coat of confidence in their Saviour. With this did Christ encourage the poor woman, being under confusion, who had secretly touched the hem of his garment; "Be of

b

a Romans, viii. 1. John, xi. 21. Isaiah, lxi. 3.

d Prov. xxxi. 21.