A treatise on comforting afflicted consciences - The Digital Puritan

364 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMFORTINGhis goodness. Another coming to him upon the Lord's day,willed him to put his hand to a note of certain debts."This is not a day for that," said he : and at the same limehe would hardly suffer any to stay with him from the sermon.Being told of suffering plaisters out of God's word to restupon his wounded soul, he brake out thus: "Oh! if Ihad. Oh ! if it would please God, I had rather than anythingin this, or other three thousand worlds." By thesewe may see, and other passages to the same purpose, thatour blessed God had a secret working and saving influenceupon his soul, even in the depth and hideous darkness ofhis most grievous desertion. Here is love, first, unto Godin a high degree ; secondly, dear affection unto his children,and that for his image shining in them ; thirdly, love untohis sabbaths and salvation of others ; fourthly, vehementdesires after grace and God's favour. All which were undeniabledemonstrations of a state of grace to every understandingeye, nay, unquestionable arguments of spirituallife and designation to eternal bliss. Whereupon my resolutionwas then, and protestation upon good ground, that ifall the powerful eloquence which rested within the reverendbosom of mine own dear mother the famous university ofOxford, managed by the seraphical tongue of the highestand most glorious angel in heaven, had been industriouslyset on work for that purpose ; except I had heard myblessed Redeemer say, I will rend a member from my bodyand throw it away ; the Holy Spirit say, I will pull myseal from that soul which I have savingly sanctified ; mygracious and merciful Father say, I will this once fail andforsake one of mine; —I could never have been possiblypersuaded that that soul of his, so richly laden with heavenlytreasure and gifts of God never to be repented of, sosincerely exercised in the ways of God and opposition tothe corruption of the times, &c., should possibly perish !Secondly. Suppose thou shouldst " walk in darkness andhave no light " in the sense of the prophet, for the residueand remainder of thy few and evil days in this vale of tears ;nay, and die so, before comfort comes; yet be not discomforted.For " fearing God " and being upright-hearted,thy soul shall most certainly be preserved in spiritual andeternal safety " by staying upon thy God," though thou bewithout any sense of joy and peace in believing. This life,though never so lone:, is but a moment to the life to come ;but the "kindness is everlasting" with which "he willhave mercy on thee." Thy sufferings are but short, whatsoeverthey be ; but thou hast eternity of joys in the worldabove, purchased and prepared for thee by th© heart's blood