6i6 Chap. zi, An Expoftion upon the Book, of Jos. Vert 2. ialia. t xliq, mo r1 loqaaturus f.4 71 ut maxi 7rrarn ex tneif verbis relaruri eftis EoYjolatÁ se-n. Bold, be fo courteousor fencible of the forrows ofothers, as to ufe any meanes ofcomforting them, when they are in the faddeft condition, even mourning for the death of father or mother. That expreflïon (note it by the way) The cupofconfolati ,,, is an allufion to an ancient cultome, when in great forr.ws force cordiali or comfortable drinke wa given to mourners. Solo- mon intimates that ufage (Pro. 3 r. 6. J Giveftrong drink to hint that is readie to periJh, and wine to thole thatbe of heavie hearts ; that is, give them a cupof confolation, or a confolatory cup, yob being in heavineffe and forrow, doth but delire to be dili- gently heard, and this fhOuld be to him, as ifhis friends in ten- dereft compaffionof his condition,had given him a cupofcon- folation. As I !hall now ( palling from the fignification and ufe of the word ) further thewinopening the matter. For here `cis queflioned, whole confolation fob meanes it thould be, whenhe faith ; Heareme, and let this be your confo- lotion. Firff, Some underhand it thus; It Jball beyour confolation That is, it !hall be a comfort to you : if ye will heare me fpe.ake, my fpeech fhall be your confolation, I (hall fpeak fuch things, and in filch a manner , that ye fhali have reafon tofay, it bath been good for ye to heare, or that ye have received benefit by what ye have heard. This is a faire fence, and car- rieth a generali truth in it. To heare another fpeake, may be ourgreat confolation. Andnot onely to heare a doctrin ofcon- folation may heconfolatory, but to heare a do&ríneofre- proofe. Sowreand bitter words often prove fweet to the hear.. er. A do&rile fteeped in vinegar, wordsofgall, andworme, wood, may be hony and fugar (in their effects) to the foule. Any word oftruth and fobernefl'e diligently heard, may turne to confolation. As the fweet words of flattery and falíhood being received are bitterneffe in the end, fo the bittereít words offobriety and truth being received, are fweetneffe in the end, Tautgives that charge to noes concerning theCretians (Tit. . I3 ,) Reboke themJharply, that they may befound in thefaith. Cutting words have donegreat cures.Many a difeafed feared foul hath been made found both in faith and manners, by feve- reit reprehenfi.ont. Thus fobmight fay to his friends Heare diligently my [pooch, and though I fhould fpeake nothing but rebukes, yet make ufeofit, Let that beyour confolation. But
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