Qeffions,andCafes ofCon f iene Chap. 3 z Quell. what is the onely way to finde comfort in the time of Spirituall di- flrelfe ? Anfw, To fly unto God, and feek it of him , Pfal. 51. 1, 2. and t 20. t. and73.25.&c. So did Paul, a Cor.1 2.8. Quell.Why muFt we do thus ? Anfw. Firfl, becaufe there is a command for it, Pfa1.5o.15. Secondly, There is a promife offuccefs, Ifa. 65.24. fthirdly,-There is ability in God to give a gracious tf ue to all our diftreffes,Pro. 18.8. Eph.3.2o. Fourthly, He is ready tobe found, and to afford that which is defined. Mercy pleafethtlimj:Mich.,. IS. He is near to all that call upon him, Pfalm 145. r8. So Pfàl.46.r. Fifthly, Becaufe he would have all his to feek to him, he furnifhes them with the Spirit of prayer : For this end , Gal. 4.6. Rom. 8. z6. Hiero, on Pfal.5t. Quell. But hath God comforts wherewith to fupport his children in any fears and firaits ? Anfw. Yea, he hath fuch confolations, as will make a man fleep without a bed, live almoll without a foul , they will make one bold in danger, qui- et in trouble, and CO live in the jaws of death. Nehem.8. to. Aft. 16.24. Pfal.3.5 6. and 94.19. Quell. But whence co es their flrenoth? Anfw. First, Becaufe they be Gods joys, the joyes- of the Spirit, derived immediately from the Fountain, and things be pureft, and ftrongeft there. Secondly,Becaufe they are fpiritual, and as fpirits aremore attive thenbodies, fo fpiritual things thenbodily, and natural. Thirdly, This comfort is molt certain, and !aping ; they ( for the prefent ) ouertop, and ( for the future) overcome, and furvive all other, both croffes, and comforts. Fourthly, It is independanr, and ina fort all-fufliicient , borrowing no help from the creatures: Nature, and Aft work with inftruments, andby means: they cannot fupport without meat,ltrengthen without fleep,give fleep without warmth, nor warmth without a bed, &c. But God can, beyond means, without means work comfort , make one fee in the duke , live in death. Quell. But what be theft comforts of God ? Anfw. First, Preciouspromifes,applyedbyGodin due feafon, and brought home to the heart, which revive the fpirirsmore then any Balm. Secondly, Strengthening graces, God powers the Spirit of Faith, patience, power, courage into his in due time, and they raife the heart, as wine the fainting fpirtts , every faving grace is healing , ftrengthening , and eftablifh- ing. Thirdly, Hourly experience of Gods care, and providence : As the childe never fees the loveofa Mother fomuch, as when he is Fick : SoGods children never finde Cod to be fogood, as in their miferies, and that makes them pluck up their feet with `Iacob, and to fay with Paul, I /_,now whom I have trailed : and with the Church, Thou wilt guide us unto the death, and after, receive us untoglory. Fourthly, Special peace of confcience, and joy of theholy Ghoft, by new ex- preffions of Cods favour, and ravifhments of heaven. Then God opens hea- ven, and they fee their life, and Crowns, and fo are carried over all. Q ueft. Whendoth Godthus comfort his ? Anfw. First, when they molt needit, as then the Mother bringsour her Cor- dial
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