Dauids comfort at Ziklag A plaine sermon made in time of dearth and scarcitie of corne and worke. By Robert Harris.

DAVIDS COMFORT AT ZIKLAG . 1. SAM. 30.6 .

And Dauid was greatly distressed , for the people spake of stoning him , because the soule of all the people was grieued , euery man for his sonnes , and for his daughters : but Dauid encouraged himselfe in the Lord his God .

THese words briefly report Dauids distresse at Ziklag : which distresse is first in grosse said to be great ; and then more particularly , enlarged from the causes and effects thereof . The cause ( ouer and aboue his prinate losse ) is the mutinie of his owne people , who are 1. imbittered vpon the losse of their children , taken by the Amalekites ( against whom their zeale should haue been greater ; ) and thereupon in the next place would haue stoned Dauid , as the authour of so much mischiefe . Dauid then was in danger of his head : hee was like enough to dye by the hand of his friends , as a malefactor without tryall ; and this distresses him . Now for the effects : Dauid first comforts and stayes himselfe on God ; who was able to helpe all , being the Lord ; & ready , being his God . Secondly , hauing comforted him selfe in God , hee consults with God : where 1. the meanes on his part is mentioned , Gods own meanes : 2. the answer on Gods part , a direct answer ; both for the means to be vsed , and successe to be expected : he should follow and he should certainly speed . Wee will not forestall another by any exact enquiry into the words , but acquaint you with some generall meditations , that haue beene to one , and may be to you , somewhat vsefull .

First , Doct. 1. this is in sight : That the Lord doth sometimes suffer his dearest seruants to be greatly 〈…〉 stressed : Men greatly beloued , as Dauid was , are many times greatly straightned , as Dauid was . To proue this , were to waste time . First , see When they are chiefly thus distressed ; secondly , Why : and as for kinds of distresses , we shall touch them in application , and so saue time . It shall suffice ( for the present ) to say , that Gods children drink of all waters , and haue experience of all afflictions , and that chiefly in these times . First , when they haue left Gods counsels , and followed their owne deuices . Gods children are neuer worse hampered , than in nets of their owne weauing : when they will be witty eyther against God , or without God , then they spinne a wofull threed , a Spiders webbe . For carnall reason is a very bad counsailor , and puts a man vpon euill meanes ; and none can draw a good conclusion from ill premisses , but only God . Therfore when Christians haue lost Gods wisedome and his wayes , and betaken themselues to their owne wit and wayes , they haue plunged themselues wonderfully . A man is secure and confident in his owne courses , like a childe that leaues his fathers counsaile , and followes his owne ; and the fresh-water souldier , that will be a Pilot before hee is fit for a Mariner , and thereupon runnes his ship vpon the sands . Thus Ionah was greatly distressed when hee would be wiser than God : thus Abraham greatly distressed , Gen. 20. when he would liue by his wits : thus Dauid , he had so contriued it , that neyther Saul , nor Achitophell , nor any of them all should touch him , and now hee is in all their dangers , vnlesse God helpe him out . And neuer doe Gods children please themselues greatly in their owne contriuements , but thus they speed : where they expect great safety , they are greatly endangered ; where much comfort , greatly distressed .

2 Secondly , when they haue receiued great blessings and comforts from God , then comes pride and securitie , and that 's a forerunner of a fall . Great mercies worke great thoughts and spirits in vs ; and great thoughts make way for great afflictions . We will not instance in Nebuchadnezzar . Dauid prospered greatly , God had set him on high , made his mountaine strong , his heart grew secure , then came trouble . Hezekiah was greatly distressed , and when was it ? after great deliuerances and blessings : V 〈…〉 iah and Asa the like . Mans heart cannot beare a great measure of comfort , no more than his head can a great measure of wine : therefore eyther God mingles their wine when they take it , or presently after ; or else they be giddy , and must be distressed . Hence S. Paul after great consolations had great temptations and afflictions ; 2. Cor. 12. and the blessed Virgin Mary in S. Luke is told of a sword when of a sonne , Luc. 2.35 . that must through her heart as well as Christ through her loynes .

3 Thirdly , when they be to receiue some great comfort from God , when God hath some great employment , or preferment , or deliuerance , or consolation in store for his children , hee makes way thereto by some great affliction of bodie , minde , state , friends &c. as men lay the foundation very deepe when they meane to raise the building very high . Thus Ioseph was greatly distressed , but when ? when he must be a Prince shortly after : thus Dauid greatly impouerished , when ? when shortly after he must come to the Crowne . Generally , as in darke nights it is darkest towards day-breake : so t is with the Saints of God ; the sharpest fit is euer at the birth , when they bee deliuered of their sorrow . So God makes his comforts more tastefull and lesse dangerfull to them ; and therefore first mars them , then makes them ; vndoes them , crushes them , and then rayses them vp .

These be speciall times : the generall should haue beene first noted , viz. When Gods children haue gotten some stocke and strength ; for the Lord is wise , and will not vse an Iron Instrument to thresh out Cummin ; Esay . 28. hee will not lay weight vpon greene Timber , but first season it , and then employ it after . Ioh. 21. Thus while Peter was young hee walked at large , but after was distressed . Thus for the When.

Now Why doth God bring such distresses on his ? you may partly ghesse by the When. He respects himselfe , his Church , his particular children in it .

First , God gaines glory many waies by this . Reason 1. First , his power is seene in their distresses , his loue , goodnesse , truth , &c. Then the Saints can say with Iob , Now mine eyes haue seene thee .

2 Secondly , Iob. 42.5 . then not only present power and mercie is seene , but former : Wee see what power was vsed in preuenting miserie , what mercie in giuing comfort .

And thirdly , then God shall haue their custome and companie . Children that care not for Parents in prosperitie , will to them in miserie ; they le come early , come euery whit of them . Dauid could comfort himselfe in his wiues , in his children before , but now ail are met in God ; no wise but God , no child nor friend but God : now hee goes all one way , and now his confessions and prayers bee such as will set out God indeed ; prayes more and more spiritually than euer , &c.

Secondly , Reas. 2 . God aymes at the Churches good in this . 1. whilest shee is a spectator , she layes about her in the getting and exercising of grace : others deepe sorrowes makes all see how needfull it is to get much saith , patience , Scriptures in a readinesse . 2. these stirre vp to prayers , mercies , &c. as when Peter is in Prison , one beheaded , another imprisoned , they thought t was time to pray ; therefore Acts 12. they set about it earnestly : So for mercie , when they saw the Church distressed , famine comming towards her , they saue and lay vp , as Ioseph for Egypt . 2. when themselues be afflicted , they helpe themselues by the afflictions of others . Such went before mee in this affliction , and God loued them , why not , mee : Such cryed and sped well , why not I : Psal. 34. They follow the cloud , and doe not miscarry . Heb. 12.

Thirdly , Reas. 3. God aymes at the parties good in great distresses : hereby they are tried , humbled , haue experience of their frailties and graces . A Christian knowes little of himselfe till much distressed , neither what his weakenesse , not what his strength in Christ is : hee neither sees how poore himselfe is , nor how great his God is . 2. hereby they are brought to receiue often sentence of miserie , death , h●ll in themselues ; and t is good to taste these things before we fecle them ; t will empty a man of himselfe , and make him trust in the liuing God ; t will learne him those three Lessons of Christianitie , that S. Paul hath clapt vp in one verse , Phil. 3.3 . i. to worship God spiritually , to make Christ his iov , to lay down all confidence in the flesh : and 3ly . hereby they are made helpefull to others . There is little to bee expected from man till deepely plunged . 1. Hee cannot pity others till experience hath taught him . 2. he will not be seruiceable till afflictions haue humbled and broken him . 3. hee knowes not how to comfort others till himselfe hath beene wounded and healed . But when hee hath learned by experience , he can make his own plaister serue another man , and comfort him in the same affliction with the same consolation . And those bee the sweetest and surest comforts , when a man can say , my case was iust the same , & here is the scripture , the medicine that wrought the cure in me . 2 Cor. 1.

First for the wicked : Vse . leaue them but these Scriptures to thinke vpon . If this bee done to the greene Tree , what shall bee done to the dry ? If God beginne with the people that call vpon his Name , what shall the end of the enemies be ? Are there not strong plagues for the workers of Iniquitie , Iob 31 ? shall not they be distressed ?

2 The chief Vse is to Saints : Let not them question their sonneship because of afflictions . In this nonage the Heire differs little from a seruant : You can make no certaine Conclusion from outward things : doe not offer it , vnlesse you will wrong God , Christ , the Generation of the Iust , your owne soules , all at once .

Ob. But what shall bee said to extraordinary afflictions ?

Ans. 1. If such , God hath determined the case in Iob , against those disputants : They are no good proofes of a bad person or condition .

Ans. 2. But ours be not extraordinary , nothing hath befallen vs , but what is humane .

Ob. No ? when did you heare of such a dearth as is now vpon vs ? Ans. When ? why when an Asses head was worth foure pound , 2 King . 6. Therefore infer nothing against the truth of our Church from thence .

Ob. Oh but would the lining God so afflict me if his Child ?

An. So : how ?

Ob. O I am crossed in a childe as no man was so vngratefull , so vnnaturall .

Ans. Yes , except David , Ely , and yet those beloued .

Ob. Oh but I haue such a beast to my husband as no woman euer had .

Ans. Yes , Abigaell .

Ob. Oh but my estate is broken all to pieces , I am nothing worth .

Ans. So was Dauid at Ziklag : so Naomie : and yet beloued .

Ob. Oh but I haue sold all , and now want bread .

Ans. So the Widow of Sarepta , 2 King . 4. Neh. 5. Lam. 4. and yet beloued .

Ob. Oh but my bodie is smitten too .

Ans. So Dauids & Iobs , & yet beloued of God .

Ob. Oh but my spirit is wounded , I am scorcht with the flames of hell , and feele it in my conscience .

Ans. So Iob and Dauid .

Ob. But I am disabled from all seruice , I can neither pray , nor read , nor heare , nor liue , not dye .

Ans. So the Saints , Psal. 102. the Church in Esay ; and yet beloued .

Ob. Oh but I am torne to pieces with hellish blasphemous Temptations .

Ans. Christ had such offered outwardly , yet beloued .

Ob. But I am haled with lusts , now impure lusts , now couetous lusts , reuengefull lusts , and they make me weary of my life . So Paul , Rom. 7. Gal. 5. yet beloued . What then is to be resolued vpon ? Surely , that neither things present , nor things to come , shal euer separate vs from the loue of God ; for no afflictions forfeit our Title .

Ob. Oh but mine be fins , passions , temptations .

Ans. Let them bee what they will be ; if they be afflictions to vs ; if they tire vs , wound vs , make vs cry to God , as Ichosaphat did , when they pursue vs , they weaken not our Title . Oh but that the smart of them may do without the hatred of sin : they may weary men because painefull , not because sinfull . They may ; but marke , 1. these two be not well opposed : often the painefulness comes from the sinfulnesse ; were they not sinful , wee could brooke them well enough for their pleasure and profit . 2. if opposed , paine in hypocrites only followes sins committed . Thou art distressed before hand , and in great feare lest thou shouldst commit it ; as Paul , Who shall deliuer me from the bodie of death ? 2. great sinnes are painefull onely , if nothing but paine bee heeded . Thou art troubled with the first motions , a whole bodie of sinne . 3. sinne is only painefull to the vnsanctified . Thou art troubled as much for want of faith , loue , humilitie , thankefulnesse , as for the ouerflowing of sinne . 4. paine makes one howle , but not to God , at least in the first place . But sinne driues a Dauid first to God , then to men ; ends in prayer , & not in chasing despaire . And is it thus with thee ? either condemne Dauid , or say , a man may be crossed in wife , childe , house , goods , friends , kinsmen , all at once ; nay hazzarded in his life , tempted in his soule , troubled in his conscience plunged into a sea of miseries , and yet be deare to God ; a blessed man , a glorious Christian . witnesse Dauid .

In the next place , Doct. they thinke and speake of stoning Dauid . See our nature ; In crosses wee are apt to flye vpon men , rather than to fall down and humble our selues before God . Thus , were the Israelites crossed ? they murmure at Moses , and they will stone him . Want they water ? stone Moses : Want they meate ? stone Moses . And thus the King of Israel at Samaria , Abab for Eliah , &c. Nay wee see this disease too strong in Saints : Sarah , in the 16. of Genesis , Asa &c.

Reas. 1. The reason is cleere : first , wee stoope not to God , because wee are naturally emptie of Faith : wee cannot see him , wanting an eye that s spirituall : wee will not , because wee expect no helpe from him ; and it is Faith that makes vs stoope , Lam. 3.

2 Wee chafe at man , because proude ; and therefore fretfull and complayning : 2. guilefull , and therefore rather translate than confesse our faults ; like children , that will rather quarrell with seruants for complayning , than themselues for offending .

Vse 1. Feare this distemper in nature , and watch which way our hearts are working in the day of affliction . Vnlesse the crosse bee verie immediate , our hearts breake out towards men rather than God ; and wee sooner fret , chafe , threaten , curse , than confesse , pray , submit : & this is a fearefull sinne , beware of it . And now lets not speake in the language of the wicked ; T is long of Dauid , therefore stone him : t is long of Corne-masters who hold-in corne , that there s such scarcitie , therefore downe with them : t is long of Inclosers , therefore downe with them : t is long of hard Land-lords , and therefore down with them , long of Merchants that transport : t is long of some mens pride , others wastfulnesse , others wantonnesse ; and so grow bitter against others : But say , t is long of mee and my fathers house ; my sinnes haue encreased wrath vpon Israel ; I haue beene proude , wanton , wastefull , abused plenty , murmured &c. I haue sinned the sinnes of others , in that I haue spoken of them with more delight than griefe , in that I haue not wept for them , stood in the gap ; otherwise God would neuer beate anothers sinnes on my backe . Thus le ts doe , fret at our owne sinnes , befoole our selues ; and not onely so , but in stead of chafing at men , cast downe our selues before God , see the rod , and God appointing it : that done , goe to God as Dauid doth , goe by faith , goe in the workes of repentance , goe for counsaile ; lye at his foote , saying , Lord wee yeeld , wee yeeld : if thou wilt haue vs poore , wee will be poore ; if thou wilt haue our goods , houses , habitations , here we are , and we resigne that which wee haue forfeited a thousand times : This the onely remedy there s left vs . We must not spend our time in inueighing against others , but in accusing our selues : wee must not imbitter our hearts , by dwelling vpon the instruments , but humble them by looking vp to God , and hush them by a free submission or our selues . Fretting doth but encrease our miserie , subiection and yeeldance only easeth vs ; and therefore say as they , Lamen. 3. 22. — 40.

2 Comfort , if stormes doe not breed thistles and nettles in our ground : Comfort , if crosses do not draw passions , oathes , curses , repinings , raylings , but prayers , confessions &c. from vs . O t is well when being let bloud , our veynes send out that which is pure , not now that which is blacke , poy soned : This argues a good constitution , yea the finger of God ; for crosses of themselues are not so much as purgatiue , much lesse alteratiue : T is grace that changes our complexion , and t is as good a signe when crosses take well , as when the Word doth . If then wee finde that our crosses send vs homeward , set vs against our sinnes , make vs cry out , because wee can forgiue no more , beare no more , because wee bee so full of wrath , passion &c. le ts blesse God for this cure : for nature chafes , moralitie bites it in ; only sanctitie makes sinne odious , stirres vp desires of grace , puls downe flesh , sets vp God in Christ ; in short , improues the crosse .

Followeth , Doct. Their soules are bitter for their children : so the childes miserie is the parents bitternesse : T is gall and wormwood to a parent to see his sonnes and daughters deliuered to miserie .

Reas. If there be grace in the parent , then the parent sees his owne sinne in the childes smart : It grieues a good man to see a beast , a stranger bleed for him , much more his childe .

2 If but nature , yet nature is strong in working , that hath so mingled fathers and children , that in one both are sinitten ; both bleed and smart , both liue and dye together .

Vse 1. For vngratefull children : Think of this ; your sorrowes are your parents forrowes , your shame theirs , your paine theirs , your losse theirs ; and if you loue not your selues , loue your parents : kill not them by your wickednesse , fill not their soules with gall who haue fed you with milke .

Vse 2. Against those that robbe and spoile , oppresse , defraud and beggar yongue and old , the mother and the childe vpon her : Oh t is a fearefull sin to ruine houses and townes , to lay whole families on heapes , to set father , mother , sonne , daughter all on weeping ; the crye of so manie will surely to heauen , the smart of so many will deeply imbitter ; when children shall crye to parents for bread and they haue it not , when they shall call for portions and they haue none , for coates and they haue none , food and money and they haue none , when they shall looke one way on the miseries of their children , another way on the vniustice , vnmercifulnesse , oppression of Land-lords , of Creditors , and see themselues and theirs for euer betrayed to misery through the default of others ; Oh this fills the heart with many a bitter thought , the mouth with many a bitter curse ; the father curses , the mother curses , the sonne curses , the daughter curses ; they lye at God , and giue him no rest till hee reuenge them vpon such hurtfull persons : and that God that would not haue a bird killed from her yongue , will heare these curses , and make the earth , and stones , and walls of mens houses , and lands to feele them : Oh then doe not robbe , kill , crush mens sonnes and daughters , this will worke bitternesse in others , to vs , to ours .

Vse 3. For instruction to vs all : Is it so bitter to see our children in misery , captiuity ? then meete the Lord before sentence goes forth , lest our soules be made bitter for our sons and daughters : should the Lord send the sword amongst vs to our Ziklags , and wee should see our daughters rauished , our sonnes butchered before our eyes , would not this bee bitter ? Should wee see ones legge off , a seconds arme , a thirds head , a fourth crying to vs , hanging on vs , would not this bee bitter ? should wee see the Amalekites in our land , our children carried away for slaues , would not this be bitter ? should our children fall in the streets for bread , dye for thirst , they ready to eat vp vs , we ready to chop them to the pot , would not this bee bitter ? Oh how could our eyes behold these things , how could our soules digest so great bitternesse ? Oh le ts now preuent this , that we may neuer see or feele it : Tell mee not , there s no danger : the Word of God is agaiust vs ; most of those sinnes which haue brought Captiuitie , Sword , Famine vpon others , are amongst vs : wee see the Lord hath begunne already , and our brethren haue begun to vs in this bitter cup. O the bitter lamentations in Germanie ; fathers , mothers weeping for their sonnes that bee not : Oh England , looke to it that wee drinke not vp the dregges ; Oh that thou wouldst fast and mourne in publicke ; Oh that you would each in priuate . Here each man wept bitterly for his sonnes and daughters , but it was too late , they were gone : Nay , t was not too late ; though gone , teares will waft them home againe : those teares that will recouer children , will continue children ; therefore each man for himselfe , for his sonnes , weepe apart , pray , fast , mourne , wiues apart , husbands apart , children apart ; stand before the Lord as Iehoshaphat did with your little ones , and say , Oh Lord spare our Ziklags , our houses , our sons , our daughters , spare them from the sword , from famine , from pestilence , from misery and who knowes but that the Lord may yet haue mercie ?

He comforted himselfe ( or , strengthened , all is one ) for the ioy of the Lord is strong .

Doct. The world is neuer so empty of comforts but that comfort may be found in God : though there be somewhat a dearth of comfort in the earth , yet Gods house is euer filled ; in heauen comfort is to bee had when none in earth , in God when none in creatures . Daniel , Dauid , Paul ; thousands would witnesse this if needefull .

The instance is plaine : when Dauid could not comfort himselfe in his wiues , nor his children , nor his goods , nor in any thing vnder the Sunne , he could in something aboue the Sunne , &c. And the Reason is at hand .

Reason . 1. God is the God of all consolation , the Spring of comfort ; if any water t is in the Sea , if any light t is in the Sunne , if any comfort t is in God , there it rests , there t is when no where else .

2. God is Al-sufficient ; there the heart finds euery want supplyed , euery good thing lodged : if the discouragement grow from wants , want of power , want of wisedome , of comfort , of helpe , there the heart receiues answer ; in God there is enough ; there t is to bee had , and that freely . As God is Al-sufficient to furnish vs with all necessaries , so infinite in power , wisedome , goodnesse , to helpe vs against all euils , feared or felt . It our discouragement grow from euils feared , looke vp to him and he can preuent all , as you see in Dauid and Esters story , and Paul : Dauid was neere to killing when Saul was now readie to chop vpon him ; the Church in Ester was at a low ebbe , when the lot was cast ; Paul , when forty had vowed his death ; Peter , when the next day he must dye , and but one night , houre , step betweene death and him , yet rescued .

2. If afflictions haue ouertaken vs and discouraged vs , looke vp againe , and see how easily the Lord can take them off : this weeke Dauid hath neither wife , nor childe , nor corne , nor cattell , and by the next he hath his owne , and a great deale more : this yeare you see hee is worse than nought for wealth , the next a King ; yea Peter can tell you , that imprisonment may be for a night , deliuerance ere morning ; Dauids heauinesse may be your guest this night , ioy to morrow , Psal. 30.

3. If afflictions bee long and strong , and thence discouragement , looke vp againe and you shall finde , 〈◊〉 . that after two dayes God will reuiue you , and you shall liue in his sight . Hee can heale old wounds in a short space ; as in the captiuity , Ioh. 5.5 . in the man in the Gospell ; and deepe wounds with a little tent . When Dauid is broken all to pieces , his estate to pieces , his houshold , his army , his heart ( they had wept till wearie of weeping ) Loe in two or three dayes he can make vp all againe .

4 If afflictions bee most bi●ter , and stinging , and lasting to our end , and therefore discouragement ; looke vp , and see , and God can ouer-top all these sorrowes with comfort , and sweeten the bitterest cup : why hee hath more consolations than there bee afflictions : as one abounds so the other . Hee hath stronger consolations than afflictions , hee can make a Dauid for the present say Psal. 94.19 . and for the time past , T is good I haue beene afflicted ; and for the future , Isah . 119. & 73. Thou wilt bee my guide to the death , and so receiue mee to glorie : yea hee can make a Peter sleepe in irons , a Paul sing in dungeons , Act. 12 & 16. a Marty reioyce in sufferings , Heb 10. Why then if in God may euer bee found that which will answer our wants , supply all our griefes , there s comfort still to be had .

Vse . Now then ( Brethren ) is not this God worth the hauing ? You cannot alwaies haue comfort in wealth , comfort in health , comfort in neighbors , in children , in wiues , these be not alwaies : these , while they be , doe sometime minister matter of griefe ; yea , sometime their life & presence doth discourage : Esay 20 but in IEHOVA is constant peace , constant comfort , and ioy to bee found ; He is constantly good , great , true , &c. Oh get him ; how euer you doe , get him , and you haue all ; come what will come , he changes not , his comforts are sure ; neuer cease seeking , begging , hearing , conferring , till his Image bee set vpon you , and your hearts assured of his loue . You haue seene the comforts of the world , you see how all cisternes faile you , goe to the fountaine , in the word of God , in the house of God , in the fauour of God , you shall haue comfort , in his light you shall see light , when others nothing but darkenesse round about . Oh then , thou that sittest in darkenesse , in the darkenesse of temptation , in the darkenesse of sinne , in the darkenesse of affliction , darkenesse of pouertie , debt ; thou that seest no light , none within thee , none without thee , none in thy soule , none in thy minde , none in thine estate , friends , &c. arise , put on beautie , come into the light , stand vp from the dead , ( dead comforts , dead companions , dead workes ) and the LORD shall giue thee life .

2. For Saints : why doe not they chide themselues , as Dauid did , and call vpon themselues for comfort ? Surely , Ioy is comely ; and it is their part to reioyce in God .

Ob. Oh but how can wee in sad times , in the middest of sorrow ?

Ans. How did the Apostles ? they reioyced in the stocks .

Ob. True in case of persecution : but how should we in affliction ?

Ans. How doth Dauid ? he had lost wife , child , all , yet hee comforts himselfe ; in what ? when all was gone ? in God , in him was all ; & so long as God stood to him , all staide with him .

Ob. But what if sinne haue haled afflictions on vs ?

Ans. Dauid was not cleere , yet in God is comfort then ; comfort , because hee is gracious and ready to pardon .

Ob. Yea , but what if the miserie be common , not particular and personall ?

Ans. Such was Dauids , yet hee comforts himselfe . Why God can heale a Towne as soone as a man ; a Shire as soone as a Towne ; a Kingdome as soone as a Shire .

Ob. Yea , but what if ones ease be despemte ?

Ans. So was Dauids to mens iudgements : houses burnt , goods gone , the enemie was gotten into possession ; and yet Dauid comforts him selfe in God . And in truth , ther 's no mane case , estate , soule , desperate to God : if wee were nothing , hee could make vs something , if worse than nothing , he could repaire vs .

Ob. Yea , but what if nothing left ?

Ans. Yet if God loft , all is well , all is in him ; all power , all wisedom all wealth , comfort , &c.

Ob. But the times 〈◊〉 exceeding hard .

Ans. But God is as kinde , as rich as euer ; heauen as full , grace and comfort as cheape .

Ob. But when pouertie pinches , neede presses : what comfort then ?

Ans. Yes , the consolations of God are strong : those crosses that seeme to swallow you , shall be very sufferable , if you flye to him . Oh then flye to him by faith , Hab. 3. say as Hab. vlt. Though the Figge-tree , &c. yet will I reioyce in the Lord . Flye by Prayer ; and one faithfull Prayer will shake off these yokes as easily as Sampson did his bonds . Flye to the Word , & some Tychieus will comfort your hearts as S. Paul saith . Some one promise or other will settle you beyond expectation .

Ob. Oh but what if God himselfe be a terror , not a comfort ?

Ans. The word speaketh bloud not peace ; yet reconcile thy selfe to God , cast out sinne , cast thy selfe vpon his mercue : say , If any mercie or comfort in the world , t is in God ; therefore to him I le goe , there I le lye at his gate , though hee kill me , I le trust in him .

Ob. But what if I haue done so , and yet finde no comfort ?

Ans. Waite , Psal. 85.8 . hearken , for the Lord will speake peace to his , &c. He that trusted in him never was ashamed . Heare then thou that lookest into thy barne , and ther 's no comfort , corne is gone ; into thy purse , ther 's no com 〈…〉 , mony is gone ; into thy cupboard , ther 's no comfort , bread is gone ; vnto thy children , ther 's no comfort , thy owne flesh and bone is gone ; into thy heart , and ther 's no comfort , hope and ioy is gone ; vnto thy friends and land , and behold darkenesse and sorrow , Esay 5 , the last verse . yet looke vpward to heauen , there comfort growes ; to Christ , ther 's comfort treasured ; to God , and there the fountaine is as full as euer ; conclude , God is mine , and therefore comfort is mine ; hee is comfort without bread , without friends , without life .

Next , Dauid consults with God in time of distresse .

Doct. Wee must not spend time in whyning , fretting , musing ; but wee must consult , and cast what s best to be done : The people doe the one , Dauid the other . So Iacob , Gen. 42.1 . Exod. 10.7.1 . Sam. 6.2 . So the Egyptians to Pharaoth : the Philistims in Samuel : And Ephraims folly is herein taxed , that hee would stand still at the birth , Hes 13.13 . But I presse not this ; onely for Vse thus much .

Vse . We are in Dauids straight ( in a sense : ) the people weep till they can weep no more , their soules be bitter for sonnes and daughters , yea too many speake almost of stoning euery Dauid , whom they conceiue to bee an occasion of their misery : What must wee doe ? surely Dauid is a good patterne ; 1. he comforts himselfe in God , so must we , else our who bee not our owne , nor graces , wee can neither speake to God nor man ; discouragement robbes a man of all : 2. Dauid goes to Gods ordinances , Gods word , Gods mouth , askes Gods aduice ; so must wee , heare what God saith , what he calls for ; and hee calls for more fasting , submission ; calls vs from our feasts , fashions , laces , &c. 3. David forthwith executes what God speakes , so must wee ; you haue beene told that this expence in feasting , in building , in houshould-stuffe , brauery for your selues and children , abuse of plenty would beggar you ; beleeue it now , confesse , amend it : and we tell you now , you must stoope that are poore , you must helpe that are rich , doe it , &c. But if wee should now , it were too late . No , God can fetch Ziklag againe when t is gone , if sought vnto : But what may bee done : You have heard ( Beloued ) t is not in vain to seck to God 12. seek to God with teares , fastings , out with your sins , downe with your hearts , yeeld , yeeld , and acknowledge abuse of plentie : 3. vse policie , and prouide as Dauid did , worke , the maine defect is from want of worke : t is in vaine to speake of bringing downe ma 〈…〉 vnlesse there bee employment . Were barley 〈…〉 shillings , if men have not worke t is all one : therefore you poore bee willing to worke for bread , you rich study to finde worke ; t is impossible to employ all : thus do , you that have money 〈…〉 ( out of feares ) hoard it , produce , employ it , and bring not certaine mischiefes vpon vncertaine 〈◊〉 : a. you that haue wool , hemp , &c. now set it 〈◊〉 &c. 3. you that haue land , loue tillage ; men may discourse , but without tillage such a land as this cannot stand : loue house-keeping ; t is better keepe men as seruants , rather than as rogues , as masters : 4. you that haue meanes without land , helpe to sowe the land that this year will lye vntilled and vnsowne , without helpe , and make some bargaine with poor men , &c. Why but there is not employment for halfe . Yet againe : Why but there s no mony , there s little . Yet there might be more , if pride in lace , plate , &c. might downe , if vnbeliefe did not beare the keyes of their coffers that haue manie houses . Suppose there were lesse mony , pay men in corne , bread , cloth , &c. But there s no worke : No , looke to your fields , were ditches scoured , marishes drained , lands ploughed in many fields , it would quite cost : looke to your high wayes , all the poore in the Countrey bee scarce crow to gather and lay stones in them for some weekes , &c. But we have not to pay them . I answer once for all , better keepe them working than begging and wandring : kept they must be , and if they catch a haunt of idling and roguing , they le bee past all shame , all worke , all thrift , all grace , and we shall all rue it : Therfore if you know better means , vse them , and set your wits on worke that something may be done , &c.

FINIS .