When Origen a man of immortall wit , Ier: catal : & ●apol : adu : Ruff : Orig : hom: 7. in Ios. & most learned in all secular knowledge , whose knowledge of the scriptures Ierom wondred at , was to expound the word Iubilate , he professed that he felt himselfe inwardly touched , hee knew not by whatsecret & extraordinary motion , to search into the secret meaning of it , hoping there to find , as Chrysostome spake in another case , Chrys. hom. 15. in Gen. Thesaurum magnum in parua dictione , some great treasure couched in that litle word : I am sure there is no word more full of store then the name of God here , in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , rendred by Beza and Tremelius Deus : Ludouicus Viues obserued truly , De veritacefi . le● . l : 1. that Iudaisme and Mahometisme , and all other superstitious deuotions are but like vnto the glasse which is brittle and cannot endure the hammer , but the Christian faith is like the gold , whether melted , or rubbed , or beaten it still shineth the more orient : so is the doctrine of the true God , it feareth not the touchstone , but hath meditation enough in it to busie the curiousest searcher of the world : A mistery which made Trismegistus call God ineffable , Trismeg . ad Tatium . one that could not be pronounced , and the Iewes so superstitious that they confessed this name to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , inenarrable ; ineffable , not to be expressed : and Arnobius that Qui se putat magnitudinem Deinosse , Arnob. l : 8. minuit , He that thinketh he knoweth the greatnes of God , lesseneth it as much as he may . It is impossible to know his essence : He hath neede of the Logique of God himselfe that should giue a perfect definition of him ; M : Cartwr : ca tech. p. 3. yet how much haue many laboured in this secret ? The Rabbines obseruing that the name Iehouah hath foure letters of rest , to signifie that the rest and tranquillitie of all the creatures in the world is in God alone : Steuchus thinking that none can interpret it ; Paulus Burgensis that none can translate it : Zanchius and others , that it is a name of 4 letters in all languages ; in the Roman Deus , the Spanish Dios , Zan. de natura Dei , l. 1. c. 13. the Italian IDIO , the French Dieu , the German Gott , the Persian 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the Magi pronouncing it Orsi , the Dalmatians Bogi , the Mahumetans Abgd , the new found world Zimi , the Assirians Adad , the Aegiptians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the Arabians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the Hetrusci 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as if they knew that God is not the God of the Iewes only , but of all the world besides . His name is I AM , Exod. 3.14 . Exod. 3. importing the eternitie of his essence , the same yesterday , and to day , Heb. 13.8 . and for euer , and the existence and perfection of all things in him , Non quòd illa sunt quod est ille , sed quia ex ipso , saith Bernard : Ber. in Cant. ser. 4. Not that they are the same that he is , but because of him , and through him , and to him are all things . Therefore did Plato call him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that which is : Rom. 11.36 . Zan. de natura Dei , l. 1. c 13. and in his Timaeus reprehendeth those which attribute vnto him either the future or the preterperfect tense , forasmuch as neither of those tenses did agree with him , but the present tense only . Therefore Thales answered , being demanded what God was : Quod principio & fine caret , That which wanteth beginning and ending . And vpon the doores of the Temple of Delphas the inscription was in capitall letters E I , veram , certam , Plut. mor. part. 1. de E I apud Delphos . solamque soli conuenientem ei appellationem qua esse dicitur , tribuentes ; giuing him thereby a true , a certaine , and only appellation of existing alone . Gr Naz Orat. 38. This name Nazranzene called an infinite and boundlesse Ocean : and Austin tels vs , Quo intellectu Deum capit homo qui ipsum intellectum suum quo cum vult capere nondum capit ? With what vnderstanding can man possibly conceiue God , who cannot conceiue his owne vnderstanding ? Yet because Est in Deo quod percipi potest , si quod potest velis ; Hil. de Trin. l. 10. There is in God that which may bee perceiued by vs , if wee endeuour that which may be ; as there is in the Sunne that which may be seene , if wee will see what we may : but often men lose what they may see , if they endeuour to see more then they may see . Let vs looke vpon his workes , Dionys. de diu . nom . c. 1. for Dei nomen mirabile nomen , super omne nomen , sed sine nomine ; The name of God is admirable , aboue euery name , not to bee expressed by any name . Were all the land paper , and all the water inke , euery plant a pen , and euery other creature a swift and readie Scribe , they could not set downe the least peece of his greatnesse . Hee is length in respect of eternitie , Ber. de consid . breadth in regard of charitie , height for his maiestie , depth for his wisdome . He hath much more then the Poet found in Iupiter .

He hath Heauen for his throne , Matt. 5.34 35. 1. King . 8 27. and the Earth for his footstoole , nay behold the heauen and heauen of heauens cannot containe him : there is not an hearbe , flower , tree , leafe , seede , fruit , beast or worme , wherein wee see not the power of his Deitie . All Thrones are but pieces of his footstoole : hee is a God before whom there was no God formed , neither shall there be after him ; the Lord , and besides him there is no Sauiour . Is. 43.10.11.13 . Hee will worke , and who can let it ? Here is the Sphynx of diuinitie , if I may so call it , to looke vpon this Maiestie vnto whom the Rabbins haue giuen threescore and ten names diuersified in ten sorts , making in all seuen hundred and twenty names ; but I must confesse as Iustin Martyr did , Iust. Mart. l. 1. confess fidei . that it is a mysterie which is rather to be receiued by faith then conceiued by reason : yet as men when they desire to see the Sunne in an inter position doe looke into the water , and as that Geometrician , Lips . polit. finding the length of Hercules foot vpon the hill Olympus , ghessed at the proportion of his whole body , and because howsoeuer the diuine nature be in comprehensible , yet we should not wholly desist from searching it , Iust. Mart. de Trin. consuming our time in idlenesse ; we must looke vpon God in his workes , and acknowledge that he is a God of Gods , and Lord of Lords , a great God , a mighty and terrible , Deut. 10. Deut. 10.17 . Mar. 27. 1. Cor. 8.6 . Rom. 15.5 . a God only forgiuing sinnes , Mark . 2. one God of whom are all things and we in him , 1. Cor. 8. the God of patience and consolation , Rom. 15. here comforting his Church after their tribulations , hungring , thirsting , and weeping : whence we may be directed to this vsefull obseruation .

That God is the Author of the only and true comfort vnto his seruants . Doct.

A truth confirmed plentifully in the Scriptures . This was the encouragement that the Lord gaue vnto Isaac when hee appeared vnto him , either awake as some hold , Lippoma . Toslat . or asleepe as others : I am the God of Abraham thy father , feare not , for I am with thee , and will blesse thee , and multiplie thy seede for my seruant Abrahams sake , Gen. 26.24 . Gen. 26. The Heathens had their nationall Gods which were no Gods , the Assyrians Belus , Peter in Gen. the Aegyptians Isis , the Tyrians Baal , the Athenians Minerua , the Samians Iuno , the Lemnians Vulcan , the Romans Quirinus , &c. But our God is the peculiar God of Abraham and of the faithfull . Gen. 28.15 . Hee thus heartned Iacob , Gen. 28. I am with thee , and will keepe thee in all places whither thou goest , I will not leaue thee : so he promised , Gen. Gen. 46.4 . 46. I will goe downe with thee into Aegypt , and I will also suroly bring thee vp againe : which was performed when his body was carried to bee buried in Canaan as he had charged Ioseph with an oath , Gen. 47.31 . because that was the place which the Lord chose for his people to dwell in ; or the Patriarchs desired to be buried in the land of promise to testisie their faith that God would bring their seed thither : or as hauing the same hope of the resurrection , or foreseeing that the Messiah should be borne there ; but most of all the promise was performed in his seed , whom the Lord brought out of Aegypt vnder the hand of Moses and Aaron . God killeth and maketh aliue , Deut 32.39 . woundeth and healeth , Deu. 32. Hee giueth the former and the latter raine , Ioel 2.23 . Ioel 2. Except hee build the house , they labour in vaine that build it : Psal. 1 27 1. no house is a fortresse if vnarmed of this weapon , ser. 22.15 . though of Cedar . Excopt he keepe the Citie , the watchman waketh but in vaine . Doth a man eat and drinke , and make his soule enioy good in his labour ? Eccl. 2 . 2● . This is from the hand of God . How many haue varieties of meats , and cannot eat , being troubled with a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that when they are chastened with paine vpon their beds , and the multitude of their bones with strong paine , their life abhorreth bread , Iob 33.19.20 . and their soule daintie meat ? How many haue beene slaine as the Amalekites while they were spread abroad vpon the earth , eating , and drinking , and dancing , because of all the great spoile that they had taken ? 1. Sam 30.16 . Hane men riches , and wealth , and the power thereof , to take their portion and reioyce in their labour ? This is the gift of God ; Eccl 5.19 . Iob 21.16 . others gather riches to their owne hurt , vel inde superbiendo , Hago . vel non praestando , &c. either growing proud by them , or not being good stewards of them , not suffering them to sleepe , Eccl. 5.12 . being as much troubled to keepe them as euer to get them , fearing losses , or thinking vpon vnlawfull gaine by vsurie , and other sore euils . Amb. in Ps. 1. Haue men beene preserued from their enemies , and triumphed in the victorie ? God teacheth their hands to warre and fingers to fight . God made all , and ruleth all ; Psal. 144 1. Chrys. and as a ship without a gouernour is for no seruice , as a bodie without a soule of no power , so the World could neuer be created as it was , nor continue as it is , nor come to that it is to be , without this God . No being , no liuing , no comfort is without him . He worketh sometimes without meanes , as hee created the world of nothing in the beginning , not to receiue any happinesse by the things created , Aug. de gen. co. plan . c. 4. without the which hee was happy , but hee made the world to manifest his glory and declare his mercy : so without meanes hee preserued Moses on the mount forty dayes and forty nights , Exod. 34 28. hee did neither eat bread nor drinke water ; Deut. 29 5. he led the Israelites forty yeeres in the wildernesse , their clothes and shooes not waxing old : so often in tempests at sea when men looke euery houre to be cast away , when the keele be it neuer so strong , the ribs be they neuer so stiffe , the cleets and clamps of iron be they neuer so fast set on , are like to flie in peeces , or if a ioynt cracke all is hazarded , if a planke shoot vp , all is like to be gone , when they mount vp to heauen , and goe downe againe to the depths , Psal. 107. their soule being melted because of trouble , they reele to and fro , and stagger like a drunken man , and are at their wits end , God maketh the storme a calme ; so in extremitie of sicknesse , when Physitians and all giue a man off , Iob 16.2 . that he crieth out as Iob , Miserable comforters are ye all : in dangerous childbirths , when women haue with Rachel hard labour , Gen. 35.16 . and in other extremities when we see no meanes of helpe in the world , God commenth in with his helping hand , and maketh the waues still , turneth deadly sicknesse into a safe recouerie , sorrowfull trauailes into ioyfull deliueries , bitternesse into sweetnesse , and that immediately .

God worketh comfort sometimes against meanes , as when the Israelites passed ouer vpon the drie ground in the midst of the sea , and the waters were a wall vnto them on their right hand and on Exod. 14 22. their left , Exod. 14. in the diuision of Iordan for Elijah , in the standing still of the Sunne for Ioshua , in the not burning of the three children , in the hungry Lions not deuouring Daniel , in the Viper not hurting S. Paul .

Sometimes God worketh by meanes , as by Angels , appearing either visibly as they did to Iacob when he went on his way , Gen. 32.1 . which hee called Gods host ; or not seene at the first , but afterwards , as Elisha praying that his seruants eyes might be opened , and behold the mountaine was full of horses , and chariots of fire round about Elisha , 2. King . 6. which were Angels : 2. King . 6.17 . or most commonly not seene to men , yet alwayes in a readinesse for Gods seruice and his childrens preseruation , encamping round about them that feare him , Psal. 34.7 . and deliuering them , being all ministring spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heires of saluation . Heb. 1.14 . Besides these , God comforteth men with his other creatures , those two great lights , the Sunne to rule by day , Psal. 136.8 . which Anaxagoras held much greater then Peloponesus a countrey in Graecia , Anaximander as bigge as the earth , the Mathematicians exceeding the earth 166. times : Clauius . the Moone to rule the night ; Iob 38.31.32 . such are the influences of Pleiades bringing the spring , the bands of Orion bringing raine , Mazzaroth in his season , and Arcturus with his sonnes . Hee heareth the heauens , they heare the earth , and the earth shall heare the corne , Os. 2 . 2● . and the wine , and the oile . He is with Kings is their kingdomes , Bishops in their churches , Peeres in their consultations , Iudges in their iudgements , Captaines in their battels , euer ready to comfort when the helpe of man is vaine . Is. 50.3 . He that can cloath the heauens with blacknesse , and make sackcloth their couering , can also stretch them out like a curtaine to couer himselfe with light as with a garment . He that can send out a great winde into the Sea till it worke and be tempestuous , Psal 104.2 . Io. 1.4.11 . and the waues thereof tosse themselues , Ier. 5.22 . can also stay them that they preuaile not thought they rore and smite through the pride thereof . Instrumenta sunt tota creatura Dei , all the creatures of God are ready at his command to attend the elect for their good , Iob 26 12. Wigand . Syntag. V●t . Test . and the reprobate for their hurt . He is the best comforter : others may deceiue , a friend his friend , as Achitophel did Dauid , a Counseller his client , as Abimelech the Schechemits , the wife the husband , as Dalilah did Sampson , the daughter leaue the mother , as Orpah Naomi : but God neuer faileth ; and therefore as Demosthenes held that no man could be miserable which laid temperance and continencie for a foundation of wisdome ; so much more may wee hold him to be most comforted which hath the Lord for his God ; and as that Emperour Marcus Aurelius often professed , that hee would not leaue the knowledge hee might learne in one houre for all the gold hee possessed , receiuing more glory from the bookes hee read and wrote , then all the battels he wonne and kingdomes he conquered , so may wee resolue that this only maketh vs happy , that God doth comfort vs .

Vse . 1. How wretched then is the estate of them which oppose themselues against this God of confort . Such are the Atheists of this age , whose Patron was Diagoras 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : in plaine termes denying that there was any God at all , and Epicurus trampling vpon religion : They are Infidels in heart , Blasphemers in tongue , the greatest Traitors to their Prince , Rebels to their country , a poyson to their houses , plague to their friends : causing the earth vpon which they goe to be cursed , the ayre where they speake , to be infected , and Sathan where they enter to be possessed . Strange it is , that eyther Graecian or Barbarian , Turke or Christian , any one whose se et tread vpon the earth , or whose eyelids are opened towards heauen , should not in their liues proclaime the comfortable Maiesty of this God : but as it is supposed that Anaxagoras would neuer haue affirmed snow to be blacke , but that he was starke blinde of both his eyes : so these would neuer so much erre , but that they are blinded in their vnderstanding ; more insensible then the creatures voyd of reason ; for the starre confessed the son of God , and led the wise men to Christ ; the sea and windes did obey him : the Asse did beare him to Ierusalem : the Fishes at his command came into the net , and one brought money to pay tribute : the Sunne at his death was appalled , the earth did tremble , the stones did cleaue asunder , and the graues did open : they are more obstinate then the Deuill , Mar. 5.6.7 . seeing Iesus a farre off , he came and worshipped him , crying with a loud voice , that hee was the Sonne of the most high God : Iesus hee knoweth and Paul , Acts 19 15. but these acknowledge neyther God nor Iesus , nor any true Prophets sent from God , but the time shall come that the eyes that sinne hath shut , damnation shall open , and they shall know that this God is not vnfitly called by the Graecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , for the sharpnesse of his sight , and swiftnesse of his course , seeing all , and ruling ouer all in a moment , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as that whereby all things are caused to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for that he giueth life and motion to all , Aristed : in hymno in Iouem . Diog. La●r● . c. el : Rhodig . and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in reguard of his goodnes : whither should I send the foolish Naturals which neuer look vpon the God of Nature , but to the creatour of all , which fashioned all . Nature it selfe is nothing but a power placed by this God in his creatures . Hugo . Quis disposuit membra pulicis & culicis , who hath disposed in order the limmes of the flea and gnat , they haue their life and motion , flying death , louing life , seeking after that they delight in , shunning that which troubleth them , hauing sense and quicknesse in motion . This God made them : Qui fecit Angelumin coelo fecit vermiculum infecta : He that made the Angell in Heauen made the little worine on the earth : Aug super . Psal. 148. Totum attende , totum lauda , consider all the order of Gods workes , thou shalt see cause enough to praise God for all : Thou art without excuse , for the inuisible things of him from the creation of the world are cleerely seene being vnderstood by the things that are made . Rom. 1.20 . Witnesses against thee shall be , that the Lord hath done good for thee and giuen thee rain from heauen , and fruitfull seasons , filling thy heart with food and gladnes , beside the expresse testimonies of the word , Acts 14 17. open prophecies of things to come thousands of yeeres before they came , and infinite miracles : O reason not as the besotted Epicure : How doth God know , can hee iudge through the darke clouds ? Iob 22.13 . thicke clouds are a couering to him that he seeth not , and he walketh in the circuit of Heauen : God is euery where , and there is no euasion from him , no corner in hell , no mansion in heauen , no caue in the top of Carmel , no fishes belly in the bottome of the Sea , no dark dungeon in the land of captiuity , no clouds of the day , darknesse of the night , secrecie of a friend , or a more secret conscience , nor any like euasion can hide thee or thy actions from this God . He maketh the fields haue eyes to see thy deeds , the woods eares to heare our proiects , the wals of our bed chambers mouths to witnesse against vs . He can vse thy selfe as an instrument against thy selfe , and thine owne mouth to testifie against thee , eyther vnawares to disclose thy faults , or in sleepe by a dreame to make them knowne , or in sicknesse to raue at the sight of them , or else in some phrensie to vomit them out , or in the torment of conscience to confesse them all . To the wicked this God at the last day shall appeare terrible , his face as a flame of fire , his voice thunder , his wrath horror . He shall meet them riding vpon the wings of the winde , raining vpon them snares to entrap them , fire to deuoure them , hailstones to kil them , a smoke to smother them , a stormy tempest to terrifie them , the stinck of brimstone to annoy them , and hot thunder bolts to shoot them thorow , & then send them to the great gaole of hell , where there is no desire but reuenge , no deuotion but cursing , no blessing , but blasphemy where they may be remooued from place to place , but neuer eyther be eased of pangs or freed of paines : where there shall be famine for gluttony , thirst for drunkennesse , burning for lust , madnesse for swearing , want for ill gotten goods , staruing for cruelty . But to the elect hee shall bring ioy , peace , and all comfort : 1. Cor. 15.28 . Hee shall be all in all to them .

How should this encourage vs now to be known to this God of comfort , Vse . to beleeue him to be , and to conceiue him rightly , to remember his presence and consider his prouidence : to loue him aboue all to hold on his side against all , and to be subiect to him before all . He foreseeth all our troubles before they be , wisely ordereth them , and preordaineth what shall be the end . O that all were so wise to consider and thinke vpon this , then would not some in a desperate discontent make their owne hands their executioners , others vpon crosses be carried violently from their wits , others euer be wishing for death , though vnprepared for it , others murmure against God because their reward is not otherwise for seruing God , others vpon a sting of conscience seeke for merry and prophane company , sumptuous and rioting feasts , reuelling and vnlawfull games , wanton & vnchast songs , the sound only of the viol and harpe to driue away care , wheras earth can neuer redresse that which came from Heauen . Expect of thy stepmother nothing but discontent . The world is an ocean of troubles , here is no firme land , mischiefes must striue for places lest they lose their roomes ; Hee seeketh vs that made vs , let vs not bite the stone , but look vp to the hand , and then as Moses feared not his rod though it were turned into a serpent , Exod. 7.9 . no more shal we all the crauling and hissing scourges of this life . Doth any now droop vnder a feigned cuill , or augment sorrow through impatience , or feare danger yet farre off , or being distracted with the passions of the mind and haunted with sin , sit downe and weepe , and refuse comfort contrary to that rule ;