HOly men as they be trees os righteousnesse , and desire to be fruitfull at all times , so most especially towards their end , having but a short time to live in the world , they be willing to leave the world with a good savour ; so it was with Iacob ; so with Moses , as appeares in his excellent Song made before his death ; you may see it in King Salomon and David before their deaths , but especially in our Saviour . The nearer to heaven , the more heavenly minded , when grace and glory are ready to joyne , the one to be swallowed up of the other , then grace is most glorious . All the passages of Christ are comfortable , but none more comfortable then those Sermons of his , that were delivered a little before his death ; of all words that come from loving men to those they love , such are most remarkable as be spoken when they be ready to die , because then men are most serious , they being about the most serious businesse : then they bee wisest , and best able to judge : for the consideration of their end makes them wise . And therefore sayth God , Psal. 90. Oh that my people were wise to consider their latter end . And , Teach mee to number my dayes , that I may apply my heart to wisedome , sayth Moses . And indeed there is no wisedome to that : for it teacheth men to passe a right judgement upon all things in the world : they be no longer drunke with the prosperity of the world , they be no longer swayed with opinion , but they passe an estimation of things as they are .

Besides , love at that time is especially set on worke . Therefore our blessed Saviour being now to offer himselfe a sacrifice on the Crosse , he sweetly delivereth these words before his departure , Let not your hearts be troubled : Let us heare them therefore , as the dying words of our Saviour , to his Disciples , and in his Disciples to us all , as in the 17 of Saint Iohn , I pray not for them onely , but for all such as shall beleeve in me , through their word , for his comforts concerne us all , as his prayers did .

This Chapter is sweetly mixt of comforts , counsels , and gratious promises , but especially it affords matter of comfort : mark who it is that gives this comfort , our blessed Saviour ; And at what time , when he was to sacrifice himselfe .

What admirable love , and care , and pitie is in this mercifull high Priest of ours , that should so thinke of comforting his disciples , as to forget hemselfe , and his owne approaching death ; It is the nature of love so to do , and we should imitate our blessed Saviour in it : you see how he laboureth to strengthen them ; especially towards his end , he knew they would then need it most , and therfore he endeavoureth by all means to strengthen them both by counsell , as here by the Passeover , and by a newly instituted Sacrament .

But what need we wonder at this in our blessed Saviour who so regarded us , as he left heaven , took our nature , became man ; put himselfe under the Law , became sinne .

The words containe a disswasion from over-much trouble ; and then a direction to beleeve in God , and Christ , comforts must be founded on strong reasons ; For we are reasonable and understanding creatures , and God works on us answerably to our principles . He stayes our spirits by reasons stronger then the grievance . For what is comfort , but that which establisheth and upholds the soule against that evill which is feared or felt , from a greater strength of reason which overmastreth the evill . If the grievance bee but even with the comfort , then the consolation workes not ; but Christs comforts are of an higher nature , then any trouble can be , for hee not onely disswades from trouble , but also perswades to confidence , Be of good comfort , I have overcome the world .

The occasion of this comforting them , and of remooving their discouragements was this : In the former Chapter , hee had told them , that he should leave them , and that they should leave him , the best of them all , even Peter should take offence at him , and denie him , and that all the rest should leave him : From whence they might gather , that the approaching trouble should be great , That should cause Peter to deny him , and them all to forsake him : And thence must needes arise great scandalls . Our Saviour saw by the power of his Godhead , into their hearts , and like enough , in their lookeshee saw a spirit of discouragement seyzing on them , for his departure , and Peters fall , their forsaking of him , and the persecutions that would follow . And therefore Christ discerning this dejection of their spirits , he rayseth them by this , Let not your hearts be troubled . The heavenly Physition of our soules applieth then the remedy when it is the fittest season .

There was some good in their trouble , something naturally , and something spiritually good . There was ground of naturall trouble at the departure of such a friend , at the hearing of such persecutions : For wee are flesh , not steele , and in that sence , Christ was troubled himselfe to shew the truth of his manhood : nay trouble is the seasoning of all heavenly comforts , so as there were no comforts if there were no trouble : and therefore this naturall trouble was not disallowed by Christ . There was likewise something spiritually good , in this trouble , they loved their Master , who they saw was going away ; And they knew it was a shamefull thing for them to forsake him : there was love in them towards him all this while , Christ could discerne gold in ●oare , some good in a great deale of ill ; and therefore loved them againe , and manifested it by comforting them , Let not your beares be troubled : They were right in this principle , that all comfort depends on the presence of Christ . And so the maine ground of the sorrow was good . For as all heavenly light , and heat , and influence comes from the Sunne , it being all gathered into that body : so all heavenly comfort is gathered into Christ , and therefore must come to us from Christs presence , bodily or spiritually . Their errour was in tying all comfort to a bodily , a corporall presence . As if it were necessary for the Sun to come downe and abide upon the earth , to bestow its heat and influence ; and therefore he tels them , that though he was to goe away , yet he would send another comforter , the holy Ghost .

And then they were overcome by an opinion , that it would go worse with them when Christ was gone : therefore Christ telleth them that it should bee better for them , and indeed it was better : Christ did not take away his blessed presence for their disadvantage , but for their good , God never takes any thing from his children , but he maketh it up in a better kinde . If Christ takes away his bodily presence , he leaveth his spirituall presence , and more abundantly .

So that though they were led with sensible things and what they saw not , they could hardly beleeve , yet Christ lookes to what is good in them , and accepts it : hee saw what was naught in them , with a purpose to purge it , what was naturally weak in them to strengthen it , and therefore hee counsels them , Let not your hearts bee troubled .

The thing that I will first observe out of the words , is , That the best Christians are subject to be troubled , to be pensive , and dejected more then should be .

Indeed our Saviour Christ himself was troubled , but his trouble was like the shaking of cleare water in a christall glasse . There was no mudde in the bottome ; but our trouble is of another kinde , and apt to be inordinate .

We may carry this truth through the whole Scripture , and shew how Hannah was in bitternesse of spirit which exceeded so , that Eli a good man mistakes her , supposing that she was overcome with drinke .

Hezekiah a good King , was in such bitternesse , that like a crane or swallow he did chatter . And David complained that his spirit was over-whelmed within him ; And Ionah cries out , that he was in the bellie of hell .

And God will have it so , partly for conformity to our head ; and partly that we may be known to our selves , that we may discerne where our weaknesse lyeth ; and so be better instructed to seeke to him in whom our strength lyeth .

He suffers us likewise to be troubled for the preventing of spirituall sinnes , pride , and security , and the like .

And partly in regard of others , that we may be pittifull ; Christ was man for this end that he might be a merciful high Priest , and we have much more need to know and feele the infirmities that are in our selves , that we may be mercifull to others ; that we may not be harsh and censorious upon the troubles of others ; from want of which consideration proceeded Elies rashnesse in passing that censure upon Hannah .

But how shall we know we know that our hearts are more troubled then they should be ? For I lay this for a ground : That we may sinne in being over-much troubled , at things for which it is a sinne not to be troubled ; If they had not beene at all affected with the absence of Christ ; it had beene a sinne , and no lesse then stupidity ; yet it was their sinne to be over much troubled . In a word therefore for answer ; a trouble is sinfull , when it hinders us in dutie , or from duty ; when it hinders us in duties to God , or to others .

Or from duty , that is , when the soule is disturbed by it , and like an Instrument out of tune , made fit for nothing , or like a limbe out of joynt , that moves , not onely uncomelily , but painfully , & becomes unfit for action : when we finde this in our trouble . we may know it is not as it should be .

There be some affections especially that are causes of over much trouble , feare of evils to come , sorrow for evils that are present seize on us . Now when these do hinder us from duty , or trouble us in dutie , they be exorbitant and irregular .

Naturally affections should be helps to duty , they being the winde that carry the soule on , and the spirituall wings of the soule : so that a man without affections is like the dead sea , that moves not at all . But then they must be regulated , and ordered , they must be raised up , and laid downe , at the command of a spirituall understanding : when they be raised up of themselves , by shallow and false conceits , and opinions , they be irregular , when they be raised up by a right judgement of things , and laid downe againe when they ought to be , then they are right and orderly .

Now besides the hurt that is in such affections themselves , Sathan loves to fish in these troubled waters . The affections are never stirred and raised up irregularly , and exorbitantly , but Sathan joynes with them . And therefore we have need keep our affections of griefe and feare within their due bounds : Sathan is a curious observer of any excesse in our passions , and in just correction ( to speake the mildest of it ) God lets loose Sathan to ioyne with that excesse . And therefore the Apostle saith wisely , Let not the Sunne go downe upon your wrath , neither give place to the Devill , because as soone as ever we give way to any excesse of affection , Sathan fishes in these waters , and ioynes with that excesse . He being a spirit of darknesse , loves to dwell in the soule when it is in darknesse . And therefore when it is clouded by passion ( as all passions beyond their due measure are as clouds that darken the soule ) Sathan that works in darknesse , then seizes on the soule presently .

That was Sauls case , he was envious at David being of a proud and haughty spirit , that could not endure competition : and Sathan took his time to work on him , And therefore it is said he was troubled with an evill spirit .

But trouble of Spirit is too large an Argument , I will not now stand upon it , onely I will shew that we should not yeeld to excesse of trouble any way . And the reasons are :

First , we wrong our owne selves when we give way to griefe and sorrow that is immoderate and inordinate : The soule is as it were put out of joynt by it ; we make actions difficult unto us , the wheeles of the soule are thereby taken off ; joy and comfort are as it were oyle to the soule . And therefore Nehemiah saith , Chap. 8. 10. The joy of the Lord is your strength ; when therefore we give way to feare , and griefe , and such passions , it weakeneth the soule in action . And then againe they are as it were a cloud betwixt Gods love , and us , and so the soule is hindered of much comfort and enlargement : ioy enlargeth the soule , but griefe strengtheneth it : comfort raiseth up the soule , griefe and sorrow weigh downe the soule . A Christian should be of a straight , upright . and enlarged spirit . When therefore the spirit is streightened . when it is prest downe and deiected , a Christian is not in his right minde , in his due and proper frame .

Besides , if we regard God himselfe , we should take heed that the soule be not thus distempered : for by over much sorrow and griefe what a great deale of dishonour do we to God , it proceeding from a mistake of his goodnesse and providence ? And with over much feare and sorrow , there is alwayes ioyned murmuring and discontent , and a spirit unsubdued to God , and his Spirit . There is a wronging as of his care in providence , so of his gratiousnesse in his promises . There is a grieving of his good Spirit , a questioning of his government , as if he did not dispose of things as he should , when we will have it one way , and God will have it another way . There is likewise a great deale of pride in dejections and discontent . The most discontented spirit in the world is the Devill , and none prouder . It argues a great deale of pride , and sullennesse to be affectedly sad , and deiected , as if such worthy and excellent persons as we should not be so afflicted : Or there were greater cause for us to be deiected then raised up . Whereas if we ballance our grounds of comfort ( being Christians ) as we should do , they would appeare incomparably above the grounds of our discouragements : so it is a wrong to God , and his truth , and his gracious sweet government to yeeld to a dejected sullen disposition .

It is likewise a wrong to others : for it maketh us unfit for any office of love to them , when we plodde and pore so much upon our discontentments , and drink up our spirits , and eate up our hearts , it disables the soule , taking away not onely the strength , but also the willingnesse of the soule .

Besides the scandal that it brings on Religion , and the best wayes , as if there were not enough in Religion to comfort the soule .

But you will say , Religion breeds a great deale of trouble , and pensivenesse . It is indeed the speech of the shallow people of the world , Religion makes men sad .

And it is true that as our Saviour Christ here had made his Disciples sad , by telling them that they would leave him , and that a great scandall would be taken at his Crosse , and shamefull suffering ; but yet withall bids them not be troubled , and gives you grounds of comfort ; so Religion will make men sadde ; For it discovers truths , and sad truths . I but the same Religion will cheare them up againe , yea it casts them down , that it may raise them up . The uSnne in the morning raiseth clouds , but when it hath strength it scatters them . God intending solid . and substantiall comfort . doth first beget troubles , and discovers true grounds of trouble : he lets us see that all is not well , but still as Religion brings any trouble , so it brings with it greater remedies against thse troubles : and that God that raiseth a soule to see just matter of griefe , will by his spirit shew its due , and right portion in comfort . Thus to be sorrowfull and sad in some measure is from Religion , but that which will prevent the excesse and over measure of it , is from Religion likewise .

So that it is a scandall to Religion to be over much dejected .

Besides , though we should be troubled for sinne , yet to be over much troubled for sinne is a dishonour to Christ , and to the love of God , in Christ : for it is as if we had not in him a sufficient remedy for that great maladie . As be it griefe for the troubles of the Church : as not to be troubled at the affliction of Ioseph is branded for a sinne . So to be too much cast downe , as if Christ had cast off the government from his shoulders , or had not the name of the Church on his breast in heaven ( as the high Priest had the names of the 12 Tribes ) in his breast plate , to be so cast downe as to be taken off from prayer , and from the use of all good meanes to helpe the Church , this is sinfull . So also when griefe for sinne makes us forget the mercies of God in Christ , to forget the healing vertue of him our brazen Serpent , to neglect to search our grounds of comforts , and to yeeld to Sathan , to temptation . Even over much sadnesse , though it be for sinne , or for the Church , it is hurtfull and scandalous .

Iosuah was much cast downe when he saw it went not well with Israel : but get thee up Iosuah , saith God , what doest thou lying here ? up and do thy duty ; consider what is amisse : There is an Achan in the Campe : and so when things go not well , let not your thoughts be conversant about the matters of trouble , so much as about your duty . So we see it is incident to Gods people to be over much troubled , and we see also the reasons why it should not be so , because it is injurious to God , to our selves , and others every way .

And after all this there is much reason in this that Christ hath forbidden it , let not your hearts be troubled .

But Christ could as well have cured it being God , Ob. as easily as forbidden it .

It is true , but he cures it by forbidding it : Ans. with the words , there went forth a spirit of comfort into their hearts , an influence of grace , accompanied his commands , for the word , and Spirit God , together , Christ deales with men by men . The spirit of comfort is a spirit of truth , and therefore God comforts by truths . He gives us sanctified understandings , and affections , and then works on them by sanctified truths .

And sometimes Christ cures it by reall comforts , for comforts are either rationall , which are fetched from grounds , which faith ministers , or reall from the presence of any thing which comforts ; as the sight of friends , or the accommodating of us in any thing wherein we see the love of God conveighed : how many reall comforts doth God bestow , when he fitteth us with conveniencies in our way to heaven , so that we may teade the love of God in them ? God doth not onely comfort us by his gracious promise , by his Word and Sacraments , administring heavenly comforts by them , but also by the conveighing of himselfe , and his love by outward comforts that we enjoy in the world : howsoever carnall men abuse them , making all things to work for the worst : yet that love that intends heaven , sweetens all things in the passage to heaven to his children , because they see the love of God in the least comfort .

Againe , observe from this here , let not your hearts be troubled , what is the seat of comfort , the heart , the seat of comfort is the fear of griese : There must be an application of comfort suitable to the griefe , and the heart must be comforted .

And therefore in Isa. 40. 1 , 2. Comfort ye , comfort ye my people , speake to the heart . As the griefe sinks and soakes to the root of the heart : so do Christs comforts , like true cordials indeed , that go as deepe as the grievance . If the griefe goes to the heart , the comfort must go as deepe . Now God the Father of spirits , and the holy Ghost the Comforter , knows and searches our spirits ; they know all the corners of the heart , they can banish feare , and sorrow , out of every cranny ; and bring light , heat , and influence into every part of the soule . And therefore Christ saith , Let not your hearts be troubled .

Now for the wayes whereby we must labour to comfort our hearts ( amongst many that I might speak of ) I will name a few .

First of all , there must be a due search into the heart , of the grounds of our trouble ; for oftentimes Christians are troubled , they cannot tell wherefore : As children that Will complaine they know not why . I speake not of hypocrites that will complaine of that which is not a true griefe to them ; like some Birds that make greatest noyse , when they be furthest from their nests : But of some poore Christians that are troubled , but distinctly know not the ground of it . But search the heart ingenuously , and truly to the bottome of it , and see if there be not some Achan in the Camp , some sinne in the heart ( for sinne is like winde when it gets into the veines , it will have vent , and a troublesome one : and so will sinne . if it get into the soule ) it is that indeed which causeth all trouble . And therefore search your hearts throughly , what sinne lyeth there unrepented of , and for which you have not beene humbled .

And when you have found out your sinne , give it vent by confession of it to God , and in some cases to others .

And when we have done so , consider what promises , and comforts , in the word of God are fitted to that condition ; for we can be in no condition , but there are comforts for it , and promises fitted to yeeld comforts for every malady . And it will be the wisedome of a Christian to accommodate the remedy to the sore of his heart . And therefore we ought to be skilfull and well seene , in the word of God , that we may sore up comforts before-hand . Our Saviour Christ tels them before-hand of the scandall of the Crosse , and of Peters deniall , that they might lay up strength and spirituall armour against the day of tryall . Those comforts do not ( for the most part ) hold out in the day of adversity , Non durant in adversis quae non in pace quaesita . which were not procured in the day of prosperitie . It is not wisedome to be to learne Religion when we should use it : and therefore let us be spirituall good husbands for our soules , by storing up comforts out of the Word of God , and then we shall have no more to do , then to remember the comforts that we did before-hand know .

And there be some promise of more generall use , that are Catholica , fitted for all sorts of grievances : and of these wee must make use , when we cannot think of particular ones . As the promises that concerne forgivenesse of sinnes . Thinke of Gods mercy in pardoning sinne with admiration ; because sinne will be presented us in such terrible colours , that if God be not presented in as gracious colours , wee shall sinke : and therefore set out Christ in his mercies , and all sufficiencie , when sinne is aggravated to be in its hainousnesse , and out of measure sinfulnesse : as the Prophet Michah doth , Who is a God like our God , that pardoneth iniquitie , transgression , and sinne , &c. Likewise how many promises and comforts are there in that one promise , Luk. 11. He will give his spirit to them that aske him . And here our Saviour promiseth to send the Comforter : all graces and all comforts are included in the Spirit of grace , and comfort ; his Spirit is a Spirit of all grace : and therefore our Saviour thought that the promised enough when be said he would send them the Comforter : And so what a world of comfort is in that promise . All things shall worke together for the best to them that love God : yea those things that are worst shall work together ; though they be hostile , and opposite one to another : yet they joyne issue in this , they be all for the good of Gods people . As in a clocke the wheels go severall wayes , but all joyne to make the Clocke strike : And so in the carriage , and ordering of things , one passage crosses another , but in the issue , we shall be able to say , all things worke together for the best , I found God turning all things for my good . And I could not have beene without such a crosse , such an affliction . And so for present assistance in your callings or straits , remember that promise made to Iosuab , which is repeated in the 13 of the Hebrews , I will not faile thee , nor for sake thee : a promise which is five times renewed in Scripture ; and how much comfort is in that , that he will vouchsafe by his spirit a gracious presence in all conditions whatsoever . And likewise that of David , Psalme 23. Though I walke in the valley of the shadow of death , yet will I feare no ill , for thou art with me . It was a terrible supposition made , that though he should walke in the valley of the shadow of death , yet he would feare no evill , These promises well digested , will arme the soule with confidence , that it shall be able to put any case of trouble : As in the 27. Psalme , David puts cases , The Lord is my strength , the Lord is the light of my countenance , of whom shall I be afraid ? Though thousands shall rise against me , yet in this I will be confident . If our hearts be established by the word of God setled in the truth of such promises , by the Spirit of God , we may set God , and his truth , against all troubles that can arise from Sathan , and hell , and the instruments of Sathan , or our owne hearts . And therefore it is a great wrong to God , and his truth , if we know not our portion of comfort , and use it , as occasion serves . More particulars I omit , leaving them to your owne industry , the Scripture being full of them .

When we have these promises , let us labour to understand them throughly , to understand the grounds of our comfort in them , and to beleeve the truth of them , which are as true as God , who is truth it selfe . And then to love them , and digest them in our affections , and so make them our owne , and then to walk in the strength and comfort of them .

Labour likewise to have them fresh in memory : it is a great defect of Christians , they forget their consolation , as it is in the Hebrews : Heb. 12. 5. though we know many things , yet we have the benefit of our comfort from no more then we remember .

But above all , if we will keep our hearts from trouble , let us labour to keepe unspotred consciences . Innocencie and diligence are marvellous preservers of comfort . And therefore if the conscience be sported , and uncleane , wash it in the bloud of Christ , which is first purging , and then purifying . It first purgeth the soule being set aworke to search our sinnes , and confesse them , which maketh us see our need of Christ , who dyed to satisfie divine justice . Then God sprinkles our heart with this bloud , which was shed for all penitent sinners : by which when the heart is purged , the conscience will be soone satisfied also , by Christs bloud . And when it is purged , and pacified , then keep it cleane , for a foule soule is alwayes a troubled soule ; and though it may be quiet , yet it is sure to break out afterwards .

And because there can be no more comfort , then there is care of duty : therefore together with innocencie , let us be carefull of all duties , in all our severall relations : let us consider in what relations we stand , and what duties we owe , and be carefull to satisfie them all . Neglect of duty is a debt , and debts are troublesome , when the soule reflects upon the omission of a necessarie duty . I owe such a duty to such a person , I should have done such a thing , in such a relation , but I have omitted it , it is a disquietment , and that upon good grounds , and if you have beene negligent , there must be an actuall renewing of the Covenant , and a setting upon the duty with fresh endeavours to make amends for former negligences , or else the soule shall have no comfort . nor will God suffer it to admit of comfort . And therefore work out your salvation with feare , and trembling . The reason that men do still tremble , and are troubled with this doubt , and that feare , is , because their salvation is not wrought out , something is left undone , and their consciences tels them so .

But above all , that we may receive comfort , let us labour for a spirit of faith . Therefore here it is said , You beleeve in God , beleeve also in me . Christ brings them to faith for comfort . And he sets downe a a double object of faith , God , that is , the Father , Sonne , and holy Ghost : and Christ , considered as Mediator ; and Christ brings them to himselfe , ( Beleeve also in me ) because he would fense them against the future scandal of his suffering . As if he should say , You will hereafter when you see me so handled , and upon the Crosse , doubt , and call in question , whether I am God , and the Messiah of the world , or no. But if you beleeve in God , beleeve in me . For howsoever in love to you , and mankinde , I tooke mans nature on me , and am abased , yet in my greatest abasement , remember this , that I am God . And surely there is nothing can stay the soule more , especially when it is deeply humbled , then to consider God in the second person incarnate , and abased , and crucified , and made a curse , and sinne for us , to see the great God of heaven , and earth , whose excellencies we cannot comprehend , to take our nature , and in our nature to suffer for us those things which he did endure . This will establish the soule indeed . Can the the soule thinke that this was done for any small , or to little purpose ? Or can there be any griefe , or sinne , that should hinder comfort , or perswasion of the possibilitie of pardon , when the great God became man , on purpose to dye for sinne ? We may set this against all discouragements whatsoever . And therefore , beleeve in God , beleeve also in me . Howsoever you see me abased , yet you may have comfort in my abasement , for it is for you . And therefore saith Paul , Irejoyce to know nothing , but Iesus Christ , and him crucified . That which proud , and Atheisticall Heathens tooke scandall at , that he rejoyceth in , God forbid that I should glory in anything but in the Crosse of Christ , Peace of conscience , joy in the holy Ghost , reconciliation , and title to happinesse is all founded upon Christ crucified .

And then againe you see he joynes both together ( Ye beleeve in God , beleeve also in me ) to shew the distinction of persons in the Trinitie , God the Father , Sonne , and holy Ghost ; all our faith is resolved at length into one God , but yet withall into three persons in that Divine nature , because as there is God the Father offended , so there must be a God to satisfie that God , and there must be a God to reveale , and apply that satisfaction . The soule is so full of doubtings , that nothing can set it downe , but that which is above the soule , and above the devill . And therefore for our salvation , and to give us comfort , there is a necessitie of three persons in the Godhead . The Father is offended , God in the second person must satisfie offended justice ; and God in the third person must reveale , and apply the Sonne for comfort . And therefore he names them distinctly ( Ye beleeve in God , &c. ) And because we cannot beleeve in God the Father , but by beleeving in Christ , therefore he joynes them together ( ye beleeve in God , ye beleeve also in me , ) No man comes to the Father , but by the Sonne . God the Father dwels in the light that no mortall eye can approach unto , onely he hath manifested himselfe in his Sonne , who is the ingraven Image of his person ; God shines in the face of Christ , and as he comes down , and makes himselfe knowne to us in his Sonne , so we must go up to him in his Sonne , as he saith afterwards : I am the way , the truth , and the life . There is no going to the Father but by me : nothing is more terrible then to conceive of God , out of Christ , for so he is a consuming fire : therefore thinke of God as ours in Christ , carry Christ our elder Brother with us , and desire God to looke upon us in his Sonne .

Now now doth faith in Christ ease the soule in trouble ? Quest.

Many wayes : Answ. I will name a few . Faith in Christ banisheth troubles , and bringeth in comfort .

Because it is an emptying grace ; it emptieth us of our selves , and so makes us cleane to another , and thereby becomes a grace of union . It is such a grace as brings the soule , and Christ together . Now Christ being the fountaine of comfort , God having treasured all comfort in him ; for the fulnesse of the Godhead dwels in Christ , and faith causeth Christ to dwell in us , brings the soule and Christ together , and so must needs make way for comfort , for it makes us one with the fountain of comfort . And by its repeated acts derives fresh comfort .

Again , faith establisheth the heart . Now to establish the soule , there must be a solid Basis , as in building there must be a foundation , and a planting upon that foundation . Now here is a foundation , God and Christ , and there must be a grace to found , and bottome the soule thereupon , and that is faith , and so the soule is established . The chaine and connexion of causes herein is this . God the Father in Christ , and by the holy Ghost conveighs comforts , through the word laid hold upon by faith . It is not the word alone , for that is but as the veins and atteries , that conveigh the bloud , and spirits . So the Spirit being conveighed by the promises , helpeth the soule to lay it selfe upon Christ by faith , which is a grace of union , by which union with him the foule is established .

And then againe faith stirreth up such graces , as do comfort the soule , as hope in all good things promised . And therefore in the next Verse he addes to comfort them , In my Fathers house are many mansions ; and faith is the grace that apprehends the joyes thereof , and hope expects that which faith beleeves , and that hope becomes an anchor to the soule , that stayeth the soule in all the waves and troubels of the world ; and what is the ground of that hope but faith ? Faith stirreth up hope , and hope pitcheth on the promise , especially of life everlasting . And thus faith becomes a quieting and a stilling grace , because it raiseth the soule by representing and making reall to it , better things then the world can give or take , as it doth also at other times present heavier things then the world can threaten : faith makes things present to the soule ; and because it layes hold on divine things , greater then any thing here below , therefore it overcomes the world , and all things in the world , yea hell it self , because it layes hold on heaven and happinesse ; upon the power of God , and the mercy of God in Christ , and upon those rich promises : What is in the world , or in the rank of good things , but faith out-bids it by setting heaven against it : and what evill is there but faith overcomes the feare of it by setting hell against it . I shall have such a good , if I yeeld to such a lust : I , but what is that to heaven , saith Faith ? For faith being the Hypostasis the substance of things to come , makes them substantiall , and evident to the soule , as if they were alreadie subsistent , being looked upon in the certaintie of the word ; and so it affects the soul deeply , and upholds it strongly , even as if the things themselves were present and so it banisheth and dispels all discomforts , the 11. Chapter to the Hebrews is a Comment upon this truth in the example of Moses , and many others . What greater object of feare might be presented to a man then the angry face and countenance of a terrible Tyrant ? Yet when by the eye of faith , he saw him that was invisible , and then looked upon Pharaoh , what was Pharaoh , to God ? When Micaiah had seene God sitting on his Throne , what was Ahab to him ? And when the soule hath entred into the vaile , and sees the glorious things of heaven , and happinesse , what are all things below ? Faith sets the Soule on a Rocke , above the reach of waves , upon the love of God in Christ . And therefore set the grace of Faith on worke , keepe it on the wing , preserve it on exercise , and faith exercised will be able to comfort the most dejected soule in the world , and to raise it above all the troubels that can be imagined , or befall us .

THe words of dying men departing out of the world , as being most serious , and weighty , are most to be regarded . The children of God the neerer they are to heaven , the more suteable they are to their heavenly condition . So was our Saviour Christ , and therefore he labours to furnish his Disciples ( and in them us ) with good counsell to establish their hearts against the troubles , and scandals to come . If you consider the time when he spake these words , it was when he himself was to be troubled more then ever was any creature : yet ye forgets himselfe , and his future troubles , and thinks how to raise up and comfort them . He foresaw that Peter would deny him , that the rest would leave him ; he foresaw that they would be dejected , when he was gone : yet let not your hearts be troubled .