wordes of Rodulphus Agricola As in the diseases of the body so in the affections of the minde the cure for the most part it is wrought by the contrary So that with this double Exhortation we are to take away a twofold evill First the joy that is enmity with this in my text The joy of the world The sport unto him that is destitute of wisdome The cracking of thornes The mirth or indeed the madnesse of fooles And on the other side The sore evill under the Sunne The supreame sicknesse of the soule Sorow which as it is the rottennesse of the bones as it breaketh the strength as it dryeth the marrow as it drinketh up the spirit so it taketh possession of all in the whole and all in every part So that as the Physitian of the body so wee of the soule are most troubled about the cure thereof for besides the inherency besides the deepnesse of the disease there is an inaptitude more there is an Antipathy an opposition of health in the patient Consol ad Mar. cap. 5. Partem mali putant audire solatia sayth the Stoicke of such as are overwhelmed with anguish Doe but administer comfort unto them and you make the breach the greater do but speake of joy though you seeke to asswadge yet in their opinion you doe but increase their griefe As hee that taketh away a garment in cold weather and as vineger vpon niter Prov. 25.20 so is hee that singeth songs vnto an heavie heart Proverbs 25.20 See how uncomfortable That word not enough how refractory how contumacious is the griefe of an afflicted Soule They say of sorrow that it is an oppression a straightning a constriction of the heart so indeed and it should seeme so of the senses also Hence I suppose that in respect of the sullenness or indeed the stupidity of sorrow is that figure Prosopopeia of speaking to things inanimate such as have neyther eyes nor see not neyther eares nor heare not neyther passeth their breath through their nostrils so obvious and common in the word of the Lord. Sing O yee heavens Esay 44.23 for the Lord hath done it showt yee lower parts of the earth breake forth into singing O yee mountaines Esa 49.13 O Forrest and every tree therein for the Lord hath redeemed and glorified himselfe in Israel Esa 44.23 So in the 49. Chapter and 13. verse In exprobation of their diffidence and feare because of their sorrow and distrust hee turnes aside to his creatures he speakes unto thinges without sense as if they would sooner heare than the distressed Soule Sing O heaven and bee ioyfull O earth and breake forth into singing O yee mountaines for God hath comforted his people and will have mercy vpon the afflicted But Syon sayd The Lord hath forsaken me and the Lord hath forgotten mee It is the true dialect of the Male-content of the disconsolate Christian that hee is not in the state of Grace that the deliverer is farre from him that the Lord hath cast him out of his sight that hee is destitute forlorne and forsaken and so long though you have the tongue of the Eloquent though your lippes drop like an hony-combe though your mouth flow with the precious balme of Gilead all your consolations they are but as delicates powred upon a mouth that is shut up They are but as messes of meate upon a Grave Ecclus 30.18 as the Sonne of Syrach speaketh You have now the nature of Sorow a full expression of the anguish of the Spirit it is deafe and stupid it is both obstinate and stubborne and yet wee may not despaire of the cure thereof nor sinne against God in ceasing to administer medicine for to heale their sicknesse What if the Earth bee of yron shall the Heavens bee brasse God forbid Let them rather melt with compassion let them rather dissolue into showers let them water the hilles from aboue let them make soft the cloudes thereof with the drops of the former the later raine Gutta cavat lapidem So without doubt the assiduity of consolation the continuall dropping of comfort it cannot but peirce through sorow it cannot but enter into the most obstructedst heart And therefore as the raine cōmeth downe the snow frō heaven and turneth not thither but watereth the earth and maketh it to bring forth and bud Esa 55.10 Neque enim bonis mediocribus gaudent Latinus Pacatus inter Plinij opera qui exultandi modum non habent They are no meane thinges the object in Grace it alwayes exceeds the affection they are no meane thinges that can cause an indificient a bound lesse and unlimitted Ioy. All gold as the supposed Salomon of wisedome it is as a little sand and silver well may bee accompted even as clay before them They are the first fruits of the Spirit they are peace tranquility of minde they are the testimony of a good Conscience they are quietnesse and assurance for ever August in Psal 57. Et qui in viâ sic pascit quomodò in patria saginabit Sayth St. Augustine Hee that feeds us in Aegypt hee that in the wildernesse in a dry and barren land where no water is gives us drinke out of a Rocke O what will he do when we come unto Canaan when wee shall tast of his cup drinke of the wine that hee hath mingled Then shal our joy be full prest running over it is so already it shall then be more more than the repetition more than the amplification can expresse Our hearts shall bee inlarged as the Sea our soules shall be satisfied with the plenteousnesse of his house and hee shall give us drink out of his pleasures as out of a river Chris Aur. Cat. Maiora erunt premia quam desideria Sanctorum The satiety of Saints shall be more than their hunger their happinesse shall out-reach their desires Thus much of the Repetition Againe I proceed to the person exhorting expressed or at least implyed in the Verbe I say Dilectus meus locutus est It is the voyce of my beloved Cant. 2.8 the voyce of GOD and not of man of him that speakes by the mouth of the Prophets and Apostles who are all but the pen of that ready writer What they have received from him they deliver unto us and they that are anoynted with the Spirit they know who it is that speaketh his sheepe they heare his voice If any man thinke himselfe to bee a Prophet or Spirituall 1 Cor. 14.37 let him acknowledge that the thinges that I write vnto you they are the commandements of the Lord. 1. Corinth 14.37 See the wordes of the Apostle they are the Oracles of GOD and if so as so without doubt heare another ingemination The repetition and more the double exhortation it speakes not with so much power as the person I. For the Sonnes of men wee know what they are Iob. 13.4 Physitians of no
value sayth that upright and Iust man Iob. 16.2 Miserable comforters are they all I looked on my right hand sayth the Prophet DAVID and there was no man that would know mee Psa 142.4 5 I had no place for to flye vnto no man cared for my Soule So in the 69. Psalme 21. verse I looked for some to have pitie vpon mee but there was no man neither found I any to comfort mee Now for our selves though wee are all right deare in our owne eyes though benevolous and well affected to felicity and joy Yet there is no man that quickeneth his owne soule all consolation it is from without If I said I will forget my complaint sayth IOB Iob 9.27 28. I will leaue off my heavinesse and comfort my selfe I am afraid of all my sorowes So the Prophet IEREMY When I would comfort my selfe against sorrow my heart is faint within me Ierem. 8.18 Ier. 8 18. The true nature of griefe it is so with all those that are in anguish of spirit as they that are fallen they need another mans hand for to lift them up O how happie then are wee that are raised from the gates of death that are comforted on euery side not of others not of our selves but by the God of all consolation and peace I say there is power and spirit there is authority there is life and emphasis in the word and hee that speakes it with a double expression will haue it deepely to be observed of vs. I even I am hee that comforteth thee who art thou that thou shouldest bee afraid Esay 51.12 Esa 51.12 Afraid of man sayth the Prophet I may adde principalities and powers such as neyther slumber nor sleepe The girdle of their loynes is not loosed nor the latchet of their shooes broken Their wheeles are like a whirlewinde and their charriots as swift as the winges of an Eagle Who art thou that thou shouldst bee afrayd of all the armies of hell Are the consolations of God small with thee said Eliphaz vnto Iob. Chap. 15. v. 11. Iob 15.11 Were our estate as his were our griefe throughly weighed and layd in the ballances together yet behold a farre more excellent a farre more immense and ponderous weight of Ioy. Hee that comforteth those that are cast downe hee thinkes towards vs thoughts of peace and with all earnestnesse he expresseth the same Heare the word of the Lord yee that tremble at his word Feare thou not for I am with thee bee not dismaid for I am thy God I will strengthen I will helpe thee yea I will vphold thee with the right hand of my righteousnesse Esay 41.10 Esa 41.10 See how full how copious is the consolation of the Lord But not a world of wordes not the tongue of men and Angels can expresse it so much as the person as this one thing that t is his Prov. 27.9 Oyntment and perfume they reioyce the heart sayth Salomon so doth the sweetnesse of a mans friend how much more the consolation of Heaven The sweetnesse of the Lord himselfe Anima lique sacta est Cant. 5.6 My soule melted when my beloued spake Cant. 2.14 His voyce it is sweet and his countenance lovely The friend of the Bridegroome which standeth and heareth him reioyceth greatly because of the bridegroomes voyce Ioh. 3.29 So at all times but especially when his voyce of joy Psal 137.4 which with us upon earth is as a Song of Syon in a strange Land in the world you shall have affliction while by the waters of Babylon untill the Lord turne againe the captivity of his people It is the Antheme of the Enemy for the most part wee heare of nothing but trouble and distresse But bee it as the Sonne of Syrach speaketh Ecclus 40.20 that Wine and musicke reioyce the heart Esa 9.3 or as the Prophet Esay That there bee a Ioy in harvest or of those that divide the spoile All these if the comforter that should relieve our Soule bee farre from us all these they are nothing at all Domino privante suo gaudio Cyril Alexandrinus quodnam potest esse gaudium saith St. Cyril If the Lord deprive us of the joy that is his alas what is our joy What but sorow But anguish and bitternesse of spirit And on the other side If hee that comforteth the wast places of Hierusalem If hee that satiates the weary Soule make vs for to heare of Ioy and gladnesse when hee giveth quietnesse who then can make trouble Iob 34.29 Iob. 34.29 Though the earth bee moved and though the hilles be carried into the middest of the Sea Psal 46.2 3 4. though the waters thereof rage and swell though the mountains shake at the tempest of the same The riuers of the floud the consolations of heauen shall make glad the cittie of God I am hee that comforteth thee who art thou that thou shouldst be afraid I say Reioyce So somtimes within by the same spirit that maketh intercession for vs with sighs that cannot be uttered he comforteth us in all our griefes hee makes us glad with the joy of his countenāce he prophesieth good things and speaketh peace to our Soules So that wee may not say now as the Children of Israell unto MOSES Speake thou with vs and wee will heare but let not the Lord speake vnto vs Exod. 20.19 least wee dye Nay rather let the Lord his voyce it is not of Law but of Gospell it is of Ioy not of feare Let the Lord as a man with his friend speake vnto vs face to face Or which is the same let his spirit talke and communicate with our spirit that our joy might be full Behold hee doth this and more also he speakes not only within but his voyce it soundeth in our eares from without from his word from the ministers of the manifold graces of God from the disposers of the unsearchable riches of the Gospell First for his Word It is almost as his voyce As in the vision of ELIAH 1. King 19.12 There was a soft and still voyce and the Lord as the Text doth imply was in it So in the word of God especially of Peace GOD in effect is that Word and therefore it speaketh with Spirit and power it is mighty and lively in operation it puts more gladnesse into our hearts than their wine and oyle than all that the Earth can yeeld Thy wordes were found and I did eate them And thy word was vnto mee the Ioy and reioycing of mine heart Ierem. 15.16 Ier. 15 16. You have seene how in the water face answeres face so doth the effect resemble the word of the Lord. Double the Exhortation of Ioy and so the Eccho vnto it double In Gods word Psal 56.10 will I reioyce In the Lords word will I comfort me saith the sweet Singer of Israel Who for all his Instruments of musicke had not his
which Plutarch often makes mention that it was full of exultation and tryumph full of shouting and joy and withall as every towne that is taken with the enemy full of Lamentation weeping and mourning It is so with the wicked Prov. 14 13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowfull and the end nay the middest of their mirth is heavinesse Non est gaudere impijs So Saint Augustine Es 48.22 Au. Ps 96.7 Bern. de verb. Apost alibi sapius so Saint Barnard so most of the Fathers reade that place of the Prophet There is no ioy to the wicked And least beholding their prosperity you should stagger at the truth Non dicit homo sed Dominus saith the same Father It is the voyce of God and not of man Once yea twice nay a third time hath he deepely expressed himselfe in the poynt Doe but marke the Metaphors doe but observe the similitudes concerning the ungodly and you cannot but deplore the joyes of the most glorious sinner upon earth Psal 7.15 He travaileth with mischiefe he hath conceived sorrow See that which is the fruit of his wombe that for which hee takes so much paines his very pleasures they are the pangs of a woman in her travell Eccl. 14.20 Againe The iniquity of the wicked it dryeth vp the Soule though his mouth bee filled with laughter Though lasciviousnesse like oyle make him looke with a cheerfull countenance yet is hee full of heavinesse within Like some wilde Beast layed over with vermillion and paint and covered with red as the wise man speaketh Whatsoever he seemes for to be doe but enter into him and you shall see that his heart is ashes and his hope is viler than the earth all his dayes are sorrowes his delights are griefes and his soule taketh no rest in the night season Prov. 22.5 To conclude Prov. 15 Hos 2.9 Prov. 29.6 his wayes are hedged with thornes and there is a snare in all his paths In the transgression of an evill man there is a snare but the Righteous doth sing and Rejoyce The Corollarie the use that we are to make of the point it is this Eccl 21.2 To flye from sinne as from a Serpent for the poyson thereof of it drinketh up the Spirit and its venome it is the curse of the heart But joy and honour and glory and a crowne of rejoycing shall bee to every one that departeth from iniquity who is onely capable of this exhortation of S. Paul Rejoyce I proceed to the Extent or Longitude of the affection Alwayes 1. At all times as some doe interrpret or as others 2. In all Estates For the first Rejoyce in the Lord Ansel in locum Plut. Mor. Non per intervalla ut modò gaudeatis modò non gaudeatis saith Anselmus on the place not by startes not as they say of Songs that they consist of sounds times and rests betweene but continually without intermission not onely in habit but in Act. For though in Philosophy theyr blessed man per dimidium vitae Arist Eth. lib. 1. doe not differ from the wretched it is not so with us that are in the state of grace Our bed is greene sayth the Spouse in the Canticles Cant. 1.16 Even in the season of sorrow even in the most disconsolate time there springeth up light for the righteous and joyfull gladnesse for them that are true of heart Psal 97.11 While the ungodly pine away in their iniquitie They have Songs saith IOB Songs in the night season Iob. 35.10 Such as are not farre from the Hallelujahs of Angels Though not vocall though they may not be heard they are celestiall heavenly and divine As whē an holy solemnity is kept and gladnesse of heart Esay 30.29 As when one goeth with a pipe to come into the Mountaine of the Lord the mighty one of Israel the God of consolation well may they lay them downe and take their rest the Comforter himselfe he illuminates he inlightens with that which is a thousand times more clearer than the Sunne with the spirit of Wisedome with the Revelation of himselfe and him whom he hath sent IESUS CHRIST So he giveth his beloved sleepe And therefore Let the Saints bee joyfull with glory Psal 149.5 let them rejoyce in their beds as the Prophet David speaketh Now for the day Not a Moment but administers matters of joy Lament 3.22.23 Behold saith the Prophet his compassions faile not They are new every morning There is a continuall flowing There is an incessant supply of that which maketh glad the heart of man Iob. 29.20 Our glory to speake with that upright and Iust man our glory it is fresh within us And our bowe it is renewed in our hand Our strength is restored and in our body there is spirit and life Goe we forth to our labours Eccles 2.24 Ibid. 3.22 Behold a blessing in the Field and he that is with us injoynes us to joy therein Deut. 12.18 Thou shalt Rejoyce before the Lord in all that thou puttest thine hand unto Doe we behold the dew of Heaven and the fat of the earth The things that concerne the body they are to put gladnesse into our hearts Psal 4.8 Thou shalt rejoyce in every good thing that the Lord thy God hath given thee Thou and thine house not onely without but within Deut. 26 11 where the Lord hath crowned thee with blessings and plentifully expressed himselfe in his bounty unto thee Thou hast annointed mine head with Oyle and my Cup shall be full Psal 23.5 But all these things they are nothing unto that which immediately followes Thy loving kindnesse and mercy Ibid. shall follow mee all the dayes of my life For the things that concerne our corporall Estate for the glorious beautie that is in the fat of the Valley Esay 2◠4 in thy Barne Wine presse or something nearer unto thee it is as the fading flower or as the hasty fruit before the Summer which when he that looketh upon it and seeth it even while it is in his hand hee eateth it up But though these things perish though they bee taken away though there were a famine in the Land yet have wee the food of Angels meate and drinke that you know not of Although the Figge-tree shall not blossome neyther shall fruit be in the Vine Though the labour of the Olive shall faile neyther the Field shall yeeld any meate the flocke shall be cut off from the Fold and there shall bee no heard in the stalles Yet I will rejoyce in the Lord I will joy in the God of my Salvation Hab. 3.19 Hab. 3.17.18 Heare a fountaine indeficient heare an object that makes our joyes as the dayes of Heaven Though it be the 3. part of my Text I cannot but incroach upon it forasmuch as our affection would faile if not fastened aright for how could we rejoyce alwayes but in
delight had not his joy beene in the Law of the Lord had not his Statutes beene his Songs in the house of his pilgrimage he had utterly fainted in his owne phrase hee had perished in his trouble Heavinesse in the heart of man maketh it stoope Prov. 12.25 but a good word maketh it glad sayth that wise King So that from the lips of a friend so and much more if from the father of raine if from him that hath begotten the drops of dew Iob 38.24 and therefore in the multitude of the sorrowes that he had in his heart in his anxiety and distresse hee flies not to his Lute and Harpe the Pipe and the Psaltery make sweet musicke Eccles 40.21 but a pleasant tongue is beyond them both he flyes not I say vnto these but vnto that which is beyond the choyce in the booke of the Preacher of men-singers and women-singers beyond musicall Instruments and that of all sorts the word of the Lord. Psal 119. part 4. v. 4. My soule melteth away for very heavinesse O comfort thou mee according to thy word And againe in a branch of the same Psalme O thinke vpon thy seruant as concerning thy word Par. 7.1 2. v where in thou hast caused mee to put my trust The same is my comfort in my trouble for thy word hath quickeneed mee So there is a vivification there is a resurrection there is as it were a raysing from the dead in the faith of the truth in the affiance of all those promises that are Yea and Amen The words that hee spake they were spirit and life And therefore as Peter sayd sometimes Whither or to whom shall wee goe Ioh. 6.68 thou hast the wordes of Eternall life In the day of distresse in the evill houre when wee are destitute afflicted and tormented where should wee solace our selues where may wee finde any ease but in the word of mercy and truth but in the word of the Lord Sen. Epist 99 172 Infantium fletum infuso lacte compescimus sayth Seneca And our obseruation the same wee still the cry we take away the teares of our little ones with the bosome with the brest of the Mother So grace in this it imitates Nature in the anguish of the Soule in the bitternesse of Spirit to silence our sorrowes to quiet discontent wee have no other meanes but the sincere milke of the Word Mater Ecclesia Aug. Tract 3 in Epist Iohannis Sub Initio vbera eius duo testamenta divinarum Scripturarum sayth St. Augustine The Church is our Mother her breasts are the two Testaments of the Scriptures whence shee giveth her children sucke In effect wee have the same similitude in the Prophet Esay Esa 66.13 As one whom his Mother comforteth so will I comfort you Heare this yee that mourne in Syon Come hither all yee that are weary and heavie laden In the evill day in the heat of affliction in what estate soever you are Loe a hiding place from the winde Esay 32.2 a covert from a tempest a shadow of a rocke in a weary Land Wee haue Moses and the Prophets more wee haue Evangelists and the Apostles we haue a Mother that we may sucke and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolation Esay 66.11 as the Prophet speaketh Now for the nursing Fathers they are the Pastors of the Church they are the Embassadors of heauen they are the Preachers of the Gospell by whom the God of all consolation administers comfort and speakes peace vnto the wounded in spirit Zach. 4.12 They are as the olive branches in the Prophet Zacharie which our of the golden pipes empty the golden oyle out of themselues They are as the Clouds Eccles 11.3 Ecclesiastes 11. full of raine that water the earth They are as the Mountaines in Ioel that drop new wine Ioel 3.18 and as the hilles that flow with milke In a word Esa 61.1 the Comforter him selfe the Spirit of the Lord is upon them Esa 50.4 hee hath anoynted them that may know how to speake a word in his season vnto him that is weary Esay 61.2 to preach good tydings to the meeke Eccl. 17.24 to comfort those that faile in patience to repayre the breach to strengthen with the mouth and as that vpright just man speaketh Iob 16.5 with the moving of the lips to asswage greife To cause the widowes heart or that which is far more afflicted Iob 29 13. to cause the contrite and broken to sing to raise vp the soule to giue life Eccles 34.17 health and blessing All these thinges worketh one and the selfe same spirit by that which hee hath shed forth among us by the words that hee hath put into the mouth of his Sonnes of consolation of the helpers of your joy so are they stiled by Saint Paul 2. Cor. 1.24 although in your opinion not so but supercilious and austere the very death of your feasts and the interrupters of your mirth For this cause as if they were made to reprove your thoughts Wisd 2.14 15. as if they were grievous unto you to behold as if their lives were of another fashion when you would forget your sorrowes when you would bee excused of the upbraidings of your Conscience when you would shake off the terrours of the Soule you seeke the society of vaine men you joyne your selves as if Sathan could cast out Sathan unto those that can preach of Wine and strong drinke they shall be even the Prophets of this people unto those that laugh their sinnes out of countenance and deride the sorrowes and Repentance of the righteous But alas beloved what mirth but shall bee turned into sorrow what mirth but that which is the bread of mourners all that eate thereof shall bee poluted Hos 9.4 can this laughter of Fooles administer unto you Would you exile discontent Doe yee seeke after joy Ecclus 9.16 Let the Iust man as the Son of Syrach speaketh let the iust man eate and drinke with you 2 Cor. 12.14 Or at least for I will not sayth St. Paul bee burthensome vnto you doe you so with him Eate of his bread and drinke of the wine that he hath mingled Prov. 11.5 His lippes O how sweet is his breath they abound with consolation and joy and therefore how can you but affect his communication and society 2 Sam. 18.27 Hee is a good man as DAVID sayd of AHAMAAZ hee is a good man and commeth with good tydings He is a medicine of life as the Sonne of Syrach speaketh of a faithfull friend and they that feare the Lord shall finde him Eccles 6.16 Slight him as much as you may Iob â—9 25 hee is as a King in an Army saith IOB As one that comforteth the mourners hee strengthens the weake hands hee confirmes the feeble knees Esa 35.3 4. hee sayth to them that be of
a word of comfort in his season that they spake Law louder than Sina they made them meditate terrour they wounded such as were vexed at the heart they gave them the cup of trembling even the dregges of the furie of the Lord. Now the opportunity now the time for him that bindes up the broken-hearted for the God of consolation and comfort to lay to his hand Hence he that was the pen of that ready Writer least these young Plants should perish for want of watering lest they for whom CHRIST dyed should bee swallowed up with over much heavinesse with all earnestnesse of exhortation hee laboureth to exile anxiety to give beauty for ashes and the garment of gladnesse for the spirit of heavinesse That the bones that were broken might flourish he inculcates consolation once and againe he makes them heare of joy and gladnesse Esay 40.1 Comfort yee That is not enough hee repeates it againe Comfort yee my people saith your GOD. See here how hee replyes as it were how he ecchoes in effect to the word of life as the Lord commanded even so did hee Reioyce alwayes in the LORD Eccles 11.6 And againe hee knowes not whether may prosper this or that or whether both may bee alike good he addes line unto line and precept unto precept as the Prophet speaketh Againe I say Reioyce Esay The parts are these First an affection incited unto Act Reioyce Secondly the extent Latitude or as they that analise will have it the Longitude of it Alwayes Thirdly the Object In the LORD Fourthly the magnitude implyed or indeed expressed in the coacernation it is accumulated it is heaped together it is full pressed and running over And againe I say Reioyce Of these or some of these at this time and first of the foremost Reioyce 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist Eth. 2. Cap. 5. sayth the Philosopher The affections of the mind as Anger feare sorrow love delight and joy they are neyther absolutely good nor simply evill of themselves but according to the cause the object and measure they are both the one and the one and the other The fathers they are Parapathetickes in the point they are of the same opinion Affectiones ordinata virtutes sunt Bern. parvi varij Sermones Inordinatae passiones Saith Saint Bernard Our affections if not irregular if ordered aright they are vertues if not that which is opposite unto them an evill sickenesse Spirituall diseases maladies of the mind they are compared by LACTANTIVS Lactant. de vero cultu Lib. 6. Equis pernicibus unto fiery unto fleet horses If good if brought to the hand if guided aright they are as they saith Saint Ambrose that carried that caught up Elias into Heaven If evill if unbridled and wilde like the Horses in the Chariots of Pharaoh and the Egyptians they hurrie us to destruction they run away with us to the ruine and subversion of our Soules So that Ars artium it is the science of man and his greatest felicitie to order them aright not to let loose the Reines to hold them as it were with Bit and Bridle lest they fall upon thee Lactant. de vero cultu lib. 6. Quibus prave uti vitium est dirigamus in rectum sayth hee whose tongue flowed with Milke and hony Those things which to use otherwise than well it is evill Let us guide and direct in the way of truth Omitting the rest I am at this time to speake of that which though one and the selfe-same thing it varies both according to the Object and Subject It is amongst Fooles as the cracking of thornes as the phrensie of the Soule but unto the righteous it is health to their Navill and marrow to their bones Ioy it is one of the principall passions of the sensitive part yet as annext unto the Rationall proper onely to a reasonable Soule arising from an Object eyther good or seeming to bee so unto which the heart opens as a friend his armes and his bosome to imbrace a friend so this opens the hidden roomes and secret closets of it selfe to entertaine the pleasure that is presented unto it Thus in effect is the definition of nature let us heare the addition of grace It is all both essentiall and integrall it is all in the whole and all every part My Spirit Luk. 1.47 saith our blessed Virgin My Soule sayth hee Psal 35.9 that made Songs with all his might and loved him that made him Psal 82.2 My Soule shall reioyce in the God of my salvation Come we to the body My heart and my flesh rejoyce in the living God For the superficies and face Cant. 5.10 My beloved is white and ruddie and such are all they that put their trust in him Eccles 26.4 Whether he be poore or rich if hee have a good heart towards the Lord hee shall at all times rejoyce with a cheerefull countenance For his Lute and harpe Psal 118.15 for the Daughters of Musicke the voyce of joy and health is in the dwelling of the righteous And last of all for his habit Eccles 9.10 Let thy garments bee alwayes white and let thine head want no oyntment as the Preacher speaketh This Beloved Such is the Subject in my Text not streightned in himselfe but open and inlarged as the Sea For grace it is not so scantie it is nothing so narrow as nature Come we to the Object it is transcendent too It is good not apparent but absolute It is the most supreame and Soveraigne good the hony-combe with the hony Eccles 11.3 It is the chiefe of sweet things as the Sonne of Syrach speaketh Psal 73.24 Iob. 35.10 I have none in Heaven but thee and there is none in Earth that I desire in comparison of thee It is God that giveth us Songs in the night season it is the God of Consolation and Comfort And how then beloved how shall I expresse the affection how shall I open the joy that issues from hence Shall I say it is like that in Harvest or the joy of them that divide the spoyle or of such as keepe holy-day Nay there is nothing upon Earth that can so much as shadow it unto us It is as the fullnesse of Ioy Iob. 38.7 it is as theirs in Heaven as the morning starres that doe sing together and as the Sonnes of God that doe showt for joy Aug. In. Ps 99. H. Gustatur hic undè ibi satiemur saith St. Augustine It is a Cluster of Canaan it is a tast of that new Wine which wee shall drinke with him in his Kingdome Bern. de Verbis Apost Stilla guttula est de flumine illo descendens saith Saint Bernard It is as the dew of Heaven it is a draught of that River that maketh glad the Citie of GOD. What shall I say It is a pure influence flowing from the glory of the Almighty It is the brightnesse of
the everlasting light and that unspotted mirror of Heaven All these things which in some measure may expresse the affection they plucke off the covering from the face of the Saints Esay 64.5 and the vaile from such as mourne in Syon Thou meetest him that rejoyceth and worketh righteousnesse as the Lord doth us so we the Lord both by nature and Grace doe we goe out as it were doe we meet him in this Injunction of Ioy. Ita se beatos esse omnes velle consonant quemadmodum consonarent Aug. Conf. lib. 10. Si hoc interrogetur se velle gaudere saith Saint Augustine in his Confessions As all men doe affect felicitie so that which is the Diamond in the Ring that which is inclosed within it Ioy and gladnesse of heart O how happy then are we how good and gracious is the Lord that enjoynes that which is the desire of our soules that which we so earnestly seeke of our selves Opto vt ea potissimum iubear Plin Epist quae me deceat vel sponte fecisse saith Plinie and it is the wish of the world too Who but would willingly bee injoyned that which is the Ioy and reioycing of his heart Let the Lord command us what he will so that we will but what hee commands Ioh. 5.3 Mat. 11.30 Psal 19.8 Praecepta cius non sunt gravia his yoake is easie and his burthen light His Statutes are right and rejoyce the heart All that he requires of man it is his felicitie it is his happinesse it is his Heaven upon Earth To reioyce Eccles 3.12 and to doe good in our life Both these as they are united by the Spirit so they may not bee severed by a man for as there is no good under the Sun but to rejoyce so there is no Ioy but in doing good Let the righteous saith the Prophet David once and againe nay a third time hee names in effect who they are unto whom our Apostle speakes Psal 68.3 Let the righteous be glad and reioyce before God let them also be merry and ioyfull See how affluent how exundant is the joy of the Saints how full and copious is the Prophet in the point Though not a cypher in the Psalmes he hath many words to expresse one and the selfe-same thing This is the Dialect of the Holy Ghost these things are written That his Ioy which no man can expresse Ioh. 15.11 but he that hath it nay hee that hath it cannot expresse it might bee fulfilled in us Bee glad Psal 32.12 ô yee righteous and rejoyce in the Lord and be joyfull all yee that are true of heart There are many moe places that I might produce to shew you the superabundance the streames of consolation the joyfull gladnesse of such as are in the state of Grace but as St. Paul to his Corinthians Ye are our Epistle 2. Cor. 3.2 So I unto you yee are the proofes you your selves are the places unto which I referre you Have yee received the first-fruits of the Spirit Have you tasted of the heavenly gift Have you beene made pertakers of the powers to come the Songs of Syon the Anthemes of Heaven they are more than written within you A stranger may not intermeddle with neyther can hee possibly conceive this joy It is farre beyond that of the Sonnes of men Prae consortibus Psal 45.8 true not onely of Christ but of all those that are his They that love righteousnesse and hate iniquitie they are anoynted with the Oyle of Gladnesse above their fellowes for the worke of righteousnesse it is peace Esay 32.17 Is not that enough It is more quietnesse and assurance for ever Oh how erronious then is the opinion of such as imbrace this present world Such as suppose all our wayes to be grievous That imagine Religion to be nothing but melancholy full of anxietie vexation and feares Oh that they would but turne into her that they would but repose their Soules with her without doubt they should find more pleasure than in that which they so eagerly pursue Her consolation hath no bitternesse and to live with her hath no sorrow Prov. 3.17 but mirth and joy Her wayes are wayes of pleasantnesse and all her paths are peace Bern. de vit solitar pag. 1027. Delectationes enim non perdimus sed mutamus de corpore ad animum de sensibus ad conscientiam saith St. Bernard We doe not lose our delights but wee change not for the worse but for the better from the body to the soule from the senses to the Conscience In stead of the pleasures of Pharaohs Court we have those of the Land of Canaan for the delights of the Sonnes of men we have the consolations of God Quietnesse Peace and Ioy in the Holy-Ghost joy unspeakable and full of Glory Goe to then you that rejoyce in that which is naught You that spend the time in mirth Iob. 21.13 and in a moment goe downe to the Grave you that say as they in the second of Wisedome Wisd 2.6.9 Come on let us inioy the good things that are present let none of us passe without part of our voluptuousnes let us leave the tokens of our ioy in every place Doe but joyne your selves to the Saints doe but adhere to Heaven Let your soules but cleave unto God and he shall give you the desire of your hearts you shall be satisfied with the plenteousnesse with the pleasures of the life that now is and of that which is to come even in this Valley of teares Psal 36.8 He shall give you drinke out of his pleasures as out of a River Wherefore you that have wearied your selves in the wayes of wickednesse and destruction returne unto your rest and for famine Lu. 15.15.25 huskes and Swine or if you will strange women Harlots and the like you shall heare of joy and gladnesse you shall be received with musicke and dancing not onely of others but of your owne Soules Doe this then Haec ante omnia fac sayth Seneca as divinely as if he had beene St. PAVLS Disciple indeed Above all things doe this Disce gaudere Sen. Epist 23 Learne to Rejoyce It is a lesson unto which though we are incited of our selves though we are schollers by nature yet no man attaines unto it but he that breaks off his transgression hee that forsakes his sinne he that purgeth his conscience from dead workes to serve the living God who hath reserved the bloud of the grape the purest pleasure for piety and appropriated his joy unto those that are his But as for the ungodly he writes bitter things against them and in the middest of their mirth he makes them to possesse the sinnes of their youth so that as their mercies are cruell so their very joyes are but Wine mingled with Mirrhe Plut. Moral de Audiendis poetis alibi saepius They are like the City in Sophocles of
with sighes that cannot be uttered as the Apostle speaketh Rom. 8.26 The halfe of the objection is not yet at an end Psal 22.14 Within you shall have an heart in the middest of his body like melting waxe Prov 18.14 His spirit is wounded and a wounded spirit who can beare Psal 51.8 Psal 141.8 Psal 38 3. For his bones they are broken and from the Crowne of the head unto the sole of the foot there is no health in his flesh by reason of his sinne In a word hee is like unto the Roll of Ezechiel Ezech. 2.10 in the which there was written within and without Lamentation weeping and mourning So that the words of St. Paul Ruth 1.20 the voyce of joy unto him call me not Naomi but call me Marah it is as laughter at the Grave it is as Musicke at the house of Mourning Vnto this we reply that the heart of a penitent knowes his owne bitternesse Prov. 14 10 and a stranger may not intermeddle with his joy The one it is as occult as invisible as the other Howbeit where sinne aboundeth there Grace aboundeth much more Rom. 5.20 So in the repentance not to be repented of our consolations are more than correspondent to our sorrowes Prov. 20.30 The blewnesse of a wound it cleanseth away evill so Repentance sin whose cuts are as it were of a two edged Sword Besides the effect the cause it is a comforter the holy Ghost that is spread abroad in our heart by whose society our penitency is made pleasant Et ut ita dicam amaritudo nostra dulcissima saith Saint Bernard Bernard Our bitternesse it is sweet not onely to the Angels that rejoyce at the conversion of a sinner but so to our owne soules Our very sighes and groanes they are like Pillars of smoake Cant. 3.6 perfumed with Mirrhe and Frankincense in the phrase of the Spirit and with all the powders of the Merchant Our teares besides their operation which is to make our sinnes melt away as the yee in the faire warme weather even in the instant that they run downe the cheekes they are as strong drinke unto him that is readie to perish they rejoyce they make glad the heart of man Fit plerumque ut in ipsis pijs fletibus illa interim gaudij claritas crumpat saith Saint Gregorie Greg. Mor. In or indeed out of the middest of our teares there ariseth light as it were out of darknesse serenitie of the Soule and brightnesse of Spirit In profuso gaudio Lachrimae erumpunt Tertullian sayth Tertullian and our observation the same there are often teares in our joy and so not seldome if spirituall there is joy in our teares Lact. de ira Dei pag. 483 Orbem vitreum plenum aquâ si tenueris in Sole de lumine quod ab aquâ refulget ignis accenditur etiam in durissimo frigore saith Lactantius If you hold an hollow round glasse in the Sunne from the light that it casts an heape of coales is kindled it yeeldeth an heate that will make a fire even in the middest of Winter How true this is in Nature I know not sure I am in Grace it is so Our teares they are put into a bottle Psal 56.8 they are the lustre of Grace The Sunne of Righteousnesse shines upon them and from the heate there is derived another an influence as it were an effect of him that Baptizes with the Spirit and with fire It is a vehement desire and zeale too of those things that proceed from that godly sorrow 2. Cor. 7.12 In the second to the Corinthians it is a passion composed of griefe or at least some thing like it griefe and gladdesse of heart Poenitens de peccatis dolore gaudet He that sorroweth for his sinnes he rejoyceth for his sorrow Now for Temptation 3. Temptation it is the King of terrours it is the Artillary of Hell it is the strong mans battell Axe and his weapons of Warre and yet behold from hence there ariseth joy to the Righteous even in the extremity even in the heate and violence thereof The Angels themselves nay hee whose strength is scene in infirmities hee that lifteth up those that are cast downe hee administers Might Alacrity and consolation unto us So that our temptation it is as the Whirlewind in the first of Ezechiel Ezech. 1.4 that came out of the North a great Cloud and a fire unfolding it selfe but withall a brightnesse was about it and out of the middest thereof as it were the colour of Amber It is so with that which strikes terrour into us the temptation of Sathan there is often serenity joy and brightnesse of spirit even in the middest thereof Cogitur nos adversarius ad sua damna tentare saith St. Ambrose Ambrose The Serpent is wounded with his owne sting his temptations they are against himselfe and for the honour of Israel Luk. 10.19 for by this meanes hee and his the Divels themselves are subject unto us by this meanes we overcome the evill we tread upon Serpents and Scorpions and over all the power of the enemy Wherefore my Brethren count it all joy Iam 1.2 when yee fall into divers temptations You see now how every way you may fulfill and answer the exhortation of the Apostle There is joy in the light and joy when grosse darkenesse covers the Earth Ioy in our beds and joy in the morning in the Feild in all that wee set our hand unto There is joy in that which is our portion under the Sun the good things that God hath given us and though they be slight momentany though they be taken away joy in him that is more than they all It was the opiniō of Plato Plato that the Celestiall Orbs with their concourse and meeting they hit our harmony and make Musick not unworthy of Heaven It is assuredly so with the precious stones of Syon even here upon Earth all that wheeleth about them or indeed is as wisely ordered as sweetly disposed by that supreame Providence as the things that are above It worketh jubilation and joy the voyce of melody and gladnesse of heart Wisd 19.18 So that as in Psaltery notes change the Tunes and yet are they alwayes sounds so is it heere though our Estate doe alter though we continue at a stay though sometimes we abound and sometimes are abased though one while in affluence and health another in sicknesse and distresse all these things they are but as so many severall tunes to the Righteous there is the voyce of joy and gladnesse in them all Ioy in affliction and the Lesson of Lachrymae it is delightsome Our Harpe our Lute it is in the right tune it makes most melodious musicke heavenly harmony when it is mournfull most There is joy in Repentance and in Temptation Ioy When thou passest through the Rivers I will be with thee
seeme they were not enough to make him to forget his sorrow Are there among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause raine Ier. 14.22 sayth the Prophet Ieremy or can the heathens giue showers So may I say of the pleasures of Pharaohs Court of the delights of the Sonnes of men Are there any but are cloudes without water any that can power out comfort and drop the least consolation and joy Behold and condole the deplored estate of the daughter of Syon She wepeeth sore sayth the Prophet in the night Lam. 1.2 and the teares are on her checkes Among all her louers shee hath none to comfort her all her friends haue dealt treacherously with her They are become her enemies It is the case of all such as haue emptyed themselues from vessell to vessel that haue liued in pleasure That haue walked according to the desires of the flesh in the time of visitation in the day of affliction So farre are their familiar friends so farre are the sinnes the vnfruitful workes of vnrighteousnesse from wiping away teares from speaking of peace from preaching joy and gladnesse vnto them that they power out their gall vpon the ground they breake them with breach vpon breach they wound to the soule and torment them with their owne abominations Heare the consolation of pleasure heare the comfort of Sinne. Walke in the light of the fire in the sparkes that yee haue kindled This shall you haue at my hands Esa 50.11 you shall lye downe in your Sorowes Now for the Creatures Say that the soule turne vnto them as IOB of his friends Iob 16.2 miserable comforters are they all not able to affoord the least consolation unto it Quocunque se convertit in rebus terrenis amaritudinem Invenit August in Psal 45. vndè dulcescat non habet nisi levet se ad Deum sayth St. AVGVSTINE on the Psalmes Which way soever it turneth it findeth nothing but vexation and bitternesse it hath no joy in any thing under the Sunne unlesse it lift it selfe up to the Lord. Wherefore when thine heart is vexed within thee When thou lookest for some to have pitie upon thee and there is no man no sinne no pleasure no Creature to comfort thee Acquaint thy selfe with GOD Iob 22.27 as ELIPHAZ sayd unto IOB and so shall GOD come vnto thee For the World it cryeth Ego deficiam I will leave you The Flesh Ego inficiam saith Saint BERNARD Bernard I will corrupt you The Devill Ego interficiam I will destroy you Let us heare now what the Lord will say to our Soule Ego Reficiam Come unto mee all yee that are weary and heavie laden and I will refresh you Dico Gaudete Againe I say Reioyce Vse 3 I should now speake according to the nature thereof with dilatation of the point or effection exhorted but I am straightned with time so that I can but onely touch upon it It was the beginning it is the end of the verse Arth Eth. 7 Finis Architectus saith the Philosopher It is that which sets all our action on foot Aquinas The first in intention and in effect in operation The first in euery worke and therefore it should seeme it is the same with felicitie it is the soule of that which wee affect with our soules O how happy then are wee How good and gracious is the Lord that spurs nature with grace That addes winges to the Doue That so earnestly incites vs vnto that which we affect of our selues The most supreame and soveraigne good or at least the affection which makes it so unto us Neh. 8.10 It is our strength sayth Nehemiah The gladnesse of the heart Ecclus 30.22 it is the life of man sayth the Sonne of Syrach It doth good like a medicine Prov. 15.15 it is a continuall feast sayth the wise King Yet all these they speake not so much as our Saviour Hitherto have yee asked nothing in my Name Aske Ioh. 16.24 and yee shall receive that your Ioy may bee full Gaudium plenum petant August in Iohan. saith St. Augustine upon St. Iohn Quoniam si aliquid aliud petant idem aliquid nihil est Let them aske that their joy might be full for whatsoever they shall crave besides this it is not worth the asking in comparison it is lesse than nothing unto it O what shall wee render what shall we say unto thee O thou Preserver of men Wee know that thou art more ready to give than wee for to aske Yet with the same earnestness that thou speakest unto us Seeke yee my face Thy face Lord will I seeke with the same earnestnesse wee pray unto thee Grant us O thou Father of every good and perfect guift Iam 1.17 grant us joyfulnesse of heart and that peace may be in our dayes Ecclus 50.23 and in thy Israel for Ever This is not enough Though wee are lesse than the least of thy blessings give us yet more what wilt thou give us More than peace and plenty more than their Wine and Oyle more than the beasts on a thousand hilles O Remember vs with thy favour Psa 106.4 5 visit vs with thy Salvation that wee may see the felicitie of thy chosen and reioyce with their Ioy the joy of thy salvation and establish us with thy free Spirit To whom with thee O Father and the Sonne Three persons and one God bee all Land Power Praise Majesty might and Dominion both this day and for Evermore AMEN AMEN Errata from page 1. vnto 113. PAge 5. line 7. read Coacervation Pag. 6 l. 2. reade Perepatetickes Ibid. p. l. 6. r. Perturbationes p. 30. l. 21. r. Sinner p. 42. l. last reade 2. p. 44. l. 5. r. Enfolding p. 46. l. 2. r. Ont. Ibid. p. l. 5. r. Soones ibid. p. l. 15. wants Never p. 61. l. 20. r. a great p. 64. l. 3. r. Implyed p. 74 l. 15. r. Veneris p. 85. l. 19. r. Vincunt p. 99. l. 6. r. Over p. 111. l. 7. reade Immanent CAuse thy belly to eate and fill thy bowels with this Roll. Ezech. 3.3 Gather yee Wine and Summer fruits and Oyle and put them in your vessels Ierem. 40.10 I have eaten my Hony-combe with my honey and drunken my Wine with my milke Eate O friends drinke yea drinke aboundantly O my beloved Cantic 5.1 Quandô veniet tempus vt pereÌ„nibê° gaudijs in ipso Divinitatis fonte profundiùs immergamur vbi vnda vndam sine Interrapidine interpositione contineat Bernard de verb. Ap. Non est verbum Dei esca c. RAPSODIA THou that wouldst master thine affection so To mourne in mirth and to tryumph in woe To sing a song of Syon in a Land Of strangenesse rudenesse barbarisme and In wealth to exercise true lowlinesse Jn Poverty aboundant patience Jn sicknesses a faithfull constant mind In health an heart to thankefulnesse inclin'd Thou that desir'st to sigh out hourely breath Expressing death in life and life in death Whose drossie part on Earth doth Worme-like glide Whilst that coelestiall sparke in Heaven doth bide Like to that paire of Saints in azure shrowdes Paul Elias wrapt aboue the clouds Thou that of all annoy would'st be bereaven Reade heere an heavenly Earth and earthly Heaven R. B. FINIS LONDON Printed by B. Alsop and T. Fawcet for NATH BVTTER 1631.