Plutarch reports of one, who would not be resolved of his doubts, because he would not lose the pleasure in seeking for resolution, like to him that would not have his physician to quench the thirst he felt in his ague, because he would not lose the pleasure of drinking; and like those that would not be freed from their sins, because they would not lose the pleasure of sinning. But I hope better things of all those that have God for their portion, than to find them in love with their doubts, or to be unwilling to be rid of their doubts. Next to a man's going to hell, it is one of the greatest afflictions in the world for a man always to live in doubts about his going to heaven. Next to damnation, it is one of the greatest troubles that can attend a Christian, to be always exercised and perplexed with doubts about his salvation. Next to being damned, it is the hell of hells to live in continual fears of damnation. Now the only way to prevent all this, is to know that God is your portion. But,
[3.] Thirdly, A clear, personal evidence that God is a man's portion, will exceedingly sweeten all the crosses, losses, and changes that shall attend him in this world. Habakkuk knew that God was the God of his salvation ; and that he was his portion ; and therefore he rejoices : ' Though the fig-tree did not blossom, and though there were no fruit in the vines ; and though the labour of the olive did fail, and the fields did yield no meat, and the flocks were cut off from the fold, and there were no herd in the stalls,' Hab. iii. 17, 18. And the same noble temper was upon those worthies in Heb. x. 34, ' They took joyfully the spoiling of their goods, knowing in themselves that they had in heaven a better and an enduring substance.' They took joyfully the spoiling of their earthly portions, being well assured in their own souls that they should enjoy an heavenly portion, an everlasting portion. And so the apostles knew that they had ' an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens,' 2 Cor. v. 1 ; and this carried them bravely through honour and dishonour, through evil report and good report, and through all weaknesses, sicknesses, distresses, wants, dangers, and death ; and this made their heavy afflictions light, and their long afflictions short, and their bitter afflictions sweet, 2 Cor. iv. 16-18. This was that tree which, being cast in the waters of Marah, made them sweet, Exod. XV. 23-25 ; and this was that that did unsting all their crosses, losses, and reproaches, and that made them rejoice and sing under those very 1 As before, see Index sub nomine. — G.
78 AN ARK FOR ALL GOD'S NOAHS. [LaM. III. 24.
burdens and trials that would have broke the necks, backs, and hearts of others, Acts v. and xvi. When a man hath a clear personal evi- dence that God is his portion, then no outward changes will make any- considerable change in him. Though Laban had changed Jacob's wages ten times, yet Jacob was Jacob still, Gen. xxxi. 7. Let times change, and men change, and powers change, and nations change, yet a man that hath God for his portion, and knows it, will never change his countenance, nor change his Master, nor change his service, nor change his works, nor change his ways. Under all changes he will still be sernper idem, always the same. Many great and dreadful changes passed upon Joseph, but yet under all Joseph's bow ' abode in strength,' Gen. xlix. 23, 24. When a man knows that God is his portion, whatever changes may pass upon him, yet his bow will still abide in strength. Marcellus the pope would not change his name, according to the custom of other popes, to shew his immutability, and that he was no changeling ;' but how many are there in these days, who were looked upon as better men, who have changed their names, their notes, their coats, their prin- ciples, their practices, and all for worldly advantages. These change- lings, that change from better to worse, and from naught to be very naught, yea, stark naught, are the worst and the naughtiest of men, and deserve to be hanged in chains ; and certainly, when the wrath of God breaks forth, these changelings shall be as stubble before it, Mai. iv. 1, Heb. X. 38. God abhors none as he doth those who run from him to serve other lords, and who gad about to change their way : Jer. ii. 36, 37, ' Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way ? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria. Yea, thou shalt go forth from him, and thine hands upon thine head ; for the Lord hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them.' There is nothing that will keep a man from apostasy, and from making a defection from God, his ways, his worship, his glory, &c., like a blessed persuasion that God is his portion, 2 Peter i. 5-11. But,
[4.] Fourthly, A clear personal evidence that God is a man's por- tion, will exceedingly raise and advance the comfort and joy of a man's heart. It is not merely my having of God for my portion, but it is my seeing, it is my knowing, it is my fruition of God as my portion, that is the true spring of all delight, comfort, and consolation. When a man's interest in God is clear, then all the precious promises will be full wells of salvation, and full breasts of consolation to him, but till then they will be but as dry breasts, as barren heaths, as a fruitful wilderness, and as empty wells.^ Whilst a man is doubtful whether God be his God, it is certain that the spring of joy and comfort will run low in his soul ; whilst a man lives in fear that his title and interest is not good, how can he rejoice ? When a man's interest in God is clear, then his heaven of joy begins. A man that hath God for his portion, and knows it, cannot but live in a paradise of joy, and walk in a paradise of joy, and work in a paradise of joy, and eat in a paradise of joy, and recreate himself in a paradise of joy, and rest in a paradise of joy ; he cannot but have an heaven of joy within him, and an heaven of joy about him,
> Qii. Marcellus IL, who was pope only twenty-three days — G.
2 2 Peter i. 4 ; Isa. xii. 3, and Ixvi. 2. Without delight the soul cannot live : take away all delight, and the soul dies, saitb Augustine.
Lam. III. 24.] an ark for all god's noahs. 79