3. It is a full comfort, both for measure and matter.
[1.] Sometimes for the measure ; the apostle speaketh of 'comforts abounding by Christ.' 2 Cor. i. 5, and Acts xiii. 52, ' The disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost;' and the apostle Paul, 2 Cor. vii. 4, v-nepirepiacTevoixai nj xapa, ' I am filled with com- fort, and am exceeding joyful in all your tribulations.' Paul and Silas
30 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. LVI.
could sing praises in the prison, and in the stocks, after they had been scourged and whipped, Acts xvi. 25. And our Lord Jesus Christ, when he took care for our comfort, he took care that it might be a full comfort: John xv. 11, 'These things have I spoken, that my joy- might remain in you, and that your joy might be full' Tiie joy of believers is a full joy, needing no other joy to be added to it ; it is full enough to bear us out under all discouragements. If Christians would improve their advantages, they might by their full joy and cheerfulness entice carnal men, who are ensnared by the baits of the world and the delights of the flesh, once to come and try what com- forts they might have in the bosom of Christ, and the lively expecta- tion of the promised glory.
[2.] For the matter; it is full, because of the comprehensiveness of those comforts which are provided for us. There is no sort of trouble for which the word of God doth not afford sufficient consolation ; no strait can be so great, no pressure so grievous, but we have full con- solation offered us in the promises against them all. We have promises of the pardon of all our sins, and promises of heaven itself ; and what can we desire more ? AVe have promises suited to every state — prosperity and adversity. What do we need, which we have not a promise of ? Prosperity, that it shall not be our ruin, if we take it thankfully from God, and use it for God ; for, ' to the pure all things are pure,' Titus i. 15. But especially for adversity, when we most need ; there are promises either of singular assistance or gracious deliverance. In short, the word of God assureth us of the gracious presence of God here in the midst of our afflictions, and the eternal enjoyment of God hereafter; that he will be with us in our houses of clay, or we shall shortly be with him in his palace of glory ; and so here is matter of full comfort.
(1.) His presence with us in our afflictions : Ps. xci. 15, ' I will be with him in trouble ; ' and Isa. xliii. 2, ' When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee ; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee ; ' and many other places. Now if God be with us, why should we be afraid ? Ps. xxiii. 4, ' AVhen I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid, for thou art with me;' and in many other places. We see in the body, if any member be hurt, thither presently runneth the blood to comfort the wounded part ; the man himself, eye, tongue, and hand, is altogether employed about that part and wounded member, as if he were forgetful of all the rest. So we see in the family, if one of the children be sick, all the care and kindness of the mother is about that sick child ; she sits by him, blandisheth him, and tendeth him, so that all the rest do as it were envy his disease and sickness. If nature doth thus, will not God, who is the author of nature, do much more ? For if an earthly mother do thus to a sickly and suffering child, will not our heavenly Father, who hath an infinite, incredible, and tender love to his people ? Surely he runneth to the afflicted, as the blood to the hurt member ; he looketh after the afflicted, as the mother to the sick child. This is the differ- ence between God and the world ; the world runneth after those that flourish, and rejoice, and live in prosperity, as the rivers run to the sea, where there is water enough already ; but God ' comforteth us in
VeR. 50.] SERMONS UPON TSALM CXIX. 31
all our tribulations,' 2 Cor. i. 4, His name and style is, 'He com- forteth those that are cast down,' 2 Cor. vii. 6. The world forsaketh those that are in poverty, disgrace, and want ; but God doth not with- draw from them, but visiteth them most, hath communion with them most, and vouchsafeth most of his presence to them,_even to those that holily, meekly, and patiently bear the afflictions which he layeth upon them ; and one drop of this honey is enough to sweeten the bitterest cup that ever they drank of. If God be with us, if 'the power of Christ will rest upon us,' then we may even glory in infirmities, as Paul did.
(2.) Of our presence with God, when our afflictions are over ; that is our happiness hereafter ; we shall be there where he is : John xii. 26, ' There where I am shall my servant be ; ' and John xvii. 24, ' Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me.' When we have had our trial and exercise, we shall live with him for ever ; therefore is our comfort called everlasting consolation : 2 Thes. ii. 16, ' Who hath given us everlasting consolation, and good hope through grace.' Nothing more can be added or desired, if we have but the patience to tarry for it, that we may come to the sight of God and Christ at last. Surely this will lighten the heart of that sorrow and fear wherewith it is surcharged. Here is an everlasting ground of comfort ; and if it doth not allay our fears and sorrows, the fault is not in the comfort, for that is a solid and eternal good ; but on the believer's part, if he doth not keep his faith strong, and his evidences clear.