Some will shew a great deal of humanity in comforting others, but little Christianity ; for as kind men they will utter some cheerful words, but as Christians they want wisdom from above to speak a gracious word in season, Isa. 1. 4, 2 Tim. iv. 2. Nay, some there are who hinder the saving work- ing of any affliction upon the hearts of others by unseasonable and un- savoury discourses, either by suggesting false remedies, or else diverting * ' Great men ' in C, is simply ' as tliey.'
THE soul's conflict. 193
men to false contentments, and so become spiritual traitors rather than friends, taking part with their worst enemies, their lusts and wills. Happy is he that in his way to heaven meeteth with a cheerful and skilful guide and fellow-traveller, that carrieth cordials with him against all faintings of spirit. It is a part of our wisdom to salvation to make choice of such a one as tna-j further us in our way. An inditferency for any company shews a dead heart. Where the life of grace is, it is sensible of all advantages and disadvantages. How many have been refreshed by one short, apt, savoury speech, which hath begotten, as it were, new spirits in them.
In ancient times, as we see in the story of Job, chap. ii. 12, it was the custom of friends to meet together to comfort those that were in misery, and Job takes it for granted, that ' to him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friends,' chap. vi. 14. For besides the presence of a friend, which hath some influence of comfort in it, 1. The discovery of his loving affection hath a cherishing sweetness in it. 2. The expression of love in real comforts and services, by supplying any outward want of the party troubled, prevails much. Thus Christ made way for his comforts to the souls of men by shewing outward kindness to their bodies. Love, with the sensible fraits of it, prepareth for any wholesome counsel. 3. After this, wholesome words cany a special cordial virtue with them, especially when the Spirit of God in the affectionate speaker joins with the word of com- fort, and thereby closeth with the heart of a troubled patient, '^^^len all these concentre and meet together in one, then is comfort sealed up to the soul. The child in Elizabeth's womb sprang at the presence and salutation of Mary, Luke i. 41. The speech of one hearty friend cannot but revive the spirits of another. Sympathy hath a strange force, as we see in the strings of an instrument, which being played upon, as they say, the strings of another instrument are also moved with it. After love hath once kindled love, then the heart, being melted, is fit to receive any impression. Unless both pieces of the iron be red hot, they will not join together. Two spii'its warmed with the same heat will easily solder together.
§ II. In him that shall stay the mind of another there had need to be an excellent temper of many graces, as, 1. Knowledge of the grievance, to- gether with wisdom to speak a word in season, and to conceal that which may set the cure backwards. 2. Faithfulness with liberty, not to conceal anything which may be for his good, though against present liking. The very life and soul of friendship stands in freedom, tempered with wisdom and faithfulness. 3. Love with compassion and patience to bear all, and hope all, and not to be easily provoked by the waywardness of him we deal with. Short- spirited men are not the best comforters. God himself is said to ' bear with the manners of his people in the wilderness,' Acts xiii. 18. It is one thing to bear with a wise sweet moderation that which may be borne, and another thing to allow or approve that which is not to be approved at all, Non est idemferre, si quid fere ndum non est, et 2)robare si quid probaiidum non est. \Vhere these graces are in the speaker, and apprehended so to be by the person distempered, his heart will soon embrace whatsoever shall be spoken to rectify his judgment or affection. A good conceit of the spirit of the speaker is of as much force to prevail as his words. Words especially prevail, when they are uttered more from the bowels than the brain, and from our own experience, which made even Chiist himself a more com- passionate High Priest. When men come to themselves again they wiU be the deepest censurers of their own miscarriage.
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194 THE soul's conflict.
§ III. Moreover to the riglit comforting of an afflicted person, special care must be had of discerning the true ground of his grievance ; the core must be searched out. If the grief ariseth from outward causes, then it must be carried into the right channel, the course of it must turn another waj', as in staying of blood. We should grieve for sin in the first place, as being the evil of all evils. If the ground be sin, then it must be drawn to a head, from a confused grief to some more particular sin, that so we may strike the right vein ; but if we find the spirit much cast down for par- ticular sins, then comfort is presently to be appHed. But if the grief be not fully ripe, then, as we use to help nature in its olfers to purge, by physic, till the sick matter be carried away ; so when conscience, moved by the spiiit, begins to ease itself by confession, it is good to help foi-ward the work of it, till we find the heart low enough for comfort to be laid upon. When Paul found the jailor cast down almost as low as hell, he stands not now upon further hammering, and preparing of him for mercy, that work was done already, but presently stu-s him up to ' believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,' Acts xvi. 31. Here being a fit place for an interpreter to declare unto man his righteousness, and his mercy that belongs unto him, after he hath acknowledged his personal and particular sins, which the natural guilt of the heart is extremely backward to do, and yet cannot receive any sound peace till it be done. If signs of gi'ace be discerned, here likewise is a fit place to declare unto man the saving work of grace in his heart, which Satan labom-s to hide from him. Men oft are not able to read their own evidences without help.