203. It is much to be desired that there were that love in all men to teach what they know, and that humility in others to be instructed in what they know not. God humbles great persons to learn of meaner ; and it is our duty to embrace the truth whosoever brings it ; and oftentimes mean persons are instruments of comfort to greater than themselves ; as Aquila and Priscilla instructed Apollos, Acts xviii. 20.
204.' He that seeks us before we sought him, will he refuse us when we seek after him ? Let no man therefore despair or be discouraged. If there be in thee the height and depth, and length and breadth of sin, there is ajso much more the height and depth, and length and breadth of mercy in God. And though we have played the harlot with many lovers, yet return again : Jer. iii. 1, ' For his thoughts are not as ours,' and his mercies are the mercies of a reconciled God.
' 205. When we are under a cloud of temptations, let us take heed of opposing our comforts ; for it wrongs Christ's intention, who would not have us at any time to be uncomfortable ; and besides, whilst we are in such a condition, we are unfit to glorify God, for fear doth bind up the
* That is, 'exact,' 'strict.' — G. f That is, 'moral,' or ' equitable.'— G.
AND HOLY CONTEMPLATIONS,
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soul, and makes it in a palsy temper. We are not fit to do anything as we ought without some love and some joy ; and though we be at present under a cloud, yet the sun is always the same. We may therefore for a time want the light of his gracious countenance, but never his sweet influence.
266. Most men if they could they would always live here, but whosoever is partaker of Christ's resurrection, his mind doth presently ascend ; and here we are always enlarging our desires, because we are under a state of Imperfection,
267. Many men that make a profession are like kites, which ascend high, but look low. But those that look high as they ascend high are risen with Christ. For a Christian being once in the estate of grace, he forgets what is behind, and looks upon ascending higher and higher, till he be in his place of happiness ; and as at Christ's rising there was an eai'th- quake, so such as are risen with him do find a commotion and division between the flesh and the spirit.
268. Christ hath an especial care of his children, when by reason of the guilt of sin they have most cause to be disconsolate; and therefore, where the heart of any man is upright towards God, it is not to be expressed what indulgence there is in him towards such a poor sinner ; for though Peter had denied him, yet in Mark xvi. 7, ' Go tell his disciples, and tell Peter,' so that Christ took great care to secure him of his love, though he had most shamefully denied him.
269. God hath not in vain taken upon him the name of a Father, and he fills it up to the full. It is a name of indulgence, a name of hope, a name of provision, a name of protection. It argues the mitigation of punishment. A little is enough from a father. Therefore in all tempta- tions it should teach us by prayer to fly under the wings of our heavenly Father, and to expect from him all that a father should do for his child, as provision, protection, indulgence, yea, and seasonable corrections also, which are as necessary for us as our daily bread ; and when we die we may expect our inheritance, because he is our Father. But yet we must under- stand also, that the name of Father is a word of relation. Something also he expects from us. We must therefore reverence him as a Father, which consists in fear and love. He is a great God, and therefore we ought to fear him ; he is also merciful, yea, hath bowels of mercy, and therefore we ought to love him. If we tremble at him, we know not that he is loving, and if we be over bold, we forget that he is a great God. Therefore we should go boldly to him with reverence and godly fear.
270. Those that are at peace in their own consciences will be peaceable towards others. A busy, contentious, querulous disposition argues it never felt peace from God ; and though many men think it commendable to censure the infirmities of others, yet it argues their own weakness. For it is a sign of strength, where we see in men any good, to bear with their weaknesses. Who was more indulgent than Christ ? He bore with the infirmities of his disciples from time to time. Therefore we should labour to carry ourselves lovingly towards them that are weak, and know that nothing should raise us so high in our esteem above others, so as to forget them to be brethren, inasmuch as those infirmities we see in them shall be buried with them.
271. Many men will make much of eminent persons, and men of excellent parts, but there may be a great deal of hypocrisy in that, and therefore the truth of our love is tried in this, if we bear a sincere alfection to all the saints, Eph, vi, 18.