Book 11. of J E S U S C H R I S T. 99

inward Peace and Joy, as Summer fuceeeds Winter, and Storms are hufhed into a profound Calm.
C K A P. IX.
the Difconfohte State.
WHen all Human Comforts forfake us, if God vouchfafe to .fupply their place with Spiritual and Pleavenly, which are infinitely better^ we are not much to wonder if the Soul preferve its Temper, and bear up manfully under fuchCircumftanccs. But when the World and God both frown, then to bear fuch Defertion with Patience, and be content to be aban- doned of all our Hopes for hisGlory^ thentoacknow- ledge our Unworthinefs, and not charge God foolifli- ly, nor be partial to our fufFering felves, this is Virtue and Refignation indeed, the very Exc>2llence and Per- fedion of an Humble and SubmiffiveMind. Who that conliders, can forbear rejoicing, while the cheerful Light of God's Countenance fliines bright about him? W^hat Wretch is fo unreafonable to grudge his Service, when Bounty and Bleffings reward his Pains, and con- vince him that he does not ferve God for nought ? This is the happy Seafon Vv^hich every M^n defires and triumphs in. Smooth and pleafant is hisPafragc,whGm the Grace of God conduces and carries through this troublefome World. For hov/ can we think it itrange, that he fhould not feel the weight of his Burthen, v^^ho is ftrengthened and fupported by Almighty Power, and led through Difficulties and Dangers by the Captain of his Salvation ?
It is natural for us to cling fail about any thing that may give us eafe ,* and hard for a Man to diveil himfelf of Carnal AfFedions^ fo that before our Paf-
fion
loo 0i tl^C imitation Book II.
fions be efFet^luaily fabdued, and our Delight and Hope fixt entirely upon God^ many and frequent Conflids mull: be undergone. And yet at no Expence lefs than this is cur Peace and Quiet to be purchaled. For fo long as a Man reRs upon his own Strength, he is ea- fily diverted to worldly Comforts^ and taftes little Sa- tisfadion but what arifes from fuch. Euthevvhofe Soul is enamoured with God and Goodnefs^ expeds not his Delight from Senfual Enjoy ments^ but finds a Pleafure in the feverer Exercifes of Virtue and Devo- tion^ and even enjoys the Difficulties he undergoes for Chrift's Sake.
If then God fhed down Spiritual Comforts from A- tove^ entertain the Precious Gift with Humility and Thanks ; and lofe not the Effed and Reward of Grace, by fuppofing it your Due, or valuing your felf upon it. Rejoice in the Bleffing ; but temper that Joy with Gratitude , and let it not Iwell to Infoience and Va- nity, to Cenforioufnefs or Contempt of thy weaker Brethren ; but the more thou haft received, the great- er let thy Modefty be ; and the more thy Fear, thy Diligence and Watchfulnefs, that thou abufe not fuch gracious Liberality. For Comfort and Gladnefs sviil not laft alvv^ays ; a Cloud will come betwixt, and inter- rupt the chearful Beams of this Sun of Righteoufnefs.^ Temptations will have their turn too ,• and therefore^ when thefe fiill hard and heavy, let Patience and Hu- mility, not hopeiefs Defpondency, be theeiFed: of fuch Oppreffions. The greatnefs of thy Sufferings muft in- flame thy Truft, thy Zeal, thy Devotion ; and fervent Prayer is tJie proper Weapon againft the Attacks of our Spiritual Adverf-iry. For Matters are not defpe- rate, and he who took away his Support:, only with- draws them for a Seafon, and to thofe who feek them with holy Perfeverance, vi^ill at a fit ( that is, at his own ) time, reftore them again with Advantage. This is a ufual thing with God. The Prophets and
Saints