Chap. XXX Of Asking the Divine Assistance, and of Confidence of Recovering Grace
1. Son, I am the Lord, who give strength in the day of tribulation.
Come to me when it is not well with thee.
This is that which most of all hinders heavenly comfort, that thou art slow in turning thyself to prayer.
For before thou earnestly prayest to me, thou seekest in the mean time many comforts, and delightest thyself in outward things.
And hence it comes to pass, that all things avail thee little, till thou take notice that I am he who deliver those that trust in me: nor is there out of me any powerful help, nor profitable counsel, nor lasting remedy.
But now having recovered spirit after the storm, grow thou strong again in the light of my tender mercies; for I am at hand, saith the Lord, to repair all, not only to the full, but even with abundance, and above measure.
2. Is any thing difficult to me? Or shall I be like one that promises and does not perform?
Where is thy faith? Stand firmly, and with perseverance. Have patience, and be of good courage; comfort will come to thee in its proper season.
Wait for me, wait, I will come and cure thee.
It is a temptation that troubles thee, and a vain fear that frights thee.
What does the solicitude about future accidents bring thee but only sorrow upon sorrow? Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof. Matthew vi.
It is a vain and unprofitable thing, to conceive either grief or joy for future things, which perhaps will never happen.
3. But it is incident to man to be deluded with such vain imaginations; and a sign of a soul that is yet weak to be so easily drawn away by the suggestion of the enemy.
For he cares not whether it be with things true or false, that he abuses and deceives thee; whether he overthrows thee with the love of things present, or the fear of things to come.
Let not therefore thy heart be troubled, and let it not fear.
Believe in me, and trust in my mercy.
When thou thinkest I am far from thee, I am often nearest to thee.
When thou judgest that almost all is lost, then oftentimes it is that thou art in the way of the greatest gain of merit.
All is not lost, when any thing falls out otherwise than thou wouldst have it.
Thou must not judge according to the present feeling, nor give thyself up in such manner to any trouble from whencesoever it comes, nor take it so, as if all hope was gone of being delivered out of it.
4. Think not thyself wholly forsaken, although for a time I have sent thee some tribulation, or withdrawn from thee the comfort which thou desirest; for this is the way to the kingdom of heaven.
And without all doubt it is more expedient for thee, and for the rest of my servants, that you be exercised by adversities, than that you should have all things according to your inclination.
I know thy secret thoughts, I know that it is very expedient for thy soul that thou shouldest sometimes be left without gust, lest thou shouldst be puffed up with good success, and shouldst take a complaisance in thyself, imagining thyself to be what thou art not.
What I have given I can justly take away, and restore it again when I please.
5. When I give it, it is still mine; when I take it away again, I take not any thing that is thine; for every good gift and every perfect gift is mine, James i.
If I send thee affliction, or any adversity, repine not, neither let thy heart be cast down.
I can quickly raise thee up again, and turn all thy burden into joy.
Nevertheless, I am just, and greatly to be praised, when I deal thus with thee.
6. If thou thinkest rightly, and considerest things in truth, thou oughtest never to be so much dejected and troubled for any adversity;
But rather to rejoice and give thanks: yea, to account this a special subject of joy, that I do not spare thee, afflicting thee with sorrows.
As my Father hath loved me, I also have loved you, said I to my beloved disciples, (John xv.) whom certainly I did not send to temporal joys, but to great conflicts; not to honours, but to contempt; not to idleness, but to labours; not to rest, but to bring forth much fruit in patience. Remember these words, O my Son.