The Comfort of Christian Friends (2)
For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!—Eccles. 4:10
Some will show 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 lack wisdom from above to speak a gracious word in season (2 Tim. 4:2). Nay, some there are who hinder the saving working of any affliction upon the hearts of others by unseasonable and unsavoury discourses, either by suggesting false remedies, or else diverting men to any false contentment, and so become spiritual traitors rather than friends. Happy is he that in his way to heaven meets with a cheerful and skilful guide and fellow traveller who carries cordials with him against any fainting of spirit. It is a part of our wisdom in salvation to choose such a one as may further us in our way. An indifference for any company shows a dead heart. How many have been refreshed by one short, apt, savoury speech, which has produced new spirits in them.
In ancient times, as we see in the story of Job, it was the custom of friends to meet together to comfort those who were in misery, and Job takes it for granted, that 'to him that is afflicted, pity should be showed from his friends' (Job 6:14). For besides the presence of a friend, which has some influence of comfort in it, friends can express loving affection which has a cherishing sweetness in it. Friends also can add wholesome words that bring comfort and peace to the heart of a troubled patient. When these actions of friends meet together in one, then is comfort sealed up to the soul. Sympathy has 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 has 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 spirits warmed with the same heat will easily solder together.
In ancient times, as we see in the story of Job, it was the custom of friends to meet together to comfort those who were in misery, and Job takes it for granted, that 'to him that is afflicted, pity should be showed from his friends' (Job 6:14). For besides the presence of a friend, which has some influence of comfort in it, friends can express loving affection which has a cherishing sweetness in it. Friends also can add wholesome words that bring comfort and peace to the heart of a troubled patient. When these actions of friends meet together in one, then is comfort sealed up to the soul. Sympathy has 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 has 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 spirits warmed with the same heat will easily solder together.
Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Soul's Conflict with Itself, Works, vol. 1, pp. 192-93
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.
The Soul's Conflict with Itself, Works, vol. 1, pp. 192-93
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.
Categories
Recent
2025
January
'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 1'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 2'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 3'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 4'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 5'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 6'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 7'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 8'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 9'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 10'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 11'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 12'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 13'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 14'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 15'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 16'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 17'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 18'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 19'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 20'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 21'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 22'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 23'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 24'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 25'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 26'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 27'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 28'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 29'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 30'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 31
February
'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 1'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 2'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 3'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 4'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 5'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 6'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 7'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 8'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 9'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 10'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 11'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 12'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 13'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 14'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 15'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 16'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 17'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 18'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 19'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 20'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 21'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 22'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 23'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 24'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 25'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 26'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 27'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 28
March
'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 1'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 2'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 3'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 4'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 5'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 6'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 7'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 8'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 9'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 10'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 11'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 12'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 13'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 14'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 15'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 16'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 17'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 18'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 19'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 20'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 21'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 22'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 23'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 24'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 25'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 26'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 27'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 28'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 29'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 30'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — March 31
April
'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — April 1'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — April 2'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — April 3'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — April 4'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — April 5'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — April 6'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — April 7'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — April 8'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — April 9'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — April 10
No Comments