A lifting up for the downcast - Bridge - II - Sermon 2

Required reading
A lifting up for the downcast by William Bridge (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Sermon II (True peace may be interrupted).
   
My summary
Today we read Bridges' second sermon on Psalm 42:11.

Firstly we are taught how far it is possible for a good man to be discouraged or cast down by seeing:
(i) that he can refuse the word, promise or consolation that is brought;
(ii) that his very body feeleth the smart of discouragements.

Secondly we are given some reasons as to how it doth come to pass that he is so discouraged:
(i) to see the fulness of God;
(ii) that the price of peace and quietness of soul would be enhanced;
(iii) so he doesn't love the nurse more than God;
(iv) for training;
(v) for growth;
(vi) to break sins.

Thirdly we see how those discouragements can stand with God's grace and goodness.

Fourthly we observe how those discouragements may be healed and cured by
(i) remembering what you would do if you were to be justified and do the same now;
(ii) labouring to find out your sin;
(iii) reading Scripture much.

What grabbed me
Good advice for what to do with the comfort that you do have: 'As you have any spiritual comfort from Christ, spend all for Christ : for though in temporal things, the way to have little, is to spend much ; yet in spiritual things, the more you spend, the more you have. And therefore, whatsoever comfort you have, spend it with the saints. Do as Moses did : when Moses was in Pharaoh's court, and in great preferment, standing in the presence of the king, he went out to visit his brethren, and to comfort them under their burdens : " I will see (saith he) how it fares with my brethren, under their burdens." So do you also. Hath the Lord spoken peace and comfort to your soul, and do you now stand in the presence of the King of kings, having his face shining on you, with your comforts all restored unto you ? Now then go out unto your brethren, and inquire who they are that labour under any burden, and with the same comfort wherewith you have been comforted yourselves, comfort others, knowing this for certain, that the more you spend, the more you shall have, and the longer you shall keep your comforts : yea, and this Christ expects, that what comforts we have from him, we should spend for him.'

Contrary to your usual understanding of spending, when it comes to your comforts spend to receive more!

Next week's reading
Read Sermon III (Saints should not be discouraged whatever their condition be).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.