Blogging Jeremy Taylor: Christian Consolations

Jeremy Taylor

I’ve recently decided to take advantage of the collection of “The Whole Works of Jeremy Taylor” in my possession and take the time each week to blog through it.  Its several volumes will likely be a test of endurance for me, and I can’t promise I’ll blog every word he wrote, or comment extensively on everything I blog, but I hope my readers will enjoy this glimpse of the works of the late Bishop.

CHRISTIAN CONSOLATIONS

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CHAPTER I.

That Faith is the Ground and Foundation of a Christian’s Comfort: several Doubts and Scriples about believing, answered.

Faith is the root of all blessings.  Believe, and you shall be saved: believe, and you must needs be sanctified: believe and you cannot choose but be comforted: believe, that God is true in all his promises, and you are the seed of faithful Abraham: believe that you are Christ’s, and that Christ is yours; and then you are sure that none can perish, whom the Father hath given to him.  “There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1 [show] There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (ESV)
).”  And as Martha said, “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died (John 11:21 [show] Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. (ESV)
):” so let all that groan and pine away in sorrow, say, Lord, if thou hadst been here, if thou hadst appeared to my soul in thy goodness, I had not fainted in my trouble.  Isaiah fortels (Isaiah 61:3 [show] to grant to those who mourn in Zion-- to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.
), that it should be Christ’s office “to give the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”  For St. John saw in the spirit, that they that follow Christ, are clothed “in white garments,” in garments of joy, in the livery of gladness.