The Comfort of Christian Friends (2)

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.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Soul's Conflict with Itself, Works, vol. 1, pp. 192-93
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