Lord will call to us out of Heaven and say Come up hither Rev. 11. 12. Come up to me I have prepared a Place for you here There is room enough in our Father's House there are many Mansions and from thence there shall be no remove for ever no more any changing Houses for ever when once we are lodg'd in our Father's House There is our Forerunner for us entred Heb. 6. 20. The hope we have through Grace of getting into that blessed Place by that new and living Way to rest there after all our weary wandrings here and never to remove more is that which comforts us in these our troublesome removes here O that Place and that blessed State in that Place to see God and to be ever with the Lord to see our lovely Lord Jesus as he is and to be made like unto him Could we fix our Hearts and Eyes more stedfastly upon those invisible and eternal things we should more quietly and comfortably bear our present Troubles yea and rejoice in them And when we can act our Faith upon that Place and State above and conclude our Title to it by our Interest in Christ then our Hearts will not be troubled Also this Consideration should preserve us from Heart-trouble and Sorrow for the loss of our dear Relations which died in Jesus for that they are gone home to their Father's House they are arrived at their Harbor they are safely hous'd they are where theâ— would be they are gone to the Place that their beloved Lord went to prepare for them to that City of God â—â— the general Assembly of the First-borâ— whose Names are written in Heaven c Heb. 12. 23. They would not exchangâ— their Place now for the most stately and most magnificent Place in all thâ— World O could we but realize by Faith that most happy State and Placâ— where our deceased pious Friends are gone our Hearts would not be trouâ—led for them And this may comfort us also under all our present Sufferings and Sadnesses that e're long we also shall go tâ— that Place to that City above whicâ— God hath prepared for us Our Lorâ— assures us that he will come again and take us to himself that where he is â—â— may be also O could we believe this we should say Come Lord Jesus coâ— quickly Fourthly Our Faith must be acted upon the Work that Christ will do for us and in us and upon us in Heaven at the last It is above all our Understandings to conceive what glorious Works Christ will do for us and in us at the last day It doth not yet appear what we shall be 1 John 3. 2. There shall be a day of the Manifestation of the Sons of God The poor despised Saints all black and cloudy here covered with Shame and Reproach now shall then be manifested to be the Lord's Jewels That will be a Day of their full Redemption both of Soul and Body their Wedding and their solemn Coronation-day Then their blessed Redeemer shall publickly own them and bid them welcome to his Father's House saying Come ye Blessed of my Father c. Mat. 25. 34. Then will Jesus put the Crown of Glory of Righteousness and of Life upon their Heads Then will Jesus present them to his Father without Spot or Wrinkle or any such thing Eph. 5. 27. Then will he make their now vile Bodies subject now to vile Corruptions to vile Diseases to vile Abuses and to a vile dissolution at Death like unto his own gloriouâ— Body and their Souls shall be like to his to their full satisfaction Theâ— the poor Disciples of Christ shall havâ— a full End put to all their Heart-Troâ—bles Sorrows Fears and Cares Then their Hearts shall rejoice and theâ— Joy no Man nor Devil shall take froâ— them Sorrow and sighing shall flee away and they shall enter in into Everlasting Rest and into that unspeakable blessed State which was purchased by the precious Blood of Jesus and by him prepared and possessed in ouâ— Names and Steads All our dear Relations that died in Jesus are already entred Christ their dearest Lord hath wrought this glorious Work on their Souls already they are triumphing singing Hallelujahs in the highest Heavens While we are fighting sighing and sobbing here below they are with blessed Jesus above according to his Prayer for them seeing his Glory and participating of it Thus much for the Work of Christ upon whicâ— our Faith must act that our Heartâ— may not be troubled Sixthly Our Faith must act upon the Will of Christ in order to the preventing and curing our Heart-Troubles Fears and Sorrows What is the Will of Christ It is his Will that his Peoples Hearts should not be troubled nor afraid as in the Text It is his Will that in the World they should have Tribulation but yet that they should be of good chear It is his Will that in their Patience they should possess their Souls and not faint nor be discouraged It is his Will they should be sanctified and that all their Afflictions should promote their Sanctification It is his Will that although he love them yet to rebuke and chasten them And when he doth so that they should be zealous and repent It is his Will that they should deny themselves and take up their Cross daily and follow him That they should fear none of those things that they should suffer That they should walk in his steps hold fast to the End be faithful unto Death That they should overcome It is his Will that they should not love Father or Mother Son or Daughter more than himself no nor their Lives but be willing to part with all for his sake Yea it is his Will his last Will thaâ— all his poor Disciples after they havâ— suffered a while may be with him whoâ— he is to behold his Glory Thus if wâ— act Faith upon the Will of Christ anâ— labour to yield to it and acquiesce iâ— it we shall procure much freedom froâ— Heart-trouble Lastly Our Faith must be acteâ— upon the Ends and Designs of Chriâ— in all his afflictive Providences towards us and these his Ends are all very good and gracious With thiâ— Argument he himself used to cure the Heart-Troubles of his Disciples for his departure from them viz. thaâ— he had good Ends in his going away from them his End was to prepare a Place for them a better Place than any to be found here a Place iâ— Heaven in the Father's House And his End was to send the Spirit the Comforter unto them which woulâ— not come if he did not go away John 16. 6 7. He had told them of his going away from them upoâ— which Sorrow had filled their Hearts and it is even so with â—s when ouâ— earthly Comforts leave us Sorrow fills our Hearts but to cure this our Lord answers them that it was expedient for them good and necessary for them that he should go away shewing them his End in going
know That when Christ who is our Life shall appear we shall appear with him in Glory Col. 3. 1 2 3. Believe this and be comforted Certainly we are too much taker up with and too sollicitous about our earthly Tabernacles these Houses of Clay whose Foundation is in the Dustcrushed before the Moth We are always minding the Diseases Distempers and Dangers of our Bodies those old crazy tottering Houses the Prisons of our Souls we mind earthly Places too much but too little those Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus Eph. 2. 6. where we shall shortly sit with him Were we more heavenly-minded we should be more free from Heart-trouble and disquietness of mind Lastly To prevent and cure all our Heart-trouble Let us labour to believe what Christ hath promise here in the Text Verse 3. I will come again and receive you to my self that where I am ye may be also Most sweeâ— and comfortable Promises I will come again So ver 18. I wâ—â— come again I will not leave you comfortless For when I am absent from you in respect of my bodily Presence I will send the Comforter to you that shall abide with you for ever And I my self will come again unto you you shall not long be without my Company Tho' Christ seems to withdraw and hide his Face from his People it shall be but a little moment Isa 54. 7 8. He will return again and have Mercy yea with everlasting kindness will he return I will come again I will not stay long from you my Heart is still towards you while I am absent therefore I will come quickly Rev. 3. 11. I will come to you with my Messenger Death tho' it be the King of Terrors in it self and a grim Porter yet by my coming with it it shall be to you the King of Comforts I will come with it by my Spirit to strengthen you to look it in the Face to apply to you the virtue of my Death and thereby to take out the Sting of it and I will come to you by my Angels to secure your Souls through the Region of Devils into my Father's House If Death did come alone to us it would be terrible to us indeed it 's ghastly Countenance would affright us but here is the Comfort That Christ our dearest Lord will come with Death to sweeten it to us and support us under it This prevented David's Fear Psaâ— 23. 4. When I walk thorow the valley oâ— the shadow of Death I will fear no Evil for thou art with me O welcomâ— Death when Christ comes with iâ— This bitter Cup of which we must aâ— drink is brought to us by the hand oâ— our dearest Lord This last stroke iâ— given by the hand of Love it is â— taking us home to our Father's House This last Enemy hath Christ conquered for us because his Children are Partakers of Flesh and Blood He likewise took part of the same that througâ— Death that is his own Death â—â— might destroy him that had the Power of Death that is the Devil and deliver them who through fear of Death were all their Life time subject to Bondage Heb. 2. 14. Jesus knew what Death was he himself had the Pangs of Death upon him Sin the Sting of Death was laid on him and the Laâ— which is the strength of Sin the Cursâ— of the Law was upon him but now for us who believe in Jesus the sting and strength of Death is taken out and when we die we shall die in the Lord Sleep in Jesus in Union and Communion with Jesus we shall fall â—sleep in the Blessed Arms of our dear Redeemer He will come then to keep as Company through that dark Enâ—ry Death into the Father's House His Angels shall carry our Souls into Abraham's Bosom yea into the Father's Bosom O that we would make â—â—re of our Union with Christ and â—â—en let us believe that he will come â—ith Death to translâ—â—â— our Souls out â—f these Earthly Tabernacles these â—rison-Houses these Houses of Bonâ—age wherein our poor Souls have â—een fetter'd and chain'd cloy'd and â—og'd with Corruptions and Temptaâ—â—ons kept at a distance and absent â—â—om the Lord and in which they â—ave been groaning for deliverance â— to the glorious Liberty of the Sons â—â— God in their Father's House and â—all ever be with the Lord 1 Thess â— â—7 Secondly I will receive you to my self â— sweet Promise This is aâ—l the Hope all the Desire all the Longing Thirâ—ing Breathing of poor Believers â—â— that Christ would take them to hiâ— self This is the Sum of all thâ— Prayers and Labours that they mâ— be fitted for Christ and then tâ—â— Christ would take them to himseâ— Well saith Christ work and wait little longer do and suffer a liâ—â— more act your Faith and Patience little longer and I will come to yâ—â— and take you home to my self wheâ— your Souls shall be at Rest for eâ—â— The Saints while they are here â— home in the Body they are absent froâ— the Lord they see but in part darklâ— and know but in part very imperfeâ—ly and enjoy but a little a very lâ—tle of God and Christ O how swâ— are a few Drops a few Glimpses aâ— Glances of Divine Love now to a poâ— Soul the least Cast of Christ's Eyâ— the least Beam of his Loving-kindneâ— the least Intimation of his Favour â—â— least hint of his Goodness how râ—freshing to a poor Believer But whâ— Christ shall receive them to himseâ— they shall then see him as he is shall â— like him and shall he satisfied with his Lâ—â— â—â—ss 1 John 3. 2 3. Psal 17. 15. Then â—â—all they see him whom their Souls â—ove Face to Face and then will Jesus open to them all the Treasures of his Love and Grace to their everlastâ—ng Consolation They shall then be admitted into the glorious Presence of â—he great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ in whose Presence is fulness of Joy and at whose right Hand are Pleasures for ever-more Psal 16. ult When the World shall cast them out and their Habitations shall cast them out â—nd shall know them no more yea when their Houses of Clay shall be broken down and dissolved and can hold them no longer then will Jesus blessed Jesus receive them to himself Then shall they be solemnly married to their glorious Bridegroom the King of Heaven's Son the Prince of the Kings of the Earth he will receive them to himself he will take them for â—is Bride embrace them in his everlasting Arms and lay them in his blessed Bosom for ever and ever I will receive you to my self into the nearest Union and Communion with my self and therefore be not uâ—willing to part with your dear Relations be not afraid to be sepâ—rated from your Bodies your oâ— Friends for when these earthâ— Tabernacles are dissolved immedâ—ately I will receive you to my selâ— which is best of all You shall thâ— enjoy the Fruits of all my Suffering Death
might have It is such a disturbance of our Passions such a storm and tempest in our Spirits as causeth inward Motions Emotions and Commotions of Mind putting all things in the Soul out of order and it carries in it several Evil Things as follow First Sinful Sorrow worldly Sorrow When Christ had told his Disciples that he would leave them and that after he was gone they should be exposed to hard and heavy things from the World bitter Persecution for his Name-sake then sorrow filled their Hearts John 16. 1 2 3 4 5 6. God's own Servants Christ's own Disciples may have their Hearts filled with Sorrow against this our Lord commands many Preservatives in this Sermon The ground of this Sorow is from our selves from our own Hearts though Satan will have a hand in it and it comes not from Humility but from Pride because we cannot have our Wills therefore we are discontented We may thank our selves not only for our Troubles but for our over-much troubling of our selves in our Troubles If we ward and guard against this worldly Sorrow our Troubles would not lie so heavy on us as they do for as the Joy of the Lord doth raise and strengthen the Soul so doth Sorrow deject and weaken it Sorrow and Grief doth lie like Lead to the Heart cold and heavy and sinks it downward still Sorrow contracteth and draweth the Soul into it self from that Communion and Comfort it might have with God and Man and it weakneth the execution of the Offices of it because it drinketh up the Spirits it melteth the Soul it causeth it to drop away Yea in this kind of Heart-trouble God's own People are many times more excessive than others 1. Because many times their Burdens are greater their Temptations Desertions Trouble for Sin greater As their Joys are unspeakable and glorious so their Sorrows are sometimes above expression Common natural Courage will carry a Man thorow other single Afflictions But Sin is a heavier burden than Affliction and the Wrath of God than the Wrath of Man 2. They have a greater sense than others their Hearts being made tender by Religion they have also a clearer Judgment than others and see more into the nature of things than others they see a greater Evil in Sin and in the displeasure of God than others They value God's Favour more than others therefore when he hides his Face they cannot but be troubled They observe more of the displeasure of God in afflictive Providences than others do and therefore they have more Sorrow 3. They have more tender Affections than others the new Heart is a soft Heart A Stamp is sooner set upon Wax than upon a Stone A wicked Man hath more cause to be troubled than a godly Man but he is not a Man of that tenderness and sense and therefore is not so affected either with God's dealings with him or with his dealings with God Thus we find often in Scripture good Souls depressed with Sorrow David said he was like a Skin-bottle in the Smoak all wrinkled and dried up Read Psal 38. Psal 39. 11. When thou with Rebukes dost correct Man for Sin that is by Sicknesses death of Relations and other Losses thou makest his Beauty that is of his outward Man to consume away like a Moth. Whereas the Beauty of the Soul grows fair by Affliction but that of the Body is blasted Age Sickness Losses will make the Beauty of the Body to fade but of the Soul to shine 2 Cor. 4. 14. Though our outward Man doth decay and perish our inward Man is renewed day by day But for worldly Sorrow that too often not only weakneth the Body but also causeth Heart-trouble A merry Heart doth goeâ— like a Medicine but a broken Spirit drieth thâ— bones Prov. 17. 22. Quest But is this worldly Sorrow lawful and commendable Answ No surely for there are many Evils in it which we should avoid As 1st Impatience and Murmuring againsâ— God that is an effect of immoderate Sorrow when our Wills are crossed we cannot bear it for want of Self-denial 2ly Quarrelling at Instruments 3ly Using indirect means for our Relief It is better to pine away in our Afflictions than to be freed from them bâ— sinning 4ly Desponding and distrustful thoughâ— of God Is his Mercy clean gone wiâ— he be favourable no more Psal 77. 7 8. 5ly Questioning our Interest in God meerly because of the Affliction upon us Judg. 6. 13. If God be with us why is aâ— this befallen us Not considering how harâ— soever God dealeth with his People yeâ— he loveth them Heb. 12. 6. 6ly Sometimes Atheistical Thoughts do arise as if there were no God no Providence Psal 73. 13. as if it were in vain to serve the Lord. 7ly This worldly Sorrow indisposeth to all good Duties it makes a Man like an Instrument out of Tune or a Bone out of Joint which makes the Body move both uncomely and painfully it unfits for Duty to God and Man 8ly It makes a Man forget former Mercies and overlook present Mercies all is nothing under present Sufferings Give me Children or else I dye 9ly It makes us unfit to receive Mercies and to embrace the best Counsels such Plaisters will not stick they refuse to be comforted Psal 77. 2. 10ly It disposeth us to receive any Temptation Satan hath never more advantage than upon Discontent 11ly It hinders Beginners from coming into the Ways of God 12ly It rejoiceth and hardneth the Wicked and it grieves and damps the Spirits of our Friends All these and many more Evils are in worldly Sorrow Therefore this Evil Temper we must labour against and not suffer our selves to be dejâ—cted in Sickness contempt in the World loss of Friends and Relations loss of Honour and Earthly Interest May we only think to be exempted from Chastisements whereof all God's Children are partakers Heb. 12. 8. And must God make a new way to Heaven for us Or do we think it best for us to live here for ever in Ease and Plenty and Honour and never see a Change No surely it is in vain to think so It becometh us betimes to prepare for Crosses None so strong lively and brisk now but they shall shortly wither and decay None hold their Heads so high now but they must shortly lay them down in the Dust We and our dearest Relations must part It would be our wisdom to turn the stream of our Sorrow for Losses and Crosses into godly Sorrow for Sin then it will run in its right Channel Let our Sins lie heavy upon us and then our Afflictions will lie light Let us grow weary of our Sins not of our Sufferings God doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the Children of Men Lam. 3. 33. Let us consider also the real spiritual benefit of Afflictions God aims at our Profit and in good time in the best time he will send Deliverance And be sure those that are not unmindful of their Duty God will not be
any Spiritual Benefit by any Affliction we may certainly conclude that the Love of God was in that Affliction Fury is not in God towards his People Isa 27. 4. And he intends nothing â—ut our profit all his ends are for our good to purge away our Sins to wean us from the World to draw us nearer to himself to humble us to try us to conform us to Christ to prepare us for Gloâ—y c. Now seeing God's Ends are â—o much for our good we must conclude That all our Afflictions proceed from his Love and when we find any of those Ends accomplished in us and on us and that we have received real spiritual good by them we ought to be strengthned in â—ur Belief that God hath corrected us in Love so that Faith acted on the love of God in our Affliction will prevent or â—ure our Heart-trouble Our Lord told â—is Disciples That the Father had loved â—hem John 16. 27. Secondly Faith acted upon God's Gloriâ—us Attributes will fortify against Heartâ—rouble First upon his All sufficiency Ye bâ—lieve that God is All-sufficient in aâ— of himself alone every way able to sâ—ply all Wants to make up and repair â— Losses to satisfy all Desires to sustaâ— under all Burdens and that without â— earthly Comforts for how else are tâ— Saints in Heaven happy who have noâ— of these Earthly Enjoyments Ye belieâ— this act your Faith on it He must neeâ— be All-sufficient who made the Worlâ— and all things in it and upholds it to tâ— day He that owns all things and Possessor of Heaven and Earth He iâ— that is your God your Father act yâ— Faith on him and be comforted Secondly He is All-mighty you belieâ— this So Christ hath told his Disciplâ— All things are possible to God He can breâ— the hardest Heart and can bind up â— most broken Spirit He can make up â— greatest Loss We are kept by the migâ— Power of God 1 Pet. 1. 5. Oh how sâ— is that Man that is in the Love and Câ—venant and that lies in the Arms aâ— Bosom of the Almighty God Deut. 33. â— He can bring Light out of Darkness aâ— make the greatest Loss to prove tâ— greatest Gain He hath the Keys of tâ— Grave to him belong the issues from Death All Power belongeth to him nothing is too hard for him Thirdly His absolute Soveraignty and Supremacy All Souls are his Ezek. 18. 4. He gives he takes who can hinder him May he not do with his own what pleaseth him Ye believe this Hath he not a Right in all the Works of his hands and may he not dispose of all as he will Fourthly His Vnchangeableness God is in one mind Job 23. 13 14. The thoughts of his Heart stand to all Generations He sets bounds to the Sea to the Life of Man and to all the Comforts of Life the number of his Months is with God Job 14. 5. Believe this Fifthly His Wisdom God is only wise the Fountain of Wisdom he doth all he doth in infinite Wisdom He is wise in Heart and worketh all things according to the counsel of his Will He knows what is best for us when to give when to take and what will do us most good Believe this And let not your Hearts be troubled Sixthly His Righteousness All his Ways are just and equal Yea when Clouds and Darkness are round about him his Providences towards us dark yet theâ— Righteousness and Judgment are the habitâ—tion of his Throne God the Judge of tâ—â— World can do no wrong believe this â— God and it will quiet your minds Lastly His Faithfulness In faithfulnâ— thou hast afflicted me saith holy Daviâ— Psal 119. 75. He hath promised he wâ— withhold no good thing from his Peopâ— Now he sees and knows that Afflictioâ— are good for them good for their Soulâ— his daily Rod as good for their Souls his daily Bread is for their Bodies Therâ—fore he brings Afflictions on them and makes good his Promise to them O â—lieve this and let not your Hearts be trâ—bled Certainly Faith acted on Goâ— Attributes will support under the greatâ— Stroaks and most grievous Losses Thirdly Faith acted on the Covenanâ— Grace God's everlasting Covenant â—â— help to support under Trouble Ye bâ—lieve in God that God hath made a Câ—venant with you to become your Goâ— Jerem. 31. 33. I will be your God and shall be my People This is infinitely moâ—â— for God to become our God to give hiâ— self to us than if he had said I will giâ— you Crowns and Kingdoms Sons and Daughters when God saith I will be your God he saith I will be All that to you and I will do All that for you and bestow All that upon you which a God can be or do and which shall make you most happy for ever I will pardon your Sins I will give you new Hearts give you my Spirit I will give you Grace here and Glory hereafter This Acting of Faith in God's Covenant supported David in his greatest Troubles 2 Sam. 23. 5. a notaâ—le Text When the Lord had made â—reach upon breach in his Family this Comforted him that God had made with him an everlasting Covenant That he was in Covenant with God that God was his God in Covenant this ballanced all his Losses and repaired all the Breaches made in his Relations tho his Family was wasted and blasted this answered all that he was in Covenant with God This is the Language of Faith If God be my God if I be his Child born of him reconciled to him pardoned justified sanctified in Covenant with him Why am I troubled though he give me neither Health nor Wealth nor Friends nor Relations Have I not enough in having God to be my God Is not God moâ— than All But if God be not my God â— have cause enough to be troubled theâ— considering the Danger I am in and â— Trouble for this should swallow up all ther Trouble For surely either God mine in Covenant or he is not if he mine in Covenant then tho he break â— Family make breaches upon all my earâ—ly Comforts yet he will not break â— Covenant Psal 89. 32. and so long I â— well enough If he leave me neither Sâ— nor Daughter if he strip me of Frienâ— Estate Liberty Health c. yet he â— mains my God still and so long it is â— enough it cannot be ill with a Maâ— long as God is his ye believe this Fourthly Faith acted upon the Worâ— God will support the Soul Ye beliâ— God's Word the Word of Truth Psâ— 119. 50. This is my Comfort in my Afflictiâ— thy Word hath quickned me So ver 92. â— not thy Law been my Delight I had perisâ— in my Affliction First Consider the Word of Preceâ— as in the Text it is Christ's Commaâ— Let not your Hearts be troubled Maâ— such Commands we have in Scripture â— not to fear not to be cast down sorrow not as those that have no hope 1
Application of this First It follows hence that Heart-trouble under the afflicting Hand of God argues the weakness if not the want of Faith All those sorts of Heart-trouble and the parts of it which I have mentioned as Heart-Sorrow worldly Sorrow immoderate Mourning sinful Fear vexatious Care despondency of Spirit being offended disturbance of Mind Distraction Dejection Discouragement and the like all these slow from the want of Faith or at least from the weakness of Faith in God We do not believe in God we see the Causes of our Troubles they are mostly in our selves even our Vnbelief Whatever we profess we do not believe in God If we could but believe in God our Hearts would not be troubled O our want of Faith let us heartily lament it and cry to God for Pardon through the Blood of Christ If our Hearts be troubled where is our Faith in God What doth God and all that is in God signifâ— to us What are we the better for a that infinite All sufficiency and Goodneâ— that is in God if we do not act Faith uâ—on it Our Heart-troubles would be â—red could we act Faith on God as â— ought to do Immoderate Sorrow then is very uâ— becoming Believers in God If we wiâ— prove our selves Believers in God let â— discharge our selves from Heart-troublâ— and let us draw out Consolation for oâ— Hearts by Faith from all those comfortâ—ble Considerations of God and from â— those abundant Excellencies that are â— God O let us labour for Faith and aâ— it let us live in the exercise of it at then surely we shall find comfort Secondly Let us all labour to get an Iâ—terest in God by Faith in Jesus Chriâ— that so we may be able to look upoâ— God as our God and then we may claiâ— an Interest in All that God is and in â— that God hath and so shall we have â— cause of Heart-trouble in any Conditioâ— For if God be ours All his Attributes aâ— ours his gracious Covenant is ours hâ— Word and Promises are ours All is ours Therefore should we labour in this aboâ— all things spending all our Thoughts Affections and Spirits upon this O let us lay hold on God and his Covenant let us chuse him for our Portion and resign up our whole selves unfeignedly to him terminating and centring all our Desires Hope Love Delight in him alone placing all our Happiness in him and then commit all to him Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon Earth that I desire besides thee Psal 73. 23. The Second Question Secondly What is it to believe in Christ For saith he in the Text Believe also in me It is God in Christ that we must believe in not in God without Christ not in God out of Christ but believe in God in Christ Now what this believing in Christ is I shall endeavour to show looking up to the Father of Lights and to the Author and Finisher of our Faith for Light and Assistance In general It is to believe all that which is revealed in the Holy Scriptures concerning Christ to believe the Record that God hath given of him in his Word as 1 John 5. 10 11 12 13. Tâ— believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Sâ— of God Joh. 1. 18. That he came oâ— from the Father was made Flesh toâ— upon him our Nature was born of Virgin lived on Earth in the form of Servant a poor despicable Life preacâ—ed the Gospel working Miracles That he suffered upon the Cross with â— the Sins of his People upon his Soul at Body that he bore the Curse of the Laâ— the Wrath of God which was due to Maâ— for Sin That he died a most painfâ— shameful and cruel Death dying as Sacrifice to satisfy God's Justice to atâ— and pacify his Wrath to make our Peaâ— and to reconcile us to God That he roâ— again from the Dead ascended into Heâ—ven to prepare a Place there for â— People That he sitteth at the right Haâ— of God everlasting to make continuâ— Intercession for us And that he shall coâ— to judg the World at the last Day Aâ— while he is absent from us in Person heâ— on Earth he promised to send his Spirâ— the Comforter into the World to coâ—vince and convert all those which hâ— Father hath given him to call them bâ— his Word to quicken strengthen staâ—lish comfort and confirm them until he come again to take them to himself that where he is there they may be also John 16. 1 2. This is the Record that God hath given of his Son That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting Life John 3. 16 36. Now to believe in Christ is to believe all this Testimony of him And also out of a deep sense of our Sin and Misery and sight of Christ's infinite Excellency All-sufficiency and Willingness to save Sinners and upon his Call to us in the Gospel to come unto him weary and heavy laden with our Sins heartily willing to accept of the Lord Jesus upon his own Terms to take him for our only Lord to give up our whole Selves Souls and Bodies to his blessed Government by his Word and Spirit in all things and unfeignedly and unreservedly to enter into Covenant with him to become his and his alone and his for ever and to relie upon him for Life for Grace and Salvation this is to believe in Christ Thus believe in Christ and let not your Hearts be troubled The acting of this Faith on blessed Jesus is a singular means to prevent and cure all Heart-Trouble all Heart-Sorrows Cares Fears Vexations Despondencies Dejections and Distractions whatsoever thâ— may arise in our Hearts by reason of aâ— Loss Cross Disappointment Distress â— Affliction that may befal us If we â—â— but thus believe in Christ and rest aâ— rely upon him and trust in him â— Hearts shall not be troubled Q. But what is that in Christ whiâ— Faith must act upon to effect this Cuâ— of Heart-Trouble when Afflictions coâ— upon us A. Such-like things as I shewed beforâ— as are in God for Faith to act upon whiâ— are these that follow First Faith must be acted upon â—â— loving gracious sweet Nature of Jesâ— Christ Our Lord Jesus is of a most lâ—ving and sweet Nature he is Love indeeâ— the Son of his Father's Love and altâ—gether lovely His Thoughts of us wâ— believe in him were Thoughts of Loâ— from Everlasting All his Words aâ— sweet his Mouth is most sweet O whâ— sweet Language doth he give his Church My Dove my Love my fair One my Sâ—ster my Spouse c. Cant. 5. 16. Hâ— loved us and gave himself for us Lovâ— us and washed us in his Blood Rev. 1. 6 He is one of our Nature our Kinsman our Husband our Father our Elder Brother c. So that if there be any Love in the Head to the Members if any in the Father to the Child if any in the Husband to the Wife
Gospel which you profess you do believe Act the Faith you have on the Doctrines of the Gospel the Promises of Rest for your Souls Pardon for your Sins Life and Righteousness Grace and Glory made to those that believe in Christ and to none else Believe and think what Heaven is that state of infinite Blessedness in the seeing and enjoying the Blessed God to all Eternity Believe what Eternal Life is Eternal Glory and believe also what Hell is Separation from God Go ye Cursed into Everlasting Fire Lakes of Fire and Brimstone everlasting Death the Wrath of God Damnation And seeing you profess that you believe all this then believe also and consider it well that neither is Heaven's infinite Happiness to be attained nor Hell's unspeakable Misery to be avoided but only by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ John 3. 16 17 36. John 8. 24. Direct V. Fifthly Would yoâ— have Faith then seek it diligently pray O pray for it as for your Lives cry mightily to God for it pour out your Hearts to God in Prayer for it pray continually for Faith pray without ceasing be importunaâ—â—â—ith God for it go all Day and â—â—ght panting and breathing after iâ— O that God would give me Faith Go to Jesus also for it cry to him for he is the Author as well as the Object of it Heb. 12. 1 2. It is the Gift of God O pray for it Direct VI. Lastly Consider seriously and often how wonderful willing God is that you should believe in Christ as you have heard and how much he is displeased with those that will not believe in him and how dreadfully he hath threatned them as Rev. 21. 8. Also consider how exceeding willing Jesus Christ himself is that poor Sinners should come to him and believe iâ— him how sweetly he calls them how freely he offers himself and All he is to them be they never so bad never so vile and wicked He every one that thirsteth Isa 55. 1. they that have no worthiness in them nothing but Sin and Misery John 6. 37. and 7. 37. Rev. 3. 18. and 21. 11. O set your Hearts to the consideration of the incomparable unparallel'd Love of Jesus in dying that cursed Death of the Cross for Sinners Consider and meditate hold your Hearts to it until your Hearts be affected with his Love his Love that passeth the Love of Women Love passing Understanding and consider how well he deserves and how much he challengeth your Love Consider once again what a most lovely Person Jesus is who is altogether lovely the Brightness of his Father's Glory in whom dwells all Fulness Heb. 1. 3. and in whom is all Power in Heaven and Earth Matth. 28. 18. and labour to affect your Hearts with his most admirable Excellencies and then come unto him weary and heavy laden with your Sins willing to part with them all give up your whole selves to him give him your whole Hearts and take him for your Head and Husband for your only Lord and Saviour enter actually into Covenant with him to become his and his alone and his for ever Thus work out your Salvation and youâ— Consolation by believing in Jesus in Blessed All-sufficient Jesus trusting to him betrusting all with him and God will work in you both to will and to do Phil. 2. 12 13. Use these Means in the strength of God and doubt not but in the use of them you shall obtain this precious Faith which having and acting you shall find it to be your Hearts Ease in all your Heart-Trouble Laus Soli Deo FINIS Some Books printed for and sold by Jonathan Robinson at the Golden Lion in St. Paul 's Church-Yard THe Holy Bible containing the Old Testament and the New with Annotations and Parallel Scriptures To which is annexed the Harmony of the Gospels As also the Reduction of the Jewish Weights Coins and Measures to our English Standard And a Table to the Promises in Scripture by Mr. Samuel Clark His Holy History in brief Or an Abridgment of the Historical Parts of the Old and New Testament Dr. Thomas Goodwin's Works In two Volumes in Folio viz. on the Ephesians Revelations The Knowledg of God the Father Election c. His Treatise of the Punishment of Sin in Hell In 8o. Dr. Bates's Works viz. The Harmony of the Divine Attributes in the Contrivance and Accomplishment of our Redemption by the Lord Jesus Christ Or Discourses wherein is shewed how the Wisdom Mercy Justice Holiness Power and Truth of God are glorified in that Great and Blessed Work His three Sermons at the Funeral of Dr. Jacomb Mr. Clarkson and Mr. Ashurst His Sure Trial of Uprightness c. Practical Discourses on Sickness and Recovery By T. Rogers M. A. A Discourse of Closet-Prayer By M. Slater Mr. Pearse's Preparation for Death His Best Match Or The Souls Espousal to Christ Last Legacy Or Beam of Divine Glory c. 12º An Explanation of the Assembly shorter Catechism Price 6 d. Mr. Case's Treatise of Afflictions The Epitome of the Bible in English Verse useful for Children Price 6 d bound A Present for Children Being a brief but faithful Account of many Remarkable and Excellent Things uttered by three young Children to the wonder of all that heard them To which is added A Seasonable Exhortation to Parents for the Education of their Children Published by William Bidbanck M. A. Price 6 d. bound The Barren Fig-Tree Or The Doom and Downfal of the Fruitless Professor By John Bunyan