c. If we have a Resemblance of our Father in us a Likeness of Disposition to God and Christ the Image of God the Life of Christ manifest in us If we do side with God and his Cause in evil Times so that we are willing to part with any thing with all things for Christ's sake and at his Call If it be thus with us in the main Bent and constant Frame of our Hearts and in the Sincerity and Integrity of our Souls our Consciences in the sight of God bearing us witness that thus it is with us then may we upon good grounds conclude that God the All-sufficient God is ours and Christ Jesus who is all Fulness is ours and then our Hearts should not be troubled And to prevent and cure all our Heart-trouble we must act Faith on all these things in God and in Christ which I mentioned before and which would be too long to repeat again here therefore I earnestly desire you to look back anâ— view over those several particular things considerable in God and iâ— Christ and believe in God and iâ— Christ applying and appropriation them to our selves and we shall seâ— we have no cause of Heart-trouble If the great God be ours and thâ— Lord Jesus be ours if we have â—â— Husbands nor Wives nor Sons noâ— Daughters nor Health nor Wealth we have enough to content and satisfâ— our Souls for ever But to draw to a Conclusion that there may be an effectual cure of all our Heart-trouble whatever our distress may be let us labour to act Faith oâ— Christ in considering and believing 1. What he is 2. Where he is 3. What he hath declared 4. What he hath promised and aâ—â— within the Confines of this Text Ver. 2 3. First Let Christ's Disciples labour to believe what Christ is and who he is He himself asked his Disciples this Question Mat. 16. 16. Whom say â—â— that I am Peter answered Thou aâ—â— Christ the Son of the living God I know in whom I have believed saith the Apostle and that supported him and for this knowledg of Jesus Christ his Lord he counted all things but Dung and Dross Phil. 3. 9. To believe all things that are written of Christ is not enough but to believe in him is by Faith to receive him for our only Lord and Saviour John 1. 12. Col. 2. 6. and actually unreservedly unfeignedly and heartily to give up our whole selves unto him taking him for our absolute Lord our Head our Treasure and our All and believing He is all that to us that he is That he was made Sin for us made Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption to us That he is indeed our Husband our Head our High-Priest our Surety our Ransom our Redeemer That he hath loved us and washed us in his Blood That he was delivered up to Death for our Offences and rose again for our Justification That he hath made our Peace with God by the Blood of his Cross and purchased our Pardon and an Inheritance for us with the Saints in Light and that by believing in him we shall have everlasting Life John 3. 16 36. I say this is to believe in Christ and such as thus believe in him have no cause of Heart-trouble And thuâ— we must believe in him and it is the great Commandment of God to believe in him 1 John 3. 23. and the positive Command of Christ himself in the Text Belive also in me And he that hath this Faith hath Christ 1 John 5. 10 12. and hath Life Eternal Life John 6. 47. Verily verily I say unto you saith Christ the Eternal Truth himself He that believeth on me hath Everlasting Life He hath it in Pretio in the Price of it that was punctually paid down upon the Cross therefore called the Purchased Possession He hath Eternal Life in Promissis iâ— the Promises of it it is promised to every one that believed God that cannot lie hath promised it Tit. 1. 1 2. and he hath it in Primitiis in the first Fruits of it the saving Graces of the Spirit which in some measure every true Believer hath 2 Cor. 5. 5. Ephes 1. 13 14. Now he that thus believes in Christ Christ is his and all that Christ haâ—â— done and suffered and merited is his he hath Right and Title to it for by Faith he is become the Child of God Gal. 3. 26. We are all the Children of God by Faith in Jesus Christ And if we be Christ's then are we the Heirs of the Promise Gal. 3. 29. Yea Heirs of God and joint Heirs with Christ Rom. 8. 17. Yea then all things are ours 1 Cor. 3. 21 22 23. All is ours if we be Christ's whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas All the Gifts Graces Labours Prayers of all Gospel-Ministers all Gospel-Ordinances are ordained and designed for our Good Ephes 4. 11 12 13. for the gathering of us in and for the perfecting and building of us up in Christ Jesus until we all come to Heaven The World is ours the Good and Evil of it the Bitter and the Sweet of it the Comforts and the Crosses of it the Gains and the Losses of it the Love and the Hate of it the Smiles and the Frowns the Friends and Foes in it All is designed for and shall further and promote our Spiritual and Eternal Welfare Life is ours All the Troubles Sicknesses Pains evil Tidings Persecutions Disappointments Losses of Relations Shame Reproach or whatever attends this Mortal Life shall be sanctified and blessed to us for our Good Yea Death is ours that shall be our Advantage our Gain that shall put a full end and period to all our Sin and Suffering and be a Door of Entrance for us into Glory in our Father's House Or things present our present Fears Sorrows Miseries Infirmities c. shall be so ordered and over-ruled by the Wisdom and Love of our Father that they shall all help us onward to Heaven And things to come are ours all that Glory to be revealed that Saints Everlasting Rest that is prepared for the People of God that Crown of Righteousness of Glory and of Life that Kingdom of Glory that unspeakable that inconceivable State of Happiness and Blessedness which Christ our Lord hath purchased by his Blood all this is ours also But how come we to have a Right and Title to all this Why saith the Apostle thus Ye are Christ's and Christ is God's As sure as Christ is God's so sure if you be Christ's All is yours and as I have proved if we be true Believers in Christ then we are Christ's we are his Members his Spouse his Children and then what cause have we to be troubled at any thing or in any Condition What cause hath such a Soul to be dejected whatever Crosses or Losses do befal him Is there not enough in Christ in the Promises in the Purchase of Christ Is there not enough in Heaven in all that Glory to quiet content
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
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