of this death That our comforter against spiritual deadness is in Christ the following words shew I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Though there be cause of mourning when we look into our own dead hearts yet there is cause of thanksgiving and rejoycing when we look up to God in Christ And that on these grounds 1. The end of Christs assuming our nature and suffering death for our sins was to give us life not only eternal life hereafter but spiritual life here and that in a plentifull measure Joh. 10.10 I am come that they might have life and that they may have it more abundantly Joh. 6.51 I am the living bread which came down from Heaven if any man eat of this bread he shall live for ever and the bread that I will give is my flesh which I will give for the life of the world 2. Though there be in us much deadness yet in Christ and with Christ there is a fountain of life Psal 36.9 For with thee is the fountain of life and in thy light shall we see light As it is with Fountains of water there is water to be had at all times and for all comers in the Fountain So it is with the Fountain of life there is life to be had constanly freely a sufficiency of life for all comers at all times to be had from this Fountain of life 3. The Lord hath given us many gracious and comfortable promises to encourage us to hope in him for quickning grace at such times as we find our selves under deadness as Joh. 11.25 Jesus said unto her I am the resurrection and the life he that believeth in me though he were dead yet he shall live Joh. 6.57 He that eateth me even he shall live by me Psal 69.32 Your heart shall live that seek God Psal 22. They shall praise the Lord that seek him your heart shall live for ever Amos 5.4 Thus saith the Lord unto the house of Israel seek ye me and ye shall live We see here that Spiritual and Eternal Life is promised to such as seek the Lord These promises may be a great comfort to us under our deadness 4. Jesus Christ hath provided us excellent helps against our deadness I will instance in two helps 1. His word that hath a quickning influence in it Psal 119.50 Thy word hath quickned me And ver 93. I will never forget thy precepts for with them thou hast quickned me And as the Precepts so the promises of the word have a quickning virtue in them We may say of the promises with Hezekiah Isa 38.16 O Lord by these things men live and in all these things is the life of my Spirit 2. His spirit is an excellent help against deadness Joh. 6.63 It is the spirit that quickneth The spirit of Christ is the spirit of life and this quickning spirit shall be given to those that ask it of God Luk. 11.13 5. When Christ who is our life shall appear we shall appear with him in glory and when we appear with Christ in glory we shall ive with him for evermore and shall never any more be troubled with deadness but shall be freed from the body of sin and death for ever Col. 3.3 4. Ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God when Christ who is our Life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in glory Your Life is hid with Christ in God It may be understood of the life of Grace here and the life of Glory hereafter Our life of Grace is hid not only from the eyes of the VVorld but at sometimes and in part from themselves As Davenant observs Ex parte quoad quos sanctos quippe qui vitam hanc sentiant in se esse valdè infirmam obscuram dubiam obtentationes diaeboli carnis Yet the weakness of our Spiritual Life the deadness that is mixed with the life of grace shall not hinder our appearing with Christ in and if we appear with him in glory all our deadness and imperfections shall be done away for ever Sect. 7. There is comfort in Christ for such as are troubled for the weakness and imperfections of their services Many Christians finding their service they do for God and their Generations attended with very great weakness and many imperfections are much troubled and discouraged thereby But to such as go under this burden there is comfort to be had in Christ and that in these respects 1. Our persons and services are accepted of God not for the worthyness that is either in our persons or services but for the sake and upon the account of Jesus Christ Eph. 1.6 He hath made us accepted in the beloved And as our persons are accepted in Christ so are our services also 1 Pet 2.5 To offer up spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ If any say how can imperfect services that have sin mixed with them be accepted of God I answer by the merits of Christ the imperfections and sins that are mingled with those holy services which we perform to God are done away and the services rendered acceptable to God Exod. 28.38 And it shall be upon Aarons Forehead that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things of the children of Israel which the children of Israel shall hollow in all their holy gifts and it shall be alwayes on his Forehead that they may be accepted before the Lord. Aaron was a Type of Christ our great High Priest The Plate on his Forehead that had graven on it Holiness to the Lord was a Type of the merits of Christ who is the Lord our Righteousness As Aaron bare away the iniquities of the holy things Typically which being done they were accepted of God So Christ doth really and truly bear away the sins of all services and thereby they are accepted of God 2. Though our services have much weakness and many imperfections in them yet if they be performed with Upright hearts God will accept them 1 Chron. 29.17 I know also my God that thou tryest the heart and hast pleasure in Vprightness As little done by an Upright man is more acceptable to God than great services done by wicked men Pro. 15.8 The Sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord but the Prayer of the Vpright is his delight 3. VVould you serve God and your Generation in a better manner if you were able and is it your burden that you can serve God no better then know for your comfort that God through Christ will accept of your willing mind though you have not such abilities to serve him as others have or as you your selves desire to have 2 Cor. 8.12 If there he first a willing mind it is accepted according to that a man hath and not according to that he hath not 4. It is a great comfort to those that mourn over their imperfections that how imperfect soever they are in themselves they are compleat in Christ Col.
interest in Christ 1. All men have not a saving interest in Christ Some men are Christs 1 Cor. 3.23 Ye are Christs and Christ is theirs Joh. 20.28 Thomas said unto him my Lord and my God But some men are none of Christs and Christ is none of theirs Rom. 8.9 Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his There are multitudes that live under the hearing of the Gospel of Christ that have not the Spirit of Christ and whosoever he be that hath not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Some men have a part in Christ some have no part in him or with him Joh. 13.8 Jesus answered him if I wash thee not thou hast no part with me 2. Such as make a profession of the Christian Religion but are Hypocrits and have not sound and sincere hearts in the sight of God they have no part nor portion in Jesus Christ or his saving benefits Act. 8.21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter for thy heart is not right in the sight of God Now there are multitudes that profess themselves to be the Disciples of Christ and are Baptized as Simon Magus was whose hearts are not right in the sight of God and so have no part in Christ and therefore we had need examine whether it be not so with us It is a reproach in the Christian World not to own Christ and therefore to take away the occasion of reproach many are content to give their names to Christ that deny him their hearts Many are desirous to be called Christians that will not walk in the ways of Christ Like those women spoken of Isa 4.1 We will eat our own Bread and wear our own Apparel only let us be called by thy name to take away our reproach So there are many that desire to be called Christians to take away their reproach but they will walk in the way of their own hearts and follow their own wills and will not walk in the ways of God and fulfill the will of Christ 3. A man may have recieved great gifts from Christ and do many great things in the name of Christ he may prophesie in the name of Christ be able to cast out Divels and do such works as may cause those that behold them to wonder at them and yet not have a saving interest in Christ He may be one that Christ doth not will not own for one of his Mat. 7.22 23. Many will say to me in that day Lord Lord have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name cast out devils and in thy name done many wonderfull works and then will I profess unto them I never knew you depart from me ye that work iniquity Here are great pretences fair plea's and there are many that will expect to be owned by Christ having so much to say for themselves yet Christ will say unto them I never knew you that I never owned you for mine I never approved you I do not nor ever did own you for mine 4. There is nothing in this World of higher and greater concernment to every one of us than to get an interest in Christ and to get the knowledge and assurance that we have an interest in Christ Our Eternal Life dependeth upon our having or not having Jesus Christ If we have Christ we shall most certainly have Eternal Life but if we have not Christ all that he or we ever did or suffered will avail us nothing we shall not have Eternal Life 1 Joh. 5.12 He that hath the Son hath Life but he that hath not the Son of God hath not Life There is nothing of higher concernment than to get Eternal Life and this obtained only in Christ and through an interest in him He and he only that hath the Son hath Life And as the getting an interest in Christ is of the highest concernment in order to our Eternal Welfare so the knowledge of our interest in Christ is of singular advantage for our comfort and well-being in this World This was a great comfort to Job in his great afflictions to know that Christ was his Redeemer and that he should after Death and the Resurrection from the dead live with him for ever Job 19.23 I know that my Redeemer liveth To know our interest in Christ and in God through Christ is a ground of the highest joy and of everlasting joy and gladness Psal 89.1 26. I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever He shall cry unto me thou art my Father my God and the Rock of my Salvation Sing is an expression of the highest joy when a man can't contain his joy within his heart but it breaks forth into singing Isa 65.14 Behold my Servants shall sing for joy of heart Now among those mercies which caused him to sing for joy and for which he was so filled with joy that he resolved to sing for evermore this was a choice one the clearing of his interest in Christ and in God through Christ that he was enabled to cry Thou art my Father my God and the rock of my Salvation 5. We may attain to sure and satisfying evidences of our interest in Christ We may attain to this knowledge that Christ is ours and we are his Cant. 2.16 My Beloved is mine and I am his It is not spoken by way of desire Oh that my Beloved were mine and I were his nor by way of probability it may be I have some hope that he is mine and I am his but by way of Confidence my Beloved is mine and I am his So David could with much confidence appeal unto the Lord that he was his Psal 119.94 I am thine save me So 1 Joh. 2.5 We know we are in him 1 Joh. 5.19.20 We know that we are of God We are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ 6. Examining our selves by those Characters that are given in the Scriptures concerning such as have an interest in Christ is the ready way to come to the knowledge of our interest in Christ 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves whether ye be in the Faith prove your own selves know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates The Apostle here pâ—ts a question Know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you And gives them direction how they should attain this knowledge namely by examining themselves and tells what they should examine themselves about namely about their Faith because Faith is one evidence of an interest in Christ And it is observable when he puts this question know ye not how Jesus Christ is in you yea he addeth except ye be Reprobates that is except ye be blame-worthy they are justly blameable that neglect the making sure such a weighty point as this whether Christ be in them or not They that have Faith in their hearts have Christ dwelling in their hearts Eph. 3.17 Our Souls
violent take it by force 5. They that are effectually called will go through any sufferings to obtain the Kingdom of God We are told in Gods word that we must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God Act. 14.22 But this doth not dismay those that are called to obtain salvation by Jesus Christ They make light of the sufferings of this life in comparison of the glory and the felicity of the future life Rom. 8. â—8 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us Act. 20.23 24. The Holy Ghost witnesseth in every City saying that bonds and afflictions abide me But none of these things move me c. As it was with the Israelites when God called them out of Egypt they were willing to go through the Red Sea and to go into a howling wilderness where were Scorpions and fiery Serpents to get into the land of promise So it is with those that are called out of their natural state they are willing to go through any troubles and difficulties though it be a resisting unto blood to get into the Kingdom of Heaven Heb. 11.35 Others were tortured not accepting deliverance that they might obtain a better Resurrection To get the possession and make sure of this Kingdom a man Effectually called will readily and joyfully suffer the loss of all things that he hath in this world Math. 13.44 2. Recieving Christ as he is offered to us in the Gospel is an undoubted evidence of a saving interest in Christ Upon our recieving Christ he becomes ours and we become his Joh. 1.12 To as many as recieved him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God All that recieve Christ how many soever they be have an interest in God as their Father and in Christ as their Saviour Christ is the gift of God Joh. 3.16 God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son Joh 4.10 If thou knewest the gift of God that is if thou knewest me who am the gift of God as the following words shew and who it is that saith to thee give me to drink Now what is it makes a gift ours but an offer from him that hath power to bestow it and acceptance by him to whom it is offered God hath power to bestow Christ on whom he pleaseth and he maketh an offer of Christ unto every one that finds his want of Christ and is willing to recieve Christ Rev. 22.17 Whosoever will let him take the water of Life freely Upon our accepting Christ on that offer which God makes of him in the Gospel Christ becomes ours and we become his Recieving Christ is believing on Christ Joh. 1.12 To as many as recieved him to them that believe on his name And as for such as believe in Christ Christ is theirs for he dwelleth in their hearts Eph. 3.17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by Faith But here it may be enquired how shall we know whither we have recieved Jesus Christ in a true and saving manner A. 1. Such as recieve Jesus Christ aright recieve him in all his offices they recieve him as their Prophet as their Priest and as their King Col. 2.6 As ye have therefore recieved Christ Jesus the Lord so walk ye in him Here is mention of the 3 fold office of Christ His Prophetical Office is signified by Christ which signifieth anointed he was anointed with the Spirit to Preach the Gospel Luke 4.18 Jesus signifieth his Priestly Office for Jesus signifieth a Saviour and he was called Jesus because he was to save his People from their sins Mat. 1.23 And how doth he save his People from their sins but by his offering up himself a Sacrifice for us Lord signifieth his Kingly Office These Colossians recieved Christ in all these Offices as their Prophet as their Priest and as their Lord they recieve Christ Jesus the Lord. And so do all that recieve Christ aright Now then we recieve Christ as our Prophet when we make the word of Christ the rule of our Faith our Worship and of our Conversations 1. The word of Christ is the rule of our Faith what we find in the word of Christ that we are to believe though it seem hard to our understandings Joh. 7.38 He that believeth on me as the Scripture hath said Our Faith must be regulated by the Scriptures And Abraham believed according to what God had spoken to him Rom. 4.18 Who believed in hope against hope according to that which was spoken And so the Apostle Paul and the Church of Corinth 1 Cor. 15.3 4 11. Christ dyed for our sins according to the Scriptures and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures So we preach and so ye believe We are to believe all things according as they are held forth in the Scriptures 2. The word of Christ is to be the rule of our worship whatever censures or calumnies the world cast upon us of Heresie or Schisme or the like yet we must keep close to the written word of God Act. 24.14 After this way which they call heresie so worship I the God of my Fathers believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets The Passeover was part of the worship of God and the Jews are blamed for neglecting and not eating the Passeover in that sort and manner as was directed in the written word of God 2 Chron. 30.5 They established a decree that they should come to keep the Passeover unto the Lord God of Israel at Jerusalem for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as was written And ver 18. A multitude of People had not cleansed themselves yet did they eat the Passeover otherwise than it was written And that they sinned in eating the Passover in other manner than was prescribed in the written word of God is evident from the following words wherein Hezekiah prayeth for the pardon of their sin The good Lord pardon every one Our Lord Jesus would not go against the written word in matters of Worship for the gaining of the whole world When the Devil carried him up into an high Mountain and shewed him all the Kingdoms of the World and proffered to give them all to Christ if he would fall down and worship him he rejected the motion with disdain because it was against the written word to worship any other but the true God Mat. 4.8 9 10. The Worshipping of Idols being forbidden in the word of God the Three Children chose rather to be cast into the burning fiery furnace than to worship the golden Image which Nebuchadnezzar had set up and commanded all persons to worship under the greatest penalty even present Death and that a dreadful death to be burnt in a fiery furnace Dan. 3.15 18. If ye worship not ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a fiery Furnace And what did they answer
when thus menaced by the King Be it known unto thee O King that we will not serve thy Gods nor Worship the Golden Image which thou hast set up Neither the hope of the greatest gain nor fear of the greatest punishment should make us go against the word of Christ in things pertaining to the worship of God 3. The word of Christ is to be the rule of our Conversations We must not make our gain our rule our credit or the example of others but the word of Christ Ps 119.105 Thy word is a Lamp unto my feet and a Light unto my path In doubtless cases we must make Gods Testimonies our Counsellors And after we have consulted with the word what we find agreable to the mind of Christ that we must do though it be cross to our own interests and what is contrary to the word that we must avoid though it would be very beneficial to us Thus David Psal 119.24 Thy Testimonies also are my delight and my Counsellors Thus the Apostle Paul 2 Cor. 13.7 VVe can do nothing against the Truth but for the Truth It was an excellent speech of Balaam and worthy our imitation although he did not do what he said Numb 22.18 If Balak would give me his house full of Silver and Gold I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God to do less or more We may know that we recieve Christ as our Priest these ways 1. If we look for remission of our sins and Eternal Life not by any works of Righteousness which we have done but from the mercy of God and the merits of Christ who offered up himself to God a Sacrifice for our sins Rom. 5.9 Being now justified by his blood we shall be saved from wrath through him Tit. 3.5 Not by works of Righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us Act. 15.11 But we believe that through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved even as they See also Gal. 2.16 2. When we ground our Faith and Hope for audience and acceptance of our Prayers upon the intercession of Christ Heb. 10.21 22. And having an high Priest over the house of God let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of Faith Dan. 9.17 O our God! hear the Prayer of thy Servant and his Supplications and cause thy face to shine upon thy Sanctuary which is desolate for the Lords sake We may know that we recieve Christ as our Lord these ways 1. If we are willing to be ruled and governed by Christ Many men are unwilling to recieve Christ for their Lord to rule them that would have him for their Saviour to save them from wrath to come They say in their hearts as they did Luk. 19.14 We will not have this man to Reign over us Then we are willing to be Ruled and Governed by Christ when we yield ready obedience to his word and the motions of his Spirit For Christ Rules us by his Word and Spirit What Pharaoh said to Joseph Gen. 42.14 According to thy word shall all my People be ruled So may I say here They that recieve Christ as Lord they are all Ruled according to his word Now we may know that we are willing to be Ruled by the word of Christ 1. When in doubtfull cases we consult the word of Christ and desire to know the mind of Christ VVhen we say with the Apostle Lord what wilt thou have me to do Act. 9.6 VVhen we say with David Ps 143.8 Make me to know the way wherein I should go Psal 86.11 Teach me thy way and I will walk in thy Truth And that we may find out the mind of Christ we make his Testimonies our Counsellors as was hinted before 2. Such as are willing to be ruled by Christ as soon as they understand this or the other thing to be the mind of Christ they yield obedience to it Psal 18.44 As soon as they hear of me they shall obey me Psal 119.60 I made hast I delayed not to keep thy Commandments 3. Such as embrace Christ for their Lord their hearts stand in awe of the word of Christ they are afraid of Transgressing his commands Prov. 13.13 He that feareth the Commandment shall be rewarded Yea there is greater awe upon the word of Christ than the word of Princes If Princes command one thing and Christ another and Princes will persecute us because we are not obedient to them yet Christs Subjects stand in such awe of his word that they will not swerve from his word for avoiding troubles and persecutions from the greatest men on earth Psal 119.161 Princes have Persecuted me without a cause but my heart standeth in awe of thy word 2. As we may know we have received Christ for our Lord by our willingness to be governed by his word so also by our submiting our selves to all the disposals of Providence-relating to us or any of ours For it belongs to Christ as King to govern the world All power in Heaven and Earth is committed to him the Government is upon his should 〈◊〉 the Father hath committed all judgement into the hands of the Son Now such as receive Christ for their Lord submit themselves to 〈◊〉 the disposals of Providence without frâ—… or murmuring at their losses and crosses and that because it is the Lord that doth all that befalls them 1 Sam. 3.18 It is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good 2 Sam. 15.26 But if he thus say I have no delight in him Behold here am I let him do to me as seemeth good unto him 2. We may know that 〈◊〉 recieve 〈◊〉 aright when we receive 〈…〉 heartily By receiving 〈…〉 mean when we understand on what terms Christ is willing to bestow himself upon us what he requires from those that will become his disciples and when we judge those terms to be equal to be good to be submitted to with chearfulness By receiving Christ heartily I mean a cordial and through complyance with those terms on which Christ will accept us for his disciples We must receive Christ judiciously that is understand the terms on which Christ will become ours and accept us for his and judge those terms worthy of all acceptation What these terms are on which he is willing to receive us for his disciples I will shew out of two or three Scriptures Mark 8.34 Whosoever will come after me let him deny himself take up his cross and follow me Luk. 14.33 So likewise whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath cannot be my disciple And ver 26. If any man come to me and hate not his father and mother and wife and children and brethren and sisters yea and his own life also he cannot be my disciple Hating is not to be understood absolutely but comparatively For it is not lawful to hate father or mother or brother He that hateth his brother is a murderer but hating is less
paths of the Lord are Mercy and Truth to such as keep his Covenant and his Testimonies 5. The Lord hath wise and holy ends in the changes and desolations that he makes in the earth And the consideration of the Holiness and Wisdom of God in all his works may be a stay to our minds when he over-turns Kingdoms and Nations Psal 30.4 Sing unto the Lord O ye Saints of his give thanks at the remembrance of his Holiness Dan. 2.20.21 Blessed be the name of God for ever and for ever for wisdom and might are his and he changeth the times and the seasons he removeth Kings and he setteth up Kings 2. That special care which the Lord taketh of all his people at all times is a ground of great comfort in times of danger and Publick calamities The Lord taketh a special care of all his people at all times and this may quiet their minds and free them from perplexing fears and cares in times of greatest danger and distress 1 Pet 5.7 Casting all your care upon him for he careth for you The persons to whom this Epistle was written were in great distress they were scattered abroad into several Countries Chap. 1.2 To the strangers scattered throughout Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia Bythinia They were in heaviness through the manifold temptations they met with in their persecuted scattered condition ver 6. They were under great and sore afflictions not onely the hand but the mighty hand of God was upon them Ch. 5.6 yet in this scattered condition when they were in heaviness through manifold temptations when they were under the mighty hand of God the Apostle comforts them with this that they had a God that took care of them and therefore they needed not to perplex and disquiet their minds with any kind of cares but may cast them all upon God Casting all your care upon him for he careth for you That we may be the more comforted in time of danger by the care that the Lord taketh of us let us consider what manner of care it is wherewith the Lord careth for us 1. It is a special care which the Lord taketh of his people There is a common care which he taketh of all his creatures He feedeth the fowls of the Air he clotheth the grass of the field he satisfieth the desire of every living thing he preserveth man and beast But the care which God taketh of the children of men is far greater than what he takes of the beasts of the birds or any other creatures in this world The care that God hath of the sons of men so far exceeds his care of other creatures that it seems as no care compared with that care which he takes for mankind 1 Cor. 9.9 10. Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn Doth God take care for oxen Or saith he it altogether for our sakes for our sakes no doubt this is written And as God takes care of men above all other creatures so he takes a more special care of his own people than he doth of all other men They are to him as the apple of his eye Zech. 2.8 Het hat toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye They are his jewels Mal. 3.17 They shall be mine saith the Lord of hosts in that day when I make up my jewels and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him They are his peculiar treasure Exod. 19.5 Ye shall be unto me a peculiar treasure above all people for all the earth is mine They are his portion Deut. 32.9 The Lords portion is his people How careful are men of their portion their peculiar treasure their jewels the apple of their eye so and much more careful is the Lord of his people They are his children Gal. 3.26 And in times of danger men are very solicitous for their children The first question that David put to both those messengers that came with tydings from the battel was concerning the safety of his child Is the young man Absalom safe 2 Sam. 18.29 32. 2. It is a particular care The Lord doth not onely take care of his people in general but of every one of them in particular and of every thing that belongeth to them When God is destroying wicked men he taketh care for the preservation of every one of his people Psal 145.20 The Lord preserveth all them that love him but all the wicked will he destroy In times of greatest calamity when he breaks a kingdom in pieces and scatters the inhabitants thereof into all parts of the world he will take care of every one of the members of Christ even the least and meanest and most shiftless of all his servants Amos 9.9 For lo I will command and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations like as corn is sifted in a sive yet shall not the least grain fall to the ground Say not in thy heart God hath so many to take care of he may forget me or I am such a mean creature he will not regard me For it is all one with God to take care of many as few and he takes care of the lowest as well as the highest Psal 138.6 Though the Lord be high yet he hath respect unto the lowly There are a great company of Sparrows and they are birds of but small value yet not one of the Sparrows is forgotten of God Luk. 12.6.7 Are not five Sparrows sold for two farthings and not one of them is forgotten before God Fear not therefore ye are of more value than many Sparrows In the 4th verse Christ saith to them Be not afraid of them that kill the body And gives two arguments to disswade them from fearing them that can only kill the body First that is the worst they can do after that they have no more that they can do And the other is they can't do this but by the permission of God for he that watcheth over every Sparrow doth much more watch over every man who is of more value than many Sparrows There are many devices to take away the lives of the Sparrows as Nets Snares Fowling-pieces c. besides the danger they are in by the greater birds who pray upon the lesser ones yet not one Sparrow is killed but by the providence of God Mat. 10.29 Are not two Sparrows sold for a farthing and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your father Though we have many that lye in wait to take away our lives and the instruments of Death are prepared for us yet not one man woman or child shall fall to the ground and be cut off from the land of the living without our Heavenly Fathers appointment And as the Lord taketh a particular care of every Member of Christ so also of all the affairs and concernments of all the Members of Christ He sets the hedge of his providence not only about their persons but about all that
a great comfort under greatest troubles that we have the Almighty God for our defence Psal 94.19 22. In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my Soul And what were his comforts when he had many troubled thoughts Among other comforts this was none of the meanest that though he had mighty enemies that thirsted after his blood yet he had the Almighty God for his defence ver 22. But the Lord is my defence and my God the rock of my refuge Yea this is a ground of the highest joy and of everlasting joy under all the changes and revolutions that come upon the world that the Almighty God is a defence to all that put their trust in him Psal 5.11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoyce let them ever shout for joy because thou defendest them Shouting for the joy is the highest expression of joy now they all they that put their trust in God have cause not only to rejoyce but to shout for joy and that for ever because God defendeth them 3. That Almighty power which is engaged for the defence of all that trust in God is an everlasting strength The Lords arm is not shortned that he cannot save he is able to do as great things for his people in these days as he did for our Fathers in former days And this may unite and strengthen our Faith to trust in the Lord at all times though the times be never so dangerous and troublesome that his power is everlasting Isa 26.4 Trust ye in the Lord for ever for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength 5. The gracious and precious promises of God are a ground of strong Consolation under all troubles both Personal and National distresses Jer. 15.16 Thy words were found and I did eat them and they were unto me the joy and the rejoycing of my heart Observe Jeremiahs personal afflictions at this time when the word of God was the joy and the rejoycing of his heart He was a man of strife and contention to the whole earth and every one railed at him and cursed him which made him cry out of his wo and misery ver 10. The Lord had filled him with indignation and he looked upon his pain as perpetual and his wound incurable ver 17.18 Besides his personal afflictions there were great judgments coming upon the Nation the Sword and Famine and Pestilence and Captivity ver 2.3 4. Yet under National and Personal calamities the word of God was the joy and rejoycing of his heart So Psal 60.2.3 6. Thou hast made the earth to tremble thou hast broken it Thou hast shewen thy people hard things thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment God hath spoken in his holiness I will rejoyce Gods promises were a rejoycing to Davids heart when God sent such judgments as made the earth to tremble and broke Kingdoms in pieces yea when God shewed his own people hard things and made them stand astonished to see how he dealt with them God hath made several sorts of promises to comfort his peoples hearts in difficult and dangerous times when he is bringing ruine and desolation upon the places where they live I will instance in some of them 1. The Lord hath promised to be an hiding place and a refuge to his people when he sends his judgments upon the places where they live Isa 32.2 18 19. Psal 32.6 Psal 9.9 Deut. 33.12 Prov. 18.10 Zeph. 2.3 compared with Chap. 1.2 3 17 18. And not only to be a refuge to godly men themselves but to their children Prov. 14.26 See also Isa 8.7 8 13 14. When the Assyrian should invade the land and over-run all parts of the land the Lord promiseth to be a Sanctuary to such as did make him their sear and their dread Ezek. 11.16 2. The Lord hath promised to deal well wit his people in times of publick calamity even when he sends ruine and destruction upon the places where they live Isa 3.8 10. Jerusalem is ruined Judah is fallen Say ye to the righteous it shall be well with him Eccl. 8.12 Jer. 15.11 As the same cloud which was dark and dreadfull to the Egyptians gave light to the Israelites Exod. 14.20 So God can make those providences which are dreadfull to wicked men to be refreshing to his own people 3. The Lord hath promised to bear up the Faith and Hope of his People that their hearts shall not sink and dye within them in evil days though very dismal and dark days Joel 3.15 16. The Prophet speaks of very dreadfull judgments under Metaphorical expressions yet saith God shall be the hope and strength of his people in such a day 4. The Lord hath promised to comfort his people in times of common calamity Isa 29.9 19. At that day when the Lord visited Jerusalem with Thunder and an Earthquake and a Storm and Tempest and devouring Fire he promiseth that the meek shall encrease their joy in the Lord and the poor among men rejoyce in the holy one of Israel Job 5.22 At Destruction and Famine thou shal laugh Mal. 4.1 2. 5. The Lord hath promised to moderate the afflictions which he layeth upon his people and what ever he layeth upon others he will lay upon them no more than he will enable them to bear Isa 27.8 The Prophet had given them warning that he was coming out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their sins Ch. 26. ver 21. And live for the comfort of the people of God he tells God would take a measure of his peoples strength and sufferings and that he would stay his rough wind in the day of his East wind Jer. 30.11 When the Lord is making a full end of all Nations he will correct them in measure 1 Cor. 10.13 He will not suffer us to be Tempted above what we are able to bear 6. The Lord hath promised to afford his gracious presence with his people under their greatest troubles not only at their entrance into but in their passage through the Fire and the Water Isa 42.1 2. Fear not thou art mine when thou passest through the waters I will be with thee c. Psal 91.15 I will be with him in trouble 7. The Lord hath promised his people deliverance out of their greatest troubles Jer. 30.7 Alas for that day is great so that none is like it it is even the day of Jacobs trouble but he shall be saved out of it Psal 50.15 Psalm 71.20 Psalm 34.19 8. The Lord hath promised to Sanctifie National troubles to his people and to make them work together for their good Jer. 24.5 Zech. 13.9 Rom. 8.28 6. It is a ground of comfort under National troubles that God will by them bring glory to his own name advance the Kingdom of Christ and promote the good of his own people Isa 5.15 16. When God stains the glory of the world then our Lord Jesus Christ who is called the branch
Cor. 6.17 18. When Christ was on earth he received those that came to him though they had been great sinners and though he incurred the censures of the Pharisees thereby Luk. 15.2 The Pharisees and the Scribes murmured saying this man receiveth sinners and eateth with them And he is not less mercifull now he is in Heaven than he was while he was on Earth 3. The parable of the prodigal Son may satisfie us that our Lord Jesus will not only not reject penitent sinners though they have been the chiefest of sinners but will receive them willingly and joyfully Luk. 15 20 24 25. The Father received his Son with all joy when he returned home penitent and yet he had been a vile wretch he had spent all his estate on harlots and riotous living ver 13.30 And would have submitted to a base low employment rather than return to his Father It was pure want that drove him to go to his Father because he was ready to perish with hunger yet this vile wretch that was unworthy of the name of a Son was entertained and received with great joy CHAP. IV. Such as have an interest in Christ may find comfort in Christ under all Spiritual troubles I Have shewed how such as have an interest in Christ may find comfort in Christ under all personal and national troubles and under the persecutions of the Church I shall now shew that there is comfort to be had in Christ under all Spiritual troubles Cant. 2.5 Stay me with flaggons comfort me with apples for I am sick of love This being sick of love signifieth foul troubles and where doth the spouse seek for comfort under foul troubles but from Christ and the benefits we have by Christ Stay me with flagons comfort me with apples By flagons we are to understand wine which was wont to be distributed in flagons 2 Sam. 6.19 He dealt among all the people a cake of bread and a flagon of wine Now the benefits that we have by the death of Christ are compared to wine which makes glad the heart of man and are called in Scriptures by the name of wine Isa 55.1 Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters yea come buy wine Wine was appointed by Christ to be the representation and memorial of his blood and the benefits purchased by his blood namely remission of sins and confirmation of the new Covenant Christ speaking of the Wine which is drunk at his Table saith Mat. 26.28 This is my blood of the new Testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins 1 Cor. 11.25 This cup is the New Testament in my Blood Under the law there was Wine offered with the dayly Sacrifice every Morning and Evening Exod. 29.38 40. Now Wine being that which makes glad the heart of man Psal 104.15 VVe may learn hence that all those comforts which make glad the heart of man they are the fruit and effect of Christs being made a Sacrifice for us Stay me with flaggons signifies support with those comforts and refreshments which are the purchase of Christ's Blood stay me with the discovery of the remission of my sins and the promises of the New Covenant Comfort me with Apples what are these Apples The fruits and benefits we have by Christs death who bore our sins in his own body upon the Tree 1 Pet. 2.24 In the foregoing verse our Lord Jesus Christ is likened to an Apple-tree As the Apple-tree among the trees of the Wood so is my beloved among the sons I sate down under his shadow with great delight and his fruit was sweet to my tast Now the benefits which we have by the incarnation the Death and Intercession of Christ are the Fruit growing on this Apple tree which was sweet to the Spouses tast and are the Apples with which she desired to be comforted when she was sick of love That we are to seek our comfort in Christ and from Christ under all Soul troubles we may see from several other Scriptures As Psal 42.5 Why art thou cast down O my Soul and why art thou disquieted within me hope thou in God for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance Countenance signifieth favour because a mans favour is discerned by a chearfull Countenance Prov. 16.15 God's favour is towards us in Christ Rom. 8.39 So that we see whence the Psalmist expected his Consolations when his Soul was in a perplexed disquieted condition it was from the help of God's Countenance that is from that relief and support which he should find from the manifestation of Gods love in Christ to his Soul Psal 61.2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee when my heart is overwhelmed lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. Our Lord Jesus in Scripture is resembled to a Rock 1 Cor. 10.4 That Rock was Christ VVhen David's heart was overwhelmed with grief and when he was in desolate places where he had none to comfort him he begs to be led to Christ who was the Rock that was higher than he for he knew there was support and comfort in Christ under the greatest inward troubles though such as overwhelmed the heart as appears from ver 2. compared with ver 7. Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I so will I sing praise unto thy name for ever VVhen David was in great heaviness through the hidings of Gods face and walked day by day with a sorrowfull heart he found joy and comfort in Christ Psal 13.1 2. How long wilt thou forget me O Lord for ever How long wilt thou hide thy face from me How long shall I take counsell in my Soul having sorrow in my heart dayly My heart shall rejoyce in thy Salvation By thy Salvation here we may understand the Lord Jesus Christ who is called the Salvation of God Luk. 2.30 Mine eyes have seen thy Salvation That is the Lord Jesus Christ ver 26. See also Isa 49.6 That thou mayest be my Salvation unto the ends of the Earth By thy Salvation we may also understand that Temporal and Eternal Salvation which he hoped that God for Christ's sake would bestow upon him So that it was from Christ and the benefits which come by Christ that David fetched his comfort in all his Soul troubles And therefore all of us that are under any soul troubles should repair to Christ for comfort It is said of David 1 Sam. 22.2 Every one that was in distress and every one that was in debt and every one that was discontent or as it is in the Margent bitter of Soul gathered themselves unto him and he became a Captain over them Let us do the like by Christ the Son of David let every one that is in distress and every one that is in debt our sins are debts to the justice of God Mat. 6.12 and every one that is bitter in Soul gather our selves to Christ who is the Consolation of Israel and he will be the
for there is comfort in Christ for lapsed Christians though the sins into which they have fallen be of an heinous nature and that on these grounds 1. Jesus Christ is our Advocate with the Father and pleads our cause for us that our sins may not be imputed to us but may upon our Repentance be forgiven us As Stephen interceeded for his Persecutors Act. 7.60 Lord lay not this sin to their charge So doth Christ interceed with his Father for all his Members VVhen they fall into any heinous sin Lord lay not this sin to their charge Christ's love to his Members is infinitely above Stephen's love to his Persecutors yet Stephen prayed for them when they had committed an heinous sin the shedding of blood the shedding innocent blood the blood of a Martyr of a man full of the Holy Ghost his own blood yet Stephen interceeded for them Lord lay not this sin to their charge And the love of Christ being infinitely above Stephens will not be much more interceeded for his members his Servants in their greatest falls though their sins be of an heinous nature Lord lay not this sin to their charge that our Lord Jesus doth interceed for us when we fall into sin that our sins may not be laid to our charge VVe may see 1 John 2.1 2. My little Children these things write I unto you that ye sin not and if any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous who is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but for the sins of the whole World The children of God must be very carefull they do not sin against God But suppose they do sin must they despair No if any man sin we have an advocate 't is not said we had an advocate as if he ceased to be our advocate when we fall into sin but we have an advocate with the Father and he is a powerfull and prevalent advocate Jesus Christ the Righteous whom his Father never denyed any thing in the days of his Humiliation Joh. 11.22 42. much less will he deny him any thing in the days of his exaltation and the person with whom he interceeds is the Father who is the Father of mercies a God ready to forgive waiting to be gracious who is Christ's Father and our Father And he useth a prevailing argument when he pleads for us he presents his own blood which is the propitiation for our sins And he is advocate for all that do and shall believe on him in all places and all ages of the World 1 Joh. 2.1 2. Compared with 1 Joh. 5.12 If any man sin we have an advocate with the Father These things write I unto you that believe As David interceeded with his Captains on the behalf of Absolom though an undutifull rebellious Son 2 Sam. 18.5 Deal gently for my sake with the young man even with Absolom Even so doth Christ interceed with his Father for his Rebellious and Disobedient Children deal graciously for my sake with such and such persons though they have rebelled against thee 2. The death of Christ hath obtained pardon for all our sins sins after as well as sins before Conversion great and heinous sins as well as lesser sins 1 Joh. 1.7 The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin Isa 53.5 He was wounded for our Transgressions he was bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was upon him and by his stripes we are healed The two Hebrew words used by the Prophet as Rivet observes all sorts even the worst kind of sins 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth superbam mandati transgressionem rebellionem defectionem A proud transgressing of the law of God rebellion and revolting from God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth perversitatem malitiam a sinning out of perverseness and malice For such sins as these was Christ wounded and bruised and by his stripes we are healed and obtain pardon for our greatest offences 3. There are mercies and forgivenesses with God upon Christ's account even for such as have rebelled against him Dan. 9.9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses though we have rebelled against him To rebell against the Lord is more than to sin out of infirmity it speaks willfulness in sin it is the highest degree of sin likened to the sin of Witch-craft when men have to do with the Devil 1 Sam. 15.23 Rebellion is as the sin of Witch-craft Yet there are mercies and forgivenesses with the Lord for such as have rebelled against him not only mercy and forgiveness but in the Plural number mercies and forgivenesses to signifie the abundance of mercies and pardons that are with God for such as have rebelled though they have not rebelled once or twice only but many times And therefore the Lord is styled a God of pardons who hath pardons in store for rebellious sinners upon their Repentance Ne. 9.16 17. But they and our Fathers dealt proudly and hardened their necks and refused to obey and in their rebellion appointed a Captain to return to their bondage but thou art a God ready to pardon or as 't is in the Margent a God of pardons gracious and mercifull slow to anger and of great kindness and forsookest them not 4. The Covenant of grace which is confirmed with Christs blood admits Repentance and promiseth pardon of sin to back-sliders upon their Repentance though they have deeply and grievously revolted from the Lord. The children of Israel were grievous revolters Jer. 6.28 They are all grievous revolters yet they are called to Repentance Isa 31.6 Turn ye unto him from whom the Children of Israel have deeply revolted And have a promise of pardon upon their Repentance Jer. 3.22 Return ye back-sliding children and I will heal your back-slidings If any say it may be these to whom the Lord speaks here and promiseth to heal their back-slidings on their return to him had not they back-slidden so often and in such an heinous manner To which I answer that they had back-slidden often is evident from ver 1. Thou hast played the Harlot with many lovers yet return unto me And besides he speaks of back-slidings in the Plural number He saith not I will heal your back-sliding as if they had back-slidden but once but I will heal your back-slidings intimating that though their back-slidings were many which they themselves acknowledge Jer. 14.7 Our back-slidings are many yet upon their returning he would heal them all And that they were guilty of very great and heinous sins as well as many back-slidings to whom God makes this promise Return O back-sliding children and I will heal your back-slidings is evident from ver 5. Behold thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldst 5. When the servants of Christ fall into heinous sins God will visit their Transgressions with his Rod and their sins with Stripes but for Christs sake he will not cast them out of his love nor break his