glorious House incorruptible Inheritance and a biding Kingdom for us We have an Advocate with the Father our Redeemer liveth and we shall see him All his Enemies shall be made his footstool Christ is glorified his Members however vilified on earth shall be like Him and abide with Him and He will be admired in his Saints He is gone to prepare a place for us and will come again and receive us John 14.3 And thus much briefly for this first branch Christ Ascended The second is Christ blessed his Disciples at his Ascension But may some one say How did Christ bless them I answer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To bless is to speak well So Christ alwayes spake well Never man spake like Him Grace was poured in his lips and gracious Words proceeded out of his mouth But it hath a more special Importance 1. To bless is to acknowledge the Blessedness and Perfection of another So the greater is blessed of the less So with the tongue we bless God even the Father and our Souls bless the Lord. 2. To bless is sometimes to pray for a Blessing So Isaac blessed Jacob when he prayed God give thee of the Dew of Heaven Gen. 27.27 And God Almighty bless thee Gen. 28. The 1st and 3d. Thus Jacob blessed Josephs Sons when he prayed The Angel that redeemed me from all evil bless the lads Gen. 48.9 16. 3. To bless is to pronounce a blessing and that either in the way of an ordinary Ministry Thus Aaron and his Sons were to bless the People saying The Lord bless thee and keep thee c. Numb 6.23 So Simeon Levi and Judah Issachar Joseph and Benjamin were appointed to stand upon Gerizzim to bless the People Deut. 27.12 Or else by an extraordinary Spirit of prophesie So Jacob blessed his Sons when he told them what should befal them in the last dayes Gen. 49. And Balaam prophesying the prosperity of Israel is said to have blessed them altogether Numb 24.10 4. To Bless is to make blessed to give as well as speak a blessing So Israel was blessed effectually Numb 22.12 Curse them not for they are blessed Thus there are Blessings spiritual and Blessings temporal Blessings of basket and store c. 5. To bless is to set apart from a common to a holy and spiritual use So Christ blessed the Bread when he set it apart to signifie his Body Mat. 26.26 Now when Christ blessed his Disciples the four last of these acceptions of Blessing may very well be comprized and intended The gesture used in blessing them lifting up his hands may well suit with pronouncing of a Blessing in way of prayer The Gifts and Graces poured on them soon after his Ascension speak the efficacy of his Blessing and that it was not empty words but Spirit and Life And it is evident that at his Ascension he set them apart and gave them a Commission to go and preach the Gospel Other Texts might be cited proving that Christ's Ascending did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 speak well to his Disciples as Mark 16.17 18 19. and Acts 1.8 9. But the Text so fully assureth us that Christ lifted up his hands and blessed just at his Parting and Ascension that we need no other Confirmation To come then to the Reasons why Christ Ascended blessing The two main springs whence his Blessing slowed are his Love and his Faithfulness which two were the reasons of his Humiliation and Transactions He loved his Elect and He was faithful to him that appointed him Heb. 3.2 Out of Free-grace and Faithfulness He laid down his Life a Ransome for many He loved us and washed us from our sins in his own Blood Rev. 1.5 His Father had appointed Him and promised Him to bless and he faithfully performed it He came to bless and went to Heaven blessing There are eight special Reasons or Ends which Christ had in his eye in blessing his Disciples so solemnly when he was leaving Earth to go to his Father 1. He would assure his Disciples that his affection to them was the same now at parting as they had found it from his first choosing them they might have thought it strangeness had he gone and not left a Blessing behind him after all his kindness and compassion And this is one end to which are directed all those gracious and comfortable Expressions recorded in the 12 13 14 15 16th Chapters of John with that pathetical Prayer John 17. shewing him as tender-hearted towards them at last as ever He displayeth his Banner of Love over them in this gracious Valediction going to Heaven Blessing 2. Jesus Christ would have his Disciples and all that should believe in his Name to know that he carried the same Heart to Heaven with him that he had on Earth so that though his bodily presence was removed yet his Love continued and he would be as mindful of them in his Kingdom as ever he had been on Earth And this is another End of his gracious Expressions at and a little before his Ascension He knew how ready they might be through weakness and temptation to question his care and doubt of his Love as the Israelites about Moses Exod. 32. As for this Moses we wot not what is become of him He would not have them think Now Jesus Christ is gone and his Mercy is at an end he hath forgotten to be gracious and so sink in despairing thoughts No He assureth them John 16.26 I say unto you I will pray the Father for you rest satisfied question not but I will remember you and set you as a seal upon my Heart as a seal upon mine Arm I will carry your names engraven on my Brest-plate and make intercession for you and here he would assure them of lasting Love in parting from them with the most notable expression of it He solemnly blessed them 3. Jesus Christ would have his People assured that he is the Messiah the promised Seed in whom all Nations shall be blessed Gen. 18.18 The Apostle mentioneth this Covenant with Abraham Acts 3.25 26. and sheweth that Christ came to bless in pursuit of that Covenant and to fulfil Scripture It was prophesied of Christ Psal 72.17 Men shall be blessed in Him And Blessing was his beginning and conclusion in his Ministry upon Earth the beginning of his first Sermon and the close of his Last 4. He blessed them that he might not leave them overwhelmed with grief nor swallowed up of sorrow at his departure John 14.1 18 27. I will not leave you comfortless let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid He knew the loss of his Presence might strike cold to their hearts The Children of the Bridechamber might mourn alas the Bridegroom is taken away they might cry after so good a Teacher and Master My Father my Father the Horsemen of Israel and Chariots thereof and sorrow most of all that they must see his face on Earth no more Well The Lord God had
and halt that way in Religion This Oyntment might have been sold for so much says Judas whose mind was chiefly on the Bag. Holy David was of another disposition I will not serve the Lord with that which costs me nothing One thing I must tell you here If our Religion be not such as weans our hearts from the world the world wil deaden them to the exercise of Religion If the love of God we all profess to have be not such as consumes inordinate love to the world our love of the world will smother the love of God not suffer that to live and breath in us See Matt. 6.24 4. A sinful cowardize and fear of man Prov. 29.25 The fear of man bringeth a snare Ponit offendiculum Lavater Tremel it causeth many to stumble Ponit tendiculam it layes many fast As we read John 7.12 13. Among the people some said of our Saviour He is a good man Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews Seducit turbas Ludol Carth. clarius Sonabant Sed Bonus est pressius susurrabant There were great numbers and many of great note in the world that cryed out aloud He seduceth the people But that he was a good man it was whispered amongst some but scarce any found that durst speak it out The fear of man would plainly argue our forgetfulness of God Isa 51.12 13. By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil Prov. 16.6 whereas by the fear of men many depart from the Lord. The former is a Soveraign Antidote against sin an excellent means to preserve us from it Neh. 5.15 Exod. 20.20 The latter greatly exposeth unto sin As we have a sad instance in Peter being surprized with fear how was he whorried into the denial of his Lord and Master when as he should have been more afraid of this than of a thousand deaths Thus you have heard some of the causes of halting in Religion Other might be named but I forbear Demon. 3. Halting in Religion may further appear to be exceeding evil in regard of the evil effects the sad consequences of it And that both in respect of God of the godly of sinners and of ones self 1. In respect of God 1. Hereby God is dishonored his Name polluted It was a Law among the Jews Lev. 21.9 The daughter of any Priest if she profane her self by playing the Whore she profaneth her Father she shall be burnt with fire More holiness would be expected in such a one as the daughter of a Priest thus the crime in her was greater She prophaneth the Name of her Father Then what a prophaning the Name of God is this for such as are called his People to go a whoring from him The sinful slips and falls of Professors cast dirt as it were on the Name of God since they are taken to belong to him And how just a thing it is that God should spit in their faces put them to shame who care not thus to throw dirt in his face Thus indeed the sins of such as profess God's Name and stand in a nearer relation to him are worse than the sins of others The miscarriages of strangers of those that are without reflect not so much on God to his dishonor as the miscarriages of those who are within his Houshold and Family as the Church is called The Commands of God are violated and broken by others also yet the holy Name of God is not so polluted by others But the Name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you as it is written Rom. 2.24 Better in this respect men would never take up a Profession than to rest here without taking any care for a suitableness of conversation Ezek. 20.39 As for you O house of Israel thus saith the Lord God Go ye serve every one his Idols and hereafter also if ye will not hearken unto me but pollute ye my holy Name no more q.d. If ye will not be ruled by me then go and serve your Idols altogether appear what you are but make no more shew of being my People to reproach and disgrace me It was a great dishonour to God that it should be said These are the Lord's People Ezek. 36.20 Hence as the sins of those who have his Name called on them are so far worse a greater dishonor to God than others so the more open and publick their warpings are still the more dishonour unto God Therefore the Lord was so quick and smart with Moses with that eminent Saint that faithful Servant of his that Favourite of Heaven Moses who was so far honoured that the Lord spake to him face to face even as a man speaks to his friend Yet Numb 20.12 The Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron Because ye believe me not to sanctifie me in the eyes of the Children of Israel Therefore ye shall not bring this Congregation into the Land which I have given them For this halting of yours before the Children of Israel you shall fall short of Canaan you shall nor have the honour of leading them into the promised Land Now if you do but look back to Numb 11.21 22. you will find Moses bewraying unbelief but privately before God And there the Lord only reasoneth him out of it v. 23. Is the Lord's hand waxed short Whereas in this other place when he smote the Rock twice his sin was publick here Moses and Aaron dishonour God in the view of the People wherefore the Lord clapt that smart sentence on their backs which no importunity in prayer could ever take off again or get reversed See Deut. 32.50 51. 2. Hereby the Truth and Wayes of God are much discredited They are deep wounds which the Truth receives in the house of its Friends It is long ere the scars wear out When any the professed followers of Christ and his Truth are taken tripping Religion it self must bear the blame and the way of Truth be evil spoken of This is their Religion say carnal men How earnestly doth the Apostle exhort Christians in general to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith they are called Eph. 4.1 And Phil. 4.27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel So likewise he layeth a strict charge here upon several sexes estates and conditions The younger women must take heed they give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully 1 Tim. 5.14 Servants that are under the yoke must see to carry so in their places that the Name of our God and his Doctrine be not blasphemed 1 Tim. 6.1 The aged women must be patterns of holiness setting others a good example that the Word of God be not blasphemed Tit. 2.5 Christians halting in the way causeth others to speak evil of the way of Christianity 3. The Kingdom of God and His Interest is by this means weakned It loses more by the haltings and falls of Professors ordinarily than by the fury of Persecuters As Jacob complained of his Sons cruelty
greatest of troubles through his strong confidence in God Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me thy rod and thy staff they comfort me Unto this instance of David we may add another like it Hab. 3.17 18. Although the Figtree shall not blossome neither shall fruit be in the Vine the labour of the Olive shall fail and the Fields shall yeeld no meat the Flock shall be cut off from the fold and there shall be no Herd in the stalls yet I will rejoyce in the Lord I will joy in the God of my Salvation Though he should lose his pleasant and delightsome things the Fig-tree shall not blossom neither shall fruit be in the Vine though he should lose his necessary things the Fields shall yeeld no meat and there be neither Flocks in the fold nor Herd in the stall yet he knows where to find comfort I will rejoyce in the Lord and joy in the God of my Salvation In the pursuit of this Truth I shall touch at some things in God wherein lyes a Beleivers encouragement and so close with a word or two of Application Now there are these things in God for a fouls encouragement in the midst of troubles 1. His presence with them in their troubles and distresses This was Davids encouragement Psal 23.4 Though I walk through the vally of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me I have the presence of God he is my companion in my distress O 't is an encouragement to a Christian to have God present with him in his troubles though friends leave him and acquaintance forsake him yet he is not alone for God is with him and he is the best companion in the world Psal 91.15 He shall call upon me and I will answer him I will be with him in trouble O this is a precious promise it takes away all the bitterness of troubles to have God present with us in trouble it sweetneth the bitter Cup and makes it go down easily I am distressed may the soul say O but I have more of Gods presence more communion and fellowship with him now than ever this is an encouragement when the eye of Faith beholds God present in the time of trouble God is every where present we may say to our comfort Whither shall we go from thy presence yea Who can drive us from thy presence If we be cast upon a sick-bed thou art there to make our bed in our sickness if we be shut up in Prisons and dark Dungeons the darkness hides not from thee but the Night shines as the Day if we be banished into the uttermost parts of the Earth even there shall thy Hand lead us and thy Right Hand guide us The comfort a Believer hath from this presence of God with him brancheth forth it self into these two or three things 1. Here is counsel and direction at hand 'T is an encouragement to a man to have a Wise Friend at hand of whom he may ask counsel in matters difficult How much more to have God at hand to consult who is wonderful in counsel The Believer that hath God present with him may consult him in all his straits and may have advice from him 2. By this presence of God the burden is made lighter God will lift at the heavy end and this is a great encouragement 't is sad to be left to bear the burthen of affliction alone but when God puts to his shoulder it becomes more tolerable Psal 55.22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord and he shall sustain thee he shall never suffer the Righteous to be moved O what a comfort it is to have God present with us upon whom we may roul our burden when our shoulder is ready to faint under it 3. From this presence of God with a Believer there ariseth joy in trouble a merry heart in the midst of distress There 's great joy in communion with God be our outward condition what it will God's presence makes Heaven where-ever it comes though the place be a Prison yea though it were Hell it self Psal 16.11 In thy Presence is fulness of Joy 2. His Wisdom in bringing good out of all troubles and distresses This is another thing in God wherein a Believer may encourage himself God who is with him is God only wise a God of infinite Wisdom he knows how to bring good out of evil honey out of the eater Rom. 8.28 We know that all things work together for good to them that love God All things even sufferings troubles and distresses But how comes this about Not from themselves and of their own nature but by the Wisdom of God The soul may say Here 's a bitter cup full of much poyson given me to drink but I know it will prove healthful unto me because it comes from the hand of a skilful Physician that kills the poyson and corrects the nature of the unwholsom Drugs Believers may say of their troubles and of the instruments of them as Joseph to his brethren You thought evil but God meant it for good So our ennemies they intend our hurt and our ruine but the wise God means it for our good A Believer may encourage himself in this wise God who can bring good out of evil and light out of darkness There are two Branches of Comfort which grow upon this root the Wisdom of God 1. He is transcendently wise above all his and our enemies though Satan and his agents be very subtile and crafty yet they are not infinitely wise as God is He is able to out-wit them all he laughs at the plots and contrivances of the ungodly and counts them foolishness Job 5.13 He taketh the wise in their own craftiness when they imagine themselves to be safe in the Castle of their own wisdom God ensnares them by a greater Policy as the Hunter ensnares the Wild-beast 2. This wise God is able to make a Believer wise and He will do it He is able to give the wisdom of the Serpent to such as have the Doves Innocency Jam. 1.5 If any of you lack Wisdom let him ask it of God who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given him Our God is a treasury of Wisdom out of which we may fetch supplies when we want Thus Believers have encouragement from the Wisdom of God in a time of distress and trouble 3. Another thing in God whereby the soul is encouraged in distress is his Power his Omnipotency and Strength as he is wise so he is strong able to effect and bring to pass all the contrivances of his Wisdom a Believer may betake himself to everlasting strength and there find encouragement Prov. 18.10 The Name of the Lord is a strong Tower the Righteous runneth into it and is safe God is a Tower of strength the Arms of Omnipotency are a good defence the Righteous are safe there