the promise and oath of God which are two immutable things to assure them that God in blessing will bless them For the oath and promise is to them as well as unto Abraham and what doth this imply Surely blessing I will bless thee A. Surely I will pardon all thy sins Rom. 4.7 8. And surely I will give thee eternal life Mat. 25.34 and 5.3 And surely I will pour out my Spirit upon thee Isa 44.3 Gal. 3.14 And surely I will turn thee from thine iniquities Acts 3.26 And surely I will give thee all good things Ps 21.3 And surely I will make thee a blessed man for ever 1 Chron. 17.27 8. These two immutable things the promise and the oath of God as sure as he liveth to bless for ever all that flee to Christ for eternal life this may give them strong consolation yea this may give them such strong consolation as no troubles nothing whatever shall make void their comfort which is the next head I am to speak to 5. The blessed estate and condition of such as have an interest in Christ is made so sure and so firmly setled upon them that no troubles of this life nor Death it self can make void their blessedness They are and continue blessed under all their afflictions and temptations as well as in their greatest prosperity Psal 94.12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastneth O Lord and teachest out of thy Law Jam. 1.12 Blessed is the man that endureth Temptation for when he is tryed he shall recieve the Crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him They are and continue blessed when they dye as well as while they live Rev. 14.13 Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord. Death is so far from making void the blessedness of those that are Christs that it puts them into the actual possession of the Blessings of Heaven which is far greater blessedness then they enjoyed whilst they were in this world Now the favour which God hath shewn to those that are Christs in bestowing all this blessedness upon them and in making them most blessed for ever is a ground of exceeding great joy Psal 21.6 Thou hast made him most blessed for ever thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance This blessedness which is confirmed to them that are Christs by two immutable things the oath and the promise of God is a ground of strong consolation in all estates and conditions of such strong Consolation as cannot be made void by any troubles or by death it self as hath been already shewed from Heb. 6.13 14 17 18. Sect. 3. More grounds of consolation against the troubles of the world to such as have an interest in Christ Seeing the way to Heaven lyeth through many tribulations and experience sheweth it is an hard matter for Christians to bear up chearfully under the manifold troubles they meet with in this world I shall add some more grounds of comfort for such as have an interest in Christ against all the troubles they are liable to in this world § The World is conquered by Christ what comfort ariseth hence 1. It is a great comfort to a Christian under the troubles of the world to consider that Christ hath overcome the World Joh. 16.32 In the world ye shall have tribulation but be of good chear I have overcome the world By the world which Christ hath overcome we may understand all things that are in the world which hinder the peace Consolation and Salvation of the Members of Christ as the Prince of the World which is a Title given to Satan the Rulers of the world the men of the world the troubles of the world the temptations of the world the corruptions that are in the world through Lust All that is in the world which is contrary to us Christ hath overcome for us Now Christs overcoming the world is a ground of comfort against the troubles of the world on several accounts as 1. Jesus Christ having overcome the world the whole world with all things in the world is now at his disposal The Prince of the world and all the powers of the world and all the men of the world can do nothing in the world but by the permission of Christ He is Prince of the Kings of the earth and governs and over-rules all their counsels and designs Rev. 1.5 Jesus Christ the Prince of the Kings of the Earth The men of the world can do nothing against any of the Members of Christ though they be great men though Rulers but what he gives them power to do Joh. 19.11 Thou couldst have no power at all against me except it were given thee from above What Christ saith here of himself concerning Pilate is true of all his Members concerning all the Rulers of the world they can have no power at all against any of the Members of Christ except it be given them from above and this is a great quieting to the hearts of the People of God against the men and troubles of the world 2. Jesus Christ who overcame the World is the Captain of our Salvation Heb. 2.10 And he did not only overcome the world for himself but for us Gal. 1.4 Who gave himself for our sins that he might deliver us from this present evil world according to the will of God and our Father By his Conquest he obtained our deliverance from this present evil world We may expect while we are in the world sharp Conflicts with the troubles of the world Heb. 10.32 Ye endured a great sight of Afflictions But this is our comfort we have to do with a Conquered Enemy an Enemy that may oppose us but shall not hurt us Luk. 10.19 Behold I give unto you power to tread on Serpents and Scorpions and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt you Serpents are an embleme of subtle enemies Gen. 3.1 Now the Serpent was more subtle than any Beast of the Field Mat. 10.16 Be wise as Serpents And of cruel enemies that seek our destruction 1 Cor. 10.9 They were destroyed of Serpents The worst of men are compared to Scorpions Ezek. 2.6 And thou Son of man be not afraid of them neither be afraid of their words though Briars and Thorns be with thee and thou dost dwell among Scorpions Scorpions here signifies wicked men which spoke big words against the Prophet Now by the help of Christ we shall tread on those enemies that are like Serpents and Scorpions and all the power of the enemy so far as nothing shall by any means hurt us And there are three negatives in the Greek which is the more remarkable to assure us of the truth of what is spoken 3. Jesus Christ who hath overcome the World will enable us through Faith in him to overcome the world our selves 1 Joh. 5.4.5 Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the World and this is the Victory that overcometh the world even our Faith Who is
he that overcometh the world but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God 4. By Christ overcoming the world the world is become ours the troubles of the world which would of themselves hinder our Salvation shall be made through the Conquest of Christ to further our Salvation Phil. 1.19 I know that this shall turn to my Salvation The Apostle speaks of his Bonds and of the afflictions some evil minded men thought to add to his Bonds ver 13.16 And he knew that his afflictions should be so far from hindring that it should be a furtherance of his Salvation See also 2 Cor. 1.6 VVhether we be afflicted it is for your Consolation and Salvation which is effectual in enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer The Salvation of the Corinthians was effectual that is powerfully promoted effectually carried by enduring the same sufferings which the Apostle endured Hence the World through Christ is said to be ours as well as all other things 1 Cor. 1.21 22 23. Because even the troubles of the World are through Christ made to work for our advantage § The intercession of Christ a ground of comfort against the troubles of the World II. The intercession of Christ is a ground of comfort against the troubles of the World Joh 17.9 13. I pray for them whom thou hast given me And these things I speak in the VVorld that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves He acquainted them with his praying for them on purpose that their hearts might be filled with joy It is a comfort to such as are in affliction to hear that good men are always mindful of them in their Prayers to God 1 Thes 3.6 7. You have a good remembrance of us alwayes Therefore Brethren we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your Faith If it were good tidings to the Apostle to hear that the Thessalonians had good remembrance of him always and that which did comfort him in all his affliction and distress How much more may it comfort us in all our affliction and distress to hear that Jesus Christ hath good remembrance of us alwayes and ever liveth to make intercession for us For 1. Though Christ be in Heaven and we are upon the Earth he beareth us upon his heart continually This was typified by the high Priest under the Law Aaron bore the names and the judgment of the Children of Israel upon his heart continually when he went into the holy place Exod. 28.29 30. And Aaron shall bear the names of the Children of Israel upon the Breast plate of judgment upon his heart when he goeth in unto the holy place for a memorial before the Lord continually And shall bear the judgment of the Children of Israel before the Lord continually Aaron the high Priest was a Type of Christ who is our great high Priest Heb. 4.14 Aarons going in unto the holy place was a Type of Christs ascending into Heaven Heb. 9.24 What Aaron did Typically when he entred into the holy place that Christ doth really for us now he is in Heaven And what was it that Aaron did when he went into the holy place 1. He bore the names and he bore the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart The judgment of the Children of Israel may signifie all their causes their affairs their condition this teacheth us Christ our high Priest knoweth his by name and that both their persons and conditions are born upon his heart 2 Aaron bore the names and judgments of the Children of Israel upon his heart at all times when he went into the holy place twice it is mentioned that he bore them continually which teacheth us that neither our persons or conditions are at any time forgotten of Christ but they are upon his heart continually now that he is in Heaven Psal 73.23 I am continually with thee That is continually upon thy heart under thy care And as David was so are we continually with Christ 3. Aaron bore both the names and judgment of the Children of Israel for a memorial before the Lord continually So Christ our high Priest as he carrieth our persons and conditions upon his own heart so he continually presenteth our case and condition before his Father The Apostle said 2 Cor. 7.3 You are in our hearts to die and live with you The like may be said of Christ concerning all that are his They are so much in the heart of Christ that he dyed for them and now that he is raised from the dead they are so much on his heart that he will live with them for evermore The Church of Christ is more upon the heart of Christ than the Church of Corinth was upon Pauls heart Now if the Saints had such a Room in Pauls heart that it was in his heart to live and dye with them then how much are all the Saints upon the heart of Christ What the Lord saith of Solomons Temple 2 Chron. 7.16 Mine Eyes and mine Heart shall be there perpetually The same is true of all Christians that are the Temple of God 2 Cor. 6.16 Ye are the Temple of the Living God The eyes of the Lord and the heart of the Lord shall be upon them perpetually Christs bearing us upon his heart is set forth by his carrying his Lambs in his Bosom Isa 40.11 He shall feed his Flock like a Shepherd he shall gather the Lambs with his Arm and carry them in his Bosom It is not said he shall put them but he shall carry them in his Bosom intimating that not only strong Christians but the weakest and most feeble and shiftless are always born upon his heart And in doing this he fulfills his Peoples Prayers for they desire to be set as a Seal upon the heart of Christ Cant. 8.8 Set me as a Seal upon thine heart as a Seal upon thine Arm. The Seal makes and leaves an impression upon the Wax and all the cuts and engravings on the Seal are imprinted on the Wax 't is as if the Spouse should have said carry me upon thy heart as men use to carry Seals which they are very chary of and that there be deep and abiding impressions of all my troubles graven upon thy heart set me as a Seal upon thine Arm that is manifest the love of thine heart by thy actings towards me and for me put forth thy power to help me in all my troubles The Apostle had great confidence that God would give preserving grace to the Philippians because they were much in his heart to pray for them every time he went to the Throne of Grace Phil. 1.4 6 7. Always in every Prayer of mine for you all making request with joy Being confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it untill the day of Jesus Christ even as it is meet for me to think this of you all because I have you in my heart If the
goat and confess over him all the Iniquities of the Children of Israel and all their transgressions in all their sins And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities into a Land not inhabited This did signifie Gods laying all our sins upon Christ Isa 53.6 And Christ making satisfaction for them all bearing them all away by his death 1 Pet. 2.24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body upon the tree The discharge that Christ by his death hath obtained for us is a full discharge VVhatever sin may be charged upon us by the Law by Conscience by Satan who is our accuser by the justice of God all is discharged and quitted and answered by the death of Christ Rom. 8.33 34. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect. It is God that justifieth It is Christ that dyed Out of respect to the Death of Christ God will forgive us all our trespasses how many or how great soever they have been Col. 2.13 Having forgiven you all trespasses Ps 103.3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities Ps 85.2 Thou hast forgiven all the iniquities of thy people thou hast covered all our sin And that we may be the more fully assured that the pardon which our Lord Jesus hath obtained for us is a full and general pardon of all offences the Lord hath obliged himself by many promises for Christs sake to pardon all and every one of our sins Jer. 33.8 I will cleanse them from all their Iniquity whereby they have sinned against me and I will pardon all their Iniquities whereby they have sinned and whereby they have transgressed against me Ezek. 36.25 From all your filthiness and all your Idols I will cleanse you 2. Our Lord Jesus hath obtained of God that this general pardon shall be for ever that all our sins should be forgiven for ever and never be remembred against us to Eternity Heb. 8.12 I will be merciful to their unrighteousness and their sins and their Iniquities will I remember no more And this is implyed in such promises as these Mich. 7.19 Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the Sea that is as Drusius observ's aeternâ oblivione delebit memoriam peccatorum nostrorum He will blot out the remembrance of our sins for ever Those things that are cast into the depths of the Sea are wholly and for ever taken out of our sight Psal 103.12 As far as the East is from the West so far hath he removed our transgressious from us That is so far as they shall never be laid to our charge any more For the East and VVest are at that great distance that they shall never come together Ezek. 33.16 None of the sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned to him 3. The Lord Jesus hath obtained a general and perpetual pardon of all offences upon terms of free grace without any respect to merit or worthiness in us that are partakers of it Rom. 3.24 Being justified freely by his Grace through the Redemption that is in Jesus Christ Eph. 1.7 In whom we have Redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace It is from grace free-graces the riches of grace that we have pardon of our Sins through the blood of Christ It is not for our sakes but for his own sake and his Sons sake that the Lord pardons our sins Isa 43.25 I even I am he that blotteth out thy Transgressions for mine own sake and will not remember tâ—y sin Eph. 4.32 God for Christs sake hath forgiven you 4. This free this everlasting this general pardon of all offences our Lord Jesus Christ hath purchased for all that are his that is for all that do and all that shall believe in him in all places and all ages of the world Act. 13.39 By him all that believe are justified from all things from which they could not be justified by the Law of Moses Acts 10.43 To him gave all the Prophets witness that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins Now this free this everlasting this full and general pardon which our Lord Jesus Christ hath obtained for all that are his by shedding his blood for them is a ground of strong consolation under all the troubles of life and all fears and terrours of death Rom. 5.1 3. Being therefore justified by Faith We glory in Tribulations Justified persons whose sins are remitted through the blood of Christ may glory not only when they are got out of their troubles but when they are in the midst of all their tribulations Isa 33.24 The Inhabitant shall not say I am sick the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquities It is not said the Inhabitant shall be without sickness The greatest of Gods favourites are liable to sickness as well as other men Daniel was a man greatly beloved yet he was sick and faint many days Dan. 8.27 I Daniel fainted and was sick certain dayes And it is said of Lazarus John 11.3 Lord he whom thou lovest is sick Justified persons are oft times sick as well as other men but the pardon of sin doth so sweeten their affliction that they shall not say I am sick that is they shall not say by way of complaint and discontent Sin unpardoned makes afflictions like gall and wormwood that is exceeding bitter Lam. 3.5 15 42. He bath compassed me with gall He hath filled me with bitterness he hath made me drunken with worm wood We have transgressed and rebelled and thou hast not pardoned But pardon of sin doth so sweeten the bitterest afflictions that it takes away all causes of complaint under the rod of God The Inhabitant shall not say I am sick and why is it because there is no sickness No but because the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquitie VVhen a man is taken sick and his sickness for ought he knoweth may be his death sickness when he is so sick that he can't go or stand or set up but is confined to his Bed if his sins be forgiven him he may be of good cheer Math. 9.2 Son be of good cheer thy sins be forgiven thee Here is a sick man his sickness was very uncomfortable he was sick of the Palsie he was brought very low he kept his Bed there was no way for his recovery but a miracle yet before Christ gave him any intimation of his purpose to heal him he bid him be of good cheer and why because his sins were forgiven him This pardon of all our sins which is obtained for us by our Lord Jesus Christ may comfort us against all the fears and terrours of Death on several accounts 1. VVhen our sins are pardoned the sting of Death is taken away For the sting of Death is sin 1 Cor. 15.56 And when Sin is forgiven Death hath lost its sting and when the sting of Death is taken away we need not be afraid of Death
it can do us no harm 2. VVhen our sins are pardoned we may be assured our Souls shall be saved for God glorifieth all whom he justifieth Rom. 8.30 Whom he justified them he also glorified Tit. 3.7 That being justified by his grace we should be made Heirs according to the hope of eternal life 3. Jesus Christ by his death and sufferings hath obtained for all that are his freedom from eternal condemnation and this is a ground of strong consolation under all the troubles of this life and against the fears and terrours of Death There is not any one person that belongeth to Christ that hath an interest in Christ that shall come into condemnation Rom. 8.1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus That our Lord Jesus Christ hath redeemed all that are his from eternal condemnation is evident several wayes 1. Because Christ dyed for us Rom. 8.34 Who shall condemn It is Christ that dyed The Death of Christ is our security from Eternal Death He laid down his life on purpose to ransome us from Eternal condemnation Math. 20.28 The Son of man came to give his life a ransome for many out of respect to and for the sake of this ransome God will deliver all that are Christs from going down into the bottomless pit Job 33.24 Deliver him from going down into the pit for I have found a ransom 2. The ground and cause of our Condemnation is taken away by the Death of Christ which is sin For God condemneth no man but for sin and therefore Christ having by his Death taken away our sins hath taken away condemnation from us 3. God out of respect to the death and sufferings of Christ hath promised that none that believe in Christ shall come into condemnation Joh. 3.16 18. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but should have everlasting life He that believeth on him is not condemned Job 5.24 Verily verily I say unto you he that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from Death unto Life 4. The Keys of Hell are in the hands of Jesus Christ he hath power to cast into Hell and to keep out of Hell whom he pleaseth Rev. 1.18 I am he that liveth and was dead and behold I am alive for evermore Amen and have the Keys of Hell and of Death And if the Keys of Hell be in the hands of Christ then all they that are Christs are upon sure grounds that they shall not come into condemnation for he will not in any wife cast any of his Members into eternal torments Joh. 6.37 Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out And seeing all they that are Christs are redeemed from eternal condemnation this may comfort them under all the troubles of this world and against the fears and terrors of Death It may scatter and dispel all our sorrows and fill our hearts with joy and gladness when we understand and believe that we are ransomed and delivered from eternal torments Isa 35.10 The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with Songs and everlasting joy upon their heads they shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing shall flee away This hath relation to the deliverance of the Jews out of the Babylonian Captivity which was a type of our deliverance from eternal misery when God brought them out of their captivity they were filled with joy and singing Psal 126.1 2. When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion Then was our mouth filled with laughter and our tongue with singing Now if there were such joy and singing by the ransomed of the Lord that were delivered from Babylon what joy and gladness may arise to the ransomed of the Lord from their deliverance from Hell torments Hell is a worse place than Babylon the captivity of Babylon was but for 70 years but Hell torments are for Eternity David speaks of his deliverance from Hell as an unexpressible Mercy and that he would praise God with all his heart and glorifie him for evermore for such a great mercy Psal 86.12 13. I will praise thee O Lord my God with all my heart and I will glorifie thy name for evermore for great is thy mercy toward me and thou hast delivered my Soul from the lowest Hell And this his deliverance from the lowest Hell was a comfort to him when the proud rose up against him and the assemblies of violent men sought after his Soul ver 14.17 When we know and believe that we are freed from condemnation by the death of Christ this may cause us to triumph over death when we are killed all the day long and counted as Sheep for the slaughter Rom. 8.34 36 37. Who shall condemn It is Christ that dyed For thy sake we are killed all the day long we are accounted as Sheep for the slaughter Nay in all these things we are more then Conquerors through him that loved us When we are freed from condemnation we may triumph over Death though we walk in danger of Death all the day long more than Conquerours triumph over their conquered enemies IV. They that are Christs have a sure and undoubted right to eternal life and that sure hope which they have of eternal life is a ground of strong consolation under all the troubles of this life and against the fears and terrours of Death They that are Christs have a sure and undoubted right to Eternal Life 1 Joh. 5.12 He that hath the Son hath Life It is not said he shall have Life but he hath Life that is he may be as sure of it as if he had it already He hath an undoubted right an unquestionable Title to eternal life He hath it in the purpose and decree of God he hath it in the promise of God And that by life here is meant eternal life is evident from the following words they that have Christ dwelling in their hearts by Faith have a sure ground and foundation for their hope of eternal glory Col. 1.27 Christ in you the hope of Glory That all that are Christs have an undoubted right to and sure grounds to hope for eternal Life may be demonstrated several wayes 1. Our Lord Jesus Christ dyed on purpose that he might purchase and procure eternal life for all that should believe on him Joh. 3.14 15. As Moses listed up the Serpent in the Wilderness so must the Son of man be lifted up that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have eternal life By the lifting up of the Son of man is meant his suffering death upon the Cross Joh. 12.32 33. And this death he suffered that he might purchase eternal life for all that should believe on him 1 Thes 5.9 10. God hath not appointed us unto wrath but to obtain Salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ
who died for us that whether we wake or sleep we should live together with him 2. Our Lord Jesus Christ interceedeth with his Father on the behalf of all those that are given to him that they may be with him where he is that is in the Kingdom of Heaven Joh. 17 24. Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me And what Christ asked of his Father shall assuredly be granted Joh. 11.42 I know that thou hearest me always 3. God for Christs sake hath promised eternal life to all that are Christs that is to all persons that do or shall believe on Christ to the end of the World Joh. 3.16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son this whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life 1 Joh. 2.25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us eternal life And the promise of God is a sure ground to hope for eternal life Tit. 1.2 In hope of eternal life which God that cannot lie promised before the World began 4. Our Lord Jesus Christ hath power over all flesh given to him by the Father that he may give eternal life to all that are given to him by the Father Joh. 17.2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him And therefore they that are Christs may be assured that they shall have eternal life seeing Christ hath power to give eternal life to whom he will and this power over all flesh was given him purposely that he might give eternal life to all that were given him by the Father 5. God hath given us this record concerning his Son that eternal life is in his Son and that eternal life is his free gift and that he will give it to all that have his Son and if we do not believe this record that God hath given of his Son we should make God a Liar 1 Joh. 5.10 11 12. He that believeth not God hath made him a Liar because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son And this is the record that God hath given us eternal life and this life is in his Son he that hath the Son hath Life Eternal Life is in Christ and therefore if we believe the record that God hath given of his Son namely that God hath given us eternal life and that this life is in his Son we must then conclude it as a certain truth that he that hath the Son hath Life Now seeing such as have an interest in Christ have sure grounds to hope for eternal life it followeth hence that they have good grounds of strong consolation under all the troubles of this life and also against the fears and terrors of Death For hope of eternal life will help us to rejoyce greatly in the midst of all our troubles Rom. 5.2 3 VVe rejoyce in hope of the glory of God and not only so but we glory in tribulations When we have good hope of the glory of God that is of enjoying the Kingdom of Heaven which is a most glorious Kingdom we may rejoyce and glory in the midst of our greatest tribulations 1 Pet. 1.3 4 6. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again to a lively hope by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible and vndefiled that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for you wherein ye greatly rejoyce though now for a season if need be ye are in heariness through manifold temptations Here is joy great joy in the midst of manifold temptations that did cause heaviness and whence did this joy proceed from a lively hope of an heavenly inheritance VVherein ye greatly rejoyce That is in which hope or in hope of which inheritance So Heb. 10.34 Ye took joyfully the spoyling of your goods knowing in your selves that ye have in Heaven a better and more enduring substance The spoyling of our goods for which we have laboured many years is wont to cause sorrow and lamentation Jer. 9.19 A voice of wailing is heard out of Zion how are we spoyled yet the hope of a reward in Heaven will help us to take the spoiling of our goods joyfully The hope of eternal life will take away the fears and terrors of Death when a man hath good hope of his Salvation it will be no trouble no terror to such a man to dye but he may dye in peace Luk. 2.29 30. Lord now lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace for mine eyes have seen thy Salvation The hope of eternal life will so far take off the fear and terrors of death that it will make us desire and long for our dissolution that we may be with Christ in Heaven Phil. 1.23 Having a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is far better 2 Cor. 5.1 2. VVe know that if our earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens For in this we groan earnestly desiring to be cloathed upon with our house which is from Heaven V. They that are Christs shall have the Lords presence with them under the troubles which they meet with while they live and also when they come to die Our sins made a separation between God and our Souls Isa 59.2 But the sufferings of Christ have made up this breach 1 Pet. 3.18 For Christ also suffered once for sins the just for the unjust that we might be brought unto God One of the names given to Christ was Emmanuel which being interpreted is God with us Math. 1.23 Whereas by the fall of Adam God was against us and was separated from us through Christ he is reconciled to us and is become with us a God that will afford us his presence That such as are Christs shall have the presence of God and Christ with them under all their troubles yea at all times both while they live and when they dye See Heb. 13.5 He hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee And what he hath said he will surely perform it If he will never leave nor forsake us then at no time of life nor at the hour of death Mat. 28.20 Lo I am with you always to the end of the world Here is a note of attention set before this promise that the Members of Christ may take notice of it for their comfort and encouragement Lo I am with you I that have all power in Heaven and in Earth given to me I am with you how long always to the end of the world not only with his Apostles and Disciples that lived in those days but with all his Ministers and Members to the end of the world and at all times And more especially in times
Apostle Paul had such confidence of the Philippians welfare because he had them in his heart what confidence may we have in all our troubles from Christs having us in his heart and bearing us upon his heart continually and ever living to make intercession for us 2 Our Lord Jesus Christ in his intercession represents to his Father our troubles and dangers that we are exposed to while we are in the World and our shiftless condition and the hatred we meet with from the World and prays his Father to keep us by his divine power he prays not that we should be taken out of the World while we have service to do in the World but that we may be kept from the evils we are liable to in the World Joh. 17.9.11 14 15. Where observe 1. The Persons for whom Christ interceedeth and they are all that are his ver 9.10 I pray for them I pray not for the World but for them which thou hast given me for they are thine and all mine are thine and thine are mine 2. He represents to his Father the dangers they are in by being in the World where they are hated and want his presence with them ver 11.14 And now I am no more in the world but these are in the world I have given them thy Word and the world hath hated them 3. He commits them to his Fathers care and prays him to keep them by his divine power ver 11. Holy Father keep through thine own Name those whom thou hast given me That which he mainly prayed for was not that they should be taken out of the world but kept from the evil ver 15. I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the World but keep them from the evil 4. The Arguments he useth in Prayer they are all mine and all thine and they glorifie me ver 10. All mine are thine and thine are mine and I am glorified in them 5. This Prayer of Christ for his wherein he hath prayed to his Father to keep them in his name whilst they are in this world was recorded on purpose to comfort our hearts under our troubles ver 13. These things I speak in the world that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves And this Prayer of Christ was made not only for his Disciples that were then living but for all that should afterward believe on him to the end of the World ver 20. Neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall believe on me through their word And what Christ prayed for God will assuredly grant Joh. 11.42 I know that thou hearest me always Obj. But how is the intercession of Christ a ground of comfort against the troubles of the world when notwithstanding the Prayer of Christ that they that are his may be kept from the evil they fall into as many and as great troubles as other men A. 1. Many troubles and afflictions are kept off at the intercession of Christ from those that are his For such is the malice of Satan and wicked men against the Saints that they would do them an hundred fold more mischief than they do if God should not restrain them Ps 124.2.3 4 5. Laban would have done Jacob much hurt but God would not suffer him to hurt him Gen. 31.7 Your Father hath deceived me and changed my wages ten times but God suffered him not to hurt me The Israelites when few in number when they went up and down from one place and one Kingdom to another were liable to many injuries but God prevented the malice of their adversaries Psal 105.14 He suffered no man to do them wrong 2. When God doth not keep off troubles and afflictions from the Members of Christ which is not absolutely prayed for God at the intercession of Christ keeps off the evil of trouble from the members of Christ The evil of trouble is when troubles make us sin against God and forsake the ways of God Mat. 13.21 VVhen Tribulation or Persecution ariseth because of thy word by and by he is offended that is falleth away as another Evangelist expresseth it 2 King 6.33 Behold this evil is of the Lord why should I wait for the Lord any longer The evil of troubles is when men fret and curse and blaspheme the name of God because of their troubles as Isa 8.21 Rev. 16.10.11 Now the Members of Christ are kept from these evils under their troubles 3. At the intercession of Christ the nature of troubles and afflictions are changed they are not evils but good things to the People of God Psal 119.71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted 4. At the intercession of Christ they that are Christs are upheld under their troubles and kept from fainting Keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me Though we be not kept from trouble yet Christs Prayer is answered if we be kept by the power of God in our troubles kept from falling kept from fainting Now God for Christs sake keeps his people from falling and fainting under their troubles Psal 94.18 VVhen I said my Foot slippeth thy Mercy O Lord held me up Psal 116.8 Thou hast delivered my feet from falling Psal 118.13 Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall but the Lord helped me 3. The intercession of Christ is a ground of comfort under all our troubles because he interceedeth with his Father that the Spirit the comforter may be sent down into our hearts to abide with us for ever Joh. 14.1.16 17. Let not your heart be troubled I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever even the Spirit of Truth The Lord Jesus foreseeing that his Disciples would meet with many Tribulations that their hearts might not be troubled proposeth many grounds of comfort to them among others this is a principal one that he would interceed with his Father to give them his holy Spirit to be their Comforter to make his abode with them for ever But some may say though the Spirit the Comforter be sent down into our hearts to abide with us for ever yet many of the Servants of Christ that have the comforter want the comforts of the Spirit in their troubles Q. What shall we do that we may get the comforts of the Spirit in our afflictions A. 1. Walk in the fear of God both before trouble comes and when you walk in the midst of trouble for such as walk in the fear of God enjoy the comforts of the holy Ghost Act. 9.31 VValking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost 2. Give your selves to prayer in the day of trouble Joh. 16.24 Ask and ye shall recieve that your joy may be full Christ told his Disciples ver 20. That they should weep and lament and be sorrowful but their forrow should be turned into joy and here he directs them the way to get comfort under their
sorrows which was by Praver Ask and ye shall recieve that your joy may be full 3. Call to mind apply and meditate upon the gracious promises of God The Spirit comforts us by and through the word and more especially by the promises It was through the word that David had the Spirits comforts in his affliction Psal 119.49 50. Remember thy word unto thy Servant wherein thou hast caused me to hope this is my comfort in mine affliction So also the Prophet Jeremiah had the comforts of the Spirit through the word Jer. 15.16 Thy words were found and I did eat them and thy word was unto me the joy and the rejoycing of my heart 4. Keep up and act your Faith in God through Christ in all your troubles for trustings in God brings the joys and comforts of the Holy Ghost into our hearts Psal 13.5 I have trusted in thy Mercy my heart shall rejoyce in thy Salvation In the 3d. verse he complained of his sorrows that he had sorrows in his heart dayly but having strengthned his Faith by the consideration of the mercy of God he concluded that God would put joy and gladness into his heart My heart shall rejoyce Rom. 15.13 The God of Peace fill you with all joy and peace in believing There is joy all joy a fulness of all joy comes in by believing 4. The intercession of Christ is a ground of comfort against the troubles of the world because it is our security that they shall not cause our Faith to fail Luk. 22.31 32. And the Lord said Simon Simon behold Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as Wheat but I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not Peter was greatly affrighted at the sufferings of Christ The fear of the Cross made him fall in a dreadful manner three times he denyed his Master and cursed and swore that he did not know the man But though he was grievously foiled yet by the Prayer of Christ his Faith was supported that it did not fail Not only our Flesh and our Hearts would fail but our Faith also if it were not preserved by the intercession of Jesus Christ § All troubles are sanctified to those that are Christs This is a ground of great Consolation III. All troubles and afflictions whatsoever befall those that are Christs are sanctified to them and shall work together for their good and this is a ground of comfort under all the troubles of this World that they shall be sanctified to us and work for our good Jesus Christ is made of God Sanctification to all such as are in him 1 Cor. 1.30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us VVisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption When Christ is said to be made of God sanctification to such as are in him the meaning is that he is appointed by God to sanctifie our persons and our conditions Our Lord Jesus hath taken the curse from our Crosses and turned them into Blessings So that we are not now to look upon our corrections as our misery but rather as conducing to our happiness Job 5.17 Behold happy is the man whom God correcteth That all our afflictions are sanctified by Jesus Christ appeareth thus because none of them shall do us hurt but they shall all work together for our good Rom. 8.28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God to them who are the called according to his purpose There is a threesold good which is wrought for us by our afflictions 1. They purge out our sins Isa 27.9 By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged and this is all the fruit to take away their sin And this is greatly for our good to be purged from our sins which are the chiefest of evils 2. They promote and increase the graces of the Spirit of God in our hearts and make us partakers of his Holiness and that is much for our profit to be made more Holy Heb. 12.10 They verily for a few days chastned us after their own pleasure but he for our profit that we might be partakers of his Holiness 3. They encrease our glory in the world to come for ever 2 Cor. 4.17 For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding etâ—â—nal weight of glory Now the knowledge of this that all our afflictions are sent to do us good and that they shall all work together for our good is a ground of great comfort under all our troubles Rom. 5.3 4. VVe glory in Tribulations also knowing that Tribulation worketh Patience and Patience Experience and Experience Hope Upon this account the Apostle James exhorteth us to count it joy yea all joy when we fall into divers temptations because we know that our Tryals shall work patience in us Jam. 1.2 3. My Brethren count it all joy when ye fall into divers Temptations knowing this that the trying of your Faith worketh Patience Now if this single benefit the encreasing of our Patience be such a ground of joy how may it encrease our joy when we consider that not only Patience but our other graces also and not our graces but our glory in Heaven shall be augmented for ever by our momentary afflictions which we go through in this World The Apostle writing to the Hebrews encourageth to chearfulness in their sufferings because they were for their profit Heb. 12.10 11. He chastneth us for our profit Wherefore lift up the hands that hang down and the feeble knees Though a man was in a dejected condition with hands hanging down and in a fainting condition his knees waxing feeble under his burdens yet the consideration that he is chastned for his profit may revive him and make him lift up his hands that hang down and strengthen his feeble knees § The Lord Jesus will not leave us comfortless in our troubles How Christ comforts his people IV. Though we meet with many troubles in the World this may chear our hearts under all of them that our Lord Jesus Christ hath promised he will not leave us comfortless in our troubles but he will give us peace and comfort in himself and from himself when we meet with troubles in the World Joh. 14.18 I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you Joh. 16.33 These things I have spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace in the world ye shall have Tribulation Isa 66.13 As one whom his Mother comforteth so will I comfort you and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem The Affections of a Mother are very great and tender towards her Child especially towards her sick and afflicted Child she will spare no pains no cost for that which may comfort her sick Child The affections of a Nurse are great 1 Thes 2.7 8. But of a Mother far greater Now as readily as affectionately as a Mother comforts her afflicted Child so hath the Lord
Upon hearing this Exhortation let not your hearts be troubled the Disciples might have replyed Lord hast thou not told us that in the world we shall have tribulation that we shall be hated of all men for thy names sake and that we shall be cast out of the Synagogue and that men shall lay hands on us and put us into Prisons and we shall be brought before Kings and Rulers and that men will think they do God good service when they kill us How shall we keep our hearts from being troubled when all these troubles come upon us As a remedy against their hearts being troubled he bids them believe on God and on himself Believe on God believe also on me V. In all your distresses give your selves to Prayer for that is the way to be filled with comforts and to have your sorrows turned into joy John 16.20 24. Verily Verily I say unto you that ye shall weep and lament but the world shall rejoyce and ye shall be sorrowful but your sorrow shall be turned into joy And what counsell and direction doth he give them that their sorrow may be turned into joy It is to give themselves unto Prayer Ask and ye shall recieve that your joy may be full The like direction the Apostle gives us for keeping our minds from all kind of troublesome cares and for the obtaining that peace which passeth all understanding and that is to give our selves to Prayer Phil. 4.6 7. Be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God And the peace of Goà which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus VI. Let the word of Christ dwell richly in your hearts that you may have some suitable promises to have recourse unto in all your troubles for that will give you abiding peace and strong Consolation in all your troubles Col. 3.15 16. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts But some may say how shall we attain to this to have the peace of God rule in our hearts the following words shew this Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all Wisdom By the peace of God we may understand not only that peace which God commands us to have one with another but that peace which God gives in our own hearts and Consciences as it is taken Phil. 4.7 Then the peace of God rules in our hearts when it keeps our hearts quiet under all troubles so as no troubles are able to disturb and break our peace Now the way to attain to this is to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all Wisdom Then the word of Christ dwells with us when it abides in our hearts we are acquainted with it and we converse daily with it as we do with those that dwell in the same house with us Then it dwels in us richly when we are well stored with the promises of the word when we have promises suitable to every condition and every trouble that we pass through Then it dwells with us in all Wisdom when we have the right understanding of the word and know how to make use of it upon all occasions as we stand in need of it It was by the word that David found comfort in all his afflictions Psal 119 49 50. Remember thy word unto thy Servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope It was also from the word of God that Jeremiah had his comforts under his greatest sorrows when he complained that his pain was perpetual and his wound incurable Jer. 15.16 Thy words were found and I did eat them and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoycing of mine heart And that it was a time of great distress with the Prophet when Gods word was the joy and rejoycing of his heart is evident from ver 18. Why is my pain perpetual and my wound incurable that refuseth to be healed VII Walk in the fear of God and hold fast your integrity in all your troubles and then you shall have the comforts of the Holy Ghost and the light of Consolation shall arise upon you in the darkest days Act. 9.31 Walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost Psal 112.4 Vnto the Vpright there ariseth Light in Darkness Though you suffer for Righteousness sake yet love Righteousnes and hate Iniquity and in so doing the Lord will anoint you with the Oyl of joy and gladness Psal 45 7. Thou lovest Righteousness and hatest Wickedness therefore God thy God hath anointed thee with the Oyl of gladness above thy fellows VIII When by your sins and backslidings you have lost your comforts humble your Souls for your sins and the Lord will restore your lost comforts Isa 57.18 I will restore comforts to him and to his Mourners Mat. 5.4 Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted IX Keep up the belief and perswasion of Gods Love to your Souls through Christ notwithstanding all the troubles that come upon your inward or outward man for the apprehension of Gods love will fill your hearts with joy and gladness and be a ground of everlasting Joy to your Souls Act 2.28 Thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance 2 Thes 2.16 God even our Father which hath loved us and given us everlasting Consolation Joh 13.1 Jesus loves his own and that to the end even whilst in a sinful and troublesome world The knowledge of the love of God in Christ causeth abiding joy and sulness of joy Joh. 15.9 11. As the Father hath loved me so have I loved you These things have I spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you and that your joy might be full Sect. 2. How may such as have gotten the knowledge of their interest in Christ retain the knowledge and perswasion of their interest in Christ It is of great use in the Life of Faith and the promoting our Spiritual comfort not only to get the knowledge of our interest in Christ and his saving benefits but also to retain this knowledge And because this is not easily done I shall lay down some helps thereto § What are good grounds to lay claim to an interest in Christ I. Understand and be clear in your grounds on which you lay claim to an interest in Christ and Salvation by Christ and see that they be solid consonant to the Scriptures and such as will hold and abide in an hour of temptation And if you ask what are good and sure grounds for claiming an interest in Christ I answer 1. The free and general offer of Christ and Salvation by Christ made in the Gospel to every one that is willing to recieve Rev. 22.17 And whosoever will let him take the water of life freely 2. The testimony of our own Consciences that we do willingly cordially and thankfully accept of Christ as God offers him to us in the Gospel Our Consciences
Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God But when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel he was found of them § Such as want Evidence of their interest in Christ ought to trust in him for Salvation What grounds have such to trust in Christ 3. Though you want evidence of your interest in Christ in a time of trouble and at the hour of Death yet if you be such as live in the fear of God such as desire to be saved by Christ in his own way and upon his own Terms you may yea you ought to trust in Christ for eternal Salvation Isa 50.10 VVho is among you that fears the Lord that obeyeth the voice of his Servants that walketh in darkness and hath no light let him trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon his God A man that truly feareth God may be in great darkness about his Spiritual State he may have no light that is no Evidence of his interest in God and the promises and so be in a very uncomfortable condition yet such ought to trust in Christ If any say what grounds hath a man that followeth after Righteousness and desireth to live in the fear of God and yet wanteth evidence of his Interest in Christ and the promises of God to trust in Christ for his Salvation § Grounds of trusting in Christ for Salvation for such as are in a dark condition as to their Interest in Christ A. 1. God sends his Son into the World to take our nature upon him and to die for our Sins for this very end and purpose to seek and to save Sinners who were in a lost and undone condition 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief Luk. 19.10 The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which is lost 1 John 4.14 VVe have seen and do testifie that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the VVorld John 3.17 God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved These general expressions to save the World to save Sinners to save that which was lost opens a door of hope to such as can't see their interest in Christ but see themselves lost Sinners and hearing that the Father sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world to save lost sinners i◠shews them that there is hope for their Souls that they may obtain Salvation By Jesus Christ 2. The Lord Jesus Christ who is the Saviour of the world and who came into the world purposely to save sinners is an all-sufficient Saviour able to save unto the uttermost all that come unto God by him Heb. 7.25 He is able to save them unto the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them He is able to save to the uttermost that is to save perfectly to save eternally to give all things requisite to Salvation he is able to justifie sanctifie and bring unto glory all that come unto him For his blood is available to take away the greatest sins of the greatest sinners in the whole world John 1.29 Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world And his Spirit is able to sanctifie the worst and most polluted Sinners The Corinthians were the chief of Sinners Extortioners Drunkards Adulterors Abusers of themselves with mankind with other abominations yet they were sanctified by the Spirit of Christ of great sinners made eminent Saints 1 Cor. 62.10 11. 3. The Lord Jesus Christ inviteth and calleth all distressed Persons in all places that see themselves in a perishing undone condition to look to him and to come to him for Salvation Isa 45.22 Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of Earth That is let all Persons from one end of the Earth to the other that find a want of Salvation look unto me and I will save them Matth. 11.28 Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest 4. The Lord commandeth us to trust in his Son for the giving us eternall life 1 John 3.23 This is his Commandment that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another as he gave us Commandment And he is displeased with those that do not relie on him for their Salvation Ps 78.21 22. The Lord was wroth and anger came up against Israel because they believed not in God and trusted not in his Salvation 5. We have God promises yea many promises that he will give eternal life and blessedness to all whosoever they be that believe and trust in his Son Ps 2.12 Blessed are all they that put their trust in him Joh. 3.16 God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Joh. 6.47 Verily verily I say unto you He that believeth on me hath everlasting life § The plea of such as can't trust in Christ for Salvation for want of Sanctification Obj. 1. None shall be saved by Christ but such as are sanctified and in a state of Grace but I want evidences of my being sanctified and being in a state of Grace how then can I trust in Christ to save me A. 1. It is true that Christ sanctifieth all whom he saveth for without Holiness no man whatsoever shall see the Lord. Heb. 12.14 Follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. If a man live and dye in his sins without repentance and yet trust in Christ for Salvation he doth but delude himself for our Lord Jesus telleth us expresly that all that do not repent shall surely perish Luk. 13.3 I tell you nay but except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish 2. Though you want evidences of your Sanctification yet do you not find ardent desires of Sanctification do you not find hungrings and thirstings after Righteousness Such as hunger and thirst after Righteousness are in a blessed condition as well as they that have attained Righteousness Matth. 5.6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after Righteousness for they shall be filled Spiritual desires are an argument of the Grace of God bestowed upon us The gracious estate of the Servants of God is sometimes set out by their desires Isa 26.8 The desire of our Souls is to thee and to the remembrance of thy name Neh. 1.11 Thy Servants who desire to fear thy name Then our desires argue a gracious state when our desires of God and the things of God exceed our desires of other things Ps 73.25 Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none on Earth that I desire besides thee 3. If you find in your self a want of Sanctification know this that you are to trust in
sooner you shall come to the knowledge of your interest in God Psal 16.1 2. In thee do I put my trust O my Soul thou hast said unto the Lord thou art my Lord Psal 31.14 But I trusted in thee O Lord I said thou art my God 4. Learn to deny your selves for Christ for the more you are exercifed in self-denial the sooner you shall attain to know your interest in Christ After Abraham had denyed himself of taking a reward from the King of Sodom God came to him with a promise to assure him of his interest in God Gen. 15.1 After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abraham in a Vision saying Fear not Abraham I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward 5. Set your love upon Christ The Spouse finding in her heart an ardent love to Christ could say Cant. 2.16 My Beloved is mine To such as love Christ there is a promise that he will manifest himself to their Souls John 14.21 6. Labour to order your Conversation aright and to live righteously and holily Psal 50.23 Isa 32.17 7. Attend frequently that sealing ordinance of the Lords upper the neglect or careless use whereof is the reason so few Christians attain to assurance of their interest in Christ Exhort 3. Learn how to fetch comfort from Christ in all troubles How to retain the knowledge of your interest in Christ VVhat you should do that can't make out your interest in Christ in a day of trouble and at an hour of death I have shewn that there is comfort to be had in Christ for such as have an interest in him not only under outward but also under Soul troubles Now I shall conclude this discourse with the resolution of three questions 1. How may we fetch comfort from Christ in all our troubles 2. How may such as have attained the knowlede of their interest in Christ retain the same 3. VVhat shall they do that want the knowledge of their interest in Christ Sect. 1. How may we fetch comfort from Christ in all our troubles both inward and outward 1. Get Acquaintance with Christ and those benefits we have by Christ The more we have of the knowledge of Christ the more peace and comfort we shall have in our Souls 2 Pet. 1.2 Grace and peace be multiplyed unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord. As grace so peace also is multiplyed given abundantly through the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ And as the knowledge of Christ tends much to the multiplying of peace and comfort so also doth the knowledge of the benefits that we have by Christ very much promote our comfort under all our troubles as I might shew by instancing in the several benefits we have by Christ I will mention three or four 1. By Christ we are reconciled to God and have an attonement made for our Souls God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself The knowledge of this attonement which Christ hath made for us will fill our hearts with joy and gladness Rom. 5.11 We joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ by whom we have now received the attonement 2. By Christ we have remission of all our sins Act. 13.38 39. And the knowledge of remission of sins is a ground of joy in all troubles Matth. 9.2 Son be of good chear thy sins are forgiven thee 3. By Christ our persons and services are accepted of God Eph. 1.6 And the acceptation of our persons and services may put great joy and gladness into our hearts Eccl. 9.7 Go thy way eat thy bread with joy and drink thy Wine with a merry heart for God now accepteth thy works 4. By Jesus Christ we have a perfect and compleat righteousness Rom. 10.4 And this is matter of great joy Isa 61.10 I will greatly rejoyce in the Lord my Soul shall be joyful in my God for he hath cloathed me with the Garments of Salvation he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness 5. By Christ we have boldness to hope for eternal life Heb. 10.19 And hope of eternal life is a ground of great joy in all our troubles Rom. 5.2 We rejoyce in hope of the glory of God 6. By Christ there is a new Covenant established full of precious promises And the knowledge of the Covenant layeth a foundation for peace and comfort in all troubles Psal 25.13 14. His Soul shall dwell at ease He wil shew them his Covenant To be at ease intimates a relief against all sorts of Malidies for if there be any thing that disquiets the Soul it is not at ease Dwelling at ease implyeth a permanency of Spiritual comforts Now here comes the Soul to dwell at ease when the outward man is exposed to variety of troubles It is by being acquainted with the Covenant II. If you would fetch comfort from Christ under all troubles get and keep clear apprehensions of your interest in Christ and in those benefits which he hath purchased with his blood Darkness and doubts about our interest hinder our comfort but when we know Christ to be ours our Saviour and our Redeemer this will make our Souls greatly to rejoyce under all our troubles Luk. 1.47 My Spirit hath rejoyced in God my Saviour 1 Sam. 30.6 David was greatly distressed for the people spake of stoning him But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God Ps 27. 1. The Lord is my light and my Salvation whom shall I fear The Lord is the strength of my Life of whom shall I be afraid III. Keep in remembrance and meditate on the benefits you have by Christ as Reconciliation with God Remission of sins Adoption Sanctification Eternal life c. For those things that are forgotten and out of mind yield no comfort to us It is the remembrance and meditating on Christ and the benefits of Christ that brings in sweetness and Soul-satisfying comforts Ps 104.34 My meditation of him shall be sweet Ps 63.5 6. My Soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness when I remember thee upon my bed and meditate on thee in the night watches Ps 94. 19. In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my Soul IV. In all your troubles both inward and outward keep up your Faith in Christ and in God through Christ Trust in God that for Christs sake he will give you all the blessings purchased with the blood of Christ and promised in the new Covenant For this is the way to keep your hearts from being troubled and to fill your Souls with peace and joy Rom. 15.13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing Isa 26.3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee 1 Pet. 1.8 In whom though now ye see him not yet believing ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory John 14.1 Let not your heart be troubled ye believe in God believe also in me