The Best Treasure, Chapter 11
CHAP. XI.
The glorious Excellency of Chriſt's tender Pity opened and diſplayed in the ſeveral Acts of it, both to Saints and Sinners.
ANother Diſcovery of the Sweetneſs of Chriſt's Diſpoſition is,
Thirdly, His Pity, this is lookt upon as an excellent Qualification, and that which renders a perſon lovely among men, Rom. 5. 7. For ſcarcely for a righteous man will one dye, yet peradventure for a good man ſome would even dare to dye: for a juſt man, one that is ſtrict and rigid in his Life and matters of Juſtice, none will dye; but for a good man, that is, for a bountiful, liberal man, for a Benefactor (ſaith Beza) for a Friend (ſaith another) ſome would even dare to dye; Kindneſs and Compaſſion renders men lovely and amiable in the Sight of Heathens: hence one calls a merciful man a precious thing, and another makes him equal to God, God himſelf prefers Mercy above Sacrifice, Mat. 9. 13. This the Lord opened to Moſes as part of his Glory, Exod. 34. 6. The Lord God merciful and gracious, &c. And this mercifulneſs is placed in the Nature of Chriſt, as Mediator, and therefore muſt needs render him glorious, and be part of his unſearchable Riches: now that the Lord Jeſus is ſo full of Pity and Mercy in his very Nature, the Scripture is clear. This was one Qualification neceſſary to his Prieſt-hood, Heb. 2. 17. This was a ſpecial Requiſite to the Prieſt under the Law, that he ſhould be one who might have Compaſſion on the Ignorant, and them that are out of the way, Heb. 5. 2. Therefore the high-prieſt muſt be a Man, not an Angel, that ſo he being ſubject to Infirmities, to Sins, and Weakneſſes himſelf, he might the better have Compaſſion upon others in the like eaſe. The ſame Argument the Lord uſeth to Iſrael, Deut. 10. 19. Love ye therefore the Stranger, for ye were Strangers in the Land of Aegypt. Experience of Affliction fits a perſon for pity to others, and therefore, our Lord took our Nature upon him, that being compaſt with the ſame Infirmities (Sin only excepted) he might be able to have Compaſſion on others: this is neceſſary in that Office, for a perſon will never be active in ſuch laborious work for Sinners, as offering of Gifts and Sacrifices for Sin, if he have not tender Bowels towards perſons in Miſery: and therefore Jeſus Chriſt muſt needs be ſuch a one, who can have Compaſſion, &c. The word is ſignificant, 'tis in the Original (foreign) to have Compaſſion on others according to the Meaſure and Proportion of their Miſery: Paraeus renders it, to have Compaſſion as much as is needful; Beza, to be affected according to the greatneſs of anothers Miſery, and ſuch is the Compaſſion of Chriſt, 'tis ſuted to the Condition of his People: were Chriſt's Pity but one Grain ſhort of the Miſery and Condition of Sinners, he could never ſave them to the utmoſt; for if he will ſave to the uttermoſt, he muſt ever live to make Interceſſion; there's no one moment of time, in which they don't want help, and muſt have Gifts offer'd for them: But this Chriſt will not do, if he wants Compaſſion, Jam. 5. 11. The Lord is ſaid to be pitiful, and of tender mercies (foreign) of many Bowels; or, as Piſcator, multum viſc…ralis; much bowelful, all pitiful, from inward deep Bowels (foreign) The word is to pity with the Bowels of a Mother, to be prone to compaſſion: So Aeſtius; He is rich in mercy, Eph. 2. 4. Great in Quantity, and Choice in Quality, great Mercy, and choice Mercy, Pſal. 5. 1. According to the multitude of thy tender mercies. The word Rab, multitude, ſignifies Quality as well as Quantity: many Mercies, or weighty Mercies: Mercies; Rachamim: 'Tis ſuch love and pity as Mothers bear to the fruit of their Womb, which is fervent and flaming. The word hath no ſingular number, becauſe there are many works of Mercy, ſaith Piſcator.
Now this Compaſſion of Chriſt lies in theſe two things.
1. In his ſympathizing with his Creatures.
2. In ſupplying and ſupporting them.
Firſt, Pity hath ſympathy in it: an inward Heart-affecting ſenſe of another's Evils, Pſal. 103. 13. Like as a Father pitieth his children, ſo the Lord pitietb them that fear him, Judg. 10. 16. His Soul was grieved for the Children of Iſrael. The word ſignifieth, His Soul was ſhort'ned, or contracted in him, by reaſon of grief. 'Tis ſpoken by an Anthropopathy, according to the apprehenſions of men: As a man is filled with grief, his Breaſt is ſtraitned, that he can ſcarcely breathe; It denotes how much the Lord Jeſus is affected with the miſeries of his People, Heb. 4. 15. He is ſaid to be touched with the Fellow-feeling of our Infirmities, foreign, ſuffering with us. Chriſt, in Heaven, hath ſuch a fellow-feeling of the Evils of his People, as that he reſents their troubles as his own. He is tender-hearted, and every miſery of theirs reacheth his Soul. But this hath been ſomewhat treated of before.
Secondly, Readineſs to ſupply, and ſupport others in their Miſery; and this is eminently manifeſted in the Lord Jeſus, Iſa. 38. 20. The Lord was ready to ſave me. Men ſometimes have a hand, but no heart; they may help, but will not; they only ſay, Go and be fed, and be cloath'd, &c. Others have a heart, but no hand; they have not to ſupply the needs of others; their Cruſe of Oyl, and Barrel of Meal will reach but a little way: beſides, there may be ſome Caſes in which Men or Angels cannot help, Pſal. 142. 4. I looked on my right hand, and behold, there was no man would know me, &c. But there can be no Condition in which Omnipotency fails to help, Heb. 7. 25. Jer. 32. 27. And Chriſt is as really willing as able to ſave: He is an inexhauſted Fountain of all good. Sufficit omnibus (ſaith Paraeus) nec ſufficit tantum, ſed dat liberaliſſime. Dives eſt (ſaith the ſame Author) ſufficientia & affectu: He is good, and doth good: He feeds, gathers, carries, leads, his poor infirm Flocks, when they moſt ſtand in need of him, Iſa. 40. 11. When they are ready to faint for want, he opens a Well, and fills their Bottles: when they wander from their reſting-place, he ſends his Dogs, and gathers them to his Fold; when they are weary, and can go no further, he takes them into his Arms and carries them: when they are hungry, he feeds them, when they are naked, he cloaths them: when they are ſick, he viſits them, when they are in Priſon, he comes to them: He giveth to his People richly all things to enjoy, 1 Tim. 6. 17. He exhibits, or yields out, all things, (not ſome things only) and that richly too: plentifully, not in Title only, but in Fruition alſo, Heb. 4. 16. He giveth Grace to help in time of need: He ſends them ſeaſonable help, help in fit time: (foreign) This word ſignifies, to run at ones call, to help him aſſoon as he cries for help; to run in to his Succour; ſo doth Chriſt. He is a preſent help in time of need, Pſal. 46. 1. When they can hold out no longer, he will relieve their Siege; when they are ready to periſh, he will ſtep in betwixt them and deſtruction, 1 Cor. 10. 13. And this he doth too from a tender heart, that feels, and ſhares in their Dangers. Poor Believer! let thy Condition be never ſo bad, the Lord Jeſus hath an open heart and hand for thy help. It may be, men may harden their hearts againſt thee, good men may take little notice of thee, Prieſt and Levite paſs thee by, and will not know thy Soul in adverſity; but yet comfort thy heart, thou haſt a Friend in Heaven, that grieves with, and for thee, and will open Treaſures to ſupply thee.
Now this pitiful Nature of Chriſt appears in divers particulars, both to Saints and Sinners. To Saints.
Firſt, In looking after their Concerns, Exod. 2. 22. 'Tis ſaid, that God looked upon the Children of Iſrael; and had reſpect unto them. This is an act of pity to look after the welfare of another. Merciful Jeſse, when his Sons were in danger, ſent David to look after them, 1 Sam. 17. 18. So is the heart of Chriſt concern'd in the welfare of his People, 1 Pet. 3. 12. The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his Ears are open to their Prayer: He knows their Souls in Adverſity, conſiders their Troubles, and looks after their Matters, Pſal. 31. 7. 1 Pet. 5. 7. The want of this looking after a Perſons welfare, is an evidence of the want of pity, Jer. 15. 5. Who ſhall have pity upon thee, O Jeruſalem, &c? O, what comfort is this to poor afflicted Souls, that though men look not after them, Friends matter not what become of them, yet the Lord careth for them.
Secondl…, In labouring to prevent their Evils. This is another act of pity, as we may ſee in Mordecai and Eſther. A dreadful Danger was near to Iſrael; a Decree paſſed by the King to cut them all off in one day▪ When Mordecai heard of this, how induſtriouſly doth he labour with Eſther, to improve all her Intereſt in the King to prevent it, Eſth. 4. 8, 13, 14. Chriſt cannot foreſee any Dangers impending on his People, but his Bowels ſtir him up to employ his Omnipotency to remove them. And this he doth,
Firſt, By warning them of their Danger. He ſends them alarms, and gives them notice, as a Watchman, when their Enemies are near, Ezek. 3. 18. Heb. 11. 7. Noah being warned of God, &c. So Joſeph, Matth. 2. 13. was warned of God in a dream to flee into Egypt, wh… Chriſt was in danger of Herod's bloody butcheries. Ezek. 33. 11. Turn you, turn you from your wicked wayes, for why will you dye, O houſe of Iſrael?
Secondly, By keeping their hearts from cloſing with Temptations, when they are like to prove dangerous: So he dealt with Joſeph, Gen. 39. 9. Perhaps he may permit their falling into ſome leſſer Evils, to try, and humble them; but when the Sin will probably occaſion a great diſhonour to God, and endanger the final eſtate of their Souls, then uſually he will give forth preventing Grace to direct their hearts from cloſing with it.
Thirdly, By plucking them back, when on the borders of deſtruction. Thus David's feet had well nigh ſlipt, and he was almoſt gone; and then He opens a paſſage for him into the Sanctuary, and graciouſly reconciles to him his ſeemingly contradictory Providences, 1 Sam. 24. 4, 5, 6. Pſal. 73. 2, 3, 17. And L…, when by lingring in Sodom, he had almoſt expos'd himſelf a prey to devouring Flames, the Angels ſuddenly pluckt him out, and kept him from that impending ruine, Gen. 19. 10, 16.
Fourthly, By ſore Afflictions, ſmarting rods, and croſs Providences, he ſometimes prevents their ſins, and ſo their deſtruction, Pſal. 119. 67. Before I was afflicted I went aſtray, but now I have kept thy word. Thus the Waters of Marah have ſometimes led to the Waters of the Sanctuary; and grievous Diſtempers on the Body have proved the health of the Soul. I have read of one, that by breaking …is Leg ſaved his Life.
Fifthly, By breaking the Snare when they are in it, and ſo making a way for their eſcape, Pſal. 124. 7. The ſnare is broken, and we are eſcaped. When David was compaſs'd round by Saul, and no poſſible way was left him to avoid the Jaws of ruine, then the Lord ſent in the Philiſtims to call off Saul, 1 Sam. 23. 24, 25, 26, 27. So, when the Proteſtants in France were almoſt ſtarv'd with Famine, and reduc'd to that extremity that all hopes of Safety, in man's judgment failed them, then was God's time to come in to their reſcue, by ſending in Ambaſſadours to call off the Duke of Anjou to be King of Poland, by which means the Siege was remov'd, and upon the mediation of theſe Ambaſſadours, the Proteſtants obtained Liberty. Thus he ſaved Iſaac alſo, when Abraham's Knife was at his Throat, Gen. 22. 10, 11, 12, 13.
Laſtly, By giving them a Vomit, when the Poyſon is taken in, that ſo it may be timely ejected, before the danger be unremoveable. This way God prevented David's ruine, in the matter of Bathſheba, after he had fallen into the ſin, by giving him Repentance to Salvation, Pſal. 51.
Thirdly, Another act of his pity is, His being ſoon affected with the Evils of his People, Zach. 2. 8, 9. He that toucheth you, toucheth the Apple of mine eye. His Soul was grieved for the miſery of Iſrael, Judg. 10. 6. He pitied the poor Leper in diſtreſs, Mark, 1. 41. and was mov'd with compaſſion becauſe the Jews were as ſheep without a ſhepherd, Mark 6. 34.
Fourthly, His viſiting them in their diſtreſſes: this is an act of love and pity, Matth. 25. 36. I have been ſick, and ye viſited me, Joh. 14. 18. Joh. 20. 19. Exod. 3. 8. A merciful nature will ſhew it ſelf in viſiting ſuch as are afflicted; If others be ſick they will go ſee them, and condole with them: they will go rather to the houſe of mourning, than to the houſe of feaſting, Eecleſ. 7. 2. They are companions of the diſtreſſed: and ſuch is the tenderneſs of Chriſt's heart, that he chuſeth the company of the miſerable: If his People be in the Water, and in the Fire, he will be with them, Iſa. 43. 2. If they be caſt out of the Synagogues, perſecuted, and deſerted for his ſake, he will find them out, and keep them company, Joh. 9. 35. If they be caſt on ſick beds, he will ſit by them; if they cannot ſleep through trouble, he will ſit up with them; when they are ſolitary and dejected, he will come and ſee them.
Fifthly, His comforting them in their Troubles: He is the Father of Mercies, and God of all Comfort, who comforteth us in all our Tribulations. Conſolating is an act of pity to thoſe that are in trouble, 1 Theſ. 3. 2. So Job's Friends, when they had heard of all the Evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his place to mourn with him, and to comfort him. Herein lies much of Chriſt's pity to his People, he would not have them ſwallowed up of overmuch grief, 2 Cor. 2. 7. When they are caſt down, he charges his Meſſengers to ſpeak comfortably to them, Iſa. 40. 2. When he brings his People into the Wilderneſs, he will ſpeak comfortably to them, Hoſ. 2. 14. Iſa. 66. 13. chap. 57. 18. This is part of Chriſt's Interceſſion in Heaven, that the Father would ſend the Comforter to them, Joh. 14. 16. And part of his laſt counſel that he left with them, was, That they would be of good cheer, Joh. 16. 33. Joh. 14. 1. He began his Sermon with a Uſe of Comfort, Let not your hearts be troubled, &c. and here he cloſeth the ſame with a word of Comfort. And indeed, the whole of Chriſt's Fare-wel Sermon, was Conſolation to his People: He would not have them be in Heavineſs longer than need did require, 1 Pet. 1. 6. but commands them to rejoyce evermore, 1 Theſ. 5. 16.
Sixthly, His counſelling them in all caſes, wherein they ſtand in need of his Advice: Hence they have Line upon line, and Precept upon Precept, that they might be wiſe to Salvation; and therefore he is called the wonderful Counſellor, Iſa. 9. 6. Pſal. 16. 7. I bleſs the Lord, who hath given me counſel. Counſel (ſaith Ainſworth) about my Sufferings, and the Glory that ſhall follow, Job 36. 8, 9, 10. Adverſity ſometimes is God's Univerſity; and, Schola Crucis (ſaith Luther) is Schola Lucis: Myſterious Truths many times ſpring out of Affliction-depths.
Seventhly, His giving to them, and forgiving of them. Pity hath open hands, and ſtretcht out arms. Chriſt hath left a large witneſs of his liberality, 1 Tim. 6. 17. Who giveth richly all things to enjoy. Men give ſparingly, but Chriſt bountifully; they with ſtraitned hearts, but he with open bowels; they ſometimes in Reverſion, but he in poſſeſſion. And he doth not only give, but forgive, Mic. 7. 18. Who is a God like unto thee, that pardons iniquities, &c? Exod. 34. 6. Pſal. 86. 5. Thou Lord art good, and ready to forgive, Numb. 14. 20. 1 Joh. 2. 1. They run into debt, and he diſchargeth them: They do, as it were, write down their Iniquities, and he blots them out. Now, Are not theſe admirable demonſtrations of his Pity, and affectionate compaſſions of his tender Bowels towards his People?
Secondly, He hath infinite Pity for his Enemies; Mercy and good will for Sinners, Luke 6. 35. This appears,
Firſt, In his bearing with them, and forbearing of them, Rom. 9. 22. Endured with much long-ſuffering the veſſels of wrath fitted for deſtruction: How doth the Lord ſuffer the vileſt of men to live, and that very long? Lo, I have come theſe three years looking for fruit, Luke 13. 17. Theſe forty years have I been grieved with this People, Pſal. 95. 10. An hundred and twenty years did he bear with that high and uncurable wickedneſs of the firſt World, and that after it was come to the full, Gen. 6. 3. Four hundred years did God bear with the ſins of the Amorites, even after he had given Abraham their Land, Gen. 15. 13, 16. How long did the Lord bear with the Ten Tribes after their Apoſtaſie from his pure Service? even the ſpace of two hundred and fifty years; in which time there were Nineteen Kings, and all wicked men, walking in the ſteps of Jeroboam. O! the ſlowneſs of God to Anger, even againſt his Enemies, that dare him to his very Face, yea, that trample his Glory under foot, and that every day, yea hour; and yet God ſpares them to old Age many times. Alas! how ſoon are we angry at our Enemies, and if but ſlighted a little, ready with the Diſciples to call for Fire from Heaven, to conſume thoſe that receive us not, Luke, 9. 54. But the Lord Jeſus is not ſo, he waiteth that he may be gracious, and his long-ſuffering leadeth to Salvation.
Secondly, His maintaining of them, and that ſometimes at the higheſt rate, giving them Honour and Riches, Proſperity and Favour. Pharoah muſt have a Kingdom, and yet an Enemy to his People: Nebuchadnezzar, an Empire; Ahaſuerus an hundred twenty and ſeven Provinces; Croeſus vaſt riches, and Sardanapalus delicate Pleaſures. All the Creatures are preſſed at their Service; the Air, Earth, and Sea are ranſack't to ſatiate their Luſts, Hoſ. 11. 2, 3, 4. He feeds and cloaths, helps and proſpers his greateſt Enemies, and all to heap up Coals of Fire upon their heads.
Thirdly, His affectionate ſeeking their Salvation. This was his Errand into the World, he came to ſave Sinners, 1 Tim. 1. 15. Loſt Sinners, Matth. 18. 11. Bloody Sinners, Ezek. 16. 6. Blind Idolaters, Acts 17. 23. Cruel Perſecutors, Acts, 9. 4. Wicked Sorcerers, Acts, 8. 9. Theſe the Lord Jeſus ſeeks to ſave; he ſends his Goſpel, to invite them to come unto him, Matth. 11. 28. Yea, beſeeches them, 2 Cor. 5. 20. Makes large promiſes to them, if they will return, Iſa. 55. 7. Act. 3. 19. Yea, how doth the Spirit ſtrive with Sinners, that they may be ſaved; Reaſons with them, Why will you dye? Come, let us reaſon together, Iſa. 1. 18. Why wilt thou not ſuffer me to ſave thy Soul, and to make thee happy to all Eternity? Poor Sinner! I have a real mind to do thee good, an affectionate kindneſs for thee; I came from Heaven to ſave ſuch as thee. Behold my hands and my feet, ſee how my heart bleeds for thee: Behold, how ready my purchaſe is; yonder is thy fair Eſtate, if thou wilt be mine. Lift up thine eyes to thoſe Manſions, Crowns and Thrones; all theſe ſhall then be thine: See thoſe beautiful Garments, conſent to me, and thou ſhalt wear thy filthy Rags, or lye in thoſe pinching ſtraits no longer; thou ſhalt lodge no more in thoſe ſtinking Kennels of thy Luſts: O poor Sinner! why wilt thou ſtand in thy own light, and ſlight this offer, which thou mayeſt never have made thee more? Lo, how my Bowels move towards thee, ſee how my Arms are open'd to thee; Be mine, and I will be thine; My Kingdom ſhall be thine, my Friends will be thine, my Servants ſhall be thine: My Angels ſhall protect thee, yea, attend thee; my Creatures ſhall maintain thee, my Wiſdom ſhall guide thee, my Faithfulneſs ſhall keep thee, my Power ſhall be laid out for thee, my Love ſhall delight thee, my Honour ſhall adorn thee, and my Treaſure ſhall enrich thee: I will be a loving Husband to thee, I will provide all good things for thee; I will rejoyce over thee, I will forget the wrongs thou haſt done me; I will requite thy Ʋnkindneſs with Kindneſs, and draw thee with cords of Love: with cords (ſaith one) woven and ſpun out of my very Heart and Bowels. O miſerable Caitiff! embrace my Counſels, liſten thine Ears to Heaven gate, and hear the melodious Muſick that is there made by refined Spirits; why, wilt thou rather lye with damned howling Devils, than ſing Hallelujah's, and the Song of the Lamb with ſaved Souls? Accept of me, and unchangeable Glory, unſpeakable Priviledges, and Rivers of Pleaſures ſhall be thine. Thus doth the Lord Jeſus woo poor periſhing Souls to be happy: and is not this Pity indeed?
Fourthly, His readineſs to receive them when they come to him: No ſooner do they open the door but he comes in, Rev. 3. 20. If any man open the door, I will come in unto him. No ſooner doth the Prodigal return, but his Father meets him; yea, runs to meet him, as if he could never come ſoon enough at him, Luke 15, 20. Mercy is upon the wing, when it comes to receive returning Sinners. No ſooner did Ephraim repent, but God repented too; As ſoon as he ſaid, Turn thou me, God ſaid, He ſhall be turned; when he cries, Thou art the Lord my God, preſently God Anſwers, Is he not a pleaſant Child? So willing is Chriſt to receive returning Sinners, as that he promiſeth he will in no wiſe caſt them out, Joh. 6. 37. Yea, if they cannot come unto him, he will go and fetch them, and if they cannot go, he will draw them, Joh. 6. 44.
Fifthly, His great Joy when he hath obtain'd them; The Father of the Prodigal keeps a Feaſt, and makes merry when his loſt Child is found, Luke 15. 23, 24. Pſal. 104. 31. The Lord ſhall rejoyce in his Works, and this he doth when he hath finiſhed them, Heb. 4. 4. But there is nothing the Lord Jeſus Chriſt takes more pleaſure in, than in the Redemption of Souls, Prov. 8. 31. He delighted in the habitable parts of the Earth. This you vvill find further amplified in the Parables of the loſt ſheep, and loſt piece of Silver, Luke 15. from verſ. 4. to 11.