The Best Treasure, Chapter 7
CHAP. VII.
Shewing, what Conſolation flows to Believers from the Interceſſion of Chriſt.
IF the Lord Jeſus Chriſt be the onelyonly Mediator between God and Man, then here's Comfort for Believers in ſeveral Caſes.
Firſt, To weak Believers; ſuch as need Mercy, and are unable to beg it as they ſhould. Poor Soul! Art thou ſenſible of thy urgent Neceſſities? that thy Wants are more than can be numbred? Knoweſt thou the Hardneſs, Pride, Filthineſs, and Ungratefulneſs of thy Heart? underſtandeſt thou thy need of the Spirit of Grace, and the Gifts of Grace, but canſt not pray for ſupplies ſo underſtandingly, ſenſibly, affectionately, and believingly as thou oughteſt, and therefore feareſt, ſhalt never find an Anſwer, or obtain any reviving comfort to thy Soul, in the believing view of Chriſt's Interceſſion in Heaven. Let me tell thee, deſponding Chriſtian, thou canſt not be really poor, and pray in Faith; thou canſt not periſh for want, and have a Jeſus in Heaven interceding for thee, Heb. 7. 25. Him the Father heareth alwayes, Joh. 11. 42. If the matter depended upon thy own Oratory and Eloquence, thy Caſe were ſad; but there is one in Heaven that is wiſe, mighty, merciful, omniſcient, who minds thy caſe, conſiders thy needs, hears thy groans, knows thy diſtreſſes, and ever liveth to make Interceſſion for thee.
Object. But, ſayes a Soul, How ſhall I know that Chriſt intercedes for me, who am not worthy to lye under his Table, nor crawl at his Feet; I fear he hath greater concernments upon his Heart than to remember me.
For Reſolution in this, look back to Chap. 4. where is ſhewn for whom Chriſt intercedes. He prayes for all that believe in him, Joh. 17. 15. Art thou one that believeſt in Chriſt? Haſt thou choſen him as thy Lord and Righteouſneſs? And is he precious to thy Soul? Could'ſt thou be content to part with all for him? Pleaſures, Profits, and Worldly Grandeur, are they nothing, when they come in competition with him. Canſt thou not ſay, O! None but Chriſt, none but Chriſt; Chriſt with Poverty, with Diſgrace, with Bondage and miſery, is far more preferrable than Riches, Repute, Liberty, and Mercies without him? Doſt thou conſent to all his terms? and art thou willing to take up his yoke, and to learn of him? to bear his Croſs, and follow him? to leave all, and come to him, and that conſiderately, and from thy whole Heart? Doſt thou caſt and adventure thy Soul, and thy All, upon his Ability to ſave thee? Believeſt thou all that the Scripture reporteth concerning him? his Perſonal Excellencies, and purchaſed Sufficiencies? That he is able and willing to ſave all that come to God by him, and will not caſt out any that really come? And in this hope art thou reſolved to truſt thy All upon him, and if thou periſh, to periſh at his Feet? Then art thou that Soul for whom Chriſt intercedes in Heaven, Luke 10. 42. Lam. 3. 24. Iſa. 44. 5. Eſth. 4. 16. Mark, 9. 24.
Object. But I cannot pray as I ought, according to the Will of God. Alas! how cold, dead, ſpiritleſs are my Prayers? and will God hear me?
Sol. 'Tis not for thy name thou art heard, but for the Name of Chriſt; as you have already heard, Joh. 14. 13. Rom. 8. 26, 27. We know not what to pray for as we ought. Neither I Paul, nor you believing Romans, know how to pray as we ought. If thou wanteſt words, yet if thou haſt ſighs and groans, thy Prayers are heard through Chriſt.
Again, Thou ſayeſt thou canſt not pray according to the Will of God.
I Anſw. 1. If thy Prayers are for ſuch things as God requires, for things that concern his Glory, and the good and Salvation of thy Soul; and for theſe outward things, as God ſees needful for thee: If thou prayeſt for theſe, as God promiſeth them, for Spiritual bleſſings abſolutely, and for others, with ſubmiſſion to his Wiſdom and Will; if thou ſeekeſt theſe onelyonly in the Name of Chriſt, and ultimately for the Glory of God; with all thy Heart, and with all thy Strength, thou askeſt aright, and God will grant thee.
Secondly, God in his infinite Grace, through Chriſt, accounts thoſe things in his People that are not, as if they were, Rom. 4. 17. He judges his People to be what they would be, Rev. 2. 9. I know thy Works, and Tribulation, and Poverty, but thou art rich. The Lord judgeth of his People, not ſo much by their Frames, inherent Qualifications, and external Performances, but by their real Sincerity, and unfeigned deſires, Pſal. 38. 9. Thou complaineſt thy Prayers be cold, and dead, heartleſs and lifeleſs, but doth this pleaſe thee, or trouble thee? Is not this the burden of thy Soul? that which thou mourneſt over, prayeſt and ſtriveſt againſt? Doth no Prayer content thee, but what is ſpiritual and fervent, affectionate and upright? Why, poor Soul, chear up thy ſelf, God eſteems thy Prayers ſuch, through Chriſt, as if they were ſo.
Thirdly, The Procurement of thy needed Mercies, doth not depend upon thy Prayer-frames, or the Modes and Meaſures of thy Holineſs, but on the Mediation of Jeſus Chriſt. Pray, weigh that Scripture, Joh. 14. 14, 16. If you ſhall ask any thing in my Name, I will do it. And I will pray the Father. (Any thing) that is, any thing you abſolutely need; Any thing that is fit for you to ask and me to give, I will do it. He doth not ſay The Modes of your Prayers, the meaſures of your Frames and Holineſs ſhall do it; but if ye ask, though with broken Language, and troubled Expreſſions, Sighs and Groans, I will do it. You have but one Advocate with the Father, I will word your Requeſts, and perfume them with my Incenſe; not the Excellency of your Duties, but the Worthineſs of my Interceſſion, ſhall procure your needed Mercies.
Secondly, Here's Comfort to troubled Believers, ſuch as are in the depth of Soul-miſery, and caſt down with the ſight of their Sins, guilt of their Conſciences, and Fears of their Condition, that go mourning all the day long, forget to eat their Bread, feed on Worm-wood and Gall, refuſe (with Rachel) to be comforted, becauſe their firſt born, their Comforts, firſt Love and Holineſs are not, Jer. 31. 15. This is the caſe of ſome poor Souls from day to day; they meet with no Conſolation, eat Aſhes in ſtead of Bread, and mingle their Tears with their Drink; they go from Ordinance to Ordinance, and their Fear come and go with them; they feel little Change by all they do, or enjoy, their Hearts are har…, proud, vain, carnal, unbelieving, hence they fear they are Hypocrites, and ſhall be caſt away to all Eternity.
Now here's Comfort to ſuch from Chriſts Interceſſion in Heaven, he is there pleading thy cauſe, and preſſing after thy cure; thou haſt provoked God, but he is appeaſing his Wrath, 1 John. 2. 1. 2. Thou art angring God every day, but he is always pleaſing him for thee; thou art making Breaches upon the Law of God, and he is there cloſing up thoſe Breaches by his Blood and Interceſſion; thou art buſie making wounds upon the Glory of the Father, and Chriſt is there preſenting the deep Gaſhes, and bloody Stroaks his Juſtice laid upon him for thoſe very Sins: when God is reſolv'd to be aveng'd for thy Backſlidings, Chriſt is then diſcovering his conſtant Obedience, and upright Faithfulneſs for thee, he pleads with the Father thus, Father, ſhall thy Anger burn for ever, and thy Vengeance always wax hot againſt this Soul, My Child? Remember what I have borne for him, I have already ſuffered for his Sin, and given a plenary Satisfaction to the Demands of Juſtice, and wilt thou charge it on him? Father, let his Sins be on me, as David, 2 Sam. 24. 17. Let thy hand I pray thee, be againſt me, theſe Sheep what have they done? 'Tis I am their Surety, and in thy Account the Offender; I have anſwered for their Offences, and diſcharged their Debts, why wilt thou purſue them in thy Anger? Holy Father, in Juſtice ſpare theſe Offenders; behold them in my Blood, and cloathed with my Righteouſneſs, Obedience, and Suffering; 'tis true, their Natures are vile, but mine is holy, and they are Members of my Fleſh and of my Bones, they are diſeaſed but I have undertaken their Cure, and will preſent them to thee without Spot and Wrinkle. And this Interceſſion of Chriſt ſhall certainly prevail with God for thee, that thy Iniquities may be pardoned and thy Sins remembred no more, Heb. 8. 12. All that is promis'd in the new Covenant, Chriſt intercedes for in Heaven; for he is the Angel of the Covenant Mal. 3. 1. The Mediator of the new Covenant, Heb. 9. 15. But the Forgiveneſs of Believers Sins, is part of the new Covenant, Jer. 31. 34. Mich. 7. 18. where God forgives one Sin he forgives them all, Jer. 33. 8. I will cleanſe them from all their Iniquities, &c. He will pardon not only Sins before, but after Grace; not only ſmall but great Sins, Pſal. 25. 11. Not only Sins that have been once, but often committed, Jer. 3. 22. Return ye back-ſliding Children, and I will heal your Back-ſlidings. He doth not ſay once or twiee, but let their Back-ſlidings be never ſo great and many upon their Return God will pardon them; nay though they be as Scarlet, and as red as Crimſon, Iſa. 1. 18.
Object. I did once hope that God had pardon'd all my Sins, but now I fear it, becauſe I have back-ſliden after Mercy, and wallowed in Sin after waſhing, and God threatens he will not forgive ſuch, Jer. 14. 10. chap. 5. 7.
Sol. 1. The Reaſon why God would not pardon their Sin, was not becauſe they were too great for Pardon, but becauſe they would not return, Jer. 15. 7. I will deſtroy my People, becauſe they return not from their Ways, Jer. 23. 14. The Lord promiſeth to ſuch as have gone aſide from his Ordinances, even from their Youth, that if they will return to him, he will return to them, Mal. 3. 7. Jer. 4. 1.
Secondly, If God will pardon all their Sins, then he will pardon their Relapſes after Mercy, be they never ſo great, upon their returning to him; God ſpeaks indefinitely, I will cleanſe them from all Iniquity, Jer. 33. 8.
Thirdly, If God will pardon their Sins before Grace, much more thoſe after Grace; if he will forgive them when Enemies, then much more being reconciled; the Apoſtle uſeth the ſame Argument, Rom. 5. 8. 9.
Fourthly, If there be no Condemnation to them that are in Chriſt Jeſus, then God will ſurely pardon all their Sins, that ever they commit: for there is never a Sin, but will condemn the Soul if it be not pardoned; but the Soul that is in Chriſt, is never, no not one Minute of time in a condemned State, Rom. 8. 1.
Fifthly, If the Lord Jeſus ha…h ſatisfi'd for all the Sins of Believers, then they ſhall furely be forgiven; otherwiſe, God would be argu'd of Injuſtice, and Chriſt would ſhed his blood in vain: but the Lord Jeſus hath ſatisfied divine Juſtice to the full, for the Sins of all his People, Iſa. 53. 5. 6. The foreign or Ranſome, 1 Tim. 2. 6. paid by Chriſt, was a full and ſufficient price, and therefore his Satisfaction is compleat for all their Sins: if this were not ſo, he could not have cleans'd them from all Sin, but he cleanseth them from all Sin, 1 Joh. 1. 7. Chriſt could not have ſaved them to the uttermoſt that come to God by him, were his Satisfaction imperfect, but this he doth, Heb. 7. 25.
Laſtly, If the Lord ſhould not pardon all the Sins of his People, he would be unjuſt and unfaithful, 1 Joh. 1. 9. but that he cannot be, Zeph. 3. 5, He will not do Iniquity, he is the faithful one that cannot deceive or be deceiv'd, Iſa. 45. 21. Let God be true, and every man a Lyar.
Thirdly, Here's Comfort to Believers, that are dejected in the ſenſe of their ſtrong Corruptions, and unſubdued Luſts; The Body of Death in ſome doth make them doubt the truth of Grace, and fills their Lives with Bitterneſs and Terrours: The badneſs of their Hearts, and vileneſs of their Natures, makes ſome conclude their final Ruine; But here's Comfort to ſuch.
Firſtly, In that it hath been and is the caſe of the deareſt Children of God, their Corruptions, like the Sons of Zerviah, have been too hard for them. Abraham accounts himſelf Duſt and Aſhes, Gen. 18. 27. Job cries out I am vile, Job. 40. 4. David ſays, Mine Iniquities are gone over my head, as a Burden too heavy to bear, Pſal. 38. 4. Iſaiah, from a reflex View of God's Glory, concludes he was undone becauſe a man of unclean Lips, Iſa. 6. 4, 5. And the Church, Iſaiah 64. 6. profeſs they were as an unclean thing. Paul an elect Veſſel, a man of ſingular Revelations, yet laments that in him dwelt no good thing, Rom. 7. 18. That he was carnal and ſold under Sin, ver. 14. and when he would do good evil was preſent with him, ver. 21.
Secondly, Here's Comfort, that their Corruptions in them ſhall not break their Covenant Relation to God, Pſal. 89. 30. to 35. There can be no Forfeiture of this Promiſe, I will be their God, and they ſhall be my People. Thy Lye cannot make God untrue, Rom. 3. 3. 4. Thy evil Eye cannot make his Eye evil too, Matth. 20. 15. Thy wicked Thoughts cannot alter his gracious Thoughts, Iſa. 55. 8. 9. Thy invincible Corruptions cannot overcome his Mercies, nor the Enmity of thy Nature make God thy Enemy.
Thirdly, Chriſt is employed in Heaven about this very Work of ſubduing thine Iniquities, he intercedes ever, and why? That this People might be ſanctified by the Truth, Joh. 17. 17. That they might have more Grace, and the Spirit given out to mortifie their Corruptions; he reigns in Heaven on purpoſe to bring down his and their Enemies, 1 Cor. 15. 25. He carries on the work of Redemption in Heaven, and what is that but to ſet his People free indeed: he hath an aſſured care now in Glory to fulfil his Promiſes, one of which is that Iniquity ſhall be ſubdued, Mic. 7. 18. Romans 6. 14.
Fourthly, Chriſt's promiſe to the Father, is ſecurity for the Deſtruction of thy Sin, he is engaged to preſent his people compleat to the Father, Eph. 5. 27. and to keep them unblameable to his heavenly Kingdom, 1 Theſ. 5. 23.
Fifthly, His Glory and Pleaſure is concerned in the Death of thy Corruptions, Iſa. 53. 10. The Pleaſure of the Lord ſhall proſper in his hand. What is this Pleaſure of the Lord? It is the Redemption of his People from the Tyranny of Sin, and the Slavery of Satan, into the glorious Liberty of the firſt born of Glory, 2 Theſ. 1. 11, 12.
Laſtly, Grace is of a prevailing Nature, and muſt deſtroy thy Luſts at laſt, and the Spirit of Grace is in his people, Mat. 12. 20. the Intereſt of Sin and Sinners cannot always ſtand before the Intereſt of God and his people, Eſther 6. 13.
Fourthly, Here's Comfort to tempted Believers, ſuch as are always dogged with filthy and frigh… ing Temptations, reſtleſsly haunted with vile and blaſphemous Thoughts, and miſerably buffeted with dreadful and dangerous Suggeſtions: if Chriſt be interceding in Heaven, then ſurely he will one day or other, put an end to all the Temptations, and in the mean time over-rule them, that they ſhall not prevail over thee, 1 Cor. 10. 13. Heb. 2. 19. For in that he himſelf hath ſuffered, being tempted, he is able to ſuccour thoſe that are tempted. Chriſt is a merciful High-prieſt, and wants neither Knowledge, Bowels or Abiliiy, which might render him capable to relieve the tempted; he hath the tempting Serpent, the roaring Lion in Chains, and will mercifully ſay to that proud one, come ſo far, and no farther.
Fifthly, Here's Comfort to Gods people under their Afflictions and Sufferings in the World, or by the World; if Chriſt be interceding in Heaven for them, then ſurely he will not leave them comfortleſs in their Sufferings for him, Joh. 14. 8. chap. 16. 32. 33. Then Tribulation, nor Perſecution, nor any thing elſe can ſeparate them from the Love of God in Chriſt, Rom. 8. 35. He that is for them is ſtronger than all that are againſt them, …erſ. 31. He will be with them in the Fire and in the Water, Iſa. 43. 2. Chriſt is never ſweeter than when the World is moſt bitter to a Child of God; Afflictions can but file away the Ruſt and ſcoure away the Filth, it cannot diminiſh the, Grace, nor injure the State of thoſe that are intereſted in Chriſt's Mediation; Chriſt's Cordials are never better, than when his people are moſt faint and languiſhing: Chriſt in Heaven, laughs at the vain hopes of his Enemies, and will daſh all their Attempts againſt himſelf and Intereſt in pieces, Pſal. 2. 4, 9. He will ſtrengthen his tyred, diſtreſſed Servants under Sufferings, Iſa. 42. 10. 2 Cor. 12. 9. His Arm is made bare, his Power diſplay'd and his Strength made perfect in their Weakneſſes, Pſal. 27. 14. This may be the Trouble and dejecting Fears of ſome, how they ſhall hold out-in times of Tryal. I am afraid (ſays one) I ſhall never bare Reproaches, Hatred, Bonds, Loſs of Goods, and death for Chriſt, with a magnanimous and Goſpel Spirit: Why Soul? It ſhall be given thee in that hour not only to believe, but to ſuffer for Chriſt, Phil. 1. 29. The Fury of the Adverſary ſhall not terrifie you, nor their rampent Rage deject your Courage. Iſa. 35. 4.
Sixthly, Here's Comfort to ſuch as are Mourners for Sion, and grieve at the Afflictions of God's People: That lament to ſee Chriſt's Intereſt on foot, and the Wicked on horſe-back, Tranſgreſſors to proſper, and the Godly afflicted, that weep to behold Divine Providences thwarting his Promiſes. The Lord hath promiſed, that to Chriſt ſhall every Knee bow, and every Tongue confeſs. Men read of glorious things ſpoken of Sion; but when they look to the Intereſt of God, they ſee nothing but matter of trouble and grief. They look to the Earth, and behold Darkneſs and Confuſions; they look to the Church of Chriſt, and lo, Decayes and Dyings: Now this breeds trouble to the Friends of Chriſt, to ſee things run counter, and croſs to expectation and promiſe: yet here is Comfort from the Interceſſion of Chriſt on this account. For,
Firſt, The Lord Jeſus ſits at Helm, he is upon the Throne, and reigns as King for ever; and this hath been the Faithful▪s Refuge and Support in the worſt of Times, Pſal. 10. 2. 4. 16. Pſa. 29. 10. The Lord Jeſus hath the Government of Nations, as well as of Sion, on his ſhoulders, Iſa. 9. 6. Eph. 1. 22. He rules over all, Pſal. 103. 19. His Kingdom ruleth over all. Men and Devils cannot wreſt the Scepter out of his hands: In ſpight of all he is King of Sion, Pſal. 2. 6. and his Government is maintained in all the Confuſions that are on the Earth; and if ſo, there is no cauſe for the People of Chriſt to be dejected. Fear not, (ſaid Caeſar to his Mariners in a Storm) Caeſar is here. Why are ye ſo fearful, (ſaid Chriſt to his Diſciples, when trembling at their Dangers in a boyſterous Storm) O ye of little Faith, Matth. 8. 26. That Veſſel cannot miſcarry that hath Chriſt at Helm, and if it could (ſaid Luther) mallem ruere cum Chriſto quam regnare cum Caeſare. I had rather periſh with Chriſt than reign with Caeſar.
Secondly, His Paths are in the deep waters, Pſal. 77. 19. Thy way is in the Sea, thy paths are in the deep waters, and thy foot-ſteps are not known. The Pſalmiſt alludes to that Providence of God in leading Iſrael through the red Sea; when Deaths were on every hand, God walked on thoſe Waters, and made a way through them for his People. So Nah. 1. 3. The Lord hath his way in the Whirlwind, and in the Storm and the Clouds are the duſt of his Feet. Thoſe ways that men cannot ſtand up in, are Gods uſual walks, in which he leads on his Work and Intereſt. His wayes are above our wayes, and, In the Mount will the Lord be ſeen, Gen. 22. 14. His Providences, Ezek. 1. 16. are like a Wheel in the middle of a wheel, and a skain of Silk ſtrangely entangled. When Iſrael was come near the Borders of the promiſed Land, they muſt be turned back again into the Wilderneſs, and wander up and down forty years in the Deſarts: When Sion's Mercies were come to the Birth, they prov'd Abortive; Strange indeed is the Womb of Divine Providence, and ſeemingly contradictory to Humane Reaſon.
Thirdly, No croſs Providences can hinder Chriſt's Work in the World: He hath purpoſed, and will perform it. Combinations of men, Pſal. 2. 1, 2. the Gates of Hell, Matth. 16. 18. and the Powers of this World can no more impede the Succeſs of Chriſt's Work, than the Barking of Dogs can hinder the Moon's paſſage to its Journey end, Iſa. 43. 13. I will work, and who ſhall let it? Who art thou, O great Mountain, before Zerubbabel? thou ſhalt become a plain, Zach. 4. 7. He taketh up the Iſles as a very ſlender thing; Iſa. 40. 15. The Lord brings in his mightineſs here, to comfort Iſrael under Diſcouragements, by reaſon of Difficulties in the way of their Mercy. Comfort ye my People, ſaith the Lord, ver. 1. Tell her her warfare is accompliſhed, ver. 2. The glory of the Lord ſhall be revealed, ver. 5. O Jeruſalem, that bringeſt good tidings, lift up thy voice with ſtrength: Be not afraid of Dangers, preach my Word, be undaunted in my Service: Behold your God, ver. 9. He will come, and his Reward with him, ver. 10. He will feed his Flock like a Shepherd, v. 11. He will keep up his Word and Ordinances in ſpight of all oppoſition. Obj. But our Enemi…s are many. Anſ. Why, he hath meaſured all the waters of oppoſition in the hollow of his hand, verſ. 12. Obj. But all our wiſdom cannot ſee how theſe great things ſhould be brought about. Anſ. Why, who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord? ver. 13. He wants not wiſdom to accompliſh his Work. Obj. But Nations and Iſlands combine againſt God's Iſrael. Anſw. What if they do? they are no more to God than the drop of a bucket, and the duſt of the Balance, ver. 15. Therefore, fear not, he will perform his Promiſes, and fulfil his Deſigns. Queſt. Why, what hath he promiſed? Anſw. He hath promiſed, that the ſtone cut out of the Mountain without hands, ſhall become a great Mountain, and break in pieces the Image of the Beaſt, Dan. 2. 35, 45. and that he will ſet up the Kingdom of his Son in the World, ver. 44. Iſa. 2. 2.
He hath promiſed Peaceful times to the Church of God, when the Sword ſhall be turned into Plowſhares, Iſa. 2. 4. Iſa. 55. 13. Great ſhall be the peace of thy Children: None ſhall hurt or deſtroy in all God's holy Mountain, Iſa. 65. 25. Ezek. 28. 24, Iſa. 16. 18. Pſal. 72. 9.
He hath promiſed times of Light and Knowledge, Iſa. 11. 9. chap. 52. 8. ch. 54. 13. ch. 60. 19, 20.
He hath promiſed times of Holineſs, Iſa. 60. 21. ch. 4. 3. ch. 35. 8. Zech. 14. 20, 21.
He hath promiſed times of Union, Zech. 14. 9. Zeph. 3. 9. Ezek. 37. 19.
He hath promiſed times of Joy and Comfort to his Intereſt, Iſa. 65. 13, 14. ch. 35. 10. ch. 25. 8.
He hath promiſed Enlargement to the Church, Iſa. 2. 2. ch. 60. 8, 9, 13.
He hath promiſed Stability and Settlement, Iſa. 54. 14. ch. 60. 20.
He hath promiſed Activity and Livelineſs, Iſa. 26. 19.
Fourthly, As thoſe great and glorious things are ſpoken of Sion, ſo they ſhall certainly be accompliſhed in due time, Iſa. 60. 22. Deut. 32. 35. The Viſion is but for an appointed time, Hab. 2. 3. As the Things are appointed, ſo is the Time, beyond which God will not go one moment, Exod. 12. 41, 42. The ſelf-ſame day; the Jewiſh Doctors ſay it was mid-day, as ſoon as one hundred and thirty years was out, to an hour, God fulfill'd his Promiſe.
Laſtly, God takes uſually the moſt unlikely time to fulfill his Promiſes: As in Abraham, when his Body was dead, Gen. 18. 10, 11. Abraham and Sarah were ſenſible of an utter inability and unfitneſs in themſelves for ſuch a Mercy, yet then was the Promiſe fulfilled, Gen. 22. 14. So Iſrael were brought out of Egypt, when all things made againſt it; their Oppreſſions increaſed, Exod. 2. 23. chap. 5. 7, 8, 19. Pharaoh reſolv'd not to let them go, Exod. 10. 27. and Moſes charg'd to ſee his face no more, on pain of Death, chap. 10. 28. When Gods time was come to bring Iſrael out of Babylon, they were as dry Bones, and ſaid, Our hope is loſt, we are cut off for our parts, Ezek. 37. 11, 12. Pſal. 126. 1. Deut. 32. 36. Mic. 4. 10. Thou ſhalt go into Babylon, and there ſhalt thou be delivered. Before that glorious Salvation of the Jews in Shuſhan, under Ahaſuerus, they were brought under a Sentence of Death, the Decree was ſeal'd, and poſted away, the time appointed for their deſtruction, and no poſſible hopes left of reverſing it, Eſth. 3. 12. to the end, compar'd with Chap. 8. So much for the Uſe of Conſolation.