An Expository Comment on 2 Corinthians 1, Exposition · Sermon 43
SERM. XLIII.
It is a ſpecial Duty incumbent upon every one both Miniſter and Chriſtian, to apply comforts to the Afflicted in a right manner.
2 COR. 1. 4.
That we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble.
IN this final cauſe, we conſidered the Subject, who are fit for this comfort, and they are ſaid to be ſuch who are in any trouble. Thoſe that abound in mercies need no comfort; we are not to give honey to ſuch full ſtomacks. But the troubled, the afflicted, theſe are they, whoſe condition we are to commiſerate. From whence obſerve,
That it is a ſpecial duty, in a right manner, to comfort thoſe that are in It is a ſpecial duty, in a right manner, to comfort the afflicted.trouble.
We are not only to ſeek the converſion of ſuch who go aſtray, but alſo to regard the conſolation of thoſe that lack it. Hence Lam. 1. the Church complaineth, That ſhe had none to comfort her. The Apoſtle ſpeaketh of this duty often, 1 Theſſ. 4. 18. Comfort one another with theſe things. 1 Theſſ. 5. 11, 14. Comfort the feeble minded. You ſee by this preſſing this duty ſo often, that we are ſeriouſly and diligently to practiſe it, leſt as God will judge for neglect of corporal alms to fit objects of charity, ſo alſo he will call to account for the not diſpencing of theſe ſpiritual alms. Thou haſt not viſited thoſe, who were ſpiritually impriſoned by the guilt of their ſins; neither fed thoſe with the bread from Heaven who were hungry. Hence it is that the Apoſtle ſpeaking concerning the inceſtuous perſon, who was now deeply humbled for his ſinne, 2 Cor. 2. 7. exhorts them to comfort him, leſt he be ſwallowed up with too much ſorrow. We have a notable inſtance for this in Jobs friends, Job 2. 11. who when they heard of all the evil that was come upon him, they made an appointment together to come and mourn with him, and to comfort him. Thus you ſee that it is a ſpecial duty, we are carefully to diſcharge, to refreſh the ſouls of others who are caſt down; That as the cuſtom was among the Jews, and Solomon he giveth a precept about it, Prov. 31. 6, 7. Give wine unto thoſe that are of an heavy heart, that he may drink, and remember his miſery no more. So we are in a ſpiritual conſideration to give the wine of the Goſpel to ſuch as mourn for Propoſitions clearing the truth. 1. There are two ſorts of troubles. 1. Spiritual and inward.their ſins.
To diſcover this truth, Conſider
Firſt, The troubled (as you heard formerly) are of two ſorts; Thoſe who are afflicted in ſoul, as the inceſtuous perſon, whom ſorrow had almoſt ſwallowed up as a whirlpool. Theſe that call for a drop of water (as it were) to cool their ſcorching ſouls, and cannot have it. To ſuch as theſe we are to apply our ſelves with all tenderneſſe to comfort them, as the Apoſtle exhorted the Corinthians. For ſeeing that a wounded ſpirit is more hardly born, than any outward miſery whatſoever; no wonder that in this caſe if ever, we come with all comforting medicines to heal them and revive them. We read the Lord Chriſt, when he was in thoſe agonies, conflicting with the ſenſe of Gods wrath, that even he himſelf had an Angel to comfort him. Muſt Chriſt the Sonne of God have an Angel ſent to comfort him? How much more then a poor wretched ſinner, ready to fall into hell with the burden of his ſins? This is fully repreſented by Elihu; Job 33. 28. where ſpeaking of a man chaſtened by the Lord, and conſuming away, ſo that he doth even abhor to eat his bread, If there come an Interpreter, a Meſſenger, one amongst a thouſand, that can ſhew to ſuch his uprightneſſe, that make it evident to him that he is no hypocrite, but the truth of grace abideth in him, then his fleſh ſhall be freſh as a childs, he ſhall pray to God, and he will be favourable, and he ſhall ſee his face with joy. See what a wonderfull change ſuch a meſſenger may make, he doth even raiſe him from the dead, he that was pininig away is returned to his youth, and this is for ſpiritual troubles.
Again, in the ſecond place, There are outward troubles; and it's our duty to 2. Outward.comfort ſuch alſo, and endeavour to turn their water into wine; and of ſuch troubles happily the Apoſtle ſpeaketh chiefly in this Text. For although God be ready to fill their hearts with joy, yet he will have this done many times by the help of others, becauſe we being members in the ſame body, are to be accordingly ſerviceable to one another.
Hence in the ſecond place, Every one in trouble doth greatly need the aſſistance and help of others to comfort them. Take the moſt godly Miniſter, or the moſt 2. The afflicted need the help of others to comfort them, though themſelves be never ſo skilfull in the comſorting others.able Chriſtian, who have been moſt eminent and ſucceſſefull to comfort others, yet when they have been tempted and caſt down themſelves, they have not bin able to make uſe of thoſe directions they have given to others. As Phyſicians, though never ſo able to help others, yet in their own diſeaſes, they need the advice of others: Inſomuch that there is no Chriſtian in any trouble can ſay, I need not the comfort of any, the help of any, I can ſupport and comfort my ſelf well enough. Thus Paul, Rom. 1. 12. though ſo eminent an Apoſtle caught up into the third Heaven, yet he did long to ſee the Romans, That he might be comforted with them, though that might be in reſpect of their graces, to ſee this flouriſh, as in other places, Ye are my Crown and my Joy, if you ſtand fast in the Lord. But howſoever we ſee job, though ſo eminent, yet not able to pour oyl into his own wounds, he is without comfort, and cannot help himſelf.
Now there are theſe Reaſons, Why thoſe who are afflicted, though never ſo able and gracious, yea excellently skilfull to comfort others, yet they themſelves need help from others in their temptations:
Firſt, Becauſe their temptations do darken and obnubilate their own judgements, Reaſons. 1. Becauſe remptations darken the judgement.and ſo they are not able to ſee that ground, and thoſe arguments of comfort, which others may. It is with them, as thoſe who would behold their face in a broken glaſs, or in muddied ſtreams; like thoſe that look through a green glaſs, they judge every thing green; while judgement is kept clear, though faith be weak, yet ſtill there is ſome ſupport; but then is the ſoul wholly caſt down, when the eye is become darkneſs, when in ſtead of a Father it apprehends God a Judge; when inſtead of beholding the gracious works of Gods Spirit in themſelves, they think they ſee nothing but hypocriſie and rottenneſs in themſelves. Oh now how welcome is ſuch an one of a thouſand, who ſhew to that man his uprightneſs!2. Becauſe the ſenſe of their grief doth wholly poſſeſſe them.
Secondly, The moſt eminent in their troubles need comfort from others, Becauſe the ſenſe and feeling of their grief doth wholly poſſeſſe them, ſo that they mind nothing elſe. Whatſoever it be that is a burden upon them, with this they riſe, and go to bed, and groan under it; now another Chriſtian is very fit to put them in mind of ſuch promiſes, to remember them of ſuch paſſages in Scripture, which their immoderate ſorrow had wholly driven out of their mind. The ſoul of a man cannot be intent to many things at once; therefore the ſenſe and feeling of its particular exerciſe taketh up the whole heart, as if there were no Scripture, no promiſe, no balm in Gilead; for any then to be a Remembrancer, a Monitor; you forget ſuch a place, you remember not what the Scripture delivereth concerning your condition, or you do not think of what you have formerly. Say with David, I will remember the works of the Lord of old. Thus (I ſay) even the moſt eminent are ſo apt to be ſenſible of what is upon them, that they remember not ſuch things as may do them good.
Thirdly, Even the moſt eminent, who are in any trouble, they cannot ſo bear 3. Becauſe the moſt eminent, when in troubles, are ſubject to much unbelief and frowardneſs.it, but they are ſubject to unbelief, to diſcontent, to frowardneſſe, to many ſad exerciſes of ſoul. And therefore no wonder, if they need the help of others to allay that evil ſpirit in them, as Martha ſaid, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died: So mayeſt thou ſay, Oh if ſuch a Chriſtian, ſuch a Miniſter had been with me, I had not been ſo impatient, I had not been ſo dejected! We cannot be in exerciſes, eſpecially in ſpiritual deſertions, and the ſenſe of Gods wrath; but withall there will ariſe much ſinne, there will be froth and mud that our hearts will ſend forth. In this boiling of the ſoul there will ariſe ſome ſcumme. It is true in Chriſt, although he was under thoſe diſconſolate deſertions deſtitute of comfort, yet all the while there was no ſinne in him, no grace was weakned, though his comfort was abated, his ſoul was like a glaſs with pure water in it, all the moving and toſſing of it up and down, could not cauſe any filth or mud in it; but it is otherwiſe with us, our ſouls have mud, a ſinfull ſediment in the bottome, and no ſooner are we toſſed and moved up and down, but this cometh to the top, our corruption ſheweth it ſelf preſently; and therefore we need the prayers, the advice of others, yea rebuke ſometimes, becauſe like Rachel, We refuſe to be comforted.
Fourthly, Every one needeth comfort from others in trouble, Becauſe 4. Becauſe the Devil is then moſt buſie.the Devil is then moſt forward and buſie; He is ready to accuſe God to thee, and to accuſe thee to God; He moveth in job's wife, that he ſhould curſe God and die. He is the Prince of darkneſſ; and a roaring Lion, ſeeking whom he may devour; and thoſe that are afflicted they are almoſt in his jaws: The room is almoſt ready ſwept and garniſhed for him: How many in their troubles hath he prevailed upon to deſpair, to ſelf-murder, to deſtroy themſelves? Thus he is watching at his advantage, to provoke thee in thy troubles, to impatience, to diſcontent, and from theſe to rage and fretting againſt God, and from theſe to final deſpair: Shall then the Devil be thus buſie to aſſault a poor ſoul? and wilt thou not be as diligent to recover him?
Laſtly, Though God be the God of all comfort, and ſo he can if he pleaſe Laſtly, God hath appointed Miniſters and Chriſtians as a means to comfort others.comfort without any Paul's, any Ministers, or Chriſtians, yet he hath appointed their ſervice as a means by which he will comfort us. It might be thought a vain thing, to ſend for Miniſter or Chriſtians to comfort, ſeeing it is God onelyonly that can do this; but you muſt know, God will do it by his inſtituted means. Whereas therefore it is the Devils great temptation to keep off ſuch afflicted ones from coming to the publick Ordinances, from Prayer, from revealing and manifeſting their temptations, to thoſe that are holy and wiſe: Let ſuch troubled ſouls know, that this is the way to throw themſelves irrecoverably into the Devils mouth; and therefore though God will comfort; yet it muſt be in the uſe of the means appointed by the Miniſtry, by Prayer, by Conference: Therefore though thou complaineſt, thou dareſt not pray, thou dareſt not come to the Ordinances, for then thy temptations are moſt violent and fiery, yet give not them over, for in and through theſe God will at laſt communicate comfort to thee; God is the God of comfort through the instituted and appointed means of comfort. Indeed if by an abſolute neceſſity thou art deprived of all means of comfort from others, as many of the Martyrs have been, then thou mayeſt expect immediate conſolations from God, and that he will be in ſtead of all Miniſters, and godly friends to thee. And ſo much for the ſecond general head.
In the third place, The dispenſation of comfort to thoſe that are in trouble, 3. The diſpenſation of comfort to the afflicted, is either Charitativè or Poteſtativè.is of two ſorts, Charitativè and Poteſtativè. Charitativè is that which every Chriſtian in the way of love is bound to do to another. When the Apoſtle commanded the Th…ſſal…nians, to comfort one another, he ſpeaketh to them as private Chriſtians. Potestativè is that whereby the Miniſters of the Goſpel, who are in Power and Office, do adminiſter conſolation to others. And as the Miniſter in Office hath a peculiar promiſe from God in the diſcharge of his Office; ſo may the private Chriſtian expect a greater ſucceſs in his labours, when faithfully diſcharged: For the Office is not enough, unleſs it be diſpenſed in Gods way. Hence to them is given the Keyes or Power to bind and looſe, with this addition, that what they do ſhall be ratified, that is, as they ſay, Clave non errante, provided that they bind or looſe in a Scripture-way. The Miniſter then of the Goſpel is by his Office to comfort as well as to terrifie, to looſe as well as to bind; not that he doth theſe things authoritatively, but miniſterially and declaratively only, yet ſo that in the declaration of this, a ſpecia: ſucceſs may be expected from God. Hence James 5. 14, 15. Thoſe who are ſick, are commanded to call for the Elders to pray for them; and in that is included all other duties requiſite to the ſaving of that ſick mans ſoul. Yea ſome have been ſo greatly diſconſolate, and tempted by Satan, that learned and pious Divines have though is convenient, to give a particular abſolution, and private application of the Goſpel to ſuch an humbled ſinner, and that in a miniſterial way, as in the name of Chriſt.
Fourthly, We ſay in the Doctrine, That it's a duty in a right manner to 4. What is required to the comforting others in a right manner: 1. Knowledge of the temptation and diſpoſition of the perſon.administer comfort to ſuch as are in trouble. Now that right manner comprehends very much, for an unſeaſonable and unwiſe, or unfaithfull comfort, doth deſtroy rather than do good; even as Phyſick unſeaſon by given. To a right manner, there is required:
1. A skill and knowledge of the temptation, as alſo the dispoſition of him who is thus exerciſed. To be a Phyſician of ſouls requireth admirable prudence and wiſdome above what is in the maſter of the body. Every temptation is not cured by every comfort, neither is every exerciſed man the ſame he appeareth to be; he may be an hypocrite, he may live in known ſinnes to himſelf, yet ſecret to others; and if comfort be given to every one that complaineth, this will be to give pearl to ſwine. Job's friends, though wiſe and godly, did miſtake in the nature of Job's affliction, thinking it was for ſome extraordinary ſinne, or his hypocriſie in the wayes of God, whereas it was for the trial of his graces: They alſo miſtook about his perſon, condemning him for an hypocrite, when yet he was full of integrity. Thus you ſee we may miſtake on the right hand, and on the left.
2. The right way of comforting lieth in taking the Scripture-way, and that 2. The diſcovery of ſin, and then the application of comfort.is by diſcovering ſinne, and ſearching to the very bottome, and then to give comfort; as you do in wounds, go to the bottome before you heal. The Scriptures do ſadly complain of thoſe Prieſts that daubed with untempered morter, that cryed Peace when there was none; and no doubt many Miniſters ſhall anſwer for their applying of falſe comforts, as well as teaching falſe Doctrines. Every ſick man looketh that the Miniſter ſhould only comfort him; if he ſpeak of ſinnes and damnations, he is counted cruel, and one that will drive men to deſpair. But content your ſelves, we muſt not, we dare not comfort, but in the Scripture-way; and that is to ſuch only as do mourn for their ſinnes; and that upon true grounds. For every Pharaoh and Ahab can humble themſelves, while the hand of God is upon them, and they think they ſhall die; but theſe are not the mourners that God would have comforted; thou muſt bewail thy ſinnes from ſpiritual principles and heavenly motives, ſuch as will hold in thy health, as well as in thy ſickneſs. This then is the ſoul of this Doctrine, It's a duty to comfort thoſe who are in a trouble, but in a wiſe, faithfull Scripture-way. Otherwiſe thoſe damned ſouls thrown into hell, will to all eternity curſe thoſe Miniſters that cryed Peace, peace to them: Oh that ye had cryed hell, hell, damnation, damnation to us; that might have done us more good!