Sips of Sweetness, Section 2

Sips of Sweetness · Section 2

p. 59SECT. II. Chriſts ſweet carriage to ſuch as are weake accidentally; and who they are that are ſo.

Eſa. 40.11.

He ſhall gently lead thoſe that are with young.

CHAP. I.

HAving in the former Section diſcovered (in ſome meaſure) the ſweetneſſe of Chriſts carriage (in a generall way) towards ſuch of his as I did call habitually weake. I ſhall now come to ſhew that his carriage is the ſame in ſweetneſſe, towards thoſe who are accidentally weake. And as in the former part, I ſpake of Chriſts ſweet carriage, to thoſe that are habitually weake, by what is ſaid to his demeanour to his Lambs: In like manner, I ſhall ſet out the p. 60carriage of Chriſt as ſweet to thoſe that are accidentally weake, by what the Prophet ſpeakes here of his carriage to thoſe that are with young.

He ſhall gently lead thoſe that are with young.

Now as a foundation I ſhall lay this poſition, which is clearly deducible from theſe words of the Prophet, viz.

The carriage of Chriſt is very ſweet, towards all his members, who are accidentally weake.

I call ſome members accidentally weake, to diſtinguiſh them from ſuch as are ſo habitually. And I uſe this phraſe of accidentally weake, Accidentall weakneſſe, what it is.becauſe I would by it note thoſe, in whom indeed the habits of grace are ſtrong, and ſo they are not liable (as the others were) to a conſtant weakneſſe; onelyonly at ſome times upon ſome occaſion (as it were by accident) they become weak and feeble. As now, Men who are (that I may ſo ſay) habitually ſtrong, and ſo not liable unto that conſtant weakneſſe which is in children; may yet ſometimes be accidentally weakned by ſome great worke, which they are to doe, p. 61ſome great ſorrow or ſickneſſe under which they lye; or elſe by ſome great and deſperate fall which they have had. In like manner, beleevers who are growne up to Men in Chriſt Jeſus, and ſo freed from that habituall weakneſſe which is in babes, yet notwithſtanding, ſometimes come to be accidentally weake, by reaſon, either of great ſervices, to which Chriſt calls them, or ſharpe ſufferings, unto which Chriſt doth bring them; or elſe by ſome falls into ſin, which through infirmity (and as it were by accident) they have taken. Now of Chriſts ſweet carriage unto ſuch, I ſuppoſe the Prophet doth ſpeake here under the metaphor of a ſhepherds ſweet carriage, towards thoſe that are with young. Even the ſtrong of the flocke (ſuch as the Ewes) may be, and ſometimes are weake (eſpecially when with young) or (as the word will alſo beare) when they give ſucke. For bearing, and giving of ſucke, doe (as it were accidentally) much weaken. And thus Chriſts carriage is ſweet to his who are not onelyonly weak habitually, as Lambs; but alſo who are accidentally weake, as Ewes that give p. 62ſucke, or elſe are with young, for ſo the Rabbins, Solomon Jarchi, and David Kimchi, with other our late Expoſitors, doe gloſſe this place of the Prophet.

Now for the better proceeding in this point; and ſo for a clearer diſcovery of the ſweetneſſe of Chriſts carriage toward his weake members; I ſhall doe two things.

1. Diſcover who thoſe are which I thus call accidentally weake.

2. Demonſtrate how Jeſus Chriſt is ſweet in his carriage towards ſuch.

For the firſt of theſe, viz. who are weake beleavers accidentally.Who are accidentally weake.

Beſides what I have already hinted concerning ſuch, I ſhall adde this generall deſcription of them, viz.

They are ſuch, as in whom the light, and life of ſaving and ſanctifying grace are, in ſome good degree and meaſure: And who for the moſt part in the generall way, and order of their life, are fit, and able both to undertake, and goe through (ſtrongly and ſucceſſefully) thoſe common, and ordinary duties of Religion, in which Chriſt doth for the moſt part exerciſe p. 63his members; ſo as that you may ranke them with thoſe, who are in the higheſt forme of Chriſts Schoole, not onelyonly above little children, but even above the young men, with the Fathers: And of whom you may conceive the Apoſtle ſpeakes, when he ſaith, wee that are ſtrong: But yet notwithſtanding, by reaſon of ſome occurrences in their Chriſtian courſe; and ſome paſſages which providence doth (as it were by accident) now, and then, permit to befall them, they are much debilitated and weakned thereby; ſo as that they doe in that reſpect, at ſome times lye and groan under ſome weakneſſe.

But becauſe it were too large a field to goe out into; if I ſhould inquire after all the ſeverall ſorts of beleevers, who in this ſenſe, at ſome ſeaſons, or upon ſome occaſions are weake: I ſhall inſtance onelyonly in three particular kindes of that which I call accidentall weakneſſe, and ſhew how Chriſts carriage is ſweet to thoſe who labour under ſuch weakneſſe.A threefold weakneſſe by accident.

1. There is weakneſſe, which comes by worke or labour.

p. 642. There is weakneſſe which c…mes by ſickneſſe or falls.

3. There is weakneſſe which comes by griefe or ſorrow.

With reference to this threefold weakneſſe, I ſhall ſpeake of Chriſts ſweet carriage of himſelfe unto three ſorts of weake beleevers.

1. Such as are weake by reaſon of ſome great work unto which Chriſt doth call them, or about which Chriſt doth ſet them; and about which Chriſt doth not (at leaſt commonly) ſet all his members.

2. Such as are weake by reaſon of ſome falls or ſlips into ſin; either through their owne inward corruption, or ſome outward temptation.

3. Such as are weake by reaſon of great ſorrow or griefe, which they may happily take, becauſe of ſome ſufferings, or trialls, whereunto Chriſt (in a more then ordinary way) doth bring them.

Of the ſweet carriage of Jeſus Chriſt to each of theſe, I ſhall ſpeake particularly, and by themſelves: And ſo much the rather I ſhall ſpeak of theſe, becauſe I conceive that the phraſe p. 65here uſed by the Prophet, may allude, or be applied to either, or all of them.

The phraſe is, thoſe that are with young; which Tranſlation I thinke is better then that of giving ſucke, becauſe the word in the Hebrew is, foreign which is uſed Gen. 33.13. and ſo rendred there,foreign the flocks and the herds with young; and 'tis uſed thus, and ſo rendred, Pſ. 78.71 and there 'tis expreſſed by Ewes great with young. The Hebrews, when they doe ſpeake of giving ſuck, do uſe another word,foreign and that more proper for it, i. e. foreign from foreign ſuxit, which fignifies to give ſucke; ſo that the phraſe being thus. Thoſe that are with young. I thinke it may allude to thoſe three ſorts mentioned, viz.

1. It may allude to thoſe that are weake by worke. Thus Paul ſets out his worke for the Lord Jeſus towards the Galathians, as if he were big with them, as an Ewe is big with young: My little children of whom I travell in birth, Galat. 4.19. Paul in the worke of his Miniſtery, was as it were big with p. 66young. In like manner any beleever called out to, or ſet about more then ordinary worke, may be ſaid to be big with young. And ſo much the rather, becauſe the worke of child-bearing, or of being big with young; and to bring forth, is a worke which doth weaken more then ordinary; to this the generallity of Expoſitors apply this place.

2. It may allude alſo unto ſuch as are weake by reaſon of falls into ſin. So thou ſhalt finde the phraſe of being with childe, or young, often in a particular manner applied to ſuch as are big with ſinne. Vox ſignifical (ſaith Ilyricus upon the word) tum poenam, tun culpam. And ſo 'tis uſed both in a ſenſe of ſinning, and of ſufferings: ſometimes ſinne and temptation (through the incogitancy of the beſt beleevers) may commit as it were a ſpirituall rape upon the ſoule; and the beleeyer may be (as it were) big with young, in a ſinfull ſenſe. For when temptation cornes, and in a manner forceth the ſoule, there is ſomething within us (which was not in Chriſt) and that may concur, and conduce to p. 67a ſinfull conception; and the ſoule may be big (as it were) with ſinne. The Apoſtle hath a phraſe which is to this purpoſe, When luſt hath conceived it bringeth forth, Jam. 1.15. It is an alluſion to a naturall conception and birth. So that we ſhall not, I ſuppoſe over-much ſtraine the place of the Prophet here, by applying this phraſe to this thing alſo. Sad experience tells us: that the chaſteſt ſoules of the Saints, are ſometimes in this reſpect, guilty of ſpirituall adultery. Beleevers are ſometimes big of illegitimate births and conceptions. Luſt ſometimes may conceive, and they may be big with young, in that reſpect alſo.

3. It may allude unto thoſe that are weake by reaſon of ſorrow and ſufferings. And thus the Holy Ghoſt doth often uſe the Metaphor of being big with young. As Eſa. 26.18. We have been with childe, and been in paine. And thus the great ſorrow and trouble, unto which God threatens to bring his people, is ſet out by their being as it were big with young, and holding their hands upon their ſides, Jer. 30.6.

p. 68CHAP. II. Chriſts carriage to ſuch as are weake by worke, demonſtrated to be ſweet.

THe firſt branch, or kinde of that accidentall weakneſſe, unto which beleevers are lyable, is (as in the formen Chapter I noted) weakneſſe by worke. So that now according to the method which I propounded, I am to ſhew and make good this Propoſition, viz.

The carriage of Jeſus Chriſt, is very ſweet to every beleever that is weake, by reaſon of worke.

Sinners are ſometimes big with young in regard of wicked workes, whereunto Sathan excites them. Hence is that phraſe, Pſal. 7.14. He travelleth with iniquity, and conceiveth miſchiefe. Now towards ſuch, God carries himſelfe ſeverely, and is (as the Pſalmiſts there notes) angry (i.e. with them) every day, v. 11.

Saints are ſometimes big with young, in regard of good workes, unto which the Spirit doth ſtir them. And towards theſe Chriſt carries himſelfe p. 69ſweetly. For (as the Prophet here ſpeaks) he leads them gently.

The expreſſion notes two things, as proving the Propoſition.

1. That Jeſus Chriſt is ſo ſweet to thoſe that are weak (while in or about ſome holy worke) that he is with them, and leads them. As he ſaid to his Apoſtles; Behold I am with you to the end of the world (that was, in regard of ſtrength and aſſiſtance) ſo he doth to all his working members. Hee doth aſſiſt them. He is with them. And he leads them. Beleevers are ſent about ſome worke of Chriſt ſometimes as it were a long way; and Chriſt (that he may ſhew himſelfe ſweet) goes with them and leads them. The Ewe big with young, is unweldy, and it is paine unto it to goe. Now the ſhepherd that is ſweet leads it. And the belcever big with young (i.e. bent, reſolved upon ſome good buſineſſe for Chriſt) is weake, and in paine it is, while in travell, till it be delivered: Now Jeſus Chriſt to ſhew his ſweetneſſe to ſuch a ſoule, takes it by the arme (as it were) and leads it.

2. That Chriſts carriage may appeare p. 70to be ſweet, he is not onelyonly preſent to lead; but tenderly preſent, to lead [gently.] He leads ſoftly, that he may lead ſweetly. I know there is but one word in the originall, but it includes both theſe, viz. the act, and the manner of the act. The word is foreign from foreign which ſignifies as Hebricians know, commode & leniter ducere, i.e. to lead commodiouſly & ſoftly. David Kimchi gloſfeth it, he ſhall lead them according to their quiet or commodity,foreign i.e. ſo as may ſuit beſt with their quietneſſe and eaſe. Jeſus Chriſt doth not drive furiouſly, but tenderly. He doth not (as the ſame Rabbin notes) over-drive his flocke; but gently, ſoftly, and ſweetly, he leads all his weake-working members. He will lead you, O ye working beleevers! according to your weakneſſe, ſtep by ſtep,Pedetentim. as Vatablus gloſſeth the place. Chriſt will not firſt lay a heavy burden upon your backe, and then come after laſhing, to make you runne, when it may be you can hardly goe. But he will come and lead you, and walke with you, your owne pace: p. 71As he will aſſiſt, ſo he will aſſiſt ſweetly. He will lead [gently.]

Thus as Jacob (the moſt faithfull and mercifull man that ever was a ſhepherd) ſaid of his flocks and herds with young; he would not over-drive them, but (ſaid he) I will lead on ſoftly according as the cattell that goeth before me, can be able to endure; or (as it is in the Hebrew) according to the eaſe of their feet, Gen. 33.14. In like manner, Jeſus Chriſt he will ſoftly lead (for the word is the ſame in both places) his Ewes big with young; he will gently lead thoſe that labour in any worke of his. Thus ſweet is his carriage towards thoſe that are weake, by reaſon of any great worke, about which he ſets them at any time, and with which they are big by the Holy Ghoſts over-ſhadowing of them. Working beleevers, minde it. Your work (you ſay) is hard, it overpowers your ſtrength, and it makes you weake: remember Chriſts carriage ſhall be ſweet: He will be with you in your worke: And that it may appeare he is tender, and mindfull of your weakneſſe, he will lead you, and p. 72that very gently; ſo ſaith the Prophet, He ſhall gently lead thoſe that are with young.

CHAP. III. Six pariculars ſhewing Chriſts carriage to be ſweet to all weake-working Beleevers.

THat you may yet more clearly ſee the ſweetneſſe of Chriſts carriage, towards all ſuch members of his, as are weake in regard of worke; I ſhall declare it in ſix particulars.

1. Chriſts carriage appears to be ſweet and tender towards his weake-working members, in that he puts them about no other worke then ſuch as himſelfe both done. Maſters and Sovereignes carry themſelves ſweetly to ſervants,Nihil lege ulla ſanciret in alios cu jus non ipſe primus in ſe daret documentū. Dan. Par. in Hiſt. Univerſ. medull. p. 40. and ſubjects, when they imploy them in no worſer workes then themſelves would doe. Its reported of Lycurgus (the great Law-maker) that he impoſed nothing by Law upon others, of which he did not firſt ſhew a patterne in his owne practiſe. 'Tis true of Jeſus Chriſt, you read of no work which he requires of his, which himſelfe p. 73did not while in the fleſh. Doth he require beleevers to reſiſt Sathan, fight with the Devill? Jam. 4.7. He did the ſame himſelfe, Matth. 4. Doth Chriſt call upon beleevers to pray alwayes 1 Theſſ. 5.17. and ſtrive in prayer? Rom. 15.30. He did as much himſelfe while on earth. He prayed often, he prayed long, all night, Luke 6.12. and fervently, with ſtrong cryes, and teares, Heb. 5.7. Are beleevers called to faſt? (an extraordinary worke, and ſuch as is not for every day, no nor for every Chriſtian, as Divines gather from Luke 5.36, 37.) why conſider Jeſus Chriſt in this worke went before them. He faſted, and that longer then he requires us, even forty dayes, as tis Matth. 4. Muſt Miniſters preach, diſpute, conteſt for the truths of the Goſpel? they are to doe no more then what Chriſt hath done before them. Beleevers, did Chriſt ever call you to any ſervice about which he would not go himſelfe, if need were? Servants you have good Maſters, who put you about no worſe worke then they would doe themſelves. And beleevers you have a ſweet Saviour, who p. 74did doe that himſelfe about which he ſets you, and never will lay that burden upon your backes, which he would not if need were, beare himſelfe. Oh how tender and ſweet is Chriſt to all his working members, in not ſetting them about any ſervice but what he is willing to doe himſelfe. Oh beleevers, you may comfort your ſelves in any ſervice to which Chriſt calls you, with this thought, what though the buſineſſe be burdenſome? what though the worke be weakning? yet ſtill Chriſt is ſweet, kinde, tender, in that he hath ſet you about no other, then what himſelfe hath done.

2. Its eaſie to ſee ſweetneſſe in the crrriage of Chriſt towards his working members, in that he hath provided, and accordingly gives incouragement unto them, anſwerable to all the diſcouragement they doe, or can meet withall. Ezekiel was to go out upon ſome deſign for Chriſt; and ſuch was his weakneſſe that he falls at the appearance of Chriſts coming to command him: But mark what Chriſt ſaith to him, Son of man ſtand upon thy feet, Ezek. 2.1. Chriſt loves p. 75(ſaith a late Commentator upon this) to incourage man to his duty. Its the weakneſſe of beleevers, when ſet about any worke, they are apt to diſpond and be diſcouraged: But its the ſweetneſſe of Chriſt, he is ready to raiſe up your ſpirits, and to take off their diſcouragements.

Three things uſually diſcourage beleevers when they are to ſet about any buſineſſe for Chriſt; and Chriſt is ſo ſweet as that he hath provided, and doth give out incouragements anſwerable to them all. 1. Internall reluctancy in your owne ſpirits. I would,Saints are unwillingly willing, and willingly unwilling. and I could doe this or that (ſaith the beleever) but I finde ſuch reluctancy within, my heart is ſo backward, my ſpirit ſo unwilling, that it diſcourageth me much; why Chriſt hath ſaid he will make thee willing. His people ſhall be a willing people, Pſal 110.3. Chriſt hath provided a voyce behinde to put thee on to that, whereunto thou art backward. Thine eares ſhall heare a ward behinde thee (becauſe of the reluctancy that is in thee) ſaying this is the way walke in it. Eſa. 30.21Isa 30:21I will put my Spirit within you (which p. 76is a free Spirit) and becauſe you are backward, and unwilling, he ſhall make you forward and willing, and cauſe you (ſweetly) to walke in my wayes, Ezek. 36.28. Chriſt hath provided an incouragement anſwerable to this diſcouragement of thine (Oh Beleever.) Thy ſpirit is unwilling, and doth reſiſt, his Spirit ſhall rake that away.2. Diſgrace, and oppoſition from man, is a great diſcouragement to working beleevers: and Chriſt hath provided incouragement ſuited thereunto. Men will deride me, and oppoſe me if I do this or that: The diſgrace of the proud, and the oppoſition of the violent, do mightily weaken my hands in worke, ſaith the beleever ſometimes. But know, O ſoul! Chriſt hath provided incouragement anſwerable to this. Thou ſayeſt men oppoſe thee, Chriſt ſaith he is with thee; Feare not, I am with thee (ſaid the Viſion to Paul) Act. 18.10. Men thou ſayeſt diſgrace thee, O weake-working ſoule! The Father (ſaith Chriſt) will honour thee. If any man ſerve me, him will my Father honour, Joh. 12.26. ſtrengthen thy p. 77weake hands (O working ſoule!) with theſe words: Here is ſuitable incouragement unto thy diſcouragement in this particular alſo.

3. Doubt of ſucceſſe diſcourageth ſometimes thoſe who are upon worke for Chriſt. The hands of the beleever begin to fall downe in the midſt of his worke when he doubts of ſucceſſe. I ſhall labour in vaine (ſaith the ſoul) this diſcourageth me. Your labour ſhall not be in vaine (ſaith Chriſt) let that incourage thee, 1 Cor. 15.58. Moſes being to goe to Pharoah about a gallant worke (Iſraels freedome) He doubts the ſucceſſe, But behold they will not beleeve me (ſaith he) Exod. 4.1. That diſcouraged him; Chriſt therefore takes off that diſcouragement. If they will not beleeve at the voice of the firſt ſigne, they will or ſhall beleeve the voice of the latter, ſaith the Lord. I would fight and reſiſt Sathan: Shall I be ſuccesfull? Yes, O beleever! Chriſt hath ſaid ſo. He, i.e. Sathan ſhall flye, Jam. 4.7. and the God of peace ſhall tread down Sathan under your feet, Rom. 20. Thus, anſwerable to all thoſe diſcouragements which beleevers are liable to meet with, p. 78Chriſt hath provided incouragements; and this clearly argues Chriſt to be ſweet in his carriage towards his working members. But,

3. In as much as Chriſt gives ability, and ſtrength to performe whatſoever he calls any beleever to; it is cleare, that his carriage is ſweet to thoſe which worke; Chriſt gives power to doe what ever he ſets beleevers about; Ezekiel muſt ſtand on his feet; alas! he is weake, and cannot. Chriſts Spirit therefore enters into him that hee may. Stand upon thy feet, Son of man (ſaith Chriſt) and the Spirit entred into him, and he stood up, Ezek. 2.1. I thanke our Lord Chriſt who hath inabled me, ſaith Paul unto Timothy, 1 Ep. 1.12. the Apoſtles muſt preach to all Nations, and Chriſt gives them tongues to inable them ſo to doe. Ah! ſaith the poore ſoule, the worke is weighty, and I am weake. True ▪ but Chriſt will make thee ſtrong and able, O weake ſoule. If the burthen be big, thy back ſhall be ſtrengthened. Chriſt will not lay a heavy burthen upon weake ſhoulders. Doubtleſſe he will ſtrengthen thy ſhoulders, O beleeving p. 79ſoule, according to the weight of that he layes on. I muſt anſwer before Kings, and Councellors, and States for Chriſt (ſaith the beleever.) But alas! the worke is weighty, and I weake. Feare not O beleever! Chriſt will be with thee, and will give thee a mouth, and wiſdome, which all thy adverſaries ſhall not be able to gainſay, nor reſiſt, Luke 21.15. I am to goe a long journey for Chriſt, but I have but weake legs (ſaith the ſoul) why Chriſt will ſtrengthen thy legs, O ſoule! according to the length of thy journey. I am to lift a great weight (ſaith the ſoule) and have but weake hands. Chriſt will ſtrengthen thy hands according to the weight which thou art to lift, O poore ſoule! what ever the worke be, about which Chriſt ſets any ſoule; if the ſoule carry it ſelf ſincerely in doing, Chriſt will ſhew himſelfe ſweetly in helping. Howſoever hard-hearted Pharaoh may command the number of brickes, and not give ſtraw to helpe: yet tender-hearted Chriſt will not. If he command the ſoul to work, he will ſend the Spirit to helpe with ſtrength ſuitable to that worke.

p. 804. Chriſts carriage appeares to be ſweet to working Beleevers, in that he will perfect their worke by his owne ſtrength, wherein it was deficient by their weakneſſe. Thou workeſt all our workes for us, and in us, Eſa. 26.12. The beleever workes, and leaves that which hee doth, very imperfect, becauſe of his weakneſſe: But Chriſt comes, and perfects that imperfection, becauſe of his ſweetneſſe. Lord (ſaith the Pſalmiſt) thou wilt perfect that which concerneth me, Pſal. 138.8. The beleever is ſet on the worke of prayer, and Chriſt ſends the Spirit to helpe his infirmities: And at the end of prayer, he takes it, and mingles with it his own incenſe, and ſo preſents it perfect to the Father. His pure water perfects the ſoules puddle. Looke as the writing-Schoole-Maſter, not onelyonly holds the hand of the learner, in every letter, but after al, takes the pen and perfects the whole: So Jeſus Chriſt holds the hand all the while the beleever is writing (ſuppoſe a love-letter to Heaven) and becauſe of the ſhaking of the beleevers weake hand, there are after all, many imperfections, he takes the golden p. 81pen of his owne grace, and perfects every letter, that it comes to the Fathers hand perfect. O the darke, and deformed lines, that beleevers draw, when ſet about ſome curious peece. How imperfectly doe they performe that, about which they are ſet ſometimes. But oh the ſweetneſſe of Chriſt! who comes with his owne pencill, and after all, perfects thoſe imperfections. Beleevers carry themſelves weakly in all their workes, and almoſt mar all, about which they are ſet; but Chriſt carries himſelfe ſweetly, and comes and mends all that they doe amiſſe, making their botched and bungled workes very brave with his owne hand. Surely, beleeving ſoules, you have found this. How many times did Chriſt ſet off that duty richly, which came from thee poorly? How oft hath he perfected thy imperfect performances? when thy weakneſſe came ſhort, hath not his ſweetneſſe made it up? Beleeve it friends, Chriſt carries himſelf ſweetly toward working beleevers.

5. The carriage of Chriſt appears to be ſweet towards, &c. in that he p. 82comes in often to the ſoules of his working members with refreſhing in the midst of their labours. Beleevers are weake, and (while at worke) are apt to be weary and to faine: But Chriſt ſhews himſelf ſweet, in that he viſits them, and refreſhes them in their worke. 'Twas the praiſe of Boaz, and 'twas a ſweet carriage of his, when he went into the field, where his ſervants reaped, to incourage them in their work. And its the praiſe of Chriſts ſweet carriage toward working beleeevers, that he viſits them frequently, and incourageth them ſweetly while they are about his worke. Baruch was at worke for Chriſt, when he had written the words of Chriſt at the mouth of Jeremiah; but he began to flag and ſaint: And Chriſt gave a particular Propheſie to the Prophet, to comfort and refreſh Baruch. Jer. 46. Chriſt gives power to the faint, to them (who by working have as it were) no might, Eſa. 40.29.Isa 40:29he refreſheth, and gives ſtrength. Daniel was at a great worke, and his ſtrength was almoſt gone while he faſted, and there came like the appearance of a man (that was not Chriſt, but an Angel from p. 83Chriſt) and he ſtrengthned him. Oh the ſweet refreſhings which Chriſt, by his Spirit, brings into the ſoules of weak Saints, even when they are ready to ſaint and ſinke in their work. How oft (O beleeving ſoul!) hath Chriſt refreſhed thee, by his ſweet ſpirituall ſmilings on thee, even in the time of duty, and while thou wert about his worke? Surely, thou muſt needs ſay, Chriſt carries himſelf ſweetly toward working beleevers; doth not thy experience in this particular, ſeale to this truth?

6. It is evident, that the carriage of Chriſt is ſweet to the working Saints, in that at the end of their worke be gives them reſt and reward. Its ſweetneſſe in Chriſt, that he ſhould accept any worke of the beleevers, but more, that he ſhould reward. Chriſt will deale ſweetly with his working ſervants, he hath made beds of reſt for them in glory. Sathan deals not ſo;They ſhall reſt in their beds. Eſa. 57.2.Isa 57:2 his ſervants never reſt to eternity. I am weary (ſaith the working beleever) Thou ſhalt reſt anon, oh weak ſoul! There remains a reſt to the people of God, Heb. 4.9. The word is a keeping of a Sabbath.foreign. p. 84There is a ſweet and a long Sabbath remaines for you, O working Saints! and the morning thereof is ready to dawne; or about morn, and 'twill be day. You ſhall reſt from your labours, Apoc. 14.11. Chriſts will is ſweet to thy ſoule (O weak beleever) and he hath provided reſt for thee. There is a Sabbath appointed for your ſoules▪ Working Paul ſhall have that reſt; yea, and weake thou too, when the day ſhall dawne. You who are thus troubled ſhall have reſt with us (ſaith the Apoſtle) when the Lord Jeſus ſhall be revealed from heaven with the Angel, of his power, 2 Theſ. 1.7. And if reſt be not enough to declare Chriſt to be ſweet to his working members; they ſhall hauehave reward alſo. You ſhall not loſe your labour, yee working Saints: Chriſt comes, and his reward is with him; Apoc. 22.12. you ſhall not worke all day and all night too, Beleevers. You ſhall reſt at right, and have reward in the morning. The upright ſhall have dominion in the morning, Pſal. 49.14. For a dayes work, you ſhall have eternities reſt. For a little labour in this world, you ſhall have an everlaſting rewardp. 85in the other world. Oh ſweet Chriſt! that giveſt long reſt for a little labour, and great reward for little worke. Surely, when you ſhall in the end of your dayes-work go into Immanuels land, and there reſt your ſoules upon the roſie bankes that are by the Chryſtall ſtreames which runne there, you will cry out oh! How ſweet is Chriſt towards his working members, that gives ſuch raviſhing reſt to them after all their works for him; when the day ſhall be in which Chriſt ſhall come with Crownes of glory, to put upon the heads of working Saints, and you ſhall feel the weight of that glory, with which you ſhall then be crowned; then you will ſay, oh! the ſweetneſſe of Chriſt towards working beleevers, who gives ſuch an eternall weight of glory, for ſuch light and temporall works as the beſt Saints do. Conclude (O thou beleeving Ewe, who art big with young) that the day comes in which thou ſhalt travell, and bring forth; and then thou ſhalt ſee that Chriſt deals ſweetly with ſuch as thou art, when for the joy of that reſt, and reward which thou ſhalt p. 86have hereafter; thou ſhalt forget thy worke, and thy weakneſſe under which thou didſt groan, and travell here. The ſhadows apace flye away, and the day begins to dawne; in which Chriſt ſhall give both ſweet, glorious, raviſhing, eternall reſt, and reward to all his working members; and then ſhall the fulneſſe of this truth be ſung, viz. that Chriſts is very ſweet to all weak-working beleevers.

CHAP. IV. Some reaſons of the point.

YOu have ſeen both [that] and [how] Chriſt carries himſelfe ſweet to working beleevers. I will now adde a word why Chriſt doth thus. And there may be (to omit others) three reaſons given of this.

1. Chriſt loves to make his carriage anſwerable to himſelfe. He is ſweet in himſelfe, and therefore will ſhew it by being ſo to his. As he will declare ſweetneſſe to thoſe who are weak and cannot worke at all; ſo will he ſhew ſweetneſſe to thoſe who worke, and are weake therein, or thereby. As p. 87Chriſt ſees our condition, he is moved with compaſſion. He hath yerning bowells towards working beleevers, and he cannot refraine, (ſuch is his ſweetneſſe) but he muſt ſhew it. Men love to ſhew themſelves (as we ſay) what they are. Chriſt doth ſurely love to carry himſelfe ſweetly, that beleevers may ſay, As we have beard, ſo have we ſeen in the Saviour of our God. Others, by their words told us, that Chriſt was ſweet, and in our workes we finde it ſo. When Chriſt ſpake to the man ſicke of the palſie, Thy ſinnes be forgiven thee: He did it, that men might know the power of his God-head (ſaith he giving the reaſon of that ſpeech) that ye may know the ſon of man hath power on earth to forgive ſins, Mat 9.6. As Chriſt ſpeakes in ſuch a manner, as that he may be knowne to be what he is; ſo he acts alſo, he leads his working members gently, and carries himſelfe toward them ſweetly, that he may declare himſelfe to be as he is.

2. Chriſt ſees that thoſe that worke for him, cannot worke without him: Therefore it is that he carries himſelfe ſo ſweetly to them. The ſtrongeſt …aint p. 88is too weake for any worke if left by Chriſt. Indeed Chriſt cannot have his worke done by any ſoule, in caſe he deale not ſweetly with it. The big Ewe cannot goe if not let gently; and the working beleever cannot act, if not dealt withall ſweetly. Without me ye can do nothing, Joh. 15.5. This Chriſt ſees, and therefore it is that he is thus ſweet.foreign. Phil. 4.13.Phil 4:13 Becauſe Chriſt knowes our weakneſſe, as that without him we can doe nothing, therefore he ſhewes his ſweetneſſe, that by him we may be able to doe all things by his ſtrength.

3. Chriſt is thus ſweet in his carriage to wards his working members, that he may leave all without excuſe. Chriſts carriage to his ſhall condemne wretches at the laſt day, that will be none of his. Sinners will be ready to ſay, we did not ſerve thee becauſe there was harſhneſſe in thee: Thy worke was hard, and thou wert auſtere: Thy ſervants went for the moſt part in ſackcloth, while others wore filke, &c. Now Chriſt will ſtop their mouthes by his ſweet carriage. Wretches that will not worke for Chriſt, ſhall be left without all excuſe, when they p. 8ſhall be told, and convinced of the ſweetneſſe of Chriſt, to his working members. Chriſt is reſolved to ſtop all mouthes in that day. His ſweetneſſe to labourers, ſhall ſilence loyterers. His gentle leading of workers, ſhall condemn the idle-living of wanderers. The Ewes that have been big with young, ſhall witneſſe againſt thoſe, that would not have Chriſt to be their Shepherd; Chriſts ſweet carriage to the one, ſhall convince and condemne the obſtinate ſtanding out of the other. Wretches, Chriſt cals upon you to work for him; he hath given you talents, and he bids you imploy them; you are fearfull and ſluggiſh, you hide your talents, and ſpare your pains; you do not, will not act, or work for Chriſt. Conſider you ſhall be without excuſe, at the great day: It will be fooliſh and falſe to plead, Chriſt was a hard maſter. His working members by their experience ſhall confute you, and Chriſts ſweet carriage to them ſhall leave you without apology, or excuſe.

p. 90CHAP. V. Some uſes of the point.

HAving ſeen the ſweetneſſe of Chriſts carriage towards all his Ewes, and ſuch as are big with young, i.e. thoſe who work for him. I ſhall offer ſome thing by way of application in ſome uſes. As,

1. It ſerves to diſcover the difference between Chriſts ſervice, and all other ſervice, and between his carriage of himſelfe towards thoſe that worke for him, and the carriage of all others towards any that worke for them. If men ſerve the world, they do not finde (alway at leaſt) ſweet carriage. Its often ſeen among men, after their worke is over, the workman is oft forgotten. It ſtands upon record, as one of the greateſt ſtains of the Roman State, that after Scipio Africanus had ſincerely and ſucceſſefully ſerved that Commonwealth (when it was almoſt ſpent and ready to dye) and had thereby raiſed it up: he was baniſhed, or forced to inhabit in a poor waſte deſert. Inſomuch that when he dyed he commanded this to p. 91be ingraven over his ſepulchre, Ingrata patria, ne oſſa quidem mea habes. The Commonwealth was ſo baſe, as not to have his bones, who ſaved their blood: Solomon tells us, of a poor man, who had been very ſerviceable to a diſtracted State, when it was warred againſt by a great Prince. The poore man delivered the City by his wiſdome, but no man did ſo much as remember that ſame poor man, Eccleſ. 9.15. And it is reported of Cardinall Woolſey, that upon his death-bed he ſhould ſay in much ſadneſſe of ſpirit, If I had ſo faithfully ſerved Jeſus Chriſt as I have done my Maſter (Hen. the 8.) he would not have caſt me off, as my Maſter the King hath. Oh! that men could but ſee the difference that is between the ſervice of man, and the ſervice of Chriſt: How ever the ſons of men will deale (like themſelves) with their ſervants ſordidly; the ſon of God will deal with his ſweetly.

2. This Doctrine may alſo reproove theſe, who deale not with Chriſts working members as Chriſt doth. Oh how curſedly and courſely do many deal with Chriſts workmen! How doe they deride, p. 92ride, diſgrace, oppoſe, and perſecute the Ewes of Chriſt, i.e. thoſe that are big and travell in work for him. How did a company of vile perſons vilifie Paul, who yet was as an Ewe, ready to bring forth, who was in travell with the Galathians, as with Chriſts Lambs. And then thoſe that were borne after the fleſh did perſecute him, that was both borne, and [bearing] after the Spirit, even ſo it is now. But nevertheleſſe, what ſaith the Scripture? what ſaith the point? Chriſt deales ſweetly with his working members. Are not they then to be reproved that deal harſhly? Be reproved therefore all of you (eſpecially you that pretend to the worke of Chriſt) for not dealing kindly with his working ſervants; ſeeſt thou a perſon, or preacher that doth the worke of the Lord, that preacheth Chriſt, worketh for Chriſt, be reproved for thy unkinde, unchriſtian dealing with him, as knowing that in that thou art very unlike to Jeſus Chriſt. Be reproved therefore, O ye rugged ſpirits, who deale ruggedly with any of Chriſts working members; what though they differ from thy way, if they doe p. 93Chriſts worke, Chriſt deals ſweetly with them, and ſo ſhould you.

3. The truth of this Doctrine falls heavy upon thoſe, who being both inabled for, and called to the worke of Chriſt in any kinde, and yet refuſe it. Friend; how is it that Chriſt hath given thee a talent and thou wilt not occupy it for his uſe? How is it that Chriſt hath given thee parts, and ſet thee in place, and afforded thee opportunities to ſerve him, and yet thou wilt not worke? Dareſt thou ſay, either that he is a hard Maſter, or that his work is unreaſonable, or his carriage unkinde. Be convinced ye loyterers that will not labour for Jeſus Chriſt: At the day of account you will want an excuſe, when all the working members of Jeſus Chriſt ſhall come and ſay, The worke that we did for Chriſt, was honourable; the incouragement which we received from Chriſt was unſpeakable, and his carriage to us all along, was paſſing ſweet and amiable; then will you be dumb and ſpeechleſſe, as not having any thing to ſay for your ſelves why you ſtood out from his worke and ſervice.

p. 944. The Doctrine ſpeakes incouragement to all thoſe who labour for the Lord, who are at worke for Chriſt. You that are in Chriſts Vineyard; that labour (though in the heat of the day) who ſweat in the ſervice for your Saviour: conſider, his carriage is, and will be ſweet towards you. Goe on, hold on, give not out: you are in his ſervice who is very ſweet: what ever the carriage of the ſtanders by be, his will be like himſelfe, i.e. loving.

Ob. But yet (will you ſay) we find harſh uſage in the world, meerly for being in this worke. We thinke wee ſhould be dealt better withall by men if we did do ſo much for Chriſt▪ Surely, if we were onelyonly Lambes our ſelves, we ſhould finde kinder carriage: But this renders us hatefull, and makes men harſh that we are Ewes big with young, i.e. that we are indeavouring to bring forth ſomewhat for Chriſt, that we would have others Lambes as well as our ſelves, and that we can never be well, but when at work.

Anſ. Well be it ſo, yet be not diſcouraged: It is your glory to be Chriſts Ews. Chriſt hath dealt wel with p. 95you, in making you able to work for him, and he will carry himſelfe kindly to you, while you worke for him. What though the travellers by the way, curſe and revile the labourers in the field, ſo long as the Lord of the harveſt (Boaz like) bleſſe you, and ſpeake kindly to them, the Lord be with you. Verily (ye working Saints) who are labouring for the Lord Chriſt, you have no juſt ground of diſcouragement from all the unkinde uſage of the creature, ſo long as you have the kinde carriage of Chriſt: Oh! be not diſcouraged ſo as to give out, but be rather incouraged ſo as to goe on in the work of the Lord, for as much as you know your labour ſhall not be in vaine, and that Chriſts carriage to you-ward, ſhall be ſweet.

5. Laſtly, the Doctrine ſpeakes comfort to all the working members of the Lord Jeſus. You Ewes that are big with young, here is a point big with comfort. You goe on heavily; you groan while in travell; you cry out (as the Prophet in another caſe) My belly, my belly! well he of good comfort, Chriſt is with you, and will be ſweet in his carriage p. 96to you, while you worke Chriſt can? not be away; Chriſt is not abſent and idle, while you are travelling in his worke; no, he is preſent, and will be helpfull; he will be with you, and lead you gently.

Q. What is thy worke (O bleſſed Ewe?) what art ready to bring forth?

A. (will ſome ſay) my worke is wofull. I am working too, not to bring forth any great good, but to caſt forth great evill. Chriſt hath ſet me on worke to cleanſe a kennell, to carry out a dunghill: I meane to conquer corruption, and to caſt out luſts! and the very ſmell of my luſts is ready to choak me; and which is worſe, I can ſcarce maſter my worke; nay it almoſt over-maſters me; yea and I have cryed more then once and againe: thrice have I beſought Chriſt, and yet I labour in this worke, and can doe but little at it.

Be it ſo (O working ſoule!) yet Chriſt is and will be kinde. His grace ſhall be ſufficient for thee, and his ſtrength ſhall be perfected in thy weakneſſe, as 'tis 2 Cor. 12.9. He will inable thee in time to maſter thy worke. Sinne ſhall p. 97not have dominion over thee, Rom. 6.14. Thou ſhalt be made Lord over thy luſts. There is a blood of ſprinkling which ſhall cleanſe thy kennell. Thou reſiſteſt thy ſinne unto blood, and thou doſt bleed while at worke againſt corruption, yet it remaines (thou ſayeſt.) But know ſtill Chriſt is ſweet, and his carriage to thee ſhall be ſo. And therefore, though all thy blood and ſweat will not cleanſe thy ſoul, nor do away thy ſinne; yet the blood of Chriſt ſhall, as 'tis 1 Joh. 1.7.

Ob. But oh! (ſaith another ſoule) I am at harder worke then this: Its my worke to war with the Wolfe: I am labouring againſt Sathan. Many temptations daily beſet me. Not any meſſenger of Sathan, but Sathan himſelfe doth beſet me. Surely (you will ſay) my worke is grievous; is it not?

Reſp. True, but thy Lord is gracious. Chriſt is with thee all this while (O working ſoule!) He hath promiſed thee to make away for thy eſcape, 1 Cor. 11.12. you may expect kinde carriage even while you are in this worke, and know that he will helpe you to goe p. 98through with it. The very God of peace will (or ſhall) ſhortly tread down Sathan under your feet, Ro. 16.20. It may be Sathan doth ſtand ready to devour that bleſſed birth, wherewith thou travelleſt; but know, Chriſt is near alſo, and he will help thee. Build upon it (O thou working beleever!) Chriſts carriage ſhall be kinde unto thee.

Ob. Nay but (ſaith another working ſoule) I have been labouring a long while; the work about which I have been ſet is almoſt over, but firſt I want a little ſtrength to perfect it; and ſecondly, I am in much feare whether when 'tis done it ſhall be accepted. Now this grieves me, this troubles me.

Reſp. Well, but hear O ſoul! thou art at worke for a kinde and ſweet Maſter, who will helpe thee with ſtrength to perfect thy worke, and crowne thy worke with acceptation when perfected.

For helpe: Know he will worke all our workes for us, and in us, Eſa. 26. 12. He will worke in you both to will and to doe, and that of his good pleaſure, Philip. 2.13. yea the Spirit of Chriſt (which p. 99is the power from on high) ſhall helpe our infirmities, Rom. 8.26. This is the ſweetneſſe of Chriſt whom ye ſerve, that never did any ſervant faile in his worke, for want of his helpe. And

For acceptance. Be confident O beleever! Chriſt will accept of every endeavour of thine in his worke. Its Chriſts nature to accept of what we have, and not to looke for what we have not. Pigeons are welcome, where Lambs are wanting. Sighs are ſweet, and groans are acceptable unto him. Yea in Chriſts worke, Voluiſſe ſat eſt. A willing minde is accepted.foreign 2 Cor. 8.12.2 Cor 8:12 Trouble not thy ſelfe, O working ſoule, about acceptance. Doe thy beſt, be thou ſincere; and be of good comfort, as knowing this, that Chriſt is ſweet. His carriage ever was, ever will be, paſſing tender to all his Ewes big with young; very ſweet to all thoſe that worke for him.

Ob. But alas! will ſome ſay, my caſe is comfortleſſe. For 'tis true, Chriſt is ſweet to his members that worke for him; but what is he to thoſe who ſinne againſt him. Woe is me, I have been big, but 'tas been p. 100with badneſſe; and I have brought forth, but oh, 'tas been wickedneſſe; what will the carriage of Chriſt be unto me?

Anſw. Why for ſuch ſoules; I ſay at preſent no more but this. Jeſus Chriſt is a mercifull high Prieſt; Hee knowes how to have compaſſion on the ignorant, and them that are out of the way, Heb. 5.2. He is a ſhepherd, that can be kinde even to the Lambs that wander, and goe aſtray. Its his grace (and therefore his glory) that he can be ſweet, even to you (O poor beleevers!) that have been ſinfull. And this is that which I am to make out in the next Section.