A Key to Open Scripture Metaphors, Book 2 · Part 2 · Subpart 25
Christ the Believers Friend.
Cant. 5.16.
This is my Friend, &c.
CHrist is the Churches Friend, and consequently the Friend of every gracious Soul; a Friend that sticks closer than a Brother; not only compared to a Friend, but he is really so: the Believer can bear Testimony of it by Experince. This shews the happy State of the Church, and of all true Christians, Christ is their Friend. Now to take in the sweetness of this Text, 'tis requisite to enquire into the Nature and Property of a true Friend, and true Friendship.
A Friend.
There are four things to be considered, requisite to true Friendship
I. KNowledg, amongst Men, true Friendship cannot be manifested, and maintained without it, &c. 'Tis more than common, 'tis peculiar: speculative Knowledg doth not always bespeak Friendship, for true Friendship repuires peculiar Knowledg.
II. Union is also requisite; here can be no true Friendship till the Enmity amongst Men be removed. What Friends were Jonathan and David, they loved one another as their own Soul! Can two walk together except they be agreed? Amos 3.3.
III. Intimacy and true Friendship, causeth frequent Access one to the other; this tends to make People to be of one Heart and one Mind.
IV. Love and Affection, this layeth the surest Foundation for Friendship.
Now to speak to the Nature and Property of a true Friend.
I. A true Friend loves heartily; cold Friendship, is the Daughter of feigned Affection; Love is the abundant overflowing of Desire, which cometh to the Party beloved, swiftly and joyfully, but departs slowly and sorrowfully.
II. A true Friend is very needful: what Man living, tho never so prosperous, but sometimes he wants a Friend? David, tho a great Man and a good Man,2 Sam. 15.37. 2 Kings 4.5. yet his Condition required Friends, and he had them, and prized them, viz. Hushai, and Zabad. The Centurian was a great Man, yet had his Friends, and used them: Luk. 7.6.
III. He that's a Friend indeed, will make his Friends Case his own; This did Job, if afflicted, he's afflicted with him; if prosperous, he rejoyceth.Job 16.17. Where Friends are kind in Love, there Sorrow is easily shewed.
IV. A true Friend, doth what he can to keep up the Honour and Reputation of his Friend; he speaks for him, and acts for him, where, and when he cannot for himself.
V. He is most desirable; no wise Man will choose to live without Friends, altho he hath plenty of Riches; Man is a sociable Creature, and therefore desires to seek Friendship.
VI. A Friend indeed will give Demonstration of his Love and Friendship. 1. He'll study his Welfare. 2. He'll speak to promote it. 3. He'll act to effect it.
VII. A Friend indeed gives his Friend a room in his Heart; the sight of him is pleasing to the Eye, and the Thoughts of him delightful to the Heart.
VIII. A true Friend is always ready to impart his Secrets to those that are his Friends. This is a great reason why Men do so prize Friendship, that they may freely disclose their Secrets, and their Hearts one to another; 'tis a certain note of Friendship to impart Secrets.
IX. A Friend will not spare Pains nor Cost, nay, will adventure upon great Hazards, to help him whom he loves. Others may promise what they intend not to perform; but a true Friend if able, will surely perform all, or more than he promises.
X. He will not do any thing to the Wrong of his Friend, or justly to purchase his Displeasure, because he prizeth the Love of him whom his Affection runs out after.
XI. He loves to be very familiar, and therefore is frequent in sending to, or conversing with him whom he loves; he delights to give his Friends Visits.
XII. A true Friend is inquisitive into, and desireth to know the state of him whom he loves; not barely that he may know it, but knowing of it, if in trouble, that he may redress it.
XIII. A true Friend will not suffer h…m he loves to lye under Mistakes or Sin, because he knows 'twill turn to his Blemish and great Disadvantage, and therefore in Love, will tenderly admonish, being grieved to think that he should be so ensnared: and this is according to the mind of God,Lev. 19.17 yea and 'tis according to the desire of the Godly; such Reproofs so given is a great Demonstration of Friendship.Psal: 141.5
XIV. The Counsel of such a Friend is profitable, and should be acceptable, in Prosperity 'tis safe in; Adversity, 'tis sweet; in Sorrow and Misery 'tis comfortable, it usually mitigates Sorrow and augments Comfort.
XV. It is the Property of a true Friend, to be much troubled and concerned at the Absence of such whom he loves, and nothing more sweet than the meeting of Friends after long Absence; as appears by Joseph and his Brethren at their meeting,Gen. 45. when they knew one another.
XVI. 'Tis a great Trouble to a true Friend to see his Love and Friendship slighted; yet it will not easily withdraw his Love, but labours to pass by many Offences, and Unkindnesses.
XVII. A true Friend will not suddenly or easily hear any evil Report against his Friend.
XVIII. If he be sensible of any Combinations against him he will speedily disclose it, as Paul's Friends did, touching the Combination of the Jews.Acts 23.14, 20, &c.
XIX. A true Friend greatly rejoyceth in the Prosperity of his Friend, and cannot but be troubled at such as would rejoyce at his Ruine.
XX. He that is a Friend indeed will be faithful; such an one was Jonathan to David. He will not leave his Friend in Straits, that being a Time that calls for his Help: And if he hath any thing committed to his keeping, he will be faithful and careful, he will be true to his Trust, and keep safe that wherewith he is entrusted.
Parallel.
I. CHrist knows his People, not only with a common, but a peculiar Knowledge; yea, and he hath instructed them into the Knowledg of himself, that they might not only know their Friend,Joh. 10 27 but that they might endeavour to keep up,Joh. 13.18 and highly to prize Friendship with him.
II. What a blessed Union is there between Christ and his Peoples?1 Cor. 6.17. and 'tis of his own procuring; as the Heart of Jonathan was knit to the Heart of David. Even, so and much more is the Heart of the Lord Christ united to his People,Eph. 2.14, 15, 16. compared— for the Love of Christ doth very much transcend the Love of all other; the People of Christ should also have their Hearts knit to him.Cant. 2.14
III. Intimate Acquaintance with the Saints, Christ doth really delight in; and Saints should really delight in it also.1 Joh 1.7.
IV. There's true Love between Christ and his People, which makes those Acts of Friendship very cordial and desirable.
I. Jesus Christ is a cordial Lover; as he loves so he speaks, and as he speaks, so he loves; Christ's Love is an abounding and abundant Love to his, he loves freely and heartily, and hath given Evidence of it; and though his Love be sometimes eclipsed, yet 'tis not wholly removed: He having loved, loves to the End.Joh. 13.1.
II. Christ is the most necessary Friend, he is of absolute Necessity, 'tis possible, to live comfortable in the World, though a Man hath but few Friends, and to dye happily, though a Man hath not one Friend in the World, having Christ; but living and dying without Christ, thou art, and wilt be miserable; Multitudes of earthly Friend and Acquaintance will not, cannot save from Hell, but if Christ be thy Friend, he will.Joh. 17.3.
III. This is evidently seen in Christ. The Text tells us,Isa. 63.9. He did not only sympathize with them, but saved them;Heb. 4.15. Zech. 2.8. h… is said to be touched with the feeling of our Infirmities: whatever Wrong is done to his People, he takes it as done to himself:Acts 9.4, 5. Isa. 51.22, 23. if any raise a Quarrel against them, he will engage himself therein.
IV. Such and much better Friend is Christ. The Members of Christ's Spouse have been stigmatized by the Enemy, for Hereticks, and many other ways; but Christ hath stood up to vindicate their Wrongs and Innocency; he hath spoken for them, where, and when they could not speak for themseves; he had his Gamaliel in the Council.
V. Such a Friend is Christ, most desirable:Phil. 3.8, 9, 10. one that's acquainted with Jesus Christ, esteems his Friendship, So Paul: Who accounted all things but Loss for the Excellency of the Knowledge of Jesus Christ, &c.
VI. Even so Christ hath given full and perfect Evidence of his Love and Friendship: His Thoughts are about them, Psal. 139.17. Jer. 29.11.nay his Words and Works are all for, and in behalf of his Spouse.
VII. So Christ, Isaiah saith,Isa. 40.11. He layeth them in his Bosom; He loves to hear from them, rejoyceth to see them: Cant. 2.14and indeed a Saint cannot be satisfied short of a room in Christ's Heart: John was said,Joh 13.23. to lye in Christ's Bosome.
VIII. Even so doth Christ, and 'tis according to Promise and Experience. To lie in the Bosome of Christ deno…s Union, Intimacy, Secrecy;Psal. 25.14. this is that which makes Believers so much prize Christ; saith God, shall I hide from Abraham the things that I doe? It is Encouragement to Saints to lay open their Hearts to Christ.
IX. Herein Christ doth also perform the part of a Friend; for he will neither spare Pains nor Cost, and hath adventured upon the greatest Hazards, and all for the Love he bears to his People; nay he has not put them off with bare Promises, but will perform them to the utmost; he usually out does his Promises.
X. Even so Christ doth nothing to injure his, nor justly to provoke them, or purchase their Displeasure; the poor Soul is ready sometimes to think such and such things are against him, as Jacob did in the Case of Joseph and Benjamin. All his actings and out-goings towards his People speaks forth his desire of their Love: hence he greatly praises and commends the Love of his Church;Cant. 4.10. How fair is thy Love my Sister, my Spouse, &c.
XI. So Christ loves to be familiar,Cant. 5.1, 2. and therefore is frequent in conversing with his people, witness his Word. This Familiarity is kept up by frequent Converse and Visits,Job 10.12. and Christ's Visits are as Cordials to the Hearts of his People.
XII. So Christ's desire is to know the State of his People, to the end that he may evermore supply them; not but that he perfectly knows their State, but to make them sensible to declare it,Mark 10.51. as he did to the poor blind Man; even so he will not suffer his People to lie under Sin, because he knows 'twill turn to their Disadvantage.
XIII. Even so Christ will not suffer his People to lie under Sin, he knows 'twill turn to their Disadvantage; O how is he concerned when they are ensnared! which doth signifie his great Trouble, and therefore gives friendly Reproofs and Admonitions in order to reclaim them; and Believers have found his Reproofs to be peculiar Acts of Friendship:Psal. 119.67, 71. Rev. 3.1, 2. I know thy works that thou hast a name to live, and art dead, — I have not found thy Works perfect before God, &c.
XIV. O how profitable is Christ's Comfort! it teacheth them in Prosperity to carry it humbly, in Adversity, to carry it contentedly; in the midst of their Sorrow and Misery it comforts them,Psal. 49.19. Psal. 16.7. Psal. 73.25 this is that which above all things asswageth the Believers Grief: hence it is that Believers so much prize the Counsel of Jesus Christ.
XV. Even so Christ loves to hear from his People, and is concerned at their Silence, they are always welcome to him, he takes their Absence unkindly: and afterwards when they come to visit him again with the Acknowledgment of their Miscarriages; O how welcome are they! such a Meeting is on both sides very sweet and pleasant.
XVI. Even so it is with Christ, to see his precious Love slighted. Ingratitude is a Sin which is very offensive, it being a Sin against Truth and Justice. Against Tru…h, for it is in effect a denying of the Kindness received: Against Justice, which calls for a rendring of something back in token of Thankfulness.
XVII. So Christ; he doth not (as I may say) take up every evil Report the Devil, Sin, or wicked Men bring against them: Christ will not take Measures by their Information, but by that perfect Knowledg he hath of them,Heb. 12.8. and if they have done amiss, he will reprove them, but gently, for their Profit.
XVIII. Such is the Love and Care of Christ to his People, that if any Combination be against them, he will give them seasonable Information of it, for as much as nothing can escape his Knowledg, he being Omniscient, &c.
XIX. Christ the Believers Friend, doth greatly rejoyce in the Prosperity of his People, which is evinced from his Bounty towards them;See Comforter. he leaves them not without Counsel, without a Guide, without Comforts; but is large in distributing all means of Help to them, as may conduce to their prosperous Supply, and he hath a severe Eye upon such as either help on, or rejoyce at their Afflictions.
XX. Christ is the Believer's faithful Friend; He hath been abundantly tried, but never failed any that trusted in him. He never left his, but was full of Kindness to them in all their Troubles, not unmindful of those great Concerns, committed to the charge of this their choicest Friend. Having loved his own that were in the World, he loved them unto the end. Joh. 13.1. 2 Tim 4.17.—Yet nevertheless the Lord stood by me, &c.
A Friend.
I. FRiendship amongst Men is usually occasioned from the Suitableness of the Object: Man with Man is suitable for Association, and this is the great moving Cause of their Friendship; not Man with another Creature, or rarely a King with a Beggar, or a Courtier or Statesman with an illiterate Country-Man, as the Subject of his Blessing, or Object of his Delight.
II. Usually they apprehend something of Desert in the Person on whom they bestow their Friendship: Either it is deserved by the Good they see in him, or may be requited by the Help they may receive from him; for 'tis possible and usual, for a poor Man to be useful to a rich Man, and the weakest to him that is strong.
III. No such Friend hath done so much, but it is known, and may be declared. Christ saith, Greater Love hath no Man than this, that he lays down his Life for his Friend; wherein their Love is plainly seen, and may be comprehended.
IV. The best natural Man may sometimes forget his Friend, either through a multitude of Business, Incumbrance, or weakness of Memory, during which time he may suffer much.
V. Such a Friend knows no more of his Friend's Condition than is revealed to him, neither is he able to pass right Judgment respecting him, as in Job's case, therefore cannot reach the Heart with Comfort.
VI. Such may be thy Condition, that thy best Friend may not know how to help thee, tho willing, such may be the Affairs thou art to manage.
VII. Tho a natural Friend may know what will help thee, yet it may not be in his Power to help thee. The tender Mothers in Judah and Jerusalem, their Bowels moved for the starved and languishing Babes of their own Bodies; and they knew that Food would have succoured them, but 'twas not in their power to procure it.
VIII. These natural Friends may be removed from thee, or thou from them, and so thou mayest be left destitute, and this Friendship come to an end. Many have been clapp'd up in a Dungeon, and sequestrated from their dearest worldly Friends, therefore they are uncertain at best; however, if no Dungeon, yet Death will separate them.
IX. Natural Friends may be made unable to perform their Promises. A real Friend, through an over-heated Zeal, doth sometimes out-bid himself, and is not able to make good his Word; which lays a Man under great Disappointments. I relied on my Friend's Promise, but he hath failed me. Nay, a Friend, when he promises, may at that time be able to make good his Promise, but some strange Providence may suddenly disable him.
Disparity.
I. BUt Christ grounds not his Friendship here, there being in fallen Man no Suitableness of Association; Man being polluted, Angels might be thought much more suitable: But 'tis Love and free Grace, that notwithstanding there was nothing desirable in fallen Man, he being altogether sinful, and so not suitable for Association▪ yet Jesus Christ hath made choice of Man,Heb. 2.16. and is become his true and faithful Friend.
II. But Jesus Christ grounds not his Friendship on this Bottom; for fallen Man is altogether undeserving; nothing that was in them could be the Cause of his Friendship, but meerly his own good Will and Pleasure, Man being utterly unable to requite his Love and Kindness, or to give any thing to him in requital; so that it is undeserved Friendship.
III. But Christ hath done so much for his People, as is not known,1 Joh. 3.1. 1 Cor. 2.10 Rom. 5.5, 6. nor can be conceived; and all this when they were Enemies. If it be considered what he did for them before Time, what he hath done in Time, and what he hath prepared for them in after-Times, it will appear that there is no such Friend as Christ, who entertains all his with eternal Mansions Glory.
IV. But this Friend will never forget thee, wherever thou art,Isa. 49.15, 16. Heb. 13.5, 6. Psal. 40.17 tho never so remote; let thy Condition be what it will, he is ever mindful of thee, and of his Covenant. What God said concerning the Temple that Solomon built, Christ saith the same to his People: Mine Eye and my Heart shall be on them perpetually: 1 King. 9 3 Mat. 28. ult.Lo I am with you always to the end of the World.
V. But Christ knows our Conditions, and can pass right Judgment concerning us, and can reach our Hearts to comfort and support them. He knows the Ways I take, saith Job. He is a Soul-Friend,Job 23.10 he it is that teacheth the way to true Happiness, and adorns the Soul with Grace; that's the Friend to be desired.
VI. But Christ can take right measures of thy Condition, and knows always how to help thee;2 Pet. 2 9. He is never at a loss how to help his People; He knows how to deliver thee. There are none of thy Affairs too hard for Jesus Christ to manage.
VII. As Christ hath Wisdom, so he hath Power:Mar. 28.18, 19. Acts 8.10. All Power in Heaven and in Earth is given unto me. What was sinfully said of Simon, This Man has the great Power of God, may be righteously and truly said of Christ.1 Cor. 1.24. O here's a Friend indeed, that knows in every state how to relieve thee. We may weep and mourn over our dear Friends, that are in Sorrow and Misery,Joh. 11.33 as they did over Lazarus in the Grave, and as the Women did over Dorcas, when they were not able to help: So thy Condition may be such, that thy dearest Friend may say of thy Help, as the Depth and Sea said concerning Wisdom, 'Tis not in me. O b…t 'tis to be found in this Friend Jesus Christ: He hath given sufficient Proof of his Bowels of Pity to his People, and of his Wisdom and Power in their greatest Straits.
VIII. But this Friend of Believers nothing can separate from them, no, not Death it self, for he is immortal.Rom. 8.33 Acts 16.25, 26. Was not Christ with Paul and Silas in Prison? O how sweet is the presence of a dear Friend in Trouble! Alas! Walls and Guards may keep off other Friends, but nothing can keep or hinder Jesus Christ from coming unto his People.
IX. But Christ is able to make good his Word to the utmost; he never outbids himself. Who was ever laid under any Discouragement or Disappointment, that trusted in Him? In all Changes, in all Providences, Christ is the same. Thou mayest commit great Concerns into the hands of thy supposed Friend, and he may fail thee; nay, into the hand of thy real Friend, and yet be uncertain of Security; Fire may destroy, or Thieves may rob him, so that being empoverished, he cannot make good what he received: But Christ cannot, nay, will not disappoint thee.
Application.
I. IS Christ a Friend, such a Friend? then how greatly doth it concern poor Souls to make sure of this Friend! Doth not Self-Interest lead Men to seek for Friendship, and as much as in them lies, with such as are likely to do the part of a Friend? &c.
II. Doth not this reprove the Ignorance and Folly of those that slight and reject this great and good Friend? How many, instead of seeking his Favour, are in Friendship with the World, and their Lusts, and by their wicked Practices are bidding defiance to him, as tho neither his Favour nor Frowns were to be regarded?
III. It shews the miserable Condition of those that are unacquainted with him; He is the Soul's Friend, and it calls aloud upon them,Job 22.2…. to be acquainted with him.
IV. Is Christ thy Friend? then here's a sure Ground of Comfort; you can never want, that have such a Friend, so loving, so sympathizing, so necessary, and so suitable; a present, a constant, a careful Friend; yea, a Soul-Friend; a wise, a powerful, a faithful, immortal, and everlasting Friend! This is a Friend indeed, an honourable Friend,Job. 11.42 that is in favour with God, who never had his Suit denied!
V. Is this thy Friend? O then,
1. Bless God, that hath raised up such a Friend for thee, and made thee acquainted with him.
2. Prize and love this Friend dearly.
3. Visit him often, tell him all the Secrets and Grievances of thy Heart. How sweet is Communion with him!Psal. 142.2 Prov. 18.24. 2 Chron. 24.22.
4. Be not ungrateful to him, be not like Joash, who forgat the Kindness of his Friend! May it not be justly said to some, Is this thy kindness to thy Friend? O 'tis sad to abuse the Kindness of such a Friend.
5. Trust your Friend, take him at his word, question him not, he is faithful.
6. Have no commerce with his Enemies, but keep close and faithful to him in every Condition. Achitophel dealt treacherously with David, do thou not so with Christ.
7. Publish and declare what a Friend thou hast, endeavour to get Sinners acquainted with him.
8. Be sure let nothing part thy Friend and thee: Prize his Presence, dread his Frowns; follow his Doctrine and Examples, that it may be known that Christ is yours, and you are his. Let your Light so shine before Men, that they may see your good Works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.Mat. 5.16.
Christ is the only Friend. A true Friend is tried in a doubtful matter. Christ hath laid down his Life for Believers; what is more difficult to Nature than Death?