The Best Interest, Chapter 4
CHAP. IV. Such as have an intereſt in Chriſt, may find comfort in Chriſt under all Spiritual troubles.
I Have ſhewed how ſuch as have an intereſt in Chriſt, may find comfort in Chriſt, under all perſonal and national troubles, and under the perſecutions of the Church, I ſhall now ſhew that there is comfort to be had in Chriſt, under all Spiritual troubles. Cant. 2.5. Stay me with flaggons, comfort me with apples, for I am ſick of love. This being ſick of love ſignifieth foul troubles, and where doth the ſpouſe ſeek for comfort under foul troubles, but from Chriſt and the benefits we have by Chriſt. Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples— By flagons we are to underſtand wine, which was wont to be diſtributed in flagons. 2 Sam. 6.19. He dealt among all the people a cake of bread, and a flagon of wine. Now the benefits that we have by the death of Chriſt, are compared to wine which makes glad the heart of man, and are called in Scriptures by the name of wine. Iſa. 55.1. Ho every one that thirſteth, come ye to the waters— yea come buy wine— Wine was appointed by Chriſt, to be the repreſentation and memorial of his blood, and the benefits purchaſed by his blood, namely remiſſion of ſins, and confirmation of the new Covenant. Chriſt ſpeaking of the Wine which is drunk at his Table, ſaith, Mat. 26.28. This is my blood of the new Teſtament. which is ſhed for many, for the remiſſion of ſins. 1 Cor. 11.25. This cup is the New Teſtament in my Blood. Under the law there was Wine offered with the dayly Sacrifice, every Morning and Evening. Exod. 29.38, 40. Now Wine being that which makes glad the heart of man. Pſal. 104.15. VVe may learn hence, that all thoſe comforts which make glad the heart of man, they are the fruit and effect of Chriſts being made a Sacrifice for us. Stay me with flaggons, ſignifies ſupport with thoſe comforts and refreſhments, which are the purchaſe of Chriſt's Blood, ſtay me with the diſcovery of the remiſſion of my ſins, and the promiſes of the New Covenant. Comfort me with Apples— what are theſe Apples? The fruits and benefits we have by Chriſts death, who bore our ſins in his own body upon the Tree. 1 Pet. 2.24. In the foregoing verſe our Lord Jeſus Chriſt is likened to an Apple-tree; As the Apple-tree among the trees of the Wood, ſo is my beloved among the ſons, I ſate down under his ſhadow with great delight, and his fruit was ſweet to my taſt. Now the benefits which we have by the incarnation, the Death and Interceſſion of Chriſt, are the Fruit growing on this Apple tree, which was ſweet to the Spouſes taſt, and are the Apples with which ſhe deſired to be comforted, when ſhe was ſick of love.
That we are to ſeek our comfort in Chriſt and from Chriſt, under all Soul troubles, we may ſee from ſeveral other Scriptures. As, Pſal. 42.5. Why art thou caſt down, O my Soul, and why art thou diſquieted within me? hope thou in God, for I ſhall yet praiſe him, for the help of his countenance. Countenance ſignifieth favour, becauſe a mans favour is diſcerned by a chearfull Countenance. Prov. 16.15. God's favour is towards us in Chriſt: Rom. 8.39. So that we ſee whence the Pſalmiſt expected his Conſolations, when his Soul was in a perplexed, diſquieted condition, it was from the help of God's Countenance, that is, from that relief and ſupport which he ſhould find from the manifeſtation of Gods love in Chriſt to his Soul. Pſal. 61.2. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. Our Lord Jeſus in Scripture is reſembled to a Rock. 1 Cor. 10.4. That Rock was Chriſt. VVhen David's heart was overwhelmed with grief, and when he was in deſolate places, where he had none to comfort him, he begs to be led to Chriſt, who was the Rock that was higher than he, for he knew there was ſupport and comfort in Chriſt, under the greateſt inward troubles, though ſuch as overwhelmed the heart, as appears from ver. 2. compared with ver. 7. Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I— ſo will I ſing praiſe unto thy name for ever. VVhen David was in great heavineſs through the hidings of Gods face, and walked day by day with a ſorrowfull heart, he found joy and comfort in Chriſt. Pſal. 13.1, 2. How long wilt thou forget me, (O Lord) for ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long ſhall I take counſell in my Soul, having ſorrow in my heart dayly? — My heart ſhall rejoyce in thy Salvation. By thy Salvation here we may underſtand the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who is called the Salvation of God. Luk. 2.30. Mine eyes have ſeen thy Salvation; That is, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, ver. 26. See alſo, Iſa. 49.6. That thou mayeſt be my Salvation unto the ends of the Earth. By thy Salvation we may alſo underſtand that Temporal and Eternal Salvation, which he hoped that God for Chriſt's ſake would beſtow upon him; So that it was from Chriſt, and the benefits which come by Chriſt, that David fetched his comfort in all his Soul troubles; And therefore all of us that are under any ſoul troubles, ſhould repair to Chriſt for comfort. It is ſaid of David, 1 Sam. 22.2. Every one that was in diſtreſs, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was diſcontent (or as it is in the Margent) bitter of Soul, gathered themſelves unto him, and he became a Captain over them. Let us do the like by Chriſt, the Son of David: let every one that is in diſtreſs, and every one that is in debt, (our ſins are debts to the juſtice of God. Mat. 6.12.) and every one that is bitter in Soul, gather our ſelves to Chriſt, who is the Conſolation of Iſrael, and he will be the Captain of our Salvation, and comfort us under all our troubles. I ſhall farther prove this, that there is comfort to be had in Chriſt in our Soul troubles, by giving inſtance in ſeveral ſoul troubles, and ſhew that there is comfort under all of them to be had in Chriſt.
Sect. 1. Comfort to be had in Chriſt, againſt indwelling corruption.
In Regenerate perſons there are remainders of Original Corruption. The Apoſtle Paul complained of the indwelling of ſin. Rom. 7.17. Sin that dwelleth in me; And he did not only find ſin dwelling in him, but warring againſt the law of his mind, and leading him captive to the law of ſin, which was a very great trouble and burden to him. ver. 23.24. And what was Paul's comfort againſt the indwelling, warring, and captivating power of ſin? It was Chriſt Jeſus. Rom. 7.24, 25. O wretched man that I am, who ſhall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord. I will ſhew what comfort there is in Chriſt, againſt the remainders of Original Corruption.
1. Chriſt's blood is a Fountain ſet open on purpoſe for waſhing away the Fountain of ſin, and uncleanneſs that is in, and iſſueth forth out of our hearts. Zech. 13.1. In that day, there ſhall be a Fountain opened to the houſe of David, and the Inhabitants of Jeruſalem, for ſin, and for uncleanneſs. This Fountain is the blood of Chriſt. 1 Joh. 1.7. The blood of Jeſus Chriſt his Son, cleanſeth from all ſins. There is no other Fountain under Heaven ſet open for the cleanſing away of ſin, but the blood of Chriſt, which is compared to a Fountain, becauſe of its ſufficiency to ſupply all commers, and the continual efficacy, the Fountain runs night and day continually. The day wherein this Fountain is ſet open, is the day and time of the Goſpel; For under the law it was covered over with divers Types and Ceremonies, it was vailed with the Ceremonies, but now that vail, that covering is done away. It was a Fountain ſealed and concealed from the Gentiles, but now 'tis a Fountain opened to the Jews and Gentiles, for though only the houſe of David, and the Inhabitants of Jeruſalem are named, yet the Gentiles are included in this promiſe, for they are of the ſame body, and fellow-heirs with the Jews, of the promiſes of God. Eph. 3.6. Obſerve farther, for what end this Fountain is ſet open, that is, for ſin and for uncleanneſs, that is, to waſh away all ſorts, and all manner of ſins, our Original and Actual ſins, the uncleanneſs of our hearts and lives. It may amaze us when we ſee and conſider what a Fountain of ſin and uncleanneſs is in our hearts, but it may greatly comfort us, when we conſider that Chriſt's blood is a Fountain, ſet open on purpoſe to waſh away ſin and uncleanneſs.
2. Though ſin doth, and will dwell in us as long as we live, yet this may comfort us, it ſhall not have the dominion over us. Rom. 6.14. For ſin ſhall not have dominion over you, becauſe ye are not under the Law but under Grace. For our Lord Jeſus Chriſt hath by his death obtained deliverance from the reigning power of indwelling corruption, ſo that though ſin remain in us, it ſhall not reign over us, we ſhall not be the ſervants of ſin. Rom. 6.6. Knowing this, that our old man is Cruciſied with him, that the body of ſin might be deſtroyed, that henceforth we ſhould not ſerve ſin. And therefore though we find ſin not only dwelling in us, but warring againſt the law of our minds, and ſometimes prevailing over us, and leading us captive, yet we ſhould believe that God for Chriſt's ſake, will both pardon and ſubdue our ſins. Pſal. 65.3. Iniquities prevail againſt me, as for our Tranſgreſſions thou ſhalt purge them away. The purging away of ſin implyes both the pardoning our ſins by the blood of Chriſt, Pſal. 51.7. Heb. 1.3. Heb. 9.22. and the mortification of ſin, or purging ſin out of our hearts and converſations. 2 Tim. 2.21. Iſa. 4.4. and 27.9. Now David did reſt upon God for the purging away his Tranſgreſſions, even when he found iniquities prevailing, that is, he did truſt in God, that for Chriſt's ſake he would both pardon and ſubdue his ſin.
3. As it is a ground of trouble that ſin dwelleth in us, ſo it is a ground of great comfort that we have the Spirit of Chriſt to dwell in us as a Fountain of grace and holineſs, and that this Spirit of grace ſhall dwell in us for ever, and as a Well of water, ſpringing up to Everlaſting Life. 1 Cor. 3.16. Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? And this Spirit of Chriſt which is given to us, to dwell in our hearts, ſhall dwell and abide with us for ever, Joh. 14.16, 17. I will pray the Father, and he ſhall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever, even the Spirit of Truth, he dwelleth in you, and ſhall be in you. And he dwelleth in us as a Fountain of Grace and Holineſs, or as a VVell of water ſpringing up to Everlaſting Life. Joh. 4.14. The water that I ſhall give him, ſhall be in him a Well of water, ſpringing up into Everlaſting Life.
4. Though ſin dwell in thoſe that are in the Members of Chriſt, yet it ſhall not be imputed to them unto their Condemnation. Rom. 8.1. There is therefore now no Condemnation to them that are in Chriſt Jeſus, who walk not after the fleſh but after the Spirit. He doth not ſay, there is no ſin in them that are in Chriſt Jeſus, but though their be ſin in them, there is no condemnation to them. ver. 34, Who ſhall condemn? It is Christ that dyed. Chriſts death hath made ſatisfaction for our ſins, and therefore ſuch as are in Chriſt ſhall not come into Condemnation, but are paſſed from death to life.
Sect. 2. Comfort in Chriſt for lapſed Chriſtians, that have fallen into heinous ſins, that have wounded their Conſcience, and broke their Peace.
Beſides the great trouble that ariſeth to the Servants of Chriſt from indwelling corruption, they may through the Temptations of Satan, and their own weakneſs, and want of watchfullneſs, fall into actual Tranſgreſſions of a very heinous nature, that may break their Peace, and wound their Conſciences, as Peter who denyed Chriſt, and curſe and ſwore he did not know the man, which cauſed him when he came to himſelf to weep bitterly. And David committed ſuch heinous ſins in the matter of Ʋriah and Bathſheba, that cauſed ſuch anguiſh of Spirit, as if all his bones had been broken, and therefore being in a joyleſs condition, as full of anguiſh as a man that hath broken bones, he prays thus to God. Pſal. 51.8. Make me to hear joy and gladneſs, that the bones which thou haſt broken may rejoyce. Now though this be matter of deep. Humiliation, for Chriſtians to fall into heinous ſins, yet it is not a deſperate caſe, for there is comfort in Chriſt for lapſed Chriſtians, though the ſins into which they have fallen be of an heinous nature, and that on theſe grounds.
1. Jeſus Chriſt is our Advocate with the Father, and pleads our cauſe for us, that our ſins may not be imputed to us, but may upon our Repentance be forgiven us; As Stephen interceeded for his Perſecutors, Act. 7.60. Lord lay not this ſin to their charge. So doth Chriſt interceed with his Father for all his Members, VVhen they fall into any heinous ſin, Lord lay not this ſin to their charge. Chriſt's love to his Members is infinitely above Stephen's love to his Perſecutors, yet Stephen prayed for them when they had committed an heinous ſin, the ſhedding of blood, the ſhedding innocent blood, the blood of a Martyr, of a man full of the Holy Ghoſt, his own blood, yet Stephen interceeded for them, Lord lay not this ſin to their charge. And the love of Chriſt being infinitely above Stephens, will not be much more interceeded for his members, his Servants, in their greateſt falls, though their ſins be of an heinous nature; Lord lay not this ſin to their charge, that our Lord Jeſus doth interceed for us, when we fall into ſin, that our ſins may not be laid to our charge; VVe may ſee, 1 John 2.1, 2. My little Children, theſe things write I unto you, that ye ſin not, and if any man ſin we have an Advocate with the Father, Jeſus Chriſt the Righteous, who is the propitiation for our ſins, and not for ours only, but for the ſins of the whole World. The children of God muſt be very carefull they do not ſin againſt God; But ſuppoſe they do ſin, muſt they deſpair? No, if any man ſin we have an advocate— 'tis not ſaid we had an advocate, as if he ceaſed to be our advocate when we fall into ſin, but we have an advocate with the Father, and he is a powerfull and prevalent advocate. Jeſus Chriſt the Righteous, whom his Father never denyed any thing in the days of his Humiliation, Joh. 11.22, 42. much leſs will he deny him any thing in the days of his exaltation, and the perſon with whom he interceeds, is the Father, who is the Father of mercies, a God ready to forgive, waiting to be gracious, who is Chriſt's Father, and our Father; And he uſeth a prevailing argument when he pleads for us, he preſents his own blood, which is the propitiation for our ſins; And he is advocate for all that do and ſhall believe on him, in all places and all ages of the World. 1 Joh. 2.1, 2. Compared with 1 Joh. 5.12. If any man ſin we have an advocate with the Father— Theſe things write I unto you that believe. As David interceeded with his Captains, on the behalf of Abſolom, though an undutifull rebellious Son. 2 Sam. 18.5. Deal gently for my ſake with the young man, even with Abſolom. Even ſo doth Chriſt interceed with his Father, for his Rebellious and Diſobedient Children: deal graciouſly for my ſake with ſuch and ſuch perſons, though they have rebelled againſt thee.
2. The death of Chriſt hath obtained pardon for all our ſins, ſins after, as well as ſins before Converſion, great and heinous ſins as well as leſſer ſins. 1 Joh. 1.7. The blood of Jeſus Chriſt his Son, cleanſeth us from all ſin. Iſa. 53.5. He was wounded for our Tranſgreſſions, he was bruiſed for our iniquities, the chaſtiſement of our peace was upon him, and by his ſtripes we are healed. The two Hebrew words uſed by the Prophet, as Rivet obſerves, all ſorts even the worſt kind of ſins, foreign ſignifieth ſuperbam mandati tranſgreſſionem, rebellionem & defectionem. A proud tranſgreſſing of the law of God, rebellion and revolting from God. foreign ſignifieth perverſitatem, malitiam, a ſinning out of perverſeneſs and malice; For ſuch ſins as theſe, was Chriſt wounded and bruiſed, and by his ſtripes we are healed, and obtain pardon for our greateſt offences.
3. There are mercies and forgiveneſſes with God, upon Chriſt's account, even for ſuch as have rebelled againſt him. Dan. 9.9. To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveneſſes, though we have rebelled againſt him. To rebell againſt the Lord, is more than to ſin out of infirmity, it ſpeaks willfulneſs in ſin, it is the higheſt degree of ſin, likened to the ſin of Witch-craft, when men have to do with the Devil. 1 Sam. 15.23. Rebellion is as the ſin of Witch-craft. Yet there are mercies and forgiveneſſes with the Lord, for ſuch as have rebelled againſt him, not only mercy and forgiveneſs, but in the Plural number, mercies and forgiveneſſes to ſignifie the abundance of mercies and pardons that are with God, for ſuch as have rebelled, though they have not rebelled once or twice only, but many times; And therefore the Lord is ſtyled a God of pardons, who hath pardons in ſtore for rebellious ſinners upon their Repentance. Ne. 9.16, 17. But they and our Fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and refuſed to obey— and in their rebellion appointed a Captain to return to their bondage, but thou art a God ready to pardon, (or as 'tis in the Margent) a God of pardons, gracious and mercifull, ſlow to anger, and of great kindneſs, and forſookeſt them not
4. The Covenant of grace, which is confirmed with Chriſts blood, admits Repentance, and promiſeth pardon of ſin to back-ſliders, upon their Repentance, though they have deeply and grievouſly revolted from the Lord. The children of Iſrael were grievous revolters, Jer. 6.28. They are all grievous revolters, yet they are called to Repentance. Iſa. 31.6. Turn ye unto him from whom the Children of Iſrael have deeply revolted. And have a promiſe of pardon upon their Repentance. Jer. 3.22. Return ye back-ſliding children, and I will heal your back-ſlidings. If any ſay it may be theſe to whom the Lord ſpeaks here, and promiſeth to heal their back-ſlidings on their return to him, had not they back-ſlidden ſo often, and in ſuch an heinous manner; To which I anſwer, that they had back-ſlidden often, is evident from ver. 1. Thou haſt played the Harlot with many lovers, yet return unto me. And beſides he ſpeaks of back-ſlidings in the Plural number; He ſaith not, I will heal your back-ſliding, as if they had back-ſlidden but once, but I will heal your back-ſlidings, intimating that though their back-ſlidings were many, (which they themſelves acknowledge. Jer. 14.7. Our back-ſlidings are many.) yet upon their returning he would heal them all. And that they were guilty of very great and heinous ſins, as well as many back-ſlidings, to whom God makes this promiſe; Return O back-ſliding children, and I will heal your back-ſlidings, is evident from ver. 5. Behold thou hast ſpoken and done evil things, as thou couldſt.
5. When the ſervants of Chriſt fall into heinous ſins, God will viſit their Tranſgreſſions with his Rod, and their ſins with Stripes, but for Chriſts ſake he will not caſt them out of his love, nor break his Covenant with them. Pſal. 89.30, 31, 32, 33, 34. If his children forſake my law, and walk not in my judgments, if they break my Statutes, and keep not my Commandments, then will I viſit their Tranſgreſſions with the Rod, and their Iniquities with Stripes; Nevertheleſs, my loving kindneſs will I not utterly take from him, nor ſuffer my faithfulneſs to fail. My Covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my Mouth.
Sect. 3. There is comfort in Chriſt for ſuch as are but weak in grace.
Such as are but weak in Faith, and weak in other Graces, do uſually walk very uncomfortably, and are under much perplexity of Spirit, upon the account of their weakneſs. We are exhorted to ſupport the weak. 1 Theſ. 5.14. which implyeth that weak Chriſtians are liable to faint and ſink, now there is comfort in Chriſt for weak and feeble Chriſtians. I will inſtance in ſome grounds of Conſolation for weak Chriſtians.
1. There is a ſufficiency of Grace and Strength in Chriſt, for the weak as well as the ſtrong. What was ſaid to the Apoſtle, when he was under the buffetings of Satan; 2 Cor. 12.9. My grace is ſufficient for thee, for my ſtrength is made perfect in weakneſs. The ſame may be ſaid to the weakeſt Chriſtian, that conflicts with many fears, and ſtrong temptations, Chriſt's grace is ſufficient for thee, and his ſtrength is made perfect in weakneſs, that is, the weaker we are, the more eminently his ſtrength is put forth, and manifeſted on our behalf. The Lord is wont in an eminent manner to put forth his power in ſupporting and upholding weak Chriſtians. Iſa. 40.29. He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he encreaſeth ſtrength.
2. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt is very tender and carefull of weak and feeble Chriſtians; He gathereth his Lambs with his Arm, and carryeth them in his Boſom. Iſa. 40.11. He ſhall feed his Flock like a Shepherd, he ſhall gather the Lambs with his Arm, and carry them in his Boſom, and ſhall gently lead thoſe that are with young. By Lambs we may underſtand young and weak Chriſtians. There is no Shepherd ſo tender and carefull of his little Lambs, as the Shepherd of Iſrael is of his Lambs. His gathering his Lambs with his Arm, ſignifieth his preſerving them by his Divine power, his carrying them in his Boſom, ſignifieth his tender love to them, and his tender care over them. They lye near his heart, he carryeth them in his Boſom, he gently leadeth thoſe that are with young, that is, ſuch as are in a burdened condition, afflicted and diſtreſſed Conſciences. When Creatures are with young, they are burdened and heavy; It may alſo ſignifie ſuch as are in the way to Converſion. Another Scripture ſetting out Chriſts tenderneſs to weak Chriſtians, we have Iſa. 42.3. A bruiſed Reed ſhall he not break, and the ſmoking flax, (or as it is in the Margent) the dimly burning flax he ſhall not quench. That this is ſpoken of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, is evident from Mat. 12.20. The Reed is very weak, a little blaſt of wind makes the Reed to ſhake and tremble. Mat. 11.7. A Reed ſhaken with the Wind. The Reed when bruiſed, is weaker than the Reed that is whole. The Reed ſignifieth the weak trembling Chriſtian, the bruiſed Reed a weak Chriſtian bruiſed with afflictions and temptations, ſuch an one Chriſt will not break, that is, he will ſupport and uphold them; The ſmoking or dimly burning flax, he will not quench; That is, he will cheriſh weak, and recover lapſed Chriſtians; The wick of the lamp that burns but dimly, that hath much ſmoke obſcuring the light, that hath that which is offenſive (for ſmoke is offenſive to the eyes) mixed with that little light, that little good which is in them, ſuch Chriſt will not quench, but will cheriſh and carry on his own in them. Iſa. 29.18. The eyes of the blind ſhall ſee out of obſcurity, and out of darkneſs. Though there be much obſcurity and darkneſs mixed with our knowledge, when the Lord firſt opens our eyes, yet by degrees that dimneſs ſhall wear off, and we ſhall have a more clear knowledge of the myſteries of our Salvation. Iſa. 32.3. The eyes of them that ſee, ſhall not be dim.
3. Weak Chriſtians that build their Faith and Hope upon Chriſt, build upon a ſure and ſtrong Foundation; For Chriſt is a ſure Foundation to the weak as well as the ſtrong. Iſa. 28.16. Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tryed ſtone, a precious corner-ſtone a ſure foundation. Jeſus Chriſt is ſuch a ſure and ſtrong foundation, that all the Devils in Hell ſhall not be able to prevail againſt the weakeſt Chriſtian that is built on this foundation. Mat. 16.18. Ʋpon this Rock will I build my Church, and the gates of Hell ſhall not prevail againſt it.
4. VVeak Chriſtians have a ſtrong and Almighty God to ſtand by them, who hath promiſed for Chriſts ſake to help, ſtrengthen and uphold them. Iſa. 41.10, 13.14. Fear thou not for I am with thee, be not diſmayed for I am thy God, I will ſtrengthen thee, yea I will help thee, yea I will uphold thee with the Righthand of my Righteouſneſs— Fear not I will help thee, fear not thou worm Jacob, I will help thee ſaith the Lord— VVhat is weaker than a worm? yet to Jacob that was but as a worm in his own and others apprehenſion, trampled upon, and deſpiſed by the men of the world, the Lord calls out three times, fear not, fear not, fear not, and why? becauſe though Jacob was but as a worm; The God of Jacob who is an Almighty God, ſaith to Jacob I will help thee, I will ſtrengthen thee, I will uphold thee. The Almighty God is able to uphold the weakeſt Chriſtian under all oppoſitions and diſcouragements. Rom. 14.1, 4. Him that is weak in the Faith receive ye— yea he ſhall be holden up, for God is able to make them ſtand.
5. Where there are the weakeſt meaſures of Grace, they are taken notice of by God, and ſhall have a great and glorious reward from the Lord. When there was but ſome good thing towards the God of Iſrael in Jeroboam's Son, the Lord took notice of it, and brought him to his grave in peace. 1 King. 14.13. All Iſrael ſhall mourn for him and bury him, for he only of Jeroboam ſhall come to the grave, becauſe in him there is found ſome good thing toward the Lord God of Iſrael, in the houſe of Jeroboam. They that have but weak gifts, and mean talents, yet if they be faithfull in that little which is committed to their truſt, they ſhall have a great and glorious Reward. Mat. 25.23. Well done good and faithfull ſervant, thou haſt been faithfull over a few things, I will make thee Ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.
Sect 4. There is comfort in Chriſt for ſuch Chriſtians as mourn under their decay in grace, and under their unprofitableneſs under the means of grace.
To be unprofitable under the means of grace, is a very uncomfortable condition; Such have cauſe to cry out, my leanneſs, my leanneſs, wo unto me. And eſpecially it is matter of lamentation to be in a declining condition, to decay in Grace, to loſe our firſt love, and to grow weak in Faith, and abate in our zeal and activity for God, a decaying, declining condition is a very uncomfortable condition, yet there is comfort to be had in Chriſt for ſuch as mourn over their unprofitableneſs, and their decays in Grace; And that on theſe accounts.
1, The Lord Jeſus is able to make the moſt barren Soul to become fruitfull. 2 Cor. 9.8. God is able to make all grace abound towards you, that ye always having all-ſufficiency in all things, may abound in every good work. Theſe Corinthians before God wrought upon them, were very Graceleſs, vile perſons; As we may ſee, 1 Cor. 6.11. Such were ſome of you— That is, ſuch vile ſinners as were mentioned, ver. 9.10. Unrighteous, Fornicators, Idolaters, Adulterers, Effeminate, abuſers of themſelves, with Mankind, &c. Yet he tells them, that God was able not only to work Grace, but to make Grace, all Grace abound towards them, and to cauſe them to abound in every good work. God can make Faith to abound in the moſt unbelieving Soul, and brokenneſs of heart to abound in the hardeſt heart of ſinners, and love and zeal to abound in thoſe that are lukewarm, yea he can make all Grace to abound in the Graceleſs; The Lord maketh the dry Tree to flouriſh. Ezek. 17.24. I the Lord have dryed up the green Tree and have made the dry Tree to flouriſh. And he maketh a barren Womb fruitfull. Pſal. 113.9. He maketh the barren woman to keep houſe, and to be a joyfull Mother of children. Now he that doth this by the barren VVomb and dry Tree, can't he do the like by our barren Hearts. He that maketh the dry Tree to flouriſh, can't he make our dry hearts flouriſh? and he that maketh the barren VVomb fruitfull, can't he make our barren hearts fruitfull alſo. And as the Lord is able to make a barren Soul become fruitfull, ſo alſo to recover ſuch as are gone back, and decayed in Grac… Pſal. 23.3. He reſtoreth my Soul— VVhen our Souls are gone back and declined, he can reſtore them again. After Jeruſalem had lain waſt many years, God cauſed her waſt places to be built again. Iſa. 61.4. They ſhall build the old waſts, and raiſe up the former deſolations. That God that did this for Zion, can do as much for the Sons and Daughters of Zion, namely recover them from their inward decays and deſolations.
2. The Lord Jeſus is appointed by God to carry on, and finiſh the work of grace, as well to begin grace in our Souls. Heb. 12.2. Looking to Jeſus the author and finiſher of our faith, and as the author and finiſher of our Faith, ſo of our other graces alſo. Phil. 1.11. Being filled with the fruits of Righteouſneſs, which are by Jeſus Chriſt— It is by Jeſus Chriſt that we have the fruits of Righteouſneſs, and that we are filled with theſe fruits— He is appointed to be as Rivers of water in a dry place. Iſa. 32.2. A man ſhall be as Rivers of water in a dry place— This man is none other, but the man Chriſt Jeſus, as he is called. 1 Tim. 2.5. who is God and Man in one perſon; VVhat Rivers of water are to the dry ground, that is Chriſt to our dry and barren ſouls. The water will make the dry and barren ground fruitfull. Job 38.26.27. To cauſe it to rain on the earth— to ſatisfie the deſolate and waſt ground, and to cauſe the bud of the tender herb to ſpring out. So doth Chriſt cauſe thoſe that are dry and barren, to bring forth the fruits of Righteouſneſs by the dew of his grace. VVater will recover thoſe things that are withered and greatly decayed, as we ſee in Trees of which Job ſpeaks. Job 14.8, 9. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the ſtock thereof dye in the ground yet through the ſent of water, it will bud and bring forth boughs like a plant. There is not leſs virtue in the grace of Chriſt for recovering withered and decayed Souls, then there is in water, to recover a withered, decayed Tree; Therefore when we feel our dimneſs, and barrenneſs, and decayed condition, we ſhould go to Chriſt, that he would be to us as Rivers of water in a dry place, that he would revive, carry on, and finiſh the work of grace in our Souls, and that he would fill us with the fruits of Righteouſneſs. Iſa. 42.3. He ſhall not quench the ſmoking flax. Ellychnium langueſcens, fere extinctum. Piſc. quibus reſtat aliquid Pietatis, ſed paene extinctum calamitatibus. Gro. Nutantes in Pietate confirmabit & praeditos ſcintilla pietatis aliqua velut moribunda, fovebit & excitabit Jun. It refers to languiſhing Chriſtians, that where Grace is ſo declined and decayed that it is ready to dye.
3. The Lord hath promiſed for Chriſt's ſake to give us the dew of his Grace, which ſhall cauſe us to grow in Grace. Hoſ. 14.5. I will be as the dew unto Iſrael, and he ſhall grow as the Lilly — Conſider what condition Iſrael was in when God made this promiſe; I will be as the dew unto Iſrael, and he ſhall grow as the Lilly. Iſrael was in a fallen, declined, backſlidden condition. ver. 1.3. O Iſrael thou haſt fallen by thine iniquity— I will heal their back-ſliding. Ch. 4.16. Iſrael ſlideth back as a back-ſliding heifer. Ch. 8.3. Iſrael hath caſt if the thing that is good— Yea Iſrael was ſo far declined, and in ſuch a miſerable condition, that it is ſaid of Iſrael, Hoſ. 13.9. O Iſrael thou haſt deſtroyed thy ſelf— Yet to this Iſrael that was fallen by iniquity, back-ſlidden from God, caſt off that which was good, deſtroyed themſelves upon their Confeſſion of their ſin and prayer for Mercy, God promiſeth, I will be as the dew unto Iſrael, and he ſhall grow like the Lilly— There are two things obſervable in the growth of the Lilly, it groweth ſpeedily. Mat. 6.28. Conſider the Lillies of the field how they grow. It is Pliny's obſervation concerning the Lilly, Lilio nihil foe…undius, no Flower is more fruitfull than the Lilly; It groweth alſo Gloriouſly. Mat. 6.29. Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of theſe. See another promiſe of giving growth in Grace. Hoſ. 14.7. They that dwell under his ſhadow ſhall return, they ſhall revive as the Corn, they ſhall grow as the Vine. They that dwell under his ſhadow, it may be underſtood, either of Iſrael's ſhadow, and ſo is a promiſe to the Members of the Church of Chriſt, joyning themſelves to his Church— or elſe of the ſhadow of Chriſt. As Cant. 2.3. I ſate down under his ſhadow with great delight. So the Caldee— In umbra Chriſti ſui, under the ſhadow of Chriſt, and then the ſenſe is, they that betake themſelves to Chriſt, and abide with Chriſt, ſhall be made fruitfull in Grace and good works, conſonant to that promiſe. Joh. 15.5. He that abideth in me and I in him, the ſame bringeth forth much fruit. Now taking this ſhadow to be meant of Chriſt, then it is a gracious promiſe to ſuch as betake themſelves to Chriſt, that they ſhall revive as the Corn, and grow as the Vine; How is that? The Corn lyeth buried under ground for a while, and ſeems to be loſt; And after it appears, it meets with cold winds, and froſt, and draught, that makes it hang the head, turn yellow, look in a decaying manner, yet through the warm Sun and Dew of Heaven, it reviveth again; So 'tis with them that dwell under Chriſt's ſhadow, though they meet with many Pullbacks, and that which was ſpringing up, ſeems to wither and decline, yet they ſhall revive as the Corn, and grow as the Vine. The pruning and cutting the Vine makes the Vine become the more fruitfull, and ſo it intimates a growth under afflictions. In the Winter the Vine looks like a dead ſtick, hath no Beauty nor Savour in it, but in the Spring it puts forth and flouriſheth abundantly. Vines give a pleaſant ſmell, and bring forth pleaſant fruit. Cant. 2.13. The Vines, with the tender Grape, give a good ſmell; And the Fruit of the Vine is ſweet and pleaſant fruit. I might mention more promiſes of growth in Grace; As Pſal. 92.12. Job 17.9. Now by virtue of theſe and ſuch like promiſes, when we find a decay of Grace, we may reſt upon God that he will come in with freſh ſupplies of Grace. Pſal. 92.10. I ſhall be anointed with freſh Oyl. David was ſometimes ſenſible of great decays in Spiritual Eſtate, as when he complains my moiſture is turned into the drought of Summer, yet then he did reſt upon God for freſh ſupplies of Grace and Comfort, which may be the meaning of thoſe words, I ſhall be anointed with freſh Oyl: For the Graces of the Spirit are called an unction or an anointing. 1 Joh. 2.20, 29. Ye have an unction from the Holy one— The anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you. The Graces and Comforts of the Spirit are compared to Oyl. Pſal. 45.7. Thy God hath anointed thee with the Oyl of gladneſs. Mat. 25.3. They that were fooliſh took their Veſſels, and took no Oyl with them. When God pours out his Spirit upon us, then he is ſaid to anoint us. Iſa. 61.1. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, becauſe he hath anointed me— Freſh Oyl may ſignifie renewed ſupplies of the Spirit of Grace. The reſtoring a Conſumptive perſon that was waſted to skin and bone, is called freſh Fleſh. Job 33.21, 25. So the renewed ſupplies of Grace and Comfort, given to a decayed ſoul, may be called an anointing him with freſh Oyl.
Sect. 5. There is comfort in Chriſt, for ſuch as are poor in Spirit and full of want, and mourn under their Spiritual Poverty.
Such as are in a poor condition as to Spirituals, full of wants, when they reflect upon their poverty and emptyneſs, it cauſeth forrow and trouble of Spirit. Pſal. 69.29. I am poor and ſorrowfull. Pſal. 119.22. I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me. Now there is comfort in Chriſt for ſuch as are poor in reſpect of their Spiritual Eſtate, and are full of wants, and are in a troubled condition, becauſe they find themſelves to be ſo poor and full of wants; And that on theſe grounds.
1. There is a fullneſs in Chriſt of all thoſe Graces, and all thoſe good things which we find wanting in our ſelves. Col. 1.19. It pleaſed the Father that in him ſhould all fullneſs dwell. And that fullneſs which dwelt in Chriſt was for our ſakes, that out of his fullneſs he might Communicate to us Grace, anſwerable to thoſe Graces which are in him. Joh. 1.16. And of his fullneſs have all we received, and grace for grace. The gifts which Chriſt received, he did not receive to keep them to himſelf, or to beſtow them on the Angels, but to give them to the ſons of men. Pſal. 68.18. Thou haſt received gifts for men, yea for the rebellious alſo, that the Lord God might dwell amongſt them. Theſe gifts which Chriſt received for men, include gifts of Grace, as well as other gifts, as namely the gifts of the Holy Ghoſt, the gift of Faith and Love, &c. For the Pſalmiſt ſpeaks of ſuch gifts as do make us meet to have the Lord dwell with them. Now the Lord dwelleth in us by his Spirit, 1 Joh. 4.13. and by Faith, Eph. 3.17. and by Love. 1 Joh. 4.16.
2. All thoſe good things which we find wanting in our ſelves, we have them in Chriſt, they are ours in him. Though this ſeem ſtrange yet 'tis true, that we ſhould have that which we want: we have thoſe things in Chriſt, which we find wanting in our ſelves. In him we have righteouſneſs and ſtrength, when we feel weakneſs in our ſelves. Iſa. 45.24. In him we have wiſdom, ſanctification and redemption, 1 Cor. 1.30. we are bleſſed with all ſpiritual bleſſings, even while we complain of our want of them, we are bleſſed with them all in Chriſt, though we have not the actual enjoyment of them. Eph. 1.3. Bleſſed be the God and Father of our Lord Jeſus Christ, who hath bleſſed us with all ſpiritual bleſſings in Heavenly places in Chriſt. The pooreſt Chriſtian hath all things in Chriſt.
3. In the Lord's own time which is the beſt time, you ſhall have a full and rich ſupply of all your needs, both for Body and Soul. Phil. 4.19. My God ſhall ſupply all your need, according to his riches, in glory by Chriſt Jeſus.
4. Though we are poor, and low, and full of wants, yet we are accepted of God in Chriſt, and he thinks thoughts of love and mercy, and peace towards us. Pſal. 40.17. But I am poor and needy, yet the Lord thinketh upon me.
5. Thoſe Chriſtians that are poor in Spirit, and full of wants, are in a bleſſed condition, for they are heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven, and as ſoon as they come to Heaven, their wants ſhall be ſo fully ſupplyed that they ſhall never want any thing to Eternity. Mat. 5.3. Bleſſed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
6. The pooreſt Chriſtian, that is pooreſt in Spirituals, hath what God in his infinite wiſdom ſeeth to be beſt for him, and hath better things than the richeſt man in the World. for he hath God for his portion. Lam. 3.24. And the Lord is the beſt portion in Heaven and Earth. Pſal. 73.25, 26.
Sect. 6. There is comfort in Chriſt for ſuch as mourn under deadneſs, and want of quickning influences.
Spiritual deadneſs is a great trouble to gracious ſouls, when the Apoſtle Paul felt the body of Death, it made him bemoan his wretched condition, that he ſhould be under ſo much deadnſs. Rom. 7.24. O wretched man that I am, who ſhall deliver me from the body of this death? That our comforter againſt ſpiritual deadneſs is in Chriſt, the following words ſhew, I thank God through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord. Though there be cauſe of mourning when we look into our own dead hearts, yet there is cauſe of thanksgiving and rejoycing when we look up to God in Chriſt; And that on theſe grounds.
1. The end of Chriſts aſſuming our nature and ſuffering death for our ſins, was to give us life, not only eternal life hereafter, but ſpiritual life here, and that in a plentifull meaſure. Joh. 10.10. I am come that they might have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. Joh. 6.51. I am the living bread which came down from Heaven, if any man eat of this bread he ſhall live for ever, and the bread that I will give is my fleſh, which I will give for the life of the world
2. Though there be in us much deadneſs, yet in Chriſt and with Chriſt there is a fountain of life. Pſal. 36.9. For with thee is the fountain of life, and in thy light ſhall we ſee light. As it is with Fountains of water, there is water to be had at all times, and for all comers, in the Fountain; So it is with the Fountain of life, there is life to be had conſtanly, freely, a ſufficiency of life for all comers, at all times to be had from this Fountain of life.
3. The Lord hath given us many gracious and comfortable promiſes to encourage us to hope in him for quickning grace, at ſuch times as we find our ſelves under deadneſs, as Joh. 11.25. Jeſus ſaid unto her, I am the reſurrection and the life, he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet he ſhall live. Joh. 6.57. He that eateth me, even he ſhall live by me. Pſal. 69.32. Your heart ſhall live that ſeek God. Pſal. 22. They ſhall praiſe the Lord that ſeek him, your heart ſhall live for ever. Amos 5.4. Thus ſaith the Lord unto the houſe of Iſrael, ſeek ye me and ye ſhall live. We ſee here that Spiritual and Eternal Life is promiſed to ſuch as ſeek the Lord; Theſe promiſes may be a great comfort to us under our deadneſs.
4. Jeſus Chriſt hath provided us excellent helps againſt our deadneſs. I will inſtance in two helps.
(1.) His word, that hath a quickning influence in it. Pſal. 119.50. Thy word hath quickned me. And ver. 93. I will never forget thy precepts, for with them thou haſt quickned me. And as the Precepts ſo the promiſes of the word have a quickning virtue in them. We may ſay of the promiſes with Hezekiah. Iſa. 38.16. O Lord by theſe things men live, and in all theſe things is the life of my Spirit.
(2.) His ſpirit is an excellent help againſt deadneſs. Joh. 6.63. It is the ſpirit that quickneth. The ſpirit of Chriſt is the ſpirit of life, and this quickning ſpirit ſhall be given to thoſe that ask it of God. Luk. 11.13.
5. When Chriſt who is our life ſhall appear, we ſhall appear with him in glory, and when we appear with Chriſt in glory we ſhall ive with him for evermore, and ſhall never any more be troubled with deadneſs, but ſhall be freed from the body of ſin and death for ever. Col. 3.3, 4. Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Chriſt in God, when Chriſt who is our Life ſhall appear, then ſhall ye alſo appear with him in glory. Your Life is hid with Chriſt in God: It may be underſtood of the life of Grace here, and the life of Glory hereafter. Our life of Grace is hid not only from the eyes of the VVorld, but at ſometimes and in part from themſelves; As Davenant obſervs; Ex parte quoad quos ſanctos, quippe qui vitam hanc ſentiant in ſe eſſe valdè infirmam, obſcuram, dubiam, obtentationes diaeboli & carnis. Yet the weakneſs of our Spiritual Life, the deadneſs that is mixed with the life of grace, ſhall not hinder our appearing with Chriſt in, and if we appear with him in glory, all our deadneſs and imperfections ſhall be done away for ever.
Sect. 7. There is comfort in Chriſt for ſuch as are troubled for the weakneſs and imperfections of their ſervices.
Many Chriſtians finding their ſervice they do for God and their Generations, attended with very great weakneſs, and many imperfections, are much troubled and diſcouraged thereby; But to ſuch as go under this burden, there is comfort to be had in Chriſt; and that in theſe reſpects.
1. Our perſons and ſervices are accepted of God, not for the worthyneſs that is either in our perſons or ſervices, but for the ſake and upon the account of Jeſus Chriſt. Eph. 1.6. He hath made us accepted in the beloved. And as our perſons are accepted in Chriſt, ſo are our ſervices alſo. 1 Pet 2.5. — To offer up ſpiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by Jeſus Chriſt. If any ſay, how can imperfect ſervices that have ſin mixed with them be accepted of God; I anſwer, by the merits of Chriſt the imperfections and ſins that are mingled with thoſe holy ſervices which we perform to God are done away, and the ſervices rendered acceptable to God. Exod. 28.38. And it ſhall be upon Aarons Forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things of the children of Iſrael, which the children of Iſrael ſhall hollow in all their holy gifts, and it ſhall be alwayes on his Forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord. Aaron was a Type of Chriſt our great High Prieſt. The Plate on his Forehead that had graven on it Holineſs to the Lord, was a Type of the merits of Chriſt, who is the Lord our Righteouſneſs; As Aaron bare away the iniquities of the holy things Typically, which being done, they were accepted of God. So Chriſt doth really and truly bear away the ſins of all ſervices, and thereby they are accepted of God.
2. Though our ſervices have much weakneſs and many imperfections in them, yet if they be performed with Upright hearts God will accept them. 1 Chron. 29.17. I know alſo my God, that thou tryeſt the heart, and haſt pleaſure in Ʋprightneſs. As little done by an Upright man is more acceptable to God, than great ſervices done by wicked men. Pro. 15.8. The Sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the Prayer of the Ʋpright is his delight.
3. VVould you ſerve God and your Generation in a better manner if you were able? and is it your burden that you can ſerve God no better? then know for your comfort that God through Chriſt will accept of your willing mind, though you have not ſuch abilities to ſerve him as others have, or as you your ſelves deſire to have. 2 Cor. 8.12. If there he firſt a willing mind it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
4. It is a great comfort to thoſe that mourn over their imperfections, that how imperfect ſoever they are in themſelves, they are compleat in Chriſt. Col. 2.10. Ye are compleat in him.
5. Our imperfections ſhall not hinder us of the love of God here, nor of the Kingdom of Heaven hereafter. Pſal. 73.22, 23, 24.
Sect. 8. There is comfort in Chriſt for ſuch as are under the hidings of Gods face, and are troubled becauſe they can't enjoy Communion with God.
It is the lot of ſome Chriſtians to be under the hidings of God's face, and to want Communion with God, and that is a great trouble to them. Pſal. 30.7. Thou didſt hide thy face and I was troubled. Now there is comfort for ſuch in Chriſt, and that in theſe reſpects.
1. It was one great end of Chriſt's death to bring us to the enjoyment of God. 1 Pet. 3.18. For Christ alſo hath once ſuffered for ſins, the juſt for the unjuſt, that we might be brought unto God. The great obſtacle to our Communion with God is our ſins; For 'tis ſin that ſeparates between God and us. Iſa. 59.2. Behold your iniquities have ſepparated between you and your God. Now Chriſt's death hath taken away this obſtacle of our Communion with God, for whereas our ſins had put us far from God, and cauſed God to ſtand afar off from us, by the blood of Chriſt we are made nigh to God. Eph. 2.13. But now in Chriſt Jeſus, ye who ſometimes were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Chriſt.
2. Our Lord Jeſus Chriſt himſelf was under the hidings of Gods face, and that in time of great diſtreſs, when he was upon the Croſs, when nigh unto death he cryed out, Mat. 27.46. My God, my God, why hast thou forſaken me? But how doth this make for the comfort of a Soul under the hidings of Gods face, that our Lord Jeſus Chriſt himſelf was in a deſerted condition.
A. 1. Hence we learn that the hidings of God's face is conſiſtent with a ſtate of adoption, and the ſpecial love of God; For Chriſt was the beloved Son of God, in whom he was well pleaſed, yet he was in a deſerted condition in a time of trouble, in a dying hour, and therefore we ſhould not queſtion the Fatherly love of God, becauſe of the hidings of his face. Iſa. 64.7, 8. Thou haſt hid thy face from us—But now O Lord thou art our Father.
2. Seeing our Lord Jeſus hath been under the hidings of God's face, he knoweth how to pity and ſuccour thoſe that are in this condition. Heb. 2.18.
3. We have gracious promiſes, which are all yea and Amen in Chriſt Jeſus, that though the Lord be withdrawn from us, yet if we return, he for Chriſt's ſake will return unto us. 2 Chron. 30.9. The Lord your God is gracious and mercifull, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him. Mal. 3.7. Even from the dayes of your Fathers ye are gone away from mine Ordinances, and have not kept them; Return unto me, and I will return unto you, ſaith the Lord of Hoſts. Jam. 4.8. Draw nigh to God, and God will draw nigh to you.
4. Though you want ſenſible influences from God, yet if you be one that hath cloſed with Chriſt upon the terms of the Goſpel, God hath Communicated himſelf to you for your God and Father in Chriſt by Covenant, and hath given you the priviledge to be one of his Sons, Joh. 1.12. and that is a higher degree of Communion with God, than the giving inſenſible influences to that you ought not to ſay, you have no Communion with God, becauſe there is a ſuſpenſion of influences, when as the Lord hath given himſelf for your God by Covenant, and hath taken you for his children.
Sect. 9. There is comfort in Chriſt for ſuch as are troubled with fears of falling away.
What David ſaid concerning Saul, 1 Sam. 27.1. I ſhall now one day periſh by the hand of Saul. the like ſome Chriſtians who have accepted Chriſt on the terms of the Goſpel, and have given themſelves to Chriſt, are ready to ſay in their hearts, I ſhall one day fall away from Chriſt, and periſh for ever. My heart is ſo treacherous, and indwelling corruption ſo ſtrong, and Satan's Temptations ſo prevalent, and the oppoſitions from the world may be ſo great that I fear I ſhall not hold out to the end, but ſhall fall away, and this is a great trouble to me. Now there is comfort to be had from Chriſt againſt theſe fears of falling away, and that on theſe grounds.
1. The interceſſion of Chriſt is a ground of comfort to ſuch Believers on Chriſt as are troubled with fears of fallingaway; For he prayeth for us that our Faith may not fail. Luk. 22.31, 32. And the Lord ſaid, Simon, Simon, Satan hath deſired to have you, that he may ſift you as Wheat; But I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not. And he that prayed for Peter that his Faith might not fail, he hath prayed for all that do and ſhall believe in him. Joh, 17.20, 21. Neither pray I for theſe alone. but for them alſo that ſhall believe on me through their word, that they all may be one. &c. And what Chriſt prayed for was alwayes granted. Joh. 11.41, 42. Father I thank thee that thou haſt heard me, and I know that thou heareſt me alwayes.
2. The Members of Chriſt may be comforted againſt their fears of falling away from God's Everlaſting Covenant; For God is entered into an Everlaſting Covenant with them, that he will not turn away from them, and that he will keep them from departing from him. Jer. 32.40. And I will make an Everlaſting Covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them to do them good, and I will put my fear into their hearts, that they ſhall not depart from me. See Iſa. 54.10.
3. The unchangeableneſs of Gods love is a good ground of comfort againſt fears of falling away. Joh. 13.1. Jeſus having loved his own that were in the World, loved them unto the end. It is not ſaid, having loved his own that are in glory, but that are in the world, where they are liable to temptations and corruptions, and troubles, he loved them to the end. Rom. 8.38, 39. For I am perſwaded that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things preſent, nor things to come, nor heigth, nor depth, nor any other creature ſhall be able to ſeparate us from the love of God which is in Chriſt Jeſus. God's love being unchangeable, we may reſt ſatisfied that the ſame love which called us to the knowledge and Faith of Chriſt, will keep us from departing from Chriſt, ſeeing the gifts and the callings of God are without Repentance. The ſame love that quickned us when we were dead in ſins and treſpaſſes, will alſo preſerve us unto Eternal Life.
4. The attributes of God may comfort weak Chriſtians againſt their fears of falling away. The name of the Lord is our ſtrong Tower, whether we may run and be ſafe againſt theſe fears; as for inſtance
(1.) The power of God that is engaged to keep and preſerve us till we are brought ſafe to Heaven. 1 Pet. 1 5. Who are kept by the power of God, through Faith unto Salvation. And though the Lord lets us fall for our Humiliation, yet he will not ſuffer us to be utterly caſt down. Pſal. 37.23, 24. This power of God that keeps us, is able to ſtabliſh the weakeſt Chriſtians againſt all Oppoſitions. Rom. 16.25. To him that is of power to ſtabliſh you— The Apoſtle ſpeaking of ſuch as are weak in the Faith, ſaith; Rom. 14.1, 4. Him that is weak in the Faith receive you— yea he ſhall be holden up, for God is able to make him to ſtand.
(2.) The mercy of God preſerveth us from falling away. Pſal. 94.18. When I ſaid my foot ſlippeth, thy mercy O Lord held me up, and this mercy ſtands faſt with us for ever! Pſal. 89.28. My mercy will I keep for him for evermore. Iſa. 54.8.
(3.) The faithfullneſs of God is a comfort againſt our fears of falling away. 2 Theſ. 3.3. The Lord is faithfull who will ſtabliſh you and keep you from evil.
5. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt hath aſſured his Sheep that they ſhall never periſh, but that he will give them Eternal Life, and that none ſhall pluck them out of his hands. Joh. 10.27, 28, 29. Where obſerve, that all the ſheep of Chriſt are kept by the power of the Father and the Son, to Eternal Life, ſo that they ſhall never periſh. For our fuller ſatisfaction in this caſe, let us ſee what are the grounds of thoſe fears of falling away, which perplex our minds, and ſee how we are ſecured againſt all of them.
(1.) Is it the ſtrength of Satans Temptations? The Lord hath engaged his faithfullneſs, that he will not ſuffer us to be tempted above what we are able to bear. 1 Cor. 10.13.
(2.) Is it the ſtrength of indwelling corruption? The Lord hath engaged himſelf by promiſe to ſubdue our iniquities. Mic. 7.19.
(3.) Is it the oppoſition that the World maketh againſt us, the troubles and perſecutions of the world makes us fear that we ſhall fall away? Chriſt hath overcome the world for us. Joh. 16. ult. And no men by all that they can do ſhall pluck any of Chriſts ſheep out of his hands. Joh. 10.27, 28. 1 John 4.4.
(4.) Are we afraid that God ſhould leave us, and that we being left of him ſhould fall away? He hath engaged himſelf by promiſe, that he will never leave nor forſake us. Heb. 13.5. He hath ſaid I will never leave thee nor forſake thee.
(5.) Are we afraid of our own treacherous backſliding hearts? He hath engaged to put his fear into our hearts, that we ſhall not depart from him. Jer. 32.40.
Sect. 10. There is comfort in Chriſt for ſuch whoſe heart is ſick becauſe there hope is deferred.
Solomon tells us, Hope deferred makes the heart ſick, Prov. 13.12. And many Chriſtians find it true by experience, while hope for promiſed mercies, and mercies begged in prayer, and their hope is deferred, their hearts grow ſick, and their ſpirits faint within them, Pſal. 143.7. Hear me ſpeedily O Lord, my ſpirit faileth, Pſal. 119.81, 82. My ſoul fainteth for thy ſalvation. Mine eyes fail for thy word, ſaying, when wilt thou comfort me. Now there is comfort in Chriſt for ſuch as find their hearts fainting, when prayed for, promiſed, hoped for mercies are deferred. And that on theſe grounds.
1. Promiſed mercies ſhall furely be given in God's time, which is the beſt time for all things, Hab. 2.3. — The viſion (that is, the mercies promiſed to the prophet in a viſion) is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it ſhall ſpeak, and not lye, though it tarry, wait for it, becauſe it will ſurely come, it will not tarry. And the like I may ſay of mercies begged in prayer, they ſhall furely come if they be ſuch as are according to the will of God, 1 Joh. 5.14.
2. Our Lord Jeſus Chriſt intercedeth with his Father to give us all promiſed mercies. For he is the Mediator of the New Covenant, and Mediates with God on our behalf, that for his ſake he would give us all the bleſſings promiſed in the new Covenant. He alſo intercedeth for us with his Father to give us all thoſe mercies which we ask in his name agreeable to his will, Heb. 7.25. And the Lord will not deny Chriſt any thing for which he maketh interceſſion.
3. The longer hoped for mercies are deferred, the ſweeter they will be when they are given to us, Prov. 13.12. Hope deferred maketh the heart ſick, but when the deſire cometh it is a tree of life.
4. When hoped for mercies are delayed till the heart is ſick, and begins to faint, yet it is good ſtill to keep up our hope in God, Lam. 3.18, 26. Pſa. 119.81. For we pleaſe God when we hope in his mercy, Pſ. 147.11.
5. The main and beſt of hope is for things laid up in heaven for us, Col. 1.5. For the hope which is laid up in heaven for you. If in this life only we had hope in Chriſt, we were of all men moſt miſerable. The beſt bleſſing which a Chriſtian hopes for are laid up in heaven. There we ſhall have an anſwer of all our prayers, a fulfilling of all promiſes, a ſatisfaction of all our deſires, when that bleſſed hope is accompliſhed, it will make amends for the deferring and fruſtration of all other hopes. Wherefore let us look after and wait patiently for that hope, Tit. 2.13. 1 Pet. 1.13.
Sect. 11. There is comfort in Chriſt for ſuch as are aſſaulted with horrid temptations, as blaſphemy, ſelf-murder, &c.
Some Chriſtians are aſſaulted with grievous temptations, as blaſphemous thoughts, ſelf-murder, &c. that they are even weary of their lives. Now to ſuch there is comfort to be had in Chriſt, in ſeveral reſpects, as
1. None of all the temptations of Satan can bereave a Chriſtian of eternal life. For a Chriſtian's life is hid with Chriſt in God, Col. 3.3. Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Chriſt in God. And what is hid with Chriſt in God is out of the devils reach.
2. Though Satan may temptthe members of Chriſt, yet he ſhall be never able to overcome them, but they ſhall overcome him and all his temptations, Rev. 12.11. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, Eph. 6.16. Above all things taking the ſhield of faith, whereby ye ſhall be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked. Col. 2.15.
3. The worſt of Temptations are conſiſtent with the Fatherly love of God. Our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who was the beloved Son of God was tempted to caſt himſelf down from a pinacle of the Temple, and to fall down and worſhip the devil, and what worſe ſin than to worſhip the devil?
4. We are aſſured by God, that if we reſiſt the devil he will flee from us, Jam. 4.7. And therefore whatſoever Temptation he aſſaults us withal, let us reſiſt him, believing that he will flee, and if he come again let us reſiſt him again. We are alſo aſſured, that though the Lord ſuffer Satan to tempt us, yet he will not ſuffer us to be tempted above what he will enable us to bear, 1 Cor. 10.13. There hath no temptation taken you, but ſuch as is common to man: But God is faithfull who will not ſuffer you to be tempted above that ye are able: but will with the temptation alſo make a way to eſcape, that ye may be able to bear it.
FINIS.
End of the text · Owen Stockton, The Best Interest (1682)