The Last Judgment, Tract · Doctrine 17
Verſ. 35, 36. For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat, &c.
Doct. XVII. is this, That the Lord doth ſympathize with, and is ſenſible of the wants that his people undergo, in Meat, and Drink, and Clothing, and Lodging, and of their Sickneſſes and Impriſonments that they are coſt into.
We will ſpeak of them in order. And firſt ſpeak of His ſenſibleneſs of their want of Meat and Drink. I was hungry, I was thirſty.
For opening of which, let me ſhew, 1. How it does appear that he is ſenſible of their want of Meat and Drink. 2. Why. 3. The Uſes.
For the firſt: It does appear that He is ſenſible of their want of Meat and Drink; 1. In that he complains of his own hunger and thirſt in theirs, I was hungry, &c. as if he ſhould ſay, It was not ſo much they, as I that have ſuffered want in them. Look as he ſaid, Acts 9.4. ſo here. 2. In that be takes it kindly, as if it were done to himſelf, when theſe wants of theirs are ſupplied: ſo the Text; which he could not do, if he were not very ſenſible of theſe their wants. 3. In that be takes it marvellous offenſively when theſe wants are not ſupplied by thoſe that know of them, and have ability and opportunity to do it, and takes this unkindneſs as done to himſelf: ſo the Text. 4. In that he puts it into the hearts of ſome to ſupply their wants; though ſome be hard-hearted, and will not, as Nabal, 1 Sam. 25.10, 11. yet he makes others tender-hearted, Prov. 11.2…. Pſal. 112.5, 9. 5. In that when they are in greateſt extremity, he ſends in relief to them, 1 Kings 17.3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, &c. Judges 15.18, 19. 6. In that rather then they ſhall want, he will ſend them away out of places of ſcarcity, to ſome other Land where they may have ſupply, 2 Kings 8.1, 2. 7. In that he brings in ſupplies unexpectedly, 2 Kin. 7. the whole Chapter. Thus to Merlin in the Hay mow, and to the Roche…ers, by ſupplying them with abundance of Shell-fiſh, when ſtraitly beſieged. 8. In that he hath compaſſion on them in their wants Mat. 15.32. 9 In that he ſatisfies and fills them, when he makes proviſion for them, Mat. 25.37. 10. In that he gives them Meat ſometimes by Creatures of a devouring nature. 1 Kings 17.6. Judges 14.8, 9.
Q. 2. Why is he that ſenſible of their wants?
Anſ. 1. From himſelf. 2. From them.
From himſelf. 1. He is a merciful one. 2. He has promiſed that they ſhall have enough, Job 5.20, 22. Pſal: 37.19. 3. He is their Shepherd, and therefore tenderly ſenſible of their wants, Pſal. 23.1. 4. He is the bleſſed entertainer of them, ver. 5. 5. He is their Head, Epheſ. 5 30. Col. 1.18. 6. He is a Father to them, Heb. 2.13. 7. He feeds the beaſts and fowls, Pſal. 147.9. & 145.15, 16.
2. From them. 1. They are near to him, Pſal. 148.14. 2. They are his Brethren: ſo the Text. 3. They are great Heirs: ſo the Text; Luke 12.32. 4. They ſeek their daily bread of him, Mat. 6.11. 5. They need theſe things, Mat. 6.32. 6. They fear him, Pſal. 34.9, 10. & 111.5. 7. They are in Covenant with him, ibid.
Ʋſe 1. for Information: 1. We ſee what a tender-hearted one the Lord Jeſus is to his Saints, that cannot ſee them want Meat and Drink, but is ſenſible of it, and ſuffers in it. If he be hungry in our hunger, and athirſt when we want Drink, ſurely he is a tender-hearted one indeed. 2. We ſee how ſenſible we ſhould be of any diſhonour that is done to his Name by our ſelves or others, we ſhould ſuffer with him in it; as he ſaid ſometimes himſelf, Pſal. 69.9. with Rom. 15.3. ſo ſhould it be with us, Chriſts reproaches ſhould be our reproaches; if he ſuffer with us, we may well ſuffer with him. 3. We ſee that ſure he will be much more ſenſible of our Spiritual wants, Mat. 9.36, 37, 38. Iſa. 41.17, 18. 4. We ſee that he cannot chuſe but be very ſen…ible of our temptations, Heb. 2.18. & 4.15. 5. We ſee that hunger and thirſt may be the better born, for we are not alone in the ſuffering, but Chriſt ſuffers with us: and if it be Solamen miſeris ſocios, habuiſſe doloris, much more may it chear us, that we have ſuch a companion as Chriſt is. 6. We ſee how ſenſible we ſhould be of the Saints wants, and how we our ſelves ſhould ſuffer in them, and ſympathize with them; for ſo does Chriſt, and we ſhould be of his ſpirit. 7. We ſee how contrary they are to the Spirit of Chriſt, that are cruel to thoſe that want; theſe will give them nothing, ſpare nothing of what they have to relieve them. But of that more hereafter. 8. We ſee how ſenſible we ſhould be of their condition that want Chriſt the Bread of Life, John 6 48. that Fountain of living water, Jer. 2.13. Cant. 4.15. 9. We ſee how wonderfully the Lord Jeſus condeſcends to his Saints, that he will ſympathize with them in their want of Meat and Drink: Oh how low does he ſtoop to us in this! Iſa. 113.5, 6. 10. We ſee what Patterns of Mercy and tender-heartedneſs we ſhould be to thoſe that want theſe things, after Chriſts example. 11. We ſee the truth of that in Iſa. 63.9. that in all our affliction he is afflicted. 12. We ſee that Chriſts heart in Heaven is towards his Saints, he hath loſt none of his bowels by going thither.
Ʋſe 2. for Humiliation: 1. That we are apt to be ſo impatient in theſe wants, when as Chriſt ſuffers with us. 2. That we are too inſenſible when he ſuſters. 3. That we look up too little to Chriſt for ſupplies. 4. That we do not follow that Rule, John 6.27.
Ʋſe 3. for Exhortation: 1. To poor ones, to be content in ſuch a condition, for Chriſt ſuffers with you, Philip. 4.11, 12. 2. To hunger and thirſt more after Chriſt; this will quench our bodily hunger and thirſt, Mat. 5.6. John 4.10. 3. To look up unto the Lord for daily bodily ſupplies, for he is very ſenſible of our wants, Prov. 30 8. Mat. 6.11. 4. To all, to be of a compaſſionate ſpirit to thoſe that are in want, for ſo is Chriſt, 1 Pet. 3.8. 5. To rejoyce in our wants, for we have a bleſſed companion that is wanting with us. 6. To be thankful to the Lord Jeſus, who ſympathizeth thus with us. 7. To love him, that out of love thus ſuffers with us. 8. To ſuffer in all his ſufferings. 9. To long for the time when we ſhall hunger no more, neither thirſt any more, Rev. 7.16, 17. 10. To draw out our ſouls to the hungry, Iſa. 58.10. 11. To be patient in our wants this way.
Ʋſe 4. for Conſolation: 1. That bodily want of Meat and Drink, is no other thing then may befall Chriſts own Saints. 2. That though it be a burthen. Chriſt eaſeth it to his Saints. 3. That he will make ſupplies, that is ſo ſenſible of them. 4. That he will much more ſupply other wants. 5. That he will ſatisfie the longing ſoul, Pſa. 107.9 6. That they are happy that are Chriſts in the worſt condition
We now come to the ſecond part of the Doctrine, and that is this, That Jeſus Chriſt it very ſenſible of his poples want of lodging.
For opening of which, let me ſhew, 1. How it does appear that it is ſo. 2. Why. 3. The Uſes.
For the firſt: It does appear that He is ſenſible of their want of lodging; 1. In that he meets with them in that condition, and manifeſts himſelf graciouſly to them, as he did to Jacob, Geneſ. 28. 11-16. He never had a more comfortable manifeſtation of Gods goodneſs to him, then when a ſtranger, and without lodging. 2. In that he Commands that entertainment be given to ſuch, with encouragement to thoſe that do it, Heb. 13.2. 1 Pet. 4.9. 3. In that he commends thoſe that have given entertainment and lodging to them, 3 Joh. 5.6. Act. 28.7. 4. In that he liberally rewards thoſe that give entertainment and lodging to them, 1 Kin. 17 10. to the end. 2 Kin. 4.10. to 37. Gen. 18. 1. to 15. 5. In that he ſtirreth up the hearts of ſome to be forward this way, in entertaining and lodging his ſtrangers, as Abraham, and Lot, and the Shunamite, in the O. Teſt. and One ſiphorus and Gaius in the New. 6. In that he takes the kindnes of lodging them as done to himſelf. ſo the text. 7. In that he takes it heinouſly when men do it not: ſo the text. 8. In that he makes it a property of a Church-Officer rightly qualified, whether Biſhop, or Deacon, or Widow, 1 Tim. 3.2. Tit. 1.8. 1 Tim. 3.8 & 5.9, 10. 9. In that he ſaves their lives, and ſometimes their ſouls, that entertain his ſervants, Heb. 11.31. 10. In that he recovers ſome from dangerous ſickneſſes, that have bin kind entertainers of his ſervants, Act. 28.7, 8. 11. In that he promiſes a reward unto ſuch, Mat 10.41. 12. In that he ſtirs up Barbarians to give them entertainment, Acts 28.2.
Queſt. 2. Why is he ſo ſenſible of their want of lodging and entertainment?
Anſw. 1. From himſelfe. 2. From them.
From Himſelfe. 1. He knowes the hearts of ſtrangers, that want lodging, having been himſelf harbour leſs, Mat. 8.20. 2. He is acquainted with the weakneſſes of their bodies, and knowes they need it; and therefore is ſenſible, and puts himſelf in their condition. 3. He came to ſave mens lives, Luke 9.55, 56. and therefore pities and ſuffers with them in a ſtrangers condition. 4. He is the Maſter of the houſe, Mark 13.35. that gives us all entertainment. 5. He is the head, and therefore ſympathizeth with his members. 6. He dwells in his people, Epheſ 3.17.
2. From them. 1. They are his Siſter and Spouſe. 2. They are the apple of his eye, Zech. 2.8. 3. They are his fellows Pſal. 15.7. 4. They are his brethren: ſo the text. 5. They are his friends; Luke 12.4. John 15.15. 6. They are his peculiar ones, Tit. 2.14.
Ʋſe 1. For Information: 1. We ſee the great Humility of the Lord Jeſus the Lord of Glory, that is ſo ſenſible of his ſervants want of a nights lodging, that he himſelfe looks at himſelfe in ſuch a condition with them. Oh how low doth he come down for our ſakes! 2. We ſee what tender affection he beares towards us; that tounts himſelf a ſtranger, and wanting entertainment, when we are in that eſtate. 3. We ſee that ſurely he will entertain us well in his houſe, with ſpirituall dainties, that is ſo ſenſible of our want of bodily refreſhings, for he will be much more ſenſible of our ſpirituall wants, Cant. 5.1. 4. We ſee what entertainment we ſhould be willing to give to him, into our hearts, and to open to him, Pſal 24.7, 9. Rev. 3 20. 5. We ſee how low we ſhould be willing to ſtoop to the Lord Jeſus in doing the meaneſt offices for him, or any of his, ſeeing ſuch a mean thing as our want of a lodging or little entertainment doth ſo affect him. 6. We ſee that when we ſometimes want lodging or entertainment, we do not bear all the burden of it our ſelves alone, but Chriſt ſympathizeth with us. 7. We ſee that the eye of Chriſt is over us by night as well as by day, for he is ſenſible of our want of a nights lodging. 8. We ſee that Chriſt looks into all our houſes, and ſeeth what entertainment we give, or give not to his people. 9. We ſee that the Lord Jeſus never ſlumbers nor ſleeps, Pſa. 121.4. but is mindfull of us, that we may do both, and is as if he wanted a lodging when we want. 10. We ſee that a nights lodging, and a little entertainment in any friends houſe, ſhould be of eſteem with us; for Chriſt ſympathizeth with us in the want of it.
Ʋſe 2. For Humiliation, 1. That we have ſpirits too inſenſible of brethrens wants in this kind, Iudg. 19.18, 19. 2. That we are much more inſenſible of Chriſts ſtanding at the door and knocking, Rev. 3.20.
Ʋſe 3. For Exhortation: 1. To be kind in entertaining ſtrangers, for Chriſt is ſenſible of their want of it, Heb. 13.2 Job 31.32 Judg. 19.20. 2. To be thankfull to the Lord & his people, when we as ſtrangers are entertained by them, as Eliſha to the Shunamite, 2 Kin. 4. 3. To be ſenſible of the mercy in our own houſes, and the proviſion the Lord makes for us there, for if we were ſtrangers and wanted them, the Lord Jeſus would be ſenſible of the want. 4. To be ſenſible & aſhamed of our unkind denials of opening to Chriſt, Cant. 5.2, 3. 5. To mourn for grieving the Spirit of Chriſt, and ſending him ſad away from us. 6. To admire the mercy of the Lord, that he will vouchſafe to look into our lodgings, and ſee how it fares with us there. 7. To entertain him with all our bearts, Pſal. 101.2. 8. To make proviſion for our lodging ſtrangers Philem. v. 22. 9. To be ſenſible of their condition, 2 Sam. 11.11. 10. To be ſenſible of the caſe of perſecuted ones, Heb 11.38. they want comfortable lodging.
Ʋſe 4. for Conſolation: 1. Sure then none of Chriſts ſhall periſh, John 10.28. for if he be ſenſible of their want of a nights lodging here, ſure he will never lodge them in Hell to all eternity. 2. That ſure he will lodge them well in his Fathers houſe, when he has them with him, John 14.2, 3. 3. That he will Chamber them up there, Iſa. 26.20. 4. That he will lodge them in his houſe here, Pſal. 23.6. according to their deſire, Pſal. 27.4.
We come now to the third Branch of the XVII. Note, That Chriſt is very ſenſible of his peoples Nakedneſs and want of Clothing.
For opening of which, let me ſhew, 1. Wherein it does appear that he is ſo. 2. Why. 3. The Uſes.
For the firſt: It does appear that He is ſenſible of their want of Clothing; 1. In that he ſtirs up ſome to be ſo pitiful to them, as to miniſter Clothes to them, Job 31.19, 20. 2 Chron. 28.15. 2. In that he preſerves their Clothes from waxing old, when other helps fail, Deut. 29.5. Neb. 9.21. 3. In that he gives it in charge that they ſhall be clothed, Iſa. 58.6, 7. Jam. 2.15, 16. 4. In that he enjoyns the rich not to keep a poor mans Pledge all night, that he may ſleep in his own raiment, Deut. 24.12, 13. 5. In that he commends them that have been pitiful to them, Acts 9.39. 6. In that he rewards them for their kindneſs to them in clothing of them, Mat. 6.3, 4. If he that gives a cup of cold water, Mat. 10.42. then much more be that gives Clothing to a Diſciple ſhall not loſe his reward. 7. In that he ſends them in Clothes by wayes that they think not of, 2 Kings 7.8, 15. 8. In that he takes it kindly when they are clothed, and offenſively from them that do it not: ſo the Text. 9. In that he would not have them too ſolicitous about clothing, Mat. 6.31. which evidently ſhews, that himſelf is ſenſible of their want of it. 10. In that he provides means for our clothing, by thoſe flocks that he ſends to us. Pſal. 65.13.
Q. 2. Why is he ſo ſenſible of their want of Clothing?
Anſ. 1. From himſelf. 2. From them.
From himſelf. 1. He knows that we need them, Mat. 6.32 2. He loves them, and therefore cannot but be ſenſible of their wants this way, Deut. 10.18. 3. He is the Maſter of the houſe, Mark 13.35. and the Maſter of the family, is ſenſible of the families wants herein. 4. He would have us to be ſenſible of our Brethrens wants, Luke 3.11. 5. He does moth-eat their garments, that have not been ſenſible of the wants of his poor ones this way, Jam. 5.2. 6. He clothes the Lillies, and therefore, cannot but be ſenſible of our want in this kinde, Matth. 6.28, 29, 30. 7. He clothes them with better garments, Iſa. 61.10.
2. From them. 1. They are members of his Body, of his Fleſh, and of his Bones, Epheſ. 5.30. 2. They are his Purchaſe, Acts 20.28. 3. They are honourable and excellent ones, Pſal. 16.3. 4. They are of his houſhold, Epheſ. 2. 5. They are Heirs of a Kingdome, Jam. 2.5. 6. They are ſuch as he delighted in from Eternity, Prov. 8.30, 31. 7. They pray for theſe things, Prov. 30 7, 8. Mat. 6.11.
Ʋſe 1. for Information: 1. We ſee how full of bowels the Lord Jeſus is to his poor ones, that counts himſelf naked in their Nakedneſs; and is ſo ſenſible of their want of Clothing: Surely his Companions in Heaven are great towards them. 2. We ſee that ſurely he is ſenſible of our want of Spiritual Clothing, and therefore gives it to us, Jer. 23.6. 1 Cor. 1.30. 3. We ſee the marvellous humility of Chriſt, that ſtoops ſo low as to have regard to our Clothing, and to ſympathize with us when we want it. 4. We ſee what little reaſon we have to be overcareful about it, for Chriſt is very ſenſible of our need of it, Mat. 6. 5. We ſee that when any are ſtirred up to help us with any Clothing in our needs, we are to take it as a token from Chriſt, who is ſenſible of our want of Clothing. 6. We ſee that when we are in Nakedneſs, as ſome of the Lords Saints have been, 1 Cor. 4.11. 2 Cor. 11.27. we may be the more chearful under ſuch a condition, for Chriſt is very ſenſible of it. 7. We ſee that when we put on any new garments, we are to look at them as fruits of Chriſts ſenſibleneſs of our want of them. 8. We ſee that want of Clothing may befall ſometimes the dear Saints of Chriſt, for elſe how ſhould Chriſt ſo ſympathize with them? 9. We ſee what a bleſſed prerogative it is to be among the number of Chriſts Brethren and Members, for when naked he is very ſenſible of it. 10. We ſee that they that are cruel to the Saints, and deal hardly with them in point of Clothing, doe not care if Chriſt himſelf be naked.
Ʋſe 2. for Humiliation: 1. To thoſe that are too little ſenſible of the Saints want of Clothing; they have but little of the compaſſion of Chriſt in them. 2. To thoſe that let their Children go naked, when they might be clothed; Chriſt looks at himſelf as neglected.
Ʋſe 3. for Exhortation: 1. To be of a merciful diſpoſition to poor ones, and clothe the naked, Job 31.19, 20. 2. To ſympathize with thoſe that want better Clothing, Chriſts Righteouſneſs to cover their Spiritual Nakedneſs. 3. To abhorre their cruelty that take away the poor's garments from them. 4. To be thankful to Chriſt for our Clothing, for it is out of his compaſſion to us that we have our Clothes to cover and warm us. 5. To believe that we ſh…all not want Clothing, for Chriſt is ſenſible of our nakedneſs. 6. To be clothed with Humility, 1 Pet. 5.5. for we cannot get Clothing except Chriſt pity us. 7. To be content with what covering we have, as being a pledge of Chriſts ſympathizing with, and ſenſibleneſs of our want of it, 1 Tim. 68. 8. To pray for thoſe that are kinde to us this way, 2 Tim. 1.16, 17, 18.
Ʋſe 4. for Conſolation: 1. That we ſhall not want ſuch Clothing as the Lord ſees good for us, Pſal. 84.11. 2. That we have a bleſſed one that ſuffers with us in our want of Clothing. 3. That ſurely none of his ſhall be found ſpiritually naked at the great day, for he that is ſenſible of our bodily nakedneſs, will much more cover the nakedneſs of our Souls, and provide Clothing for them.
We come now to ſpeak of the fourth Brench of the XVII. Doctrine, That the Lord Jeſus is very ſenſible of the Sickneſſes of his Saints and people. I was ſick, &c.
For opening of which, let me ſhew, 1. How it does appear that he is ſo ſenſible of their Sickneſs. 2. Why. 3. The Uſes.
For the firſt: It does appear that He is ſenſible of their Sickneſs; 1. In that when he was upon earth, he was very ready to heal all manner of Diſeaſes of his people; and he has the ſame merciful Spirit now that he had then, Mat. 8.16 2. In that he directs his people to the uſe of ſuch means, whereby they come to get healing by his bleſſing; as Phyſical Herbs and Drugs, and other Medicinal things, prepared by the ſkill of the Phyſician. Matth. 9.12. which though it be ſpoken in a Spiritual way, yet is it taken from Phyſicians of the body. 3. In that he is pleaſed ſometimes to heal, when the Phyſicians ſkill can do no good, Mark 5.25-29. 4. In that he ſtirs up his people to pray for their healing, and grants their deſires therein: and this we have great experience of Pſal. 65.2. 5. In that he commands that the Elders of the Church ſhould be ſent for in ſuch a caſe, with promiſe, that their Brayer of Faith ſhall ſave the ſick. Jam. 5.14, 15. 6. In that he is ſometimes very ſpeedy in working their cure, Mark 5.29. John 4.50-53. 7. In that he has reſpect to their own Cries, and cur…s them, Pſal 107.17-20 Job 33.19-26. Iſa. 38.2 3, 4, 5. 8. In that he puts forth his power for their cure, when there is little hope of cute, ibid. 9. In that if the Sickneſs be any thing ſharp, he rebukes it, Luke 4.39. 10. In that he comes to them, and viſits them with his gracious preſence, and the Comforts of his Spirit to bear up their hearts in it. 11. In that he ſends his Servants to them to comfort them, with aſſurance of recovery, Iſa. 38.4, 5. 12. In that ſometimes he gives them a ſign of their recovery Iſa. 38 7, 8.
Q. 2. Why is he ſo ſenſible of their Sickneſs?
Anſ. 1. From himſelf. 2. From them.
From himſelf. 1. From the fulfilling of that Prophecy Iſa. 53.4. with Mat. 8.16, 17. 2. He knows what ſickneſſes are, though himſelf was never ſick. 3. He knows our frame. Pſal. 103.13 14. 4. He is very pitiful, Jam. 5.11. 5. He does not afflict willin ly, Lam. 3.33. 6. He has promiſed to have compaſſion, Lam 3 31, 32.
2. From them. 1. They need realing, and need pity in that caſe. 2. They have pitied others, Pſal. 41.1, 2. 3. They are tender of his Name. 4. They are his beloved ones, John 11.3. 5. They bear it ſometimes for his ſake. 6. They make their moan to him, Lam. 3 56, 57.
Ʋſe 1. for Information: 1 We ſee what a tender one we have of the Lord Jeſus, that cannot ſee us ſick, but he is as ſenſible of it, as if himſelf were ſick with us. Well may it be ſaid of him, Himſelf took our infirmities, and bare our ſickneſſes, Mat. 8.17. 2. We ſee how tender we ſhould be of ſick ones, and how pitiful to them; for we ſhould be of the ſame ſpirit with him, and he is very tender over them. 3. We ſee how tender we ſhould be of the Name and Honour of Chriſt Jeſus, that is ſo tender of us w…en we are ſick. 4. We ſee that ſurely he is very loth to lay ſickneſs upon us, we do even compel him to it; for he that is ſo ſenſible of it, that he ſayes, he is ſick in our ſickneſſes, doubtle…s if there were not great cauſe, would not make us ſick, Lam. 3.33. 1 Pet. 1.6. 5. We ſee that when we are ſick, we ſhould with more calmneſs and quietneſs of ſpirit bear it; for Chriſt ſympathizeth with us in it, and is very ſenſible of it, Pſal. 39.9. 6. We ſee how low the Lord Jeſus comes to us, to be affected and afflicted with our ſick-eſtate: ſee Pſal. 113.5. 7. We ſee how ſick of love we ſhould be for him, Cant. 5.8. who out of love to us is ſick in our ſickneſs. 8. We ſee how ſick and grieved in our ſpirits we ſhould be, when any thing is done or ſaid by others to grieve him. 9. We ſee what affection we ſhould have when he ſmites his people, Ier. 8.21. 10. We ſee that ſurely he is much more ſenſible of their Soul ſickneſs, Jer. 9.7. Mat. 23.37. Luke 19.41, 42. Mark 3.5.
Ʋſe 2. For Humiliation: 1. That our bowells move … … to ſick ones, ſee Pſal. 35.13, 14, 15. 2. That we are ſo little ſenſible of their ſoules ſickneſs, Jer. 9.1, 2. 2 Pet. 2.7 8. 3. That we are ſo impatient in our ſickneſs.
Ʋſe 3. for Exhortation, 1. To truſt him for health in ſickneſs, for he is ſenſible of our ſickneſs. 2. To love him, Pſol. 116.1.2, 3 4. 3. To be ſenſible of any thing that …reives him, Pſa. 139.21. 4. To be ſick in the ſickneſs of his people ſee 2 Kings 13.14. 5 To be thankfull to Chriſt Jeſus that … ſo low to us in our afflicted condition Iſa. 38.19.20. Pſal. 30.11, 12. & 107.20, 21, 22. 6. To bear ſickneſs patiently. 7. To ſerve him with all our might in our health, that is ſo ſenſible of our ſickneſs, Eccl…ſ. 9.10. 8. To be willing to ſurfer any thing with him and for him, that ſuffers with us. 9. To draw near to the Lord Jeſus, and call upon him in times of ſickneſs. 10. To pray for ſi…ones Jam. 5.14, 15.16. 11. To rejoyce in our intereſt in Chriſt Jeſus. 12. To be the leſs troubled for ſick friends.
Ʋſe 4 for Conſolation: 1. Againſt our own ſickneſſes; Chriſt portakes with us in them. 2. Againſt mens unmercifulneſs to us in our ſickneſs; Chriſt is merciful then to us. 3. Againſt Satans cruel diſpoſition to us in our ſick eſtate, for that time he chuſeth to afflict us moſt. Well, though he be cruel, Chriſt is then ſenſible of our condition.
We are now come to the fifth and loſt Branch of the XVII. Doctrine, and that is this, That the Lord Jeſus is very ſenſible of the Impriſonment of his Saints and people. He counts himſelf in Priſon in their Impriſonment.
For opening of which, let me ſhew, 1. How it does appe…r that he is ſo ſenſible of their Impriſonment. 2. Why. 3. The Uſes.
For the firſt: It does appear that He is very ſenſible of this ſtate of theirs, and counts himſelf in Priſon with them; 2. In to a he chears them, and comforts them in that condiction, Act 16 24,25. So it was with many of the Marty's while they were in Priſon, they were as chearful and full …f co…fort …s their …earts could hold; as we ſee in Mr. Philpot, Mr. Rogers. and divers others: ſee alſo Rev. 2.10. 2. In that he proſpers them in their work that they have to do there, Gen 39.21.22, 23. Phile… ver. 10, 11 2 Tim. 2.9. So Mr. Tindall, Bradford, Doctor Sands and others, were proſpered in Priſon in their holy Labours, to the Converſion of ſome there. 3. In that the Lord ſtirs up his peoples hearts, earneſtly to pray for them when in priſon, Acts: 2.5. 4. In that he uſeth means to deliver them, and oftentimes does it. Thus Peter, Acts 12.6-1…. So Paul was delivered, Acts 16. 5. In that he makes their enemies to …d to them to let them go out, Acts 16, 5, 36. 6. In that he puts a fear into their adverſzaries, ſo as that they dare not keep them in, Acts 16.37, 38, 39. 7. In that he brings them out with honour, as …e did Jeſ…ph, G…n. 41.1… 40. So was Paul brought out with honour acts 16 39 8. In that he gives them favour with their Keepers, Gen. 39. …, 22 23. Acts 16.33, 34. 9. In that he lets their ſouls at liberty to Pray, and Hear, and Conferre, and Meditate, in a beater manner ſometimes then when at liberty. 10. In that he makes them glory in that condition, Philom. ver. 9. 11. In that others are bettered by it, Phil 1.14. 12 In that themſelves are bettered by it, Hebr 11.36. Pſal. 105.18, 19.
Q. 2. Why is he ſo ſenſible of their Impriſonment?
Anſ. 1. From himſelf. 2. From them.
From himſelf. 1. He knows what Priſoners undergo; many wants, many ſorrows, many tortures from cruel ones, Pſal. 105.18. 2. He hears their groans, Pſal. 102.19, 20. 3. He …ees their …ears. If Solomon conſid…red the tears of ſuch, Eccleſ. 4.1. much more doth he. 4. He ſtirs up others to ſympathize with them, much more therefore does it himſelf Jer 38.9. 5. He knows that it is from the Devil that they are put into that condition, Rev. 2.10. 6. He knows what Bonds mean, John 18.12. 7. He would have us pity them, Heb. 18.3.
2. From them. 1. They ſuffer Impriſonment for his ſake and the Goſpels, 1 Pet. 4.16. 2. They have done no evil Gen. 40.15. Jer. 37.18. 3. They are ſometimes ready to die in Priſon, Jer. 38.9. 4. They need pity in that condition, being in hunger, and thirſt, and …ld, and n…kedneſs. 5. They are the Fathers bleſſed o…es: ſo the T…xt. 6. They are his Members and Brethren. 7. They have been pitiful unto others in that condition. 8. They are the apple of his eye, Zech. 2.8. 9. They pray for compaſſion in that condition Pſal 79.11. 10. They are in a loneſome condition when in Priſon, and apt to be ſad, and this does alleviate their grief.
Ʋſe 1. for Information: 1. We ſee that the Priſon, though it be a dark, ſtinking, and uncomfortable place, yet may be born, for the Lord is very ſenſible of our condition therein. 2. We ſee a reaſon of the joy of Martyrs, and holy Confeſſions in former and later times, when in Priſon, Chriſt's …ympathy with them has cauſed them ſo to rejoyce. 3. We ſee how happy they be that are put in Priſon for Chriſts ſake, for he is very ſenſible of it, and ſuffers with them. 4. We ſee that Chriſt will not have any of his Servants long in Priſon, for he counts himſelf in Priſon with them, Rev. 2.10. 1 Pet 5.10. 5. We ſee that they that are active to put any of the Lords Saints in Priſon, do commit Chriſt to Priſon in his account: and let them look to it how they will anſwer it. 6. We ſee that when Priſons are opened, and Saints delivered out of Priſon, Chriſt cannot but take it well. 7. We ſee that they are of a merciful ſpirit, that either are a means to keep the Saints from going to Priſon, or are a means to let them out: they are of Chriſts ſpirit. 8. We ſee that Priſoners of Jeſus Chriſt are honourable ones, for Chriſt reckons that himſelf is impriſoned in them. 9. We ſee that the Spirits of the Saints that are impriſoned, ſhall be born up, that the Priſons noiſomeneſs ſhall not be felt. 10. We ſee that ſurely be pities them that are caſt into the Fire, Water, to wilde Beaſts, that are Racked, Stoned, Sawn aſunder, Slain with the Sword, and otherwiſe cruelly dealt with, Heb. 11.37, 38.
Ʋſe 2. for Terrour: 1. To thoſe that put the Saints in Priſon without a cauſe; they do it to Chriſt himſelf. 2. To thoſe that are put in Priſon for evil-doing; Chriſts compaſſions are not towards them.
Ʋſe 3. for Humiliation: 1. To thoſe that have little pity to Priſoners for Chriſts ſake, they have too little of Chriſts Spirit in them. 2. To thoſe that might deliver them, and forbear to do it, Prov. 24.11, 12.
Ʋſe 4. for Exhortations: 1. To be of Chriſts ſpirit, in co…iſerating Priſoners, 1 Pet. 3.8 Heb. 13.3. 2. To take heed we have not an hand in the Saints Impriſonment for well-doing. 3. To bear Impriſonment chearfully, if we be called to it for Chriſts ſake. 4. To bewail …t, if we have had an hand in their Impriſonment formerly, Acts 22.19, 20. 5 To admire with thankfulneſs the mercy of Chriſt, in ſympathizing thus with us. 6. To glorifie him, that has delivered us from the woful Priſon of Hell, 1 Pet. 3.19. Iſa. 42.7. 7. To do Chriſts work in the Priſon, for he pities us there, Philem. ver. 10. 8 To looſe them from their bonds, as the Lord do…s, Pſal 146.7.
Ʋſe 5. for Conſolation: 1. … Impriſonment, and all the noiſome evils of it. 2. Againſt the Devils cruelty in it, Rev. 2.10. Chriſt is merciful, though he be cruel.
Poſitive Comports. 1. That they are not alone that are … up in Priſon, Chriſt is with them, John 16.32. 2. That we need not be moved at it, Acts 20.23, 24. 3. That the priſon is better then a pallace without Chriſts preſence.