The Last Judgment, Tract · Doctrine 18
Ver. 35, 36. I was an hungred and ye gave me meat &c:
Doct. XVIII. is this, That Chriſt takes the kindneſſes done to his Saints when hungry, thirſty, ſtrangers, naked, ſick and in priſon, as done unto himſelfe
We will take the ſeveral Branches, and handle them aſunder, as we did in the former Note: And firſt ſpeak of the kindneſs in giving them Meat and Drink.
For opening of which, let me ſhew, 1. How it does appear that Chriſt takes it as done to himſelf, when they are relieved in their Hunger and Thirſt. 2. Why he takes it as done to himſelf. 3. The Uſes.
For the firſt: It does appear that He takes it as done to himſelf; 1. In that he gives it in charge to feed the hungry, and to give drink to the thirſty, Rom. 12 20. and if to an enemy this muſt be done, much more to thoſe that are the Saints of Chriſt. 2. In that he promiſeth to reward that that is ſo given, Prov. 25.21, 22. Mat. 10.42. Mark 9.41. 3. In that he pronounceth ſuch a man bleſſed, Prov. 22.9. 4. In that he eſteems it as the Faſt which he ha… choſen, without which other Faſts are not at all regarded Iſa. 58.7. 5. In that he commends bounty to the Saints, Luke 21.1, 2, 3, 4. 2 Cor. 8.1, 2. 6. In that he complains when the poor are neglected theſe wayes: ſo the Text. 7. In that he bleſſeth the ſeed of ſuch as are bountiful to them in this kinde, Pſal. 37.26. 8. In that he bleſſeth their eſt…tes, Prov. 11.24, 25. 9. In that he takes ſuch away from the evil to come, Iſa. 57.1, 2. 10. In that their righteouſneſs remaineth for ever, Pſal 112.3. 11. In that he honoureth ſuch. Pſal. 112.9. 12. In that he ſuffers neither them nor theirs at any time to want, Pſal. 37.25, 26.
Q. 2. Why does he take it ſo kindly when his Saints are relieved in their hunger and thirſt?
Anſ. 1. From himſelf. 2. From them.
From himſelf. 1. It was his manner, though poor, Luke 8.3. 2 Cor. 8.9. to give to the poor, John 13.29. and therefore he cannot but take it well when men are followers of him. 2. He knows the ſtate of ſuch, and the hearts of ſuch, having been hungry and thirſty himſelf, and the worth of ſuch refreſhings. 3. He knows that they have done it with an eye to the Commandment of Chriſt. 4. He knows that they have aimed at the Glory of Chriſt in ſo doing. 5. He loves his people, and therefore muſt needs take it kindly when they being hungry and thirſty are relieved. 6. … knows that they have done it for his ſake, out of love to him, and that makes him take it ſo kindly at their hands.
2. From them. 1. They are his Members, Epheſ. 5.30. 2. They are his Brethren: ſo the Text. 3. They are his Redeemed ones, 1 Pet 1.18, 19. 4. They are his Jewels, Mal. 3.17. 5. They are his Spirits Temple, 1 Cor. 6.19. & 3.16. 6. They are his peculiar people, Tit. 2.14.
Ʋſe 1. for Information: 1. We ſee now kindly he will much more take it, when we miniſter any Spiritual relief to thoſe that want Spiritual food, if he take it ſo kindly when bodily refreſhing is miniſtred to them. 2. We ſee what a ſmall matter the Lord makes great reckoning of: what's a little Bread, or a little Drink given to ſuch? yet how little ſoever it is, the Lord makes great account of it. 3. We ſee that ſurely he will recompence to the full all that is ſo given to them, for he will be in no mans debt, Rom. 11.35. 4. We ſee that if he take a little Meat and Drink to hungry and thirſty ones ſo kindly, oh how kindly will be take it from the Lords Miniſters, that have been Inſtruments to ſave many ſoules? he will take this as an high act of Mercy indeed, 1 Pet. 5.4. Dan. 12.3. 5. We ſee what an high price we ſhould ſet upon our Meat when hungry, and upon our Drink when thirſty, for Chriſt ſets an high price upon it. 6. We ſee with what thankfulneſs hungry and thirſty ones ſhould receive what is given them, for Chriſt makes great reckoning of what is ſo given. 7. We ſee what great incouragement we have to be of a bountifull ſpirit to hungry and thirſty ones, for it is not ſo much done to them, as to Chriſt himſelfe. 8. We ſee what a lovely thing it is to relieve thoſe in want, for Chriſt himſelfe is fed in them. 9. We ſee that how ſecretly ſoever any reliefe is given to the Saints, Chriſt takes ſpecial notice of it. 10. We ſee what tender love is in the Lord Jeſus, that will take ſo ſmall a thing ſo …indly at our hands. 11. We ſee his wonderful humility herein. 12. We ſee that we ſhould not indure to ſee the Saints want.
Ʋſe 2. For Reproofe. 1. To thoſe that with-hold more then is meet. Prov 11.24. Chriſt Jeſus will count himſelfe little beholden to them. 2. To thoſe that ſpend what they have upon their luſts, and will part with nothing to Chriſt in his Saints. 3. To thoſe that by fraud keep back that which is in juſtice due to others, James 5.4.
Ʋſe 3. For Exhortation, 1. To come off bountifully to hungry and thirſty ones in their needs, Chriſt will take it …indly at our hands. 2. To bleſs the Lord Jeſus that be will take what we ſo do in ſuch good part, for our goodneſs extendeth not to him, Pſal. 16.2. 3. To accept with due acknowledgement what he does in the leaſt of his mercies, Gen. 32.10. 4. To love him that takes ſo kindly what is done to us; whom ſhould we love like him? Prov. 23.26. 1 Cor. 16.22. 5. To follow Chriſt, in taking kindneſſes done to hungry and thirſty ones, as done to our ſelves, Philem ver 12, …7. 6. To be glad of an opportunity for the relief of the Saints, Gal. 6.10. 7. To deviſe wayes of liberality, Iſa. 32.8. 8. To do what we do out of love to Chriſt, for elſe it profits nothing, 1 Cor. 13.3. 9. To bewail our former hard-heartedneſs, Luke 19.8.10. To love mercy, Micah 6.8.
Ʋſe 4. for Conſolation: 1. That ſurely the leaſt of theſe kindneſſes ſhall not be forgotten, but all remembred and rewarded by him. 2. That the Saints ſhall ſurely remember his kindneſſes, and the multitudes of them, and one day give him the glory of them.
We are now come to the ſecond Branch of the XVIII. Doctrine, which is this, That Chriſt takes it very kindly when his Saints that are ſtrangers are kindly entertained into our houſes.
For opening of which, let me ſhew, 1. How it does appear that he takes their entertainment ſo kindly. 2. Why he takes it ſo kindly. 3. The Uſes.
For the firſt: It does appear that He takes their entertainment very kindly; 1. In that be gives it in charge that we ſhould do it, 1 Pet 4.9. Heb. 13.2. and he cannot but take it kindly when we obſerve his charge. 2. In that he commendeth thoſe that are kinde this way, 3 John 5, 8. 3. In that he makes account that ſuch are fellow helpers to the truth, ver. 8. and this the Lord cannot but take kindly. 4. In that he does reward all ſuch kinde entertainments; as we ſee he did to the widow of Sarepta, 1 Kings 17. and the Shunamite, 2 Kings 4. 5. In that he ſtirs up the hearts of his Servants to wiſh for their health and outward proſperity, 3 John 2. 6. In that he gives ſuch to thrive and proſper in their Souls, ibid. 7. In that he vouchſafes them the love of his precious Saints, yea, the love of all them that know the truth, 3 John 1. 8. In that he gives them ſuch bleſſings as they could not well expect, 2 Kings 4.14, 15, 16. 9. In that he has ſometimes reſtored their children from death to life, 1 Kings 17. 2 Kings …. 10. In that he has honoured them ſo, as that they have entertained Angels, Heb. 13.2. 11. In that the whole Family is bleſſed by it, Luke 19.9. Heb. 11.31. with Joſh. 6.23.
Q. 2. Why does be take ſo kindly the entertainment that his people finde?
Anſ 1. From himſelf: 1. He loves and preſerves ſtrangers, Pſal. 146.9. 2. He ſometimes was a ſtranger himſelf, and therefore cannot but take it kindly what is done in way of entertainment of them. 3. He hates and …bhors the covetous, that do it not, Pſal. 10.3. and therefore cannot but take it kindly when we do entertain them. 4. He knows what comfort his Saints have when entertained, Judg. 19.21, 22. 5. He takes pleaſure in their proſperity, Pſal. 35.27. 6. He knows that the want of entertainment has coſt many a man his life.
2. From the Saints: 1. They give him entertainment into their hearts, Epheſ 3 17. 2. They are the delight of his eyes, Cant. 2.14. 3. They are the very raviſhment of his heart. Cant. 4.9. 4. They are his Fathers bleſſed ones: ſo the Text. 5. They want entertainment very much, are ſometimes in great diſtreſs for want of it, Judg. 19.18, 19. 6. They praiſe him whe… they have it.
3. From the nature of Entertainment: 1. It is a fruit of their Faith, Heb 11.31. So in the Widow of Sarepta and the Shunamite. 2. It flows from Love, and therefore we muſt not forget to do it, Heb. 13.1, 2. 3. It is a fruit of obedience to the Commandment, 1 Pet. 4.9. 4. It is a fruit of Bounty: and ſee Iſa: 32.8. 5. It may be the preſervation of life. 6. It refreſheth them in their wearineſs.
Ʋſe 1. for Information: 1. VVe ſee what great delight the Lord Jeſus hath in his Saints and People, in that he takes ſo kindly a little entertainment given to them, Pſal. 143.4. 2. VVe ſee how kindly he will take it when we entertain him into our hearts, Rev. 3.20. 3. VVe ſee what entertainment himſelf will give ſuch in his houſe here, and in his Kingdome hereafter, that takes it ſo kindly when they are entertained into our houſes, ſurely he will honourably entertain them, Iſa: 25.6. John 14.2, 3. 4. VVe ſee how much more kindly he will take it, when we give that that may refreſh and ſave the lives of their Souls. 5. VVe ſee that the Lord takes ſpecial notice of ſmall kindneſſes ſhewed to his people, in that a little entertainment is ſo kindly taken. 6. VVe ſee how kindly we ſhould take it when the Lord bows the hearts of his people to be courteous in entertaining of us, for Chriſt takes it kindly at their hands. 7. VVe ſee that Hoſpitality is that that Chriſt loveth and delighteth in, how then ſhould we love it? Titus 1:8. 8. We ſee that we can never love the Lord Jeſus enough, that takes it ſo kindly when we are kindly entertained, 1 Cor. 16.22. 9. We ſee a reaſon of the charge he gives us, 1 Pet. 4.9. & Heb. 13.2. 10. VVe ſee tha… t…ey are not of the ſpirit of Chriſt Jeſus, that are unthankful when kindly entertained. 11. VVe ſee how humble and lowly in heart the Lord Jeſus is, that looks at ſtrangers lodgings. 12. VVe ſee that love to Chriſt is ſeen in a little.
Ʋſe 2. for Humiliation: 1. That any ſtranger ſhould want entertainment, ſeeing Chriſt takes it ſo kindly. 2. That there ſhould be any of that ſpirit, that will not acknowledge ſuch kindneſſes.
Ʋſe 3. for Exhortation: 1. To beware we forget not this duty, Heb. 13.2. why ſhould we? 2. To beware we forget not to be thankful for all the ſweet entertainment he gives us in his Houſe, and at his Table. 3. To rejoyce in hope of better entertainment, Rom. 5.2. 4. To …mi…te Chriſt herein. 5. To open to him, Pſal. 24.7, 9. Revel. 3.20. 6. To love hoſpitality, Titus 1.8. 7. To take entertainments kindly, as Chriſt does, 2 Kings 4. 8. To be thankful to God for Chriſt Jeſus, in whom all our entertainments are ſweetned to us. 9. To do what we do in our entertainments, out of Faith, and Love, and Obedience. 10. To come off liberally. 1 Tim. 6.17, 18. ſeeing he takes a little ſo kindly.
Ʋſe 4. for Conſolation: 1. That Chriſt looks at ſtrangers when harbourleſs. 2. That he will take it very kindly when our hearts are open to receive his words Luke 10.42. 3. That he will give bleſſed entertainment himſelf, that takes ours ſo kindly, John 14.3. 4. That we ſhall not be loſers by kindneſſes to ſtrangers.
The third Branch we are to handle of the XVIII. Doctrine, is this, That the Lord Jeſus takes it very kindly when his naked ones are clothed.
For opening of which, let me ſhew, 1. How it does appear that he takes it ſo kindly. 2. VVhy. 3. The Uſes.
For the firſt: It does appear that He takes it kindly; 1. In that he rewards them many wayes that do it: (1) VVith long life, as we ſee in Job, Job 31.19, 20. with 42.17. (2) VVith honour, Pſal. 12 9. ſo Job 29 7, 8 9, 10, 21-25. (3) VVith wealth and riches, Job 42 10, 11. All theſe alſo we may ſee in David, who was kinde to the poor and naked, 1 Chron. 29.28. (4) VVith comfort in affliction, Pſal. 112.4. Iſa 58.7, 8, 10. (5) VVith ſpeedy health, ibids. (6) VVith the preſence of the Lord, and his protection, ibid. (7) With ſpeedy anſwer to prayer, Iſa. 58.9. (8) With continual guidance from the Lord, Iſa. 58.11. (9) With ſatisfaction in drowth, ibid. (10) With fatneſs of bones, ibid. (11) With fruitfulneſs, flouriſhing, and delightfulneſs, as a watered garden holds out. (12) With continual ſupplies of moiſture of Grace, as a Spring of water whoſe waters fail not, ibid. (13) With bleſſings upon poſterity, they ſhall be renowned, Iſa 58.12. 2. In that he brings a good report upon them after they are dead, Acts 9.39. 3. In that he makes their death to be lamented, Acts 9.39. 4. In that he ſometimes has raiſed ſome that have been thus charitable from death to life, Acts 9.40, 41. 5. In that the very loins of the poor bleſs them, Job 31.20. 6. In that the prayers of his poor naked ones are poured out for them, 2 Tim 1.16, 18. 7. In that many thankſgivings come hereby to God, 2 Cor. 9.12. 8. In that he makes ſuch to be longed after, 2 Cor. 9.14. 9. In that he gives to ſuch all-ſufficiency alwayes in all things, for abounding in every good work, 2 Cor. 9.8. 10. In that he giveth them to reap bountifully, 2 Cor. 9.6.
Q. 2. Why does he take it ſo kindly?
Anſ. 1. From himſelf. 2. From his Saints.
From himſelf. 1. He delights in mercy, Micah 7.18. and therefore cannot but take this kindly. 2. He is the preſerver of men, Job 7.20. and this is one way whereby they are preſerved. 3 He looks at it as an unſpeakable gift, 2 Cor. 9.15. and therefore cannot but take it kindly. 4. He received ſuch things himſelf when time was, Luk. 8.3. 5. He knows they cannot endure the cold without clothing, …ſal. 147.17. 6. He careth for them, 1 Pet. 5.7. and therefore takes it kindly when we thus provide for them.
2. From the Saints that are naked. 1. They cannot aſk clothing, and therefore if they be ſupplied with it, Chriſt will take it kindly. 2. They ſerve him with their outward man, and their bodies are for him, 1 Cor. 6.13. 3. Their bodies are part of his Purchaſe, he has bought them with his blood, 1 Cor 6.20. and therefore muſt needs take it kindly when they are clothed. 4. They are his D ſciples and followers, and he cannot but take it well when they are clothed. 5. They are thankful for clothing both to him and men, Pſal. 65.13. Job 31.20. 6. They cannot comfortably be without clothing.
Ʋſe 1. for Information: 1. We ſee what care we ſhould all have to make proviſion, not onelyonly for clothing for our ſelves and families, but to ſupply their wants alſo that have them not: And therefore to provide Sheep, and encourage thoſe that look to them: if Chriſt take it ſo kindly, and will own it at the laſt day, then we cannot be too forward to make proviſion for them. 2. VVe ſee what a merciful one the Lord Jeſus is, that takes care of his poor naked ones to relieve them, and owns it as done to himſelf. 3. VVe ſee that though all we have be his, and he might command it all, yet he is ſo loving that he will take a little kindly at our hands, given to clothe his naked ones, Pſal. 50. 4. VVe ſee that idle perſons are moſt loathſome to Jeſus Chriſt, that clothe themſelves with rags, Prov. 23.21. for he would have all his naked ones clothed, and takes it kindly from them that do it. 5. VVe ſee how thankfully we ſhould take it, when he clothes us with the Robe of his Righteouſneſs, Iſa. 61.10. Jer. 23.6. 6. VVe ſee how kindly he will much more take it, when any of us are inſtruments to cover naked Souls, and to apply Chriſts Righteouſneſs to any ſuch. 7. VVe ſee how humble the Lord Jeſus is, that condeſcends to look after the naked's clothes, 8. VVe ſee that Cloth workers are to be encouraged by us. 9. VVe ſee that they are not of Chriſts ſpirit, that can ſee the Saints go in rags. 10. VVe ſee what a bleſſed thing it is to be the Saints of Chriſt, for he takes that as done to himſelf that's done to them.
Ʋſe 2. for Humiliation: 1. To thoſe that have it by them, and yet do it not. 2. To thoſe that throw that into holes and corners, that would help to clothe Chriſts naked ones.
Ʋſe 3. for Exhortation: 1. To come off liberally to the poor this way, and be of Jobs ſpirit, Job 31.19.20. And that we may be enabled to it, (1) Be diligent Prov 31.19, 20. (2) Look how they go, Job 31.19. 1 John 3.17.18 the eye will affect the heart. (3) Think not much even to make them garments, Acts 9.39. (4) Spend not too much upon our ſelves, Luke 16.19, 20. (5) Love mercy, Micah 6.8. (6) Follow that rule Luke 3.11 (7) Study liberality, Iſa. 32.8. (8) Think much of the day of Judgement. (9) Set our ſelves in their condition, Mat. 7.12. (10) Think of evil times, Eccleſ. 11.2. 2. To thoſe that are relieved, to be thankful to God and man. 3. To love the Lord Jeſus, that takes a little ſo kindly. 4. To follow Chriſt, and take it kindly when clothed. 5. To husband our clothes well, as a fruit of Chriſts kindneſs. 6. To be glad of an opportunity to clothe the naked.
Ʋſe 4. for Conſolation: 1. Againſt mens ingratitude; Chriſt takes it kindly at our hands, whatever they do. 2 Againſt our own unbelieving hearts, that are ſo apt to diſtruſt his acceptance of what we do this way. 3. Againſt Satans …anders, that we have done it out of baſe ends: C…riſt will ſpeak of no ſuch thing at that day; onelyonly look …e to our hearts.
The fourth Branch of the XVIII. Doctrine is this. That the Lord Jeſus takes it very kindly when his ſick Saints are v…ted by us, and will own it at the laſt day as done to himſelf.
For opening of which, let me ſhew, 1 How it does appear that he takes the viſiting of his ſi…k Saints to kindly. 2. VVhy. 3. The Uſes.
For the firſt: It does appear, 1. In that he does not let the vints that evil nen give to his ſick ſervants, go without ſome reward, 2 Kings 13.14, &c. much leſs when one Saint viſits another. … In that the Saints are ever better by ſuch …s, both they that viſit, and they alſo that are viſited: for commonly they pray together, and ſpeak gracious words together, and ſo both are bettered, Jam: 5. and ſuch vi…its Chriſt cannot but take very kindly. 3. In that the ſick come by ſuch viſits to be healed. Jam: 5.14, 15. 4. In that by ſuch viſits the ſins which the ſick have committed come to be forgiven: and to be a means of ſuch an act of charity as that, muſt needs be kindly taken by Chriſt Jeſus. 5. In that by ſuch viſits, the temptations that ſick ones are aſſaulted with, come often to be removed, and their hearts comforted. 6. In that the Lord commonly orders it, that they that have viſited others ſhall be viſited themſelves. 7. In that the ſick bleſs thoſe that come to viſit them, Gen. 48.1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16. 8. In that he makes it a pledge of bleſſedneſs, Pſal. 41.1, 2. 9. In that when ſuch as have viſited others come to be ſick, the Lord will graciouſly vi…t ſuch, Pſal. 41.3. 10. In that if it ſhould be a ſickneſs to death, the living will lay it to heart, Eccleſ. 7.2.
Q. 2. Why does the Lord take viſits ſo kindly?
Anſ. 1. From himſelf. 2. From his Saints.
From himſelf. 1. He was willing to give ſuch viſits many times. 2. He looks at it as an act of our kindneſs, and he cannot but take our kindneſs kindly: if he be kinde to the unthankful and to the evil, Luke 6.35. much more will he be ſo to them that ſhew kindneſs to his people. 3. He chargeth us to viſit his ſick ones, Jam: 5.14, 15. 4. He pities ſick ones, Mat: 8.16, 17. and therefore cannot but take it kindly when we out of pity viſit them. 5. He knows all their pains, groans, ſorrows, conflicts, combat…, temptations; & therefore a v ſit to them pleaſeth him well.
2. From the Saints. 1. They need theſe viſits; for in …ick times Satan is buſie, Unbelief is bu…e, Impatience is active and buſie, and therefore need help, and the more their need is, the more kindly he takes theſe viſits for their help. 2. They are the more indeared to thoſe that viſit them, and Chriſt takes that well, when love is more increaſed and continued, Heb: 13.1. 1 Pet: 4.8. 3. They are moſt tender to the Lord then, Heb: 4.10. 4. They are not able to do any thing for themſelves, cannot ſtir ſometimes to help themſelves. 5. They cannot ſpeak nor call for help, Pſal. 77.4. 6. They are alone, and that is uncomfortable, Eccleſ. 4.10.
Ʋſe 1. for Information: 1. We ſee how compaſſionate and full of bowels the Lord is to ſick ones, that takes it ſo kindly when they are vinted by us. 2. We ſee what a little matter done out of Obedience and Faith, pleaſeth him; a viſit does it: not onelyonly thoſe high acts, Heb: 11.8, 17, 18, 25, 26. and thoſe ver. 35, 36, 37, 38. but ſuch a ſmall thing as a viſit. 3. We ſee how readily we ſhould come off with this, ſeeing it is ſo kindly taken. 4. We ſee how kindly ſick ones ſhould take a viſit, for Chriſt does. 5. We ſee how kindly we ſhould take the Lords gracious viſits to us, in ſending Chriſt to us, Luke 1.78. 6. We ſee how kindly we ſhould take it at his hands, when he viſits us with his gracious Ordinances and Providences: he bewails the contrary, Luke 19.41-44. 7. We ſee how kindly we ſhould take it, when he viſits our hearts and families with his Preſence, and Grace, and Spirit. 8. We ſee that ſickneſs may be the better born, ſe…in… Chriſt has ſuch regard to a viſit given to ſick ones. 9. We ſee that we may not look at viſitation of the ſick as an arbitrary thing, but as our duty, being ſo highly ſet by. 10. We ſee how deſireable and acceptable his laſt viſitation ſhould be to us, John 14.3, 18. & 6.22. 11. We ſee that if we hazard or lay down our liv…s for the Brethren, 1 John 3.16 Rom. 16.4. he will much more take it kindly.
Ʋſe 2. for Hu iliation: 1. That we are ſo hardly drawn to viſit ſick ones, when it is ſo kindly taken by Chriſt himſelf. 2 That ſuch as are ſick ſometimes are not ſo ſenſibly affected with the Saints viſiting of them.
Ʋſe 3. for Exhortation: 1. To thoſe that are in health, to viſit them, and pray for them, Jam: 5.14, 15. 2. To thoſe …at are ſick, to take it kindly when they are viſited, f… Chriſt does 3. To both whole and ſick, to be thankful fo… Chriſts gracious viſiting of us and ours with his Preſence and bleſſing. 4. To admire with thankfulneſs Gods goodneſs, in ſending Chriſt to us; Luke 1.68, 69. 5. To viſit him often with our holy Addre…es to him, 1 Theſſ. 5.17. 6. To come off with higheſt acts of love to him, ſeeing he ſo …indly takes ſuch a ſmall matter as a viſit.
Ʋſe 4. for Conſolation: 1. That the Lord tenders his ſick ones, ſeeing he is ſo delighted in a viſit of them. 2. That himſelf will ſurely viſit them. 3. That he will take …eater matters done to them kindly. 4. That he would not have them left alone.
We are now come to the laſt Branch of the XVIII. Note, which is this, That Chriſt Jeſus takes it very kindly at our hands, when we come unto his impriſoned ones.
For opening of which, let me ſhew, 1. How it does appear that he takes this ſo kindly. 2. Why be does it. 3. The Uſes.
For the firſt: It does appear that He takes it very kindly when men come unto his Saints in priſon; 1. In that his impriſoned Saints pray for them and their houſes, 2 Tim: 1.16, 17, 18. which is a pledge that he takes it kindly from them. 2. In that they have their lives given them as a prey for this thing, Jer: 38.7, 8, 9. with 39.16, 17, 18. 3. In that he reſtores ſuch from ſickneſs to health, Phil: 2.25, 27. which is a pledge of the Lords kinde acceptance of it. 4. In that he would have ſuch received with all gladneſs, Phil: 2.29. 5. In that he would have ſuch held in reputation, ibid. 6. In that he imparts ſome Spiritual bleſſing to them by the Priſoners means, by their ſavoury and gracious communication, Acts 16.31, 32. 7. In that he bleſſeth them with off ſpring of their bodies, which had none before; as the Keepers wife with whom Dr. Sands was Priſoner, being kinde to him, had a Son the next year, according as he told her. 8. In that he takes ſuch with their families into his Covenant, as we ſee in the Jaylor that was kinde to Paul and Silas, Acts 16 33, 34. 9. In that he fills them with joy in believing, Acts 16.34. 10. In that he record… the courteſies that have been ſhewn to his Priſoners in his own book; the Keepers courteſie to Joſeph, Gen. 39. Ebedmelechs to Jerem…ah, Jer. 38.7, 8, 9. So Acts 27.1, 3.
Q. 2. Why does he take it ſo kindly?
Anſ. 1. From himſelf. 2. From them. 3. From the work it ſelf.
From himſelf. 1. He is kinde to his Priſoners, and therefore takes kindly what is done in kindneſs to them. 2. He comes to Priſoners himſelf, and chears them, as he did to Paul, Acts 16.25, 26. and to Cuthbert Simpſon in Q. Mariet time. 3. He ſends his Angels to them, Acts 12.7, 8. & 27.23, 24. & 5.19, 20. 4. He knows the ſad condition of Priſoners, how vilely and unworthily they are uſed, as Joſeph and Jeremy were. 5. He deſires mercy, and delights in it, Hoſ. 6.6. Micah 7.18. 6. He looſeth the Priſoners, Pſal. 146.7. and therefore takes it Kindly when we come to them.
2. From them. 1. They are his choyce Worthies, of whom the world is not worthy, Heb: 11 36, 38. 2. They are among the moſt honourable of his believing ones, Phil: 1.29. 3. They are willing to be bound for him, Acts 21.13. 4. They rejoyce that they are counted worthy ſo to be, Acts 5.41.
3. From the work it ſelf. 1. It is the work of Chriſt, Phil: 2.30. and therefore no wonder if he does ſo kindly take it. 2. It is an act of ſpiritual fortitude and true valour, Phil: 2.25. 3. It is an act of true love both to Chriſt and the Priſoners. 4. It is an act of greateſt ſelf denial, Phil: 2.30. Rom: 16.3, 4.
Ʋſe 1. for Information: 1. We ſee that though Priſoners be alone, and hardly uſed, yet Chriſt hath regard to them, for he owns what is done to them in way of kindneſs, as done to himſelf. 2. We ſee with what acceptance we ſhould receive his kindneſs to us, in coming to us when we were every moment in danger of being caſt into the Priſon of Hell. Oh! we ſhould take this kindly at his hands, Iſa: 42.6, 7. 3. We ſee what a mercy it is, and how kindly we ſhould take it from him, when he comes to our Spirits when ſhut up, and ſets them at liberty, Pſal: 88.8. 4. We ſee what great encouragement we have to be kind to Chriſts Priſoners, for he owns and accepts it kindly at our hands, Heb: 13.3. 5. We ſee that he will much more take it kindly if any of us be inſtruments to let go thoſe that have been Priſoners of darkneſs. 6. We ſee, it coming to P…ſoners of Chriſt be ſo acceptable to him, how acceptable is it to be a means of their inlargement, and to venture hard for it, as Rom. 16.3, 4. 7. We ſee of what an amiable nature and ſweet ſpirit the Lord Jeſus is, that takes a walk to his Priſoners ſo kindly. 8. We ſee that we need not be much diſcouraged to go to Priſon for Chriſts ſake 9. We ſee that if he reſpect his Priſoners ſo, Oh …ow will he reſpect them in his Pallace of Glory! 10. We ſee that they that commit his Saints to Priſon, do them a greater kindneſs then they are aware of.
Ʋſe 2. for Hum…liation: 1. To thoſe that neglect this office of love; Chriſt takes it unkindly. 2. To thoſe Priſoners of his that are not ſo thankful as they ſhould to thoſe that come to …em; Chriſt takes it very kindly.
Ʋſe 3. for Exhortation: 1. To ſtir us up to remember thoſe that are in Bonds, Heb. 13.3. 2. To be very thankful when Chriſt comes to us in our impriſoned condition. 3. To bleſs the Father for viſiting us by his Son. Luke 1.68, 69, 78, 79. 4. To Priſoners, to take ſuch kindneſſes kindly, as Chriſt does. 5. To be unwearied in doing for Chriſt, that takes it ſo kindly when we come to his Priſoners. 6. To deliver Priſoners as we can, for he will much more take that kindly. 7. To venture hard for them, Phil. 2.30. 8. To be willing to ſuffer the Priſon for him. 9. To be thankful and joyful in that eſtate, Acts 5.41. 10. To honour the Lord Jeſus in Priſon.
Ʋſe 4. for Conſolation: 1 That ſurely he will much more take it kindly when we are at pains and coſt for their Liberties. 2. That Chriſt will entertain us when we come to him; he will take that kindly, John 6.37. 3. That though ſome may vex at thoſe that viſit godly Priſoners, Chriſt will not. 4. That the Priſon cannot ſeparate us from Chriſts love, Rom 8.35.