The Last Judgment, Tract · Doctrine 36
Ver. 42, 43. For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat, &c.
Doct. XXXVI. is this, That Ʋnmercifulneſs to Chriſts Members, when hungry and athirſt, when Strangers, Naked, Sick and in Priſon, ſhall be deeply charged upon wicked men at the laſt and great day.
I ſhall handle the ſeveral Branches aſunder, as I did before: and firſt begin with Ʋnmercifulneſs to hungry and thirſty ones.
Reaſons why this ſhall be ſo deeply charged upon them at that day. 1. From the Nature of Hunger and Thirſt. 2. From the Saints, whom they are unmerciful to in their hunger and thirſt.
Firſt, From the Nature of Hunger and Thirſt. 1. Hunger and Thirſt both are intolerable evils, if come to the extremity of them, they are of a killing nature; Jeremiah was like to die with hunger, Jer. 38 9. and Samſon with thirſt, Judg. 15.18. and to be unmerciful to thoſe that are in this caſe, is murther in an high degree; and therefore may well be charged home upon ſuch at that day as are guilty of it. 2. Hunger and thirſt bring a long and lingring death along with them, Lam. 4.9. and the longer and more lingring the death is, the more painful and ſore it is: it is to die many deaths; and therefore it is that Famine is not called an Arrow, as the Peſtilence is that kills quickly, Pſal. 91.5. but it is called Arrows, and Evil Arrows, Ezek. 5.16. as if there were many deaths in it. Now to inflict many deaths upon the Members of Chriſt, and to let them die wounded with ſo many arrows, that's great unmercifulneſs indeed; and therefore ſuch may well have that ſin charged home upon them at that day. 3. Hunger and thirſt in the extremity of them, will make men and women unnatural to thoſe they love moſt, yea ſometimes to themſelves, Deut. 28.53-57. 2 Kings 6.28, 29. Lam. 2.20. & 4.10. Ezek 5.10. Now to refuſe to give meat to them that are hungry, and drink to the thirſty, is to put them upon unnatural courſes, if God were not more merciful to them: and this ſin muſt needs be charged upon them at that day. 4. Hunger and thirſt make men look pale and ghaſtly, and ſo as to move men to pity. Now to be unmerciful to ſuch whoſe countenances beſpeak pity and compaſſion, that muſt needs be a ſin that Chriſt will charge home at that day. 5. Hunger and Thirſt exhauſt the very ſpirits, as 1 Sam. 30.11, 12. Now to refuſe to give to thoſe meat and drink, who are almoſt expiring, and breathing out their laſt, is great cruelty. 6. Hunger and thirſt are warlike weapo…s Ezek. 5, 16 weapons of Deſtruction: Now if men may keep off ſuch things from their Brethren, and will not, it is great unmercifulneſs, and therefore will be heavily charged upon them at that day.
2. From the Saints themſelves. 1. They would bleſs them with their Prayers, if relieved, 2 Tim. 1.16. 2. They would procure the Lord to be their debtor, Prov. 19.17. if ſuccoured. 3. They would bring a bleſſing upon their Poſterity and Families, 2 Tim. 1.16, 17, 18. 4. They would procure mercy for them at that day, ibid. 5. They would receive them into everlaſting habitations, Luk. 16.9. 6. They would bring in more to them in outwards then they take from them, Prov. 11.24, 25. 7. They would feaſt them with Spiritual dainties: Now to be unmerciful to ſuch, in not giving them meat and drink, muſt needs be charged home upon them at that day.
Ʋſe 1. for Information: 1. We ſee a reaſon why unmerciful men are ſo unwilling to die, and to think of the Day of Judgement; they know that that ſin of Unmercifulneſs will be charged home upon them at that day. 2. We ſee a reaſon why they have no peace in their Conſciences, Iſa. 57.20, 21. How can they, when it ſhall go ſo ill with them at that day? 3. We ſee how loathſome that ſin ſhould be to us, and how fearful we ſhould be to fall into it. 4. We ſee what ſeverity they muſt look for, that take away meat from the hungry, and drink from the thirſty. 5. We ſee that unmerciful men ſhall not want Witneſſes to …ome in againſt them; rather then ſo, the hungry Bellies and thirſty Throats of the Saints ſhall bring in Evidence againſt them; as Jam. 5.1, 3. 6. We ſee what deſperate adventures wicked men will make for the ſaving of a little meat and drink. 7. We ſee that unmercifulneſs, though it be not known to men, yet it is to the Lord, and he will one day reckon for it. 8. We ſee the truth of that in Prov. 11.17. The merciful man doth good to his own ſoul; but he that is cruel, troubleth his own fleſh. 9. We ſee how exceedingly the Lord abhors a covetous unmerciful ſpirit, Pſal. 10.3. 10. We ſee how tenderly careful the Lord is of the Bodies and lives of his Saints, that will charge it ſo home to them at that day, that have not fed them. 11. We ſee how terrible he will be to thoſe that have been unmerciful to their Souls, Ezek. 34. 12. We ſee a reaſon why Satan puts men upon it to be unmerciful, he knows they ſhall pay dear for it.
Ʋſe 2. for Terrour: 1. To all thoſe that give no meat to the hungry, nor drink to the thirſty. 2. To thoſe that violently ſnatch it from them. 3. To thoſe that give not the food of their Souls to them. 4. To thoſe that hunt them, and perſecute them, when they ſeek meat to relieve their Souls. 5. To thoſe that kill them, John 16.1, 2.
Ʋſe 3 for Exhortation: 1. To fear to be of an unmerciful ſpirit to hungry and thirſty ones. 2. To reprove it in others where we ſee it, as we have any opportunity. 3. To be often thinking of the Judgement to come, eſpecially when any ſuch objects as hungry and thirſty ones are before us. 4. To bleſs the Lord if he have kept us from this ſin, which will be charged ſo home another day. 5. To deteſt their way that kill and murther the Saints. 6. To mourn for them that are cruel to the Saints Souls, Jerem. 23.1, 2. 7. To tremble when the Lord threatens a Famine of Bread for our Souls, Amos 8.11, 12, 13. 8. To be merciful, Luke 6.36. and love mercy, Micah 6.8. 9. To break the Bread of Life to hungry ones, 2 Tim. 4.1, 2. John 21.15, 16, 17. 10. To juſtifie the Lord in taking vengeance upon cruel Rome, Rev. 16.5, 6.
Ʋſe 4. for Conſelation: 1. Againſt all the Cruelty of unmerciful ones: ſee Pſal. 58.10, 11. 2. Againſt all Romes Cruelty: Rev. 18.24. it will be required one day. 3. Againſt the Saints hungry bellies here, they need not be too much troubled, for they that have been unmerciful to them, ſhall be charged with it at the laſt day.
Ver. 43. I was a ſtranger, and ye took me not in.
The Second Branch of the XXXVI. Doct. is this, That unmercifulneſs to the Saints when Strangers, in not g…veing lodging, and entertainment to them, ſhall be charged deeply upon the Wicked at the day of Judgement.
Reaſ. 1. From the nature of this ſin, of non Entertainment. 2. From the Saints, that are in this condition. 3. The Uſes.
From the nature of this ſin. 1. It is want of Humanity; ſuch men do un-Man themſelves, forget that they are men: now to be without Humanity, ſo far to degenerate as to loſs the nature of man, muſt needs be deeply charged upon men at that day. 2. It is want of natural affection, which is an Heatheniſh ſin, Rom. 1.31. and that is very unbeſeeming Chriſtianity. 3. It is a manifeſt breach of Rule, 1 Pet. 4.9. Heb. 13.2. and how then ſhould it be otherwiſe, but that it ſhould be charged home upon thoſe that are guilty of it? 4. It is that that they would be unwilling ſhould be done to them: and to do that to others, that men would be loth ſhould be done to themſelves, is to deſpiſe the Law, and the Prophets, and the Law of Chriſt himſelf, Mat. 7.12. Jam. 2.8. 5. It is great cruelty, and argues much hard-heartedneſs, Judg. 19.18, 19. and will not the Lord be ſevere to ſuch, and reckon ſore with cruel ones? 6. It comes croſs to the practiſe of holy men, Abraham, Lot, that good old man, Judg. 19.20, 21. Lydia, Act. 16.15. Job chap. 31, 32. and many others. 7. It is worſe then Barbariſm, Act. 28.2, 7, 10. 8. It is that that is very provoking to the ſpirits of good men Luke 9.51, 52, 53, 54. and though they were too hot, which Chriſt rebukes them for, yet the ſin was great, and very provoking, although the ſweet diſpoſition of Chriſt would not then puniſh it. 9. It is a confluence of many ſins, and the very ſink that they come from, and run into, Pride, Covetouſneſs, Careleſneſs, Senſleſneſs of others conditions, Barrenneſs, Uncharitableneſs, Unbeleif, and theſe the Lord abhors. 10. It is the higheſt degree of ingratitude to Chriſt for his bounty in outward things beſtowed upon them.
2. From the Saints in this condition: 1. They are very precious in the ſight of the Lord, Heb. 11.38. and not to entertain ſuch muſt needs be that that will be deeply charged upon men at that day. 2. They are in great danger of loſs of health, and life, in ſuch a condition, and therefore not to be received then, muſt needs provoke the Lord to lay his charge heavy upon ſuch as have been this way guitty at that day. 3. They are ſuch as Chriſt has received to be of his houſhold, Epheſ. 2.19. and made of the houſhold of Faith, Gal. 6.10. and not to receive ſuch to theſe mens houſes, muſt needs be very provoking. 4. They are ſuch as Chriſt will receive to himſelfe into manſions of gl…ry, John 14.2, 3. 5. They are ſuch as bring God the Father, and Chriſt Jeſus the Son, and the holy Spirit with them, 1 John 1.3. and not to entertain ſuch, is to ſhut out theſe bleſſed gueſts; and who can be innocent that doth this? Chriſt will ſurely charge it home and home upon them at that day. 6. They have the Holy Angels, their guardians, with them, Pſal. 34.7. Heb. 1.11. and not to entertain ſuch company, cannot be taken well at that day. 7. They are heirs of the World, and all things are theirs in Chriſt, 1 Cor. 3.21, 22, 23. and therefore to deny them a little entertainment, will be heavily charged at that day. 8. They are the very pillars, and upholders of the places where they are, Joh 22.30. to keep off Judgment, and to procure mercy, Gen. 19.22. Pſal 106.23, 30.
Ʋſe 1. for Information. 1. We ſee with what great Indignation the Lord takes it at the hands of ſuch men, when they are ſo hard-hearted to ſtrangers. 2. We ſee how nearly it concernes us to look to it, that we be not of ſuch a Spirit. 3. We ſee how unworthy ſuch men be to have any Saint to come amongſt them. 4. We ſee how unmeet it is to receive ſuch hard-hearted ones into favour, or familiarity with us. 5. We ſee how dreadful the day of Judgement will be to ſuch men. 6. We ſee how diſtaſtful it ſhould be to us, to ſee any ſuch diſcourteſie uſed to the Saints, when ſtrangers, for it is ſo diſtaſtful to Chriſt, that he will one day charge it home upon them. 7. We ſee that for a nights lodging, and a little entertainment ſpared upon ſtrangers, wicked men are willing to abide the ſeverity of the great Judges condemnation. 8. We ſee that cruel men, are cruel to themſelves; they may kill the bodies of ſtrangers, but by this they caſt away themſelves for ever. 9. We ſee how deeply ſenſible the Lord is of the unkindneſs done to his Members. 10. We ſee what Judgement waits for them that oppreſs ſtrangers, that miſuſe them, that kill them pillage them, &c. if they that entertain them not, ſhall be ſo ſeverely judged, where will theſe appear? 11. We ſee that they will have a bad lodging themſelves, that do not lodge ſtrangers; they muſt lodge with Devils. 12. VVe ſee what Coveteouſneſs brings men to.
Ʋſe 2. for Terrour: 1. To all cruel ones to ſtrangers, in denying them entertainment: ſee Jam. 2.13. 2. To all thoſe that grudge to do any Courteſie for them, are hardly drawn to it. 3. To all that deal worſe with them, oppreſs them, pluck from them, revile them, do what evil they can againſt them.
Ʋſe 3. for Exhortation: 1. To Strangers, to take patiently what they meet with in that condition, for the Lord Jeſus ſees it, and will one day require it. 2. To be chearful in want of lodging, and entertainment, for it was not only his own caſe, Luk. 9 51, 52, 53. but he will remember how they have been uſed, and charge it ſadly upon the wicked at the great day. 3. To think of the entertainment that Chriſt gives them here in his houſe, at his Table, and of that he will give them in Glory, and let that ſuffice.
2. To us all: 1. To abhorr this Spirit in our ſelves, and others. 2. To be thankful if the Lord give us open hearts, and open doors to receive ſuch. 3. To fear, and tremble at the leaſt grudging in our ſpirits to receive ſuch. 4. To ſtand at our doors to obſerve weary, and way faring ones, and deſire them to come in, as Abraham did. 5. To be of Lydia's ſpirit, Acts 16.15. 6. To make account that it is not only the Miniſters duty, to be given to Hoſpitality, Tit. 1.8. but ours, 1 Pet. 4.9. yea the pooreſt are not exempted, 1 Kings 17.10, 11, 12. 7. To pity their caſe that are hard-hearted, they are the worſt Enemies to themſelves.
Ver. 43. Naked, and ye clothed me not.
The Third Branch of the XXXVI. Doctrine is this, That unmercifulneſs in not clothing Chriſts naked Members, ſhall be deeply charged upon the Wicked at the laſt and great Day.
Reaſons: 1. From the Nature of this ſin. 2. From the Saints who are in this Condition. 3. The Uſes.
Firſt, From the Nature of this Sin: 1. It is that that expoſeth them to periſhing, Job. 31.19. and thereby ſuch are guilty of Murther, and therefore it is no wonder if Chriſt will ſo deeply charge it upon wicked men at the laſt day. 2. If it ſhould not riſe ſo high as Murther, yet it expoſeth them to ſuffer much by reaſon of cold, which ſometimes is ſo extream that it cannot be born, Pſal. 147.17. and the extremity of cold cauſeth many ſickneſſes, ſome of which are as painful, and bitter as death it ſelf: ſee Job 24.7. 2 Cor. 11.27. 3. If neither of theſe ſhould come, yet it expoſeth the Saints to uncomelineſs; for to be naked, and deſtitute of clothing, is very uncomely: and the Lord would have us go comely, & looks at it as a ſin in thoſe that cauſe others to go naked, Job 24.10. 4. It is that that godly men reprove in thoſe that they think are guilty of it, Job 22.6. It's true, Eliphaz miſſed the mark, when he charged Job with this; but yet it holds out, that he thought he was guilty, and chargeth it home upon him. Much more will Chriſt charge it deeply upon them that he knows to be guilty, at that day. 5. It is Inhumanity; and God would have us, as in other caſes, to ſhew our ſelves men, Iſa. 46.8. 6. It is contrary to the Rule of the Goſpel, Luke 3.11. 7. It comes croſs to the practice of the Saints, 2 Chron. 28.15. Job 31.19. Acts 10.39. 8. It breaks the Law of Love, Rom. 13.10. 9. It ſpoils the moſt Spiritual of all our Duties, Iſa. 58.3, 4, 6, 7. 10. It is an Abomination to the Lord, Ezek. 18.13. and therefore no wonder if he charge it ſo home upon the wicked at that day.
2. From the Saints. 1. They are the Fathers Bleſſed ones: ſo the Text. 2. They are Heirs of the Kingdome. 3. They are ſuch as Chriſt admits into his bleſſed Fellowſhip, and ſayes Come unto. 4. They are his Purchaſed ones, Acts 20.28. 5. They are they that the Lord has given Himſelf, his Chriſt, and his Spirit unto, Gen. 15.1. John 3.16. 2 Cor. 1.22. 6. They are his Excellent ones, Pſal. 16.2, 3. yea, more excellent then others, Prov. 12.26. 7. They are the Delight of his Eyes and Heart, Cam. 2.14. Pſal. 149.4. 8. They are tenderly cared for by him, Zech. 2.8. Iſa 40.12. 9. They are the very Glory of Chriſt, 2 Cor. 8.23. 10. They are Rich in their Poverty, Rov. 2.9. 11. They are clothed with the beſt Robe and Garments, Iſa. 61.10. 12. They ſhall be clothed upon with Immortality, … Cor. 5.4. Now not to clothe theſe, muſt needs be charged deeply upon wicked men at that day.
Ʋſe 1. for Information; 1. We ſee the ſad caſe of thoſe, that having that by them that would help to Clothe the Naked, which they make no uſe of, yet do nothing that way. Chriſt will reckon with them for it at that day. 2. We ſee a re…ſon of the Judgement of God upon the very Garments of Cruel men, Jam. 5.1.2. 3. We ſee how unworthy they be of the Name of Chriſtians, that will not Clothe their own Families. If wicked men ſhall be judged that Clothe not other naked Saints, what ſhall become of them that will not Clothe their own? 1 Tim. 5.8. 4. We ſee what wretched men they be, that are ſo farre from Clothing Chriſts naked ones, that if they will have any Clothes from them, they ſhall pay twice, if not thrice the worth of them: What will be the end of theſe men? 5. We ſee that ſure their ſtate will be lamentable, that pluck away the Naked's Clothes from them, Jo… 22.6. 6. We ſee that the Lord Jeſus cannot endure to ſee his Saints go naked: for if he did, he would never ſo judge the wicked for not Clothing them. 7. We ſee what wretched filthy ones they be, that will go naked in a ſhameleſs way, when they have Clothes to cover them with, as the Adamites do. And we ſee that ſurely Chriſt Jeſus hates their deeds; for they are the deeds of the N…cola tans, Rev. 2.6. 8. VVe ſee that if they ſhall be ſo ſeverely judged that Clothe not the naked Saints B…d…s, On what will become of them that pluck the Rube of Chriſts Righteouſneſs from them, and would have them patched with their own Rags? as Papiſts, that teach Juſtification by VVorks. 9. VVe ſee what a mercy it is to have a ſpirit given us to Clothe Chriſts naked ones.
Ʋſe 2. for Terrour: 1. To Rich men, that have enough to beſtow this way, but want hearts, Jam. 5.1, 2. 2. To thoſe that drink away all that they ſhould this way come off with: ſee Prov. 23.21. 3. To thoſe that do ſo love themſelves, that they will come off with nothing to the naked Saints.
Ʋſe 3. for Exhortation: 1. To take heed of all thoſe ſins that foment and further this ſin: as (1) Pride in Apparel; they that lay ſo much upon their own backs, will not have to give to Clothe the Naked, Ezek. 16.49. (2) Coſtlineſs, and ſuperfluity of Diet, ibid. (3) Idleneſs, and exceſs in it, ibid. (4) Inſenſibleneſs of the Naked's miſery; A ſtony heart. (5) A Cruel Spirit. (6) A Covetous Spirit, Luke 12.15. 1 Tim: 6.10. (7) A rough and harſh Spirit, Prov. 18.23. (8) Unbelief, and inordinate fear of want: A man poſſeſſed with theſe, will never Clothe Chriſts naked ones. (9) Talkativeneſs, Prov 14.23. 10. Love of Pleaſure, Prov. 21.17. Such ſpend ſo much vainly, that they have nothing to give. 2. To fear to be of ſuch a Spirit. 3. To all ſuch men, to weep and howl for the miſery that is coming upon them, Jam. 5.1, 2. 4. To bleſs the Lord, if he has given any of us a better Spirit. 5 To come off with a Spirit of Bounty this way, as ever we would eſcape this Judgement 6. To abhorre this Unmercifulneſs in our ſelves and others, Rom. 12.9. 7. To judge our ſelves for former unmercifulneſs, 1 Cor. 11.31.
Ver. 43. Sick, and in Priſon, and ye viſited me not.
The Fourth Branch of the XXXVI. Doctrine, is this, That unmercifulneſs to Chriſts ſick Members in not viſiting them, ſhall be deeply charged upon the wicked at the laſt and great Day.
Reaſons. 1 From the Nature of the Sin. 2. From the Saints in that condition.
From the Nature of this ſin. 1. It argues that ſuch men have forſaken the fear of the Almighty, Job 6.14. and therefore it is no wonder that ſuch ſhal be charged with it at that day. 2. It argues that ſuch men are not ſenſible of the amicted eſtate of ſuch ſick ones, and that's a manifeſt bre…ch of Rule, ibid. 3. It argues that ſuch men reſtrain Prayer before God, when they refuſe to viſit ſick ones: for ſick ones have need of Prayers to be made for them, Jam. 5. 4. It argues that ſuch men do not conſider their own latter end; for their very going to ſuch an houſe of Mourning, would put them upon it to think of their own death, Eccleſ 7.2. 5. It argues that they have no love to the Brethren, for love would come off with a viſit chearfully, and willingly, 1 John 3.18. 6. It argues that they care not what becomes of others, ſo it go well with them: And that they are exceeding lovers of themſelves, 2 Tim. 3.2. 7. It argues a flighting of the hand of God upon others; and a forgetting that Nunc tua res agitur, paries cum proximus ardet. 8. It argues want of love to God, 1 John 4.20. 9. It argues a covetous heart; for therefore they refrain viſiting, becauſe they would give nothing to them, and ſee Nehem. 13.1, 2. 10. It argues that they dream of the Continuance of their own healths, and that they ſhall not be ſick.
2. From the Saints in that condittion. 1. They cannot help themſelves; and to deny a viſit to ſuch, muſt needs be great Cruelty. 2. They need viſiting for the comfort both of outward and inward man; and we are bound to attend both, 1 Theſſ. 5 14. 3. They do even beg for pity, Job 19.21. and to be denied pity when they deſire it of us, is ſad, and will be reckoned for. 4. They are ſuch as the ha…d of God has touched, Job 19.21. and therefore we ſhould be touched with the ſenſe of their condition. 5. They are loneſome and diſconſolate, and cannot well want company. 6. They are ſuch as Satan is apt to take advantage againſt; for when the Saints are moſt alone, and weakeſt, then he beſtirs himſelf moſt, Gen. 3.1, 2. 7. They are ſuch as God ſometimes withdraws himſelf from, as he did from Hezekiah, Iſa. 38.13. 8. They mourn in that condition, Iſa. 38.14. and to be denied a viſit at ſuch a time, as it is grievous to them, ſo the Lord cannot but reckon for it
Ʋſe 1. for Information: 1. We ſee that the Lord has reſpect to his lick Saints, and dearly tenders them himſelf, ſeeing he will charge it ſo home upon wicked men at the laſt day, that they have not viſited them in that condition. 2. We ſee that if they that viſit not Chriſts ſick Members ſhall be ſo ſeverely judged, Oh what will be the condition of thoſe that are gl…d at ſuch a Calamity, and hope they ſhall never come out of it! Pſal 41.8. & 35.15. 3. We ſee what need ſuch men have to repent of ſuch unmercifulneſs, and to charge this ſin upon themſelves, by confeſſing and bewailing it, that they may not be c…arged with it at that day. 4. We ſee that Sickneſes are no arguments of Gods rejecting of his Saints, for he is tender of them in that condition, and cannot endure that any ſhould be handhearted toward them. 5. We ſee a reaſon why God orders it in his Providence, that ſuch ſhall not be viſited themſelves when ſick: for he diſtaſtes them ſo, that he will charge it upon them at that day. And this is a token of his diſpleaſure againſt them. 6. We ſee that ſurely ſuch as are ſick of love for Chriſt, Cant. 5.8. ſhall be very much tendred by them, and he will not endure that any ſhould be cruel to them. 7. We ſee how careful we ſhould be to enquire who are ſick amongſt us, and go and viſit them, as ever we deſire to eſcape this ſevere charge of the Lord Jeſus at the laſt and great day. 8. We ſee that all ſuch as have been guilty of this ſin, muſt needs be troubled in their Conſciences for it, when they think ſeriouſly of it; for it will be charged home upon them at the laſt and great day. 9. We ſee what need we had to look after thoſe that are ſick of ſin, and to tender convinced ſinners, as Chriſt does, Mat. 9.12, 13. 10. We ſee that if the non viſitation of ſick ones will be ſo deeply charged upon men at that day, then ſurely cruelty to ſick ones in other kinds much more
Ʋſe 2. for Terrour: 1. To all careleſs ones, that mind themſelves only, & ſo themſelves be in health, care not how it goes with others are of Gallio …s ſpirit, Acts 18.17. 2. To thoſe that rejoyce at others Calamities, Prov 24.17. 3. To thoſe that Kill and Murther them without pity, as of late in Piemont: If they that viſit not ſick Saints ſhall be judged, where ſhall ſuch appear?
Ʋſe 3. for Exhortation; 1. To tremble at any neglect herein, it will coſt men dear at that day. 2. To repent of any ſuch unmercifulnes in former times. 3. To charge this neglect upon thoſe that are guilty of it. 4. To hope the beſt of thoſe that make Conſcience of viſiting ſick ones, though they have their infirmities other wayes. 5. To bleſs the Lord, that he has made us in any meaſure tender this way, and thereby given us hope that no ſuch evil ſhall be charged upon us. 6. To be thankful that others have been tender over us in our ſickneſs, and thereby have declared their love not only to us but to Chriſt himſelfe. 7. To ſtirre up our ſ…lves to the practice of the duty of viſiting the ſick. And that we may be helped therein, (1) Labour to get a ſoft heart, Ezek 36.26. (2) Remember that we may be ſick our ſelves. (3) Think much of the day of Judgement. (4) Remember that Chriſt counts himſelfe ſick in his Members. (5) Get a bountiful Spirit. (6) Love the Saints. (7) Fear the Almighty. Job 6.14. (8) Remember the good that may be done by the Prayer of Faith for the ſick, Jam. 5.15.
Ver. 43. Sick, and in Priſon, and ye viſited me not.
We are now come to the laſt Branch or the XXXVI. Doctrine, and that is this, That unmercifulneſs to Chriſts impriſoned ones, ſhall be deeply charged upon the Wicked at the laſt and great Day.
Reaſons. 1. From the nature of this ſin. 2. From the Saints in this condition.
Firſt, From the Nature of this ſin of not viſiting Chriſts Priſoners: 1. It is an high contempt of Chriſt himſelfe, for he ſayes he is in Priſon when they are; and will not ſuch a ſin be charged home at that day? 2. It is great hard-heartedneſs and cruelty; For no men in the world need more pit…y then ſometimes Priſoners do; they endure great trials, Heb. 11.36. Rev. 2.10. and this is a great plague, Exod. 9 14. to be hard-hearted. 3. It is inhumanity; and ſuch a ſin whereby men put off humanity, muſt needs be charged deeply upon them at that day. 4. It is worſe then Barbariſm; for even Barbarians have been kind to ſome of the Lords Priſoners, as to Paul, when he was a Priſoner, Acts. …8.2, 10. 5. It is worſe then Heatheniſm; for ſome Heathens have been kinde to the Lords Priſoners; as we ſee in Ioſephs Ke…per, Gen. 39.21. ſo Acts 28.2, 16, 31. 6 It is that by which men reſemble the very Devil; for he caſts the Saints into Priſon, Rev. 2.1…. and would have them there to have no mercy. 7. It is altogether inconſiſtent with the love of God, 1 Joh. 3.17. 8. It is a Trangreſſion of that Commandment that we have from God, that He who loveth God, love his Brother alſo, 1 Ioh. 4.21. 9. It is that that is deteſtable to God, Angels, and all good men: for all theſe viſit theſe Priſoners, Gen. 39.21. Act. 12.6, 7, 8. 10. It is that that a man will loath himſelf for, it ever he repent, Acts 16.33.
2. From the Saints in that condition: 1. They are in a loneſome condition, and therefore ſtand in need of viſiting. 2. They are under manifold temptations; and others viſits would help them in ſuch a condition. 3. They are ſorrowful; we read of the ſighs of Priſoners, Pſal. 79.11. and others viſits would help to alleviate thoſe lighs. 4. They are dying men, Pſal. 79.11. and not to viſit dying men muſt needs be charged upon thoſe that are guilty of it. 5. They are meanly provided for in the Priſon, 1 Kin. 22.26, 27. and not to viſit them, to miniſter ſomething more comfortable for them for their Diet, is ſad, and will be reckoned for. 6. They have mean Lodging; many times a little ſtraw, or it may be a Pair of Stocks, Acts 16.24. 7. They are ſometimes pined, and have no meat at all, Jer 38.9. 8. They are ſtarved with cold; as Mr. Latimer 9. They are tortured ſometimes, Heb. 11.35. 10. They continue long in this condition.
Ʋſe 1. for Information: 1. We ſee that the Lords Priſoners are very dear to him, in that he will charge unmercifull ones ſo deeply at that day, for not viſiting them in this their afflicted condition. 2. We ſee that he will ſurely charge it home upon them, that have without cauſe put them into Priſon, and have dealt cruelly with them there, by Pining, Starving, Torturing of them. 3. We ſee that ſurely the death of ſuch Priſoners is very precious in his ſight. If the death of every Saint be precious, Pſal. 116.15. then much more precious is the death of theſe Saints, that are Sufferers for him, 2 Tim. 4.6, 16. He will charge the wicked's not viſiting them, upon them; and therefore when they ſhed their Blood, it ſhall be coſtly to them: He will have a price for that Blood. 4. We ſee that the Saints way be content to be put in Priſon, and to ſuffer the Cruelty that ſometimes they there meet with; for Chriſt takes notice of it, and will deeply charge it upon unmerciful ones. 5. We ſee that the cloſeſt Priſons cannot exclude Chriſt, nor ſhut out his love from his Priſoners, Rom. 8.38 39. 6. We ſee that if there be ſo much iniquity in a non viſit of Chriſts Priſoners, that it ſhall be ſo charged; Oh what is there in the Slaughter of ſo many as have been ſlain for Jeſus ſake in all Ages! 7. We ſee that the worſt ſtate of the People of the Lord, even a Priſon-condition, is better then the beſt of hard hearted wicked, men, for theſe laſt muſt be accountable for their Neglects of poor Priſoners. 8. We ſee that omiſſions of ſmall kindneſſes to men in miſery, though we think not of them as any great matter, yet will be made ſo nothing of at that day. 9. We ſee how dear ſuch muſt pay for it, that have been and are of the Romiſh Religion, Rev. 18.24. 10. We ſee that Priſoners for Jeſus ſake, though not viſited by ſome men, yet have many a ſweet viſit from him, for he will make up their defect.
Ʋſe 2. for Terrour: 1. To thoſe that viſit not. 2. To thoſe that vint them to puniſh them. 3. To thoſe that kill them in Priſon. 4. To thoſe that make their life worſe then death.
Ʋſe 3. for Exhortation: 1. To Priſoners for Chriſts ſake. 2. To others.
To Priſoners: 1. To bear patiently their Impriſonment, with all the miſeries attending that condition: their enemies ſhall pay dear for them. 2. To be content with that loneſome condition, and to be without mens viſits. 8. To deſire more of the Lords viſits. 4. To be thankful when the Lord viſits them.
2. To others. 1. To viſit the Lords Priſoners, for it will be ſ…d with them that do it not. 2 To abhorre their Cruelty, that uſe them cruelly and barbarou…ly there. 3. To pity their Tormentors, they muſt pay for it. 4. To rejoyce if we ſhould be called to it, Acts 16.25.
Ʋſe 4. for Conſolation: 1. Againſt ſuch Sufferings, Acts 5.41. 2. Againſt the fears of ſuch Sufferings, Rev 2.10. 3. Againſt all the Blood that Rome has ſhed. 4. Againſt the noiſome Stink of the Priſon, it is not H…ll; they ſhall be ſaved from that Priſon, and the Torments of it.