u. VE it s.z. An Expo{ition, with Notes CHAp.t.' C faith, The weakJze(s ofChrifl. i4ftrsnger_ then the ftrentTth ofmen: 1 . or.t.:z.S'. b h J~h ld b·O. 6 So graces worft is etter t en t ewor s ep ;all joy,when in divers tryals! .A Chrifrian is a bird that can fing inWinter as well as in Spring; he can live in the fire like Mo[cs•s Bulb; burnJand not be · 1 confumed ; nay, leap in the fire. The counfel of the Text is not a 1 Paradox, fitted only for notion and difcourfe, or fome llrain and reach of fancy;· but an Obfervation, built upon a common and known experience: This is the fafhion and manner ofBeleevers, to rejoyce in their tryals. ThtlS H.eb.ro.34· Ye t()o/z.the fpoiling of your goods joy{t-1-lly; in the midfl: of rifling and plundering, and the incivilities ofrude and violent men, they were joyful and chear– ful. The Apofl:le goeth one fl:ep higher, 2 Corq.4. I am exceeding joyful inall our tribulation. Mar~ that, ~ ~ossJop.~t 7'(Xd.f!f-... , I fuper-abound or overflow in joy : certainly a dejetl:ed fpirit liveth much beneath the heighth of Chrifl:ian priviledges and principles ; Paut in his worfl: efiate felt an exuberancy of joy, 1 am excceding \.. joyful; nay, you lhall fee in another place he w:ent higher yet, Ram. 5. 3. We glory in tribulations : 'X/mxC:p.sv, It noteth, the highefl: joy, joy with a boafiing and exultation; fuch a ravifhment as cannot be comprelied : certainly a Chriilian is the worlds wonder, and there is nothing in theivlives but what men will count fl:rang~,their whole courfe is a Riddle, which the multitude underfiandeth not. z Cor.6.tc. Asforrowful,yet ahvays rejoycing; 'tis Paul's Rid· die, ·and may be every Chrifiians Motto and Symbal. ObjefJ. But you will fay, Doth not the Scriptur-eallow us a fenfe ofour condition? how can we rejoyce in that which is evil? Chrifl:s Soul was heavy unto death. So!ut. I anfwer, r. Not barely in the evil of them; that is fo far from beingafruit ofgra cc,that 'cis ag~infi nature r tnere is anatural ab– horrency 0f that which is painful, as we fee in Chrifi himfelf, John 12.27, MJSoulutroubled, What ]hall !fP?.J? Father faveme from thu hour.&c. As aprivate perfon, Chrifi would manifefl: the fame affetbons that are in us ; though ag Mediator, he freely chofe death and fufferings; the meer evil is grievous: Befides, in the futferings of Chrifi there was a concurrence of our guili taken into his own perfon,andof Gods wrath; and 'tis a known rule, CC1!le.ftu ira quos premit miferos facit, humana nul/os• .No adverfary, but God,can mab.s us mi{cr~ble; •'me!. 'tu bu wrathth.et putteth avine-. ga~ a'!dgallin~~ 'onr fujfer.ings> n0:t mans. · 2. There - - _ _. __ _.
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