that are fjiiritually pore. 53 I willing to deferre what comfort Chriff bath for thofe that are poor in fpirit, by turning afideto fpeak to thofe of haughty and proud fpirits. Therefore I am to addretfe my felfe to the opening of that that.Chriffineanes when he fai[h that they are R bleffe4 : Many things might be faid for the'openirG of their blefièdnelfe, but for the prefent there's onely one Scripture that I will apply to thole that are poore in fpirit: Th®:-e that are fuch who,oever they are that are in the prefence- of Gád this day,whofe confciences can tell them that though in much weaknefle yet they can frid filch workings of fpirit, I will give you but one Text to uphold your fpirits till the next day, and then we thall' me tttopen what Chria faith of you,that yours is the kingdotne of 1dëaven : The Text is in the 4: Luki r 8. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,becaufe he hash anointed me, to preach the flofpel to the poor;he bath feat me to heal the bróken hearted, to preach ,deliveranceto the Captives, and recovering of fight to the blind,to fet at liberty them that are bruifed,to preach the acceptable year of the Lord: And he clofed the book' Chrift comes to the Synagogue,and a book being opened he doth find this place of Scripture out of Ifá:which was a prophefie concer- ning himfelf:The meaning of it is this; That God the father ha -lt anointed Jefus Chrifi hisSon, appointed him folemnly to that office, to come hinifelfe into the world,and topreach good ti- dings to the poor in fpirit;As if God fhould fay to his Son,Son, I have many of my poor fervants in the world, who are pore in fpirìt,who are fenfible of their Towne wretchednefle and po- verty,now I appoint thee , and anoint thee to goe and preach unto them the glad tidings of falvati , and be you fire to comfort them,be you fure to fpeak pe to them, pour oyl into their wounds, and relieve and refre+i1 them ; I fee that they are ready to be difcouraged, but do you encourage them, I appoint; you to this: You Will fay then prefently thefe are bleffed, when as God the Father from all eternity, bath fer Jefus Chrifi as it were apart, apt ointed him to this Oflice to: preach comfort to thy foule. This one Scripture to one that is truly poor in fpirit is worth a thoufand worlds : -- for what faith fuck an one, doth God regard nie ? Yes, filch a regard he bath
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=