Chap, 3 > about comfortingothers. the comforts wherewith Cod bath comforted us for this end that we might com- fort others therewith, r Cor.I.3,4,6. Thefe made Chrift himfelf a more fympa- thizing and merciful High-Prieft, Heb,4.I S. Só 2Cor.7.6i7,13. So Peter is com- manded,LukV 22.32. 2. We fhould comfortothers by the experiences others have had of Gods mercies ro them. Fifthly, theexercife, and evidenceof our graces isa good means of comforting others : For its matter ofgreat joy,and comfort to the godly who fee , or heare Of it: as, X. Of our faith and love, 7Zgnx.1,11, s 2. I Thef. 3.6, 7. Phil. z. r. Philem, 7. Cor. 7.7. 2. Our con[iancy in the truth, and work of the Lord, r Thef. 3. 3,9. Col. 4. r 1. z 7ahn4. 3 fohn 4. Phil.z.19. Sixthly, prayer CO God for them is another means : and that, 1: For comfort tobe conveyed into their hearts. So did Paul, C01.2.1,2. z. That God would give us the gift of comforting others , the toque of the learned,premifed, lfa.5o,4. Seventhly, confider the perfons who are fit tobe comforted ; As, I. Ingenera!, Gods people above all others ; its their portion , and bread which wemua nor give to do2ges , Ifa. 48. 22. with ch. 40. I, a. So Chrif ; Mat. 9. al. 2. Weak and faint fouls , i Thef. 5.14. comfort thefeeble mindC ed, c. Ifa. 3 5 3,4. flrengthen theweak,hands, &c. fo dothGod himfelf, 2 Cor.7,6. contrary is reproved, Szek.34.4 3. Mourners for fin,or forwant of Gods pretence, and for mifery. z. Mourners for fin, who are deeply humbled in the fight and fence thereof,and in theapprehenuion of Gods difplealiire : Sodid Peter, ACS. 2. 37, 3 8. and Pau/,Ael.f6.29,30,3 I. and Ch if+, Luk..7.37i48. He hash pronounced fuch bleffed,Mar.5.4. and Ifa. 57.I2, z. Mourners for want ofGods prefence,and the light of his countenance ; fuch have need of comfort,the Bridegroom b.:ing taken from them,Mar.9, i S. 3, Mourners formifery ou;ht tobe comforted : as the (ews, whil(l captives in Babylon, Ifa.4o.I,a. implied, lab 29.- S. with fob 6.14. Its needful for fuch, as wine for thofe that be of heavy hearts P ov.31.6,7. 4. Seekers after Chrifl; as,Cant.3.I,3. fhould be comforted; as the An=el did the woinen,Mat.28.5,&c. andChriit, Mary Magdalen,joh20.11 to 59. Eibhthly, write letters, fend meffengeçs, and take journeys on purpofe to com- fort others. 1.Write confolatory letters to the affli&ed, asPaul did hisEpiftles to Rome,Co- rinrh, Ephefue, Coloffe,(1l'e. and to particular perfons, as ro . /moth!, , ¡rue, and Philemon : Sodid fames, Peter,John: Jude, andChri fl to the Churches of Jifia , Rev. 2.10,11. and 3. Io, 11. z. Send ineffengers, as Paul a prifoner fent Tichicus,and Onsfim es to the Colof- fans toknow their Elate, and comfort their hearts, Co1.4.7,3,9. and t ichicus to the Ephefians,ch.6.21.zz. and Timothy to the Theffalontans , 1 Thef, whole returnswith good tydings much comforted him,.aIor.7.6,7. IThef.3.6,7. 3.Take journeys to comfort others. Pawl prayed forit, Rom, 1.t o, a1, rr, and long'd for it, iThef.3,9iIo,3'I Queft. But why fhouldwe befofolio itous tocomfort others ? flnfw. Fitt+, becaufe of thé neceffity, and commodityof comfortin atldi &ions, in refpe&ofthe fonds, and bodies of others as well asofour own. a. Comfort is ul ful and needful for others in fix refpeRs. i. To fupport, ano - ?ear them up from finking under the preflures of troublesin- 'warigt:outward, Proa,3.i4 thefpirit ofa man,(being fhored upwith com- X x fort) 337 V. VI. I,
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