Chap.;3. about Comforting others. of Gods children from theFather, and the Son. Hence he is called, the Comforter: He is prayed for by the Son to the Father, and promifed to be fent from both for this end, Job.' 4.16,26. and 'Ï 5.26. and z6. 7. Qeft. How is God theFather the authour of Comfort ? Anfw. Bydeflination, and appgintmentof it to us : For he hath appointed us to obtain_,as falvation, fo confoláttonby Jefus Chrift. Hence,its Paid to abound by Chrifl, 2 Cor. r. 3, 4, S. Queff. How is G,od the Son theauthor ofcomfort ? Anfw. Firfi,by redemption, or purchafe, asofus, foofjoy, andcomfort for us, by his blood as the price thereof. Secondly, By reception of it : as Chrift bought it , fo he took it, and keeps it for us : whenhe afcended on high, he received, as gifts, fo comforts for men , Pfal.68.18. It pleafed the Father that all comfort fhouldbe laid up in Chrift as in a treafury , and that he lhould fend forth thefame to his people, as the foun- taindoth water. Thirdly,by difpenfation,or office,ashe is our Prophct,which he executes,andfo comforts us, by his Spirit which he hath given us. uefl. How is theHoly rj hog theauthor ofconfolation ? Anfw. By applying it tous (which is his proper work) even all that comfort which theFather hath appoj,}nted tous,and the Son hath obtained,and kept for us. Yea, to comfort others bath been the praéìice of thegodly , Is ofJob, ch.4.3 ,4 Of theProphets, Ifa.4o.1,2. Of the Apofiles, Philem. zr. Fourthly, from the equityof theduty : we ought to do it for thefe reafons. r. Becaufe we would be comforted by others in our diftreffe: and therefore we lhoulddo to othersas we would have themdo tous. 2. All true Chriftians-have an intereft in comfort : its their portion,and there- fore incomforting themwe f,1vethem but their own, 3. Its the endwhy Godgivesus abilities, and experiences that we may ufe them to comfort others , fo that hereby we are debtors soothers, z Cor. r.4. 4. Itsour office as we are members ofthe famebody with them, 4h.4. x6. hereby we edifie oüt felves in our molt holy faith, Judg . ao. Love knits Chri- ftians together, and makesthem communicativeofgood one to another. 339 2. 3. X x 2 CHAP.
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