Book II. c H R I s T THE BELIEVERS F R I E N D. SIMILE. IX . A very fimll Q,~antity of other Ointment doth but little Good, nor worketl1 but fmall Ef– feCls, whether for healing, beau– tifying, or perfuming; one Drop will not perfume a whole Room, & c. See Robertfon. D IS PAR IT Y. IX. A very fmall Q;t>Jltity of this fpiritual Ointment doth wonderful Things; the lea!t Mea– fure of true Grace, hath glorious and marvellou~ EffeCls, as it is fpoken of Faith, though it be ai fmall as a Grain of Mujfard Seed, yet, &c. Mall. xiii. 3'· a little of this Ointment perfumes th~ whole Soul, Houfe and Family of a Saint. A P P L C A T I 0 N. FROM hence you may further take notice of, and admire the Excellencies of Jefus Chri!t, in that he is compared to all Things that are good, pleafant and delight– ful ; well may he be called w<nderful: 0 ! how wonderful, ond ple~f.mt is that preci– ous and good Name, that is compofed of fa many excellent Things, lfa. ix. 6. 2. This fhoul d d raw our HeartS towards him, make us love him and delight in him, and long, and defi re after him; His Name being as Ointment poured forth; it follows, therefore do the Virgim love thee, Cant. i. 3· 3· This alfo demon!l:rates the Excellencies of his Grace ; it is the Graces of Chri!t, that make him be compared to Ointmmt poured forth ; his fweet Ointments are, as one obferves, his Meeknef.1, Patience, and Holinefs, &c. 4· The fpecial Graces of Chrift, as appears from hence, are not communicated to all, rhc holy Ointment under the Law, was only for confecrated Things and Perfons, the ElcCl and holy Priefthood of God, only have the Name of Chrijf, like precious Ointmeilt, poured out, Zech. iv. I2. Chri!t empties himfelf only to thofe golden Veffels, thoug h common Graces ."re communicated to all. 5· W e may from hence infer, how unfa,ory all Wicked Men are in their Perfons and Services that have not this good Ointment upon them, their Hearts, L ives ancl Prayers, and al! they do, !l:ink in the Noihils of the L ord, being not perfumed by Jefus Chrift: 'Ihe Sacrifice ofthe Wicked, is an Abomination to the Lord, Prov. xv. 8. 6. This teaeheth us, how to keep our Souls fweet; Sin, the World, and the Devil !hive to make them lofe their Savor. Therefore pray every Day for a Drop or two of this Ointment to fweeten your Prayers, Meditations, and all your holy Duties; and be fure to carry Chrift in your Hearts, Lips and Lives, and this will make you lovely, and caufe you to f.hine where ever you come. 7· When you fmell of any Perfume, think of this precious Ointment, that perfumes Heaven and Earth. 8. If you are fad and difconfolate, you may know whither to go, it is this Ointment that chears, revives, and maketh glad every drooping Chri!l:ian. 9· Are you troubled with Hardnefs of Heart, or any fwelling Tumor; why then with fpeed, get fame of this mollifying Ointment. 10. Be fure to afcribe all true, foftnefs and brokennefs of Spirit to Chri!l: and his good Ointment. I I . He that would be beautiful, mu!t not be without this Ointment. I 2. Get !tore of it, to perfume your Houfes, and pray that your Wives and Chil– dren may have ftore of it poured upon them. 13. Vvhat a Mercy is it, to have this good Ointment, by us, and laid up for us, feeing we are fa fubjeCl to be unfavory, fubj eCl to ·wounds and Sores, and other Dif– (afes, which this Ointment cures effeClually ! c H R I s T THE BELIEVERS FRIEND. '!'his is my Frimd, &c. Cant. v. 16. CHRIST is the Church's Friend, and confequently the Friend of every gracious Soul; a Friend that fticks clofer than a Brother; not only compared to a Friend, but he is really fo: The Believer can bear Teftimony of it by Experience. This f.hews the happy Sate of the Church, and of all true Chriftians, Chrift is their Friend. Now to take in the Sweetnefs of this T ext, it is requifit~ to enquire into the Nature and Pro– perty of a true Friend, and true Friendf.hip. A FRIEND.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=