ER.i708. EpiíetotIe HsBRSws. 193 the fuolof a man may bebrought under, by Grief, Sorkin', Shame, Fear, Pain, Dan. pr, lots, byany afflictivepaffipns within , or imprelïìons of force from without, he underwent, he felt it all. Becaute he was alwayes in theFavour ofGod, and in the affuranceof theindiffolubilityof the Vnion of his Perlon, we are apt to think, that what came upon him, was fo overballanced by the Bleffednefs of his Relation unto God, asnot tocarafe any great Trouble unto him. But we inittake when we fo con- ceive. No furrows were like to his, no fufferings like unto his. He fortified not himfelf againfl them, but as they weremeetlypent, he made bare his breaft untotheir firokes, and laid open his foul that they might foak into the inmoft parts of it,Ifa. 5o. 6. All thole Reliefs and diverûons of this life whichwe may mike ode of, to al- leviate our forrows and fufferings, heutterly abandoned. He left nothing inthe whole Nature of forrowor Coffering, that he tailed not; and made experience of. Indeed in all his fufferings andtemptations, he was fupported with thethoughts of the gbry that wat ft before him ; but out thoughts of his prefem glory Ihould not divert us from the contemplation of his paffreel fufferings. All the advantage that he had above us by theExcellencyof his Perron, was only that the forrows of his heart were enlarged thereby, and he was made capable of greater enduring without fin: And it was to bethus withhim. r.Becaufe, although theParticipation ofHumane Nature was only neceffary, that he might bean High Prieft, yet his fufferings under Temptations were fo, that he might bea merciful High PrieJt for tempted fufferers. Such have need not only to be freedby his Attonement, but to be relieved, favoured,comforted by his Grace. They did not onlywant one to undertake for them, but to undertake for them with Care; Pity and tendernefs. Their (late required delivery with compaffion. God by that way ofSalvation thathe providesforthem intends not only their final Safety inHea- ven, but alto that in the fenfe of the firft fruits of it in this world, they may glorifie him by Faith and Thankful Obedience. To this end it was'neceffarythat they fhould have relief provided for them in the Tendernefs and Compaffion of their HighPrieft, which they could have no greater pledgeof, than by teeing him for their fakes, ex- polinghimfeleunto the mifcries which they had to millet withal : and fo alwayes tobear that fenfeof them, which that imprellion would Purely leave upon his foul. 2. Becaufe,although the Lord Jefusby vertue of theVnion of his Perfn and plenary uni pion with the Spirit, had an habitual funnefl of mercy and compaffion, yet he was to beparticularly excited unto the exercifeof them towards the Brethren, by the experi- ence he hadof their condition. Mis internal habitual fulnefs ofGrace and mercy was capableof excitation unto fuitable aáings by external Objedts,and fenlible Experience. It added notto his mercifulnefs, but occafioned his readinefsto difpofe it unto others and fbut the dooragainft pleas of delaying futcour. He bears 1till in his holy mind the fencehe had of the forrows wherewith he was preffed in the time of his Tempta- tions ; and thereon feting his Brethren cottfliting with the like difficulties, is ready to help them; andbecaufe his Power is proportioned unto Ms Will, it is raid he is able. And what ever may be the real effects on the mind of Chrift from his tem- ptations and fufferingsnow hé is in Heaven ,, I amlure they ought to be great onour Faith and Confolation, when we confider him undergoing them for this very end and purpofe, that feting he was conftituted our HighPrieli to tranfaet all our Af- fairs withGod, he would be fenfible of that condition inhis own perron, which he was afterwards to prefent unto God, for relief tobe affordedunto ir. III. Temptations cuff fouls into Danger. They have need under themof relief and fucttsr. Their fprirtg, rife, nature, tendency,effeds, allmake this manifeft. Many perifh by them, many arewounded, none efcape free that fall into them. Their kinds arevarious ; loare their degrees, and fearons, but all dangerous. But this I have elfe- where particularly infrfted on. IV. The great duty of tempted fouls, is to cry out unto the LordChrifi for help and re- lief. To.fuccour any one, is to come unto hishelp upon his cry and call. This being promifed by Chrill, unto thole that are tempted , fuppofeth their earne(I cry unto him. If we be llothful, if we be negligent under our Temptations, ifwe look other wayes for Ailiftance, ifwe trufl unto, or rat in our own endeavoursfor the conquefl ofthem, nowonder if we are wounded by them, or fall under them. Thisis the great area- runt
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=