DISCOURSE IX. 199 tormenting pain, when creatures and medicines can give no re- lief, drives them to the throne of God to try whether he will relieve them or no. But much more delightful is it for a child of God that has been used to address the throne of grace, to run thither with pleasure and hope, and to spread all his anguish before the face of his heavenly Father. The blessed God has built this mercy -seat for his people to bring all their sorrows thither, and spread them before his eyes in all their smarting circumstances, and he has been often pleased to speak a word of relief. Our Lord Jesus Christ, when he dwelt in flesh and blood, Practised this part of religion with holy, satisfaction and success. Being in an agony he prayed more earnestly, and an angel was sent to strengthen and comfort hire: Luke xxii. 43, 44. This was the relief of holy David in ancient times ; Ps. xxv. 18. Look upon my affliction and my pain, and pardon all my sins. Ps. cxvi. 3, 4. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell, or the grave took hold of me ; then called I upon the name Of the Lord ; O Lord, I beseech thee deliver my soul. And when lie found a gracious answer to his request, he acknowledges the grace of God therein, and charges his soul to dwell near to God ; return to thy rest, O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. I was brought low and he helped me, he delivered my soul from death, and my eyes from tears; verses 6 -8. But we have stronger encouragement than David was ac- quainted with, since it is revealed to us that we have a High - priest at this throne ready to bespeak all necessary relief for us there; Heb. ii. 18. A High-priest who can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, who has sustained the same sor- rows and pains in the flesh, who can pity and relieve his people under their maladies and acutest anguish ; Heb. iv. 15. When we groan and sigh under continued pains, they are ready to make nature weary and faint : We groan unto the Lord, who knows the language of our frailty : Our High- priest carries every groan to the mercy -seat: His compassion works towards his brethren, and he will suffer them to continue no longer under this discipline than is necessary for their own best improvement and happiness. O . how much of this sort of consolation has many a christian learned and tasted, by a holy intercourse with heaven, in such painful seasons ? How much has he learned of the ten- der mercies of God the Father, and of the pity and sympathy of our great High- priest above ? Who would be content to live in such a painful world as this is, without the pleasure and relief of prayer ; who would live without an interest at this mercy -seat, and without the supporting friendship of this advocate at the throne ?
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