DISCOURSE IX. 203 Our blessed Saviour himself, though he wanted not com- passion and love to the children of men, since he came down from heaven on purpose to die for them, yet he is represented to us as our merciful High - priest, who had learned spmpathy and com- passion to our sorrows in the same'way of experience as we learn it. He was encompassed about with infirmities, when he took the sinless frailties of our nature upon him, that he. might learn to pity us under those frailties. -La that he himself path suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted: For we have not a High-priest which cannot be touched with thefeel- ing of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, though he was always without sin; and by the things which he suffered, he may be said, after the manner of men, to learn sympathy and pity to miserable creatures, as well as obedience to God who is blessed for ever; Heb. ii. 18. and chapter iv. 15. and chapter v. 2, 8. 3. Since our natures are subject to pain, it should teach us " watchfulness against every sin, lest we double our own distres- ses by the mixture of guilt with them." Ilow careful should we be to keep always a clear conscience, that we may be able at all times to look up with pleasure to the :hand of God who smites us, and be better composed to endure-tile pains which he inflicts upon us for our trial and improvement in grace. Innocence and piety, and a peaceful conscience, are an admirable defence to support the spirit against the overwhelming efforts of bodily pain : But when inward reproaches of mind, and a racking conscience join with acute pain in the flesh, it is double misery, and aggra- vated wretchedness. The scourges and inward remorse of our own hearts, joined to the sorrows of nature, add torment to tor- ment. How dreadful is it when we are forced to confess, " I have procured all this to myself by intemperance, by my rash- ness, by my obstinacy against the advice of friends, and rebellion against the commands of God." Probably it was such circumstances as these, that gave the soul of David double anguish, when his bones waxed old, through his roaring all the day long, when day" and night the hand of God was heavy upon him, and his moisture was turned into the drought of summer ; when he complained unto God, thy arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore: There is no' soundness in my flesh, because of thy anger ; nor any rest in my bones, because of my sin. My iniquities are gone over my head as a heavy burden, they are too heavy for we, Deep calls unto deep at the noise of thy water -spouts, all thy waves and thy bil- lows have gone over nie. The deep of anguish in my flesh calls to the deep of sorrow in my soul, and make a tremendous tumult within me. My wounds stink and are corrupt, because of my foolishness: I am feeble and sore broken; I have roared by
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=