Application of this First It follows hence that Heart-trouble under the afflicting Hand of God argues the weakness if not the want of Faith All those sorts of Heart-trouble and the parts of it which I have mentioned as Heart-Sorrow worldly Sorrow immoderate Mourning sinful Fear vexatious Care despondency of Spirit being offended disturbance of Mind Distraction Dejection Discouragement and the like all these slow from the want of Faith or at least from the weakness of Faith in God We do not believe in God we see the Causes of our Troubles they are mostly in our selves even our Vnbelief Whatever we profess we do not believe in God If we could but believe in God our Hearts would not be troubled O our want of Faith let us heartily lament it and cry to God for Pardon through the Blood of Christ If our Hearts be troubled where is our Faith in God What doth God and all that is in God signifâ— to us What are we the better for a that infinite All sufficiency and Goodneâ— that is in God if we do not act Faith uâ—on it Our Heart-troubles would be â—red could we act Faith on God as â— ought to do Immoderate Sorrow then is very uâ— becoming Believers in God If we wiâ— prove our selves Believers in God let â— discharge our selves from Heart-troublâ— and let us draw out Consolation for oâ— Hearts by Faith from all those comfortâ—ble Considerations of God and from â— those abundant Excellencies that are â— God O let us labour for Faith and aâ— it let us live in the exercise of it at then surely we shall find comfort Secondly Let us all labour to get an Iâ—terest in God by Faith in Jesus Chriâ— that so we may be able to look upoâ— God as our God and then we may claiâ— an Interest in All that God is and in â— that God hath and so shall we have â— cause of Heart-trouble in any Conditioâ— For if God be ours All his Attributes aâ— ours his gracious Covenant is ours hâ— Word and Promises are ours All is ours Therefore should we labour in this aboâ— all things spending all our Thoughts Affections and Spirits upon this O let us lay hold on God and his Covenant let us chuse him for our Portion and resign up our whole selves unfeignedly to him terminating and centring all our Desires Hope Love Delight in him alone placing all our Happiness in him and then commit all to him Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon Earth that I desire besides thee Psal 73. 23. The Second Question Secondly What is it to believe in Christ For saith he in the Text Believe also in me It is God in Christ that we must believe in not in God without Christ not in God out of Christ but believe in God in Christ Now what this believing in Christ is I shall endeavour to show looking up to the Father of Lights and to the Author and Finisher of our Faith for Light and Assistance In general It is to believe all that which is revealed in the Holy Scriptures concerning Christ to believe the Record that God hath given of him in his Word as 1 John 5. 10 11 12 13. Tâ— believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Sâ— of God Joh. 1. 18. That he came oâ— from the Father was made Flesh toâ— upon him our Nature was born of Virgin lived on Earth in the form of Servant a poor despicable Life preacâ—ed the Gospel working Miracles That he suffered upon the Cross with â— the Sins of his People upon his Soul at Body that he bore the Curse of the Laâ— the Wrath of God which was due to Maâ— for Sin That he died a most painfâ— shameful and cruel Death dying as Sacrifice to satisfy God's Justice to atâ— and pacify his Wrath to make our Peaâ— and to reconcile us to God That he roâ— again from the Dead ascended into Heâ—ven to prepare a Place there for â— People That he sitteth at the right Haâ— of God everlasting to make continuâ— Intercession for us And that he shall coâ— to judg the World at the last Day Aâ— while he is absent from us in Person heâ— on Earth he promised to send his Spirâ— the Comforter into the World to coâ—vince and convert all those which hâ— Father hath given him to call them bâ— his Word to quicken strengthen staâ—lish comfort and confirm them until he come again to take them to himself that where he is there they may be also John 16. 1 2. This is the Record that God hath given of his Son That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting Life John 3. 16 36. Now to believe in Christ is to believe all this Testimony of him And also out of a deep sense of our Sin and Misery and sight of Christ's infinite Excellency All-sufficiency and Willingness to save Sinners and upon his Call to us in the Gospel to come unto him weary and heavy laden with our Sins heartily willing to accept of the Lord Jesus upon his own Terms to take him for our only Lord to give up our whole Selves Souls and Bodies to his blessed Government by his Word and Spirit in all things and unfeignedly and unreservedly to enter into Covenant with him to become his and his alone and his for ever and to relie upon him for Life for Grace and Salvation this is to believe in Christ Thus believe in Christ and let not your Hearts be troubled The acting of this Faith on blessed Jesus is a singular means to prevent and cure all Heart-Trouble all Heart-Sorrows Cares Fears Vexations Despondencies Dejections and Distractions whatsoever thâ— may arise in our Hearts by reason of aâ— Loss Cross Disappointment Distress â— Affliction that may befal us If we â—â— but thus believe in Christ and rest aâ— rely upon him and trust in him â— Hearts shall not be troubled Q. But what is that in Christ whiâ— Faith must act upon to effect this Cuâ— of Heart-Trouble when Afflictions coâ— upon us A. Such-like things as I shewed beforâ— as are in God for Faith to act upon whiâ— are these that follow First Faith must be acted upon â—â— loving gracious sweet Nature of Jesâ— Christ Our Lord Jesus is of a most lâ—ving and sweet Nature he is Love indeeâ— the Son of his Father's Love and altâ—gether lovely His Thoughts of us wâ— believe in him were Thoughts of Loâ— from Everlasting All his Words aâ— sweet his Mouth is most sweet O whâ— sweet Language doth he give his Church My Dove my Love my fair One my Sâ—ster my Spouse c. Cant. 5. 16. Hâ— loved us and gave himself for us Lovâ— us and washed us in his Blood Rev. 1. 6 He is one of our Nature our Kinsman our Husband our Father our Elder Brother c. So that if there be any Love in the Head to the Members if any in the Father to the Child if any in the Husband to the Wife
hear his Saying and do them not and those that aâ— fruitless Branches c. Mat. 10. 3 Luke 14. 26. Mark 8. last Joh. 15. Faith acted on the Examples in thâ— Word of Christ especially his oâ— Example Learn of me saith he I â— meck and lowly in Heart Matth. 11. â— He was as a Lamb dumb before â— Shearers 1 Pet. 1. 21. and we mâ—â— follow his steps We have also â— Cloud of Witnesses the Example of the Primitive Christians who boâ— all their Troubles with Patience aâ— Holy Courage and we are expresâ— commanded to be Followers of theâ— who through Faith and Patience inherâ— the Promise Heb. 6. 12. Thus Faiâ— acted on the Word of Christ wiâ— help against all Heart-Trouble Fifthly Faith acted on the Work of Christ will either prevent or cure Heart-Trouble And that again if Faith be acted upon the Work he hath done for us already and upon the Work he is now doing for us in Heaven and upon the Work he is now doing in us on Earth and upon the Work he will do for us and in us and upon us at the last Day All which Works of Christ if we act our Faith on them we shall not be much troubled in our Hearts Believe also in Christ Believe me saith he for the Work 's sake John 14. 11. 1. Faith must be acted upon that great and glorious Work of Christ for us when he was upon Earth that Work which his Father gave him to do in the Days of his Flesh as our Redeemer and that in doing and in suffering for he came to do the Will of God by his Obedience as well as to suffer it by his Satâ—â—faction and this is his state of Humiâ—iation He assumeâ— Humane Nature entred the Virgin s Womb was bâ—rn of her yet without Sin He lived on Earth a time doing Good and healing all manner of Diseases spent most of his time in Preaching Praying Fasting and revealing to Men the whole Will of God for their Salvation and fulfilling all Righteousness He professed he came not to do his own Will but the Will of him that sent him John 6. 38 39. And saith he This is the Father's Will which sent me thâ—â— of all which he hath given me I shoulâ— lose nothing but should raise it up aâ— the last Day A comfortable Consideration indeed and a Cure for our Heart-Trouble That our Lord Jesus will raise up all our dead dear Relations and Friends now rotting in their Graves All that died in Jesus will Jesus bring with him 1 Thess 4. 16 17. And this also is the Father's Will That every one that seeth the Son that is every one that by Faith receiveth and believeth in the Son shall have Everlasting Life Now to accomplish and finish this Will of the Father was the whole Work oâ— Christ upon Earth even to draw poor Souls unt him to work Faith in them by his Word and Spirit to fulfil the whole Law of God for them and in them Rom. 8. 4. And to begin and finish the whole Work of our Redemption Faith acted on this Work of Christ upon Earth for us in the several parts of it He being partaker of Flesh and Blood with us to deliver us from him that had the Power of Death that is the Devil and to free us from the fear of Death by which we were always subject to Bondage Heb. 2. I say if we can 〈◊〉 Faith on these Works of Christ for us we shall have no cause of Heart-Trouble Let us consider that our Blessed Lord denied himself on Earth and was well-pleased not to have his own Will nor to do his own Will but referred himself intirely to his Father's what reason have we poor Worms to be troubled when our Wills are cross'd Let us in Heart and Life say as we pray Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven Mat. 6. 10. And when the Will of God is done upon our Families and Relations let not our Hearts be troubled but let us imitate Jesus Christ in our submission to the Will of God making it our Work on Earth to be doing â— the good we can and so to put hiâ— on and walking as he walked aâ— not be troubled Secondly Faith acted on Christ Suffering-Work on Earth will greatlâ— contribute to our Support He waâ— a Man of Sorrows Isa 53. 1 2. iâ— that if we meet with Sorrows â— Earth we do but drink of our Master own Cup and that should quiet us Christ's Suffeâ—â—â—gs on Earth were â— two kinds viz. â—â—r our Imitation aâ— for Satisfaction for our Sins 1. For our Imitation His patiâ—â—â— suffering of Reproaches Scorns iâ—vilings Contradiction of Sinneâ—â— Temptations Persecutions Bond Poverty Shame loss of Friends â— suffering all with invincible Patienâ— and Meekness without the least muâ—muring repining disquiet or discoâ—tent without any Retaliation fâ—â— when he was reviled he reviled not agaiâ— he prayed for his Enemies c. aâ— all this as our Example that we shoâ—â— follow his steps 1 Pet. â— 21 â—â— â— And if our Lord the Lord of Heâ—ven and Earth suffered such thingâ— what reason or cause have we to be troubled in our Hearts when we are persecuted reviled forsaken of all our Friends impoverished exposed to Shame and Sorrow seeing our Blessed Lord was so exposed and so exercised upon Earth Is it not enough for the Servant to be as his Master Shall we think to fare better than him His Sufferings were to teach us to bear ours with Christian Patience and to sanctify ours to us yea in all our Sufferings he sympathizeth with us Let us then act our Faith upon Christ's Sufferings on Earth his whole Life being a Life of Suffering he knew what Trouble meant he was acquainted with Grief he knew what it was to lose a Friend for in his greatest Trouble all his Disciples whom he calls his Friends forsook him and fled and being tempted himself he knows how to succour them that are tempted Heb. 2. 18. and 4. 15. He hath a feeling of all our Infirmities Let us labour to act Faith on Jesus and our Hearts will not be troubled 2. But his great Suffering-Worâ— for us â—as his Work of Satisfactioâ— All our Sins being laid on him it pleaseâ— the Lord to bruise him and to put him â— grief and to make his Soul an Offerinâ— for Sin He poured out his Soul unâ— Death was numbred among Transgressor Isa 53. 6 10 12. Was made Sin for â—â— He bare our Sins on his own Body on tâ— Tree was made a Curse for us 2 Cor. â— 20. Gal. 3. 10. suffered the Wrath â— God for us to deliver us from thâ— Wrath to come O blessed Jesus â— when our Sins were upon him he wâ—â— sore amazed groaned was exceeding sorrowful even unto Death He was â—â— a bloody Sweat in a bitter Agony in thâ— Garden He was falsly accused uâ— justly condemned and then barbarouslâ— crucified suffering that cursed anâ— cruel shameful and painful
22 usually our Success is according to ouâ— preparation as in Prayer Psal 10 17. compare 2 Chron. 12. 14. with 2 Chron. 19. 3. make Conscience theâ— of preparation 2. Prayer Pour out your Hearâ— to God in Prayer for a Blessing oâ— the Word that you read or heaâ— O lift up a Cry to God and say Lord make this Word effectual to worâ— Faith in my Soul c. 3. Earnest Desire and Expectatis of meeting God in the Word and oâ— his blessing on it if we expect nothing from it no wonder if we receive nothing there is a fulness of Blessing in the Gospel Rom. 15. 29. We should bring hungry and thirsty Souls after God the Living God as Psal 63. 1 2 3. and 84. 1 2. God filleth the Hungry with good things Luke 1. 53. Secondly Some things are Concomitant As 1. We must read and hear it as the Word of God and not as the Word of Man 1 Thess 2. 13. Acts 10. 33. and we must acknowledg God's Authority in it 2. Receive it with Meekness opening our Hearts to it and give it the most tender entertainment Jam. 1. 21. 3. With Love readiness of Mind and gladness of Heart 2 Thess 2. 10. Acts 2. 41. 4. With Faith giving credit to it believing it to be the Word of God Heb. 4. 2. 5. We must be careful to remember it See what great stress is laid upon our remembring 1 Cor. 15. 2. Our Salvation lies upon it Psal 119. 11. Love the Word for Love is the Act of Memory 6. Prayer must be added again for a Blessing Thirdly Some things must be done afterward also As 1. Meditation upon what you have heard and read for want of this usually all is lost I am perswaded this is one great Reason why most profit so little by the Word because they make no Conscience of Meditation they hear and read but never think more on it afterwards So Preaching Hearing Reading and all lost and Souls and Heaven and all lost For God's sake then whose Word you read and hear and for your own Souls sake if you are not willing they should perish for want of Faith make Conscience of Meditation on the Word Psal 1. 2. and 119. 97. if ever you get good by the Word meditate upon it 2. Application of it take it home to your selves Job 5. 27. Let it sink down into your Hearts saith Christ it must be an ingrafted Word you must receive it into your Hearts and not into your Heads only 2. Cor. 4. 6. your Hearts must be joined to it and mix'd with it 3. Practice Yielding up our selves to the Government of it making it the Standard and Rule of your whole Conversation We must be doers of the Word and not hearers only lest we deceive our own Souls Jam. 1. 22. 1 Pet. 1. 22. Mat. 7. 22 24. And in observing these Scripture-Rules here laid down in the careful and conscientious use of God's Word after this manner you may not doubt but the Holy Spirit of God will work with the Word of God to make it effectual to work this most precious Grace of Faith in us whereby to believe in God and in Christ to the Consolation and eternal Salvation of our Souls But if we neglect the Means God hath ordained to get Faith and for want of it die in our Sins and perish eternally our Destruction will be of our selves Direct III. Thirdly Would we have Faith Let us engage our whole Souls in the deep and serious consideration of the infinite unspeakable unconceivable Love of God the Father in this the highest and fullest demonstration of it in giving his Son his only begotten Son to be a Sin-Offering a Sacrifice a Ransom for poor Sinners and that for this very end and purpose that we poor Sinners might believe in him and by believing might not perish but might have Eternal Life I pray read and ponder upon the following Texts and let your most serious Thoughts fix on them and meditate on them Isa 53. throughout John 3. 16 17. Rom. 3. 25. Rom. 5. 8. 10. Prov. 8. 30. Col. 1. 12 13. 2 Cor. 5. 19 20 21. Rom. 8. 3. 8. 32. with many other which for brevity sake I cannot transcribe If we can but believe this wonderful Love of God the Father in giving his dear Son to be a Surety a Sin-Offering to lay all our Iniquities on him that he was pleased to bruise him and put him to Grief for us and consider and meditate upon the Heighth and Depth the Breadth and Length of this immense imcomprehensible Love of God in giving his Son and that on purpose that we might believe in him and by beleiving might have Eternal Life I say it will greatly help us to believe in his Son to accept of this his unspeakable Gift and to receive him as he is offered to us in the Gospel Moreover let us also consider of and deeply meditate upon the transcendent Love of the Son of God himself who though he were the Delight of his Father and lay in the Bosom of his Father even then his Delights were with the Sons of Men then was his Heart full of Love to poor Sinners and his Love brought him down from Heaven to Earth to assume Humane Nature to take upon him all the Sins of his People to bear them on his Soul and Body in the Garden there sweating great drops of Blood and on the Cross there pouring out his Heart-Blood made a Curse endured the full measure of the Wrath of God due for Sin and became the Ransom of Souls Philip. 2. 6 7 8. Luke 22. 44. Gal. 2. 20. He loved us and gave himself for us Loved us and washed us from our Sins in his Blood Rev. 1. 6. 1 Pet. 1. 18. 1 Pet. 2. 24. Gal. 3. 13. Tit. 2. 14. But while I am writing these things I cannot but conceive an Indignation against my self and heartily wish I were filled with Shame Sorrow and Grief of Spirit that having read and heard so often of the surpassing Love of God the Father in giving his Son and so often of the unspeakable Love of Jesus and to be no more affected with it no more sensible of it to have my Affections no more stirred and moved no more quickned and warmed Alas my dead Heart my Adamantine Heart Lord sprinkle it with that Blood Lord shed abroad that Love of thine upon my Heart abundantly by the holy Ghost Lord Jesus manifest thy Love to me that I may love thee I am ashamed and pained for want of Love to God to Jesus O that I could believe thy Love to my Soul then I should not chuse but love thee Lord I believe help my Unbelief The consideration of this Love of God and of Christ is a means to work Faith try it I pray you and you will find it so Direct IV. Fourthly Improve and act the Historical Faith you have on the Doctrines Promises and Threatnings in the
Death oâ— the Cross and all as our Surety and â—â— a Sacrifice to God for our Sins Chriâ—â— our Passover was sacrificed for us 1 Cor 5. 7. to make Atonement and Satiâ—fâ—ction to the Law and Justice of Goâ— for us Rom. 3. 25. This was the great Work of the Transcendent Love of Jesus Chrisâ— when he was upon Earth when he travelled in Soul drank of the Brook in the way Psal 110. 7. that black Torrent of Wrath and Curses that lay in the way betwixt our Souls and Heaven which stopp'd up our Passage thitherward and made it utterly impassable for us But Jesus made a Passage by his Blood that his Redeemed might pass thorow So great were his Sufferings in this World for us that they made him cry out My God my God why hast thou forsaken me offering up strong Cries with Tears Mat. 27. 46. Heb. 5. 7. Now then let us act our Faith on the Sufferings of Christ here on Earth and believe that he suffered all those hard and heavy those bitter and grievous things for us and in our Names that he bore our Sins to satisfy God's Justice for them to purchase and procure our Pardon O that we could but believe in this Jesus that he sweated great drops of Blood for us and that he shed his very Heart-blood upon the Cross for us and by Faith apply and appropiate all this to our own Souls believing that he was wounded for our Transgressions smitten for â— Sins that the chastisement of our Peâ— was upon him Isa 53. that by â— Blood of his Cross he hath made oâ— Peace and hath purchased for us Etâ—â—nal Life Believe this and then â— what little cause you have to have yâ— Hearts troubled for any Loss or Crâ— whatsoever The consideration iâ— way of believing of what Christ hâ— done for us and of what he hath sâ—fered for us should make us patienâ— do or suffer any thing for him and frâ— him Believe also in me Secondly Our Faith must be 〈◊〉 upon the Work of Christ which he â— now doing for us in Heaven He is â—â— idle there although he be set down â— the Right Hand of the Majesty on Higâ— but he is at work for his People therâ— there he he maketh continual intercesâ—â— for us Rom. 8. 34. He is there â— our Advocate to plead our Cause aâ— manage all our Businesses there pâ—â—senting his Blood in the Vertue of to his Father for our Pardon presenâ—ing our Persons and Services perfumeâ— with the Incense of his own Righteouâ—ness and by his Spirit applying thâ— â—â—â—tue of all to our Souls He is able â— save to the uttermost all that come unto â—od by him seeing he ever liveth to make â—tercession for us Heb. 7. 25. Of this â— have spoken before Now if we â—an act our Faith upon the Intercession â—f Christ who knows all our Wants â—urdens Cares and Fears and whose â—ffice it is to plead and intercede for â—s in Heaven tho we may scarce have â—ny to plead or speak a word for us on â—arth yet we should have no cause â—o have our Hearts troubled We â—ave a faithful Friend to whom we â—ay commit our Cause Thirdly Christ is doing a Work â—n us on Earth while he himself is in Heaven He is humbling us purging â—s teaching us mortifying our Corâ—uptions crucifying our inordinate Affections sanctifying us and so preparing us for Heaven He is making â—s meet for the Kingdom He is fitâ—ing us for his Father's House by all â—is Ordinances and by all his Proviâ—ences by every Loss and Cross by â—ll our Afflictions as 2 Cor. 4. 17. Our â—ight Afflictions which are but for a moâ—ent work for us that is by way of preparation a far more exceeding anâ— eternal weight of Glory Jesus Chriâ—â— is in the Word and in the Rod he â— All in All He is still forming squâ—ring fashioning and working by hâ— Spirit Word and Rod upon his Peâ—ple to make them more and moâ— conformable to himself to square theâ— as Stones for his Building to maâ—â— them Habitations for himself Templâ— for the holy God to dwell in and thâ— he himself may delight to dwell iâ— them here and to make them fit â—â— dwell with him for ever in Glory Now let us labour to act our Faitâ— on those blessed Works of Christ in uâ— and believe that he is thus working iâ— us even in and by all our Afflictioâ— and labour to feel and find these grâ—cious Works carrying on in us and â—â— shall have no cause to be troubled Moreover our Faith should be actâ— upon the Work that Christ is now â—â—ing for us in Heaven besides his â—â—tercession for us there he is preparing Place for us in Heaven as he told â—â— Disciples to comfort them In â—â— Father's House are many Mansions I â— to prepare a Place for you A Place â— Heaven is infinitely better and more to be desired than the best Place on Earth A Place in the Father's House â—n the highest Heavens in that glorious Paradise above that 's the Place of all Places there the great and glorious God dwells there blessed Jesus dwells O that New Jerusalem the City of the â—iving God that 's the Place indeed that House not made with hands eternal in the Heavens 2 Cor. 5. 1 2. Some think that Jesus went locally into Hell but we are sure he went locally into Heaven and we know for what he went there for he hath told us it was to prepare a Place for us there Here below all Places are full of Darkness Snares Temptations Fears Dangers Persecutions but that is a Place of perfect Peace perfect Rest of Light Comfort Joy and Consolation Here we are Pilgrims and Strangers there is our Home our Father's House Here we have no continuing City 1 Cor. 4. 11. no abiding Place Christ's People here in this World many times have no certain dwelling-place but are driven from House and Home forced to fly from one City to another from Town to Country from one Kingdom to another constrained to wander froâ— Place to Place while others abide iâ— their Habitations they must seek theiâ— Quarters where they can find them â— while under one Friend's Roof a whilâ— under another's which is no small Affliction to them that feel it tho others lay it not to heart Now what shoulâ— comfort us in this our Pilgrimage anâ— Wilderness-condition what should support us in this our wandring and desolate State but that it was eveâ— thus with our blessed Lord himself upon Earth who had not an House to put his Head in And so it was with his Disciples and with many choice Saints as Heb. 11. 37 38. What should bear up our Spirits but this comfortable Consideration that our Lord went to Heaven on purpose to prepare a Place for us there If the Earth cast us out Heaven will receive us If Men say to us Remove be gone hence depart away here is no Place no abiding for you our dear
Afflictions he is afflicted Isa 63. 9. He knows all our Troubles Trials Temptations Sicknesses Losses and Miseries Jesus himself knew when he was on Earth what it was to lose a Friend He wept when his Friend Lazarus was dead He is a most tender-hearted Saviour a most merciful High Priest He sees and feels now in Heaven all the Miseries of his People upon Earth and pleads for them there believe this and let not your Hearts be troubled And as to his Spiritual and Providential Presence he is always with his People on Earth He is in his People Christ in you the Hope of Glory Col. 1. 27. He is in his Word and Ordinances by his Spirit to bless them to his People Christ is All Col. 3. 11. and in All. He is All that is instead of All of Father Mother Husband Wife of Son and Daughter instead of Health Wealth Liberty and All to his People In him dwelleth all Fulness Eph. 1. 23. and 3. 17. And he is also in All he filleth all in all In all his People he dwells in their Hearts by Faith All our fresh Springs are in him All the Strength Support and Comfort we have comes from him He is in all Providences be they never so bitter so afflictive never so smarting so destructive to our Earthly Comforts Christ is in them all his Love his Wisdom his Mercy his Pity and Compassion is in them all every Cup is of his preparing it is Jesus your best Friend O ye poor Believers who most dearly loves you It is he that died for you that appoints all those Providences orders them all over-rules moderates and sanctifies them all and will sweeten them all and in his due time will make them All profitable unto you that you shall have cause one day to praise and bless his Name for them all O that we could but believe all this and could by Faith look unto our Jesus in all dark Providences and by Faith behold this Jesus managing of them and believe his Love Wisdom Tenderness and Faithfulness in all in our Sicknesses Losses Prisons Restraints c. then surely our Hearts should not be troubled Thirdly Believe in Christ Believe what he hath told us In my Father's House are many Mansions if it were not so I would have told you I go to prepare a place for you John 14. 3. Let us act Faith upon these true sweet sayings of our dear Lord who is Truth it self In my Father's House are many Mansions In my Father's House my Father's and your Father's House one House must hold us all John 20. 17. I ascend to my Father and your Father to my God and your God and it is in that House which is far above all Heavens all visible Elementary Heavens the third Heaven that is the Father's House That House not made with hands whose builder and maker is God and is Eternal 2 Cor. 5. 1 2. This City of the living God this New Jerusalem there saith Christ are many Mansions many Dwellings many fixed abiding lasting everlasting Habitations Not Tents and Tabernacles such as we live in here on Earth but Mansions abiding-places Is not this a most comfortable Consideration to such poor Saints as have here on Earth no certain dwelling-places not an House of their own wherein to lay their Heads but are forc'd to remove from place to place still seeking an Habitation banished from Family and Friends from Relations and Acquaintance some cast into Prisons while others dwell safely in their own Houses and none to make them afraid and others exposed to much hardship and danger I say this is good news to them That in their Father's House are many Mansions there are everlasting Habitations ready to receive them made ready for them from which when once they are entred they shall never be cast out more from whence there shall be no more any remove for ever When once their earthly House of this Tabernacle is broken down they shall possess that House not made with hands eternal in the Heavens Let us then by Faith often look into the Father's House and view and review those many Mansions that are there and let us act Hope also that shortly we shall possess that Place and enjoy that blessed State The believing frequent Prospects of that place will prevent our Heart-trouble or cure it If it were not so I would have told you saith our Lord If there were not such a blessed State and glorious Place for you my Disciples in the other World after all your Sufferings in this I would have told you so For I have told of the many Troubles you must endure in this World and for your support and comfort I am now telling you what good things you shall shortly enjoy above in my Father's House where is all Joy Peace Reâ— and Consolation There are many Mansions no Prisons Chains nor Fetters but glorious Dwellings enough to hold all the Saints that ever were and that ever shall be in the World where they shall enjoy full and free Communion with the Blessed Trinity and with one another perfect Liberty without any Restraint or remove for ever Believe this and let not your Hearts be troubled I go to prepare a Place for you I have purchased this most glorious Place for you by my Blood I have promised it to you now I go away to take Possession of it for you in your Name and Stead O what an Heart-comforting and Heart-easing Consideration should this be to us poor Believers That our Lord went from Earth to Heaven oâ— purpose to prepare a Place in Heaven for us to possess it in our Name and stead and in the mean time he is preparing us by his Word and Spirit by Afflictions and Deliverances for that glorious Place Hence he is called ouâ— Forerunner who is for us entred into that within the Vail Heb. 6. 20. So that as sure as Christ himself ascended and went into the Highest Heavens so sure shall all his Disciples all true Believers ascend and enter into Heaven also because he went thither himself to prepare Heaven for them by taking Possession of it in his Humane Nature for us as our Head and Saviour God hath prepared for them a City Heb. 11. Heaven and heavenly Glory is said to be prepared A Kingdom prepared from the Foundation of the World Matth. 25. 34. If we could believe that Christ hath prepared a Place in Heaven for us and that Heaven will make amends for all our Sufferings in the way thither and if we could keep the Eye of our Faith upon that Recompence of Reward that far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4. 16 17 18. we should bear up bravely under all our Sufferings and not have our Hearts troubled Let us then look more Heaven-ward more to our Father's House Let us have our Conversations more in Heaven and set our Affections more upon things above upon that blessed State and Place above and
Wanting the Poor will find them Wanting and the Church also David lamented the loss of Jonathan And the Disciples the loss of Lazarus Lawful it is then to be affected with the Deaths and Departures of our dear Relations and Friends and moderately to Mourn for them but our care must be that we suffer not Nature to work alone without Grace for then it will soon go beyond its bounds Nature must be restrained and bounded It is moderate Mourning that is lawful Mourn we may but not as those that have no Hope 1 Thess 4. 13 1â— For those that sleep in Jesus they being safe and happy for If we believe that Jesus died and rose again even so they that sleep in Jesus will God bring with him Troubled wâ— caâ—not chuse but be â—n sâ—ch 〈◊〉 and under 〈◊〉 strokeâ— but we must not let our Hearts be troubled â—aith ouâ— Lord. And what this imports you shall sâ—e by and by It is trouble of Heart that is here forbidden But what is it that will preveâ—t or cure this Heart trouble Our Saviour answers in the next Words Ye believe in God believe also in me In my Father's House are many Mansions c. In which we may observe these Parts viz. 1. An Evil Disease or Spiritual Distemper intimated and prohibited to which the Disciples of Christ are incident and prone in time of Affliction and that is Trouble of Heart This may seize you but take heed of it labour against it As if the Lord had said I know it will be a cutting a killing thing to you to part with me your dear and loving Lord and Master but part with me you must and take heed of this undecent Distemper of Heart-trouble Let not your Hearts be troubled saith our Lord Jesus 2. The best Preventive of or Remedy for this Spiritual Distemper proposed and enjoyned Ye believe in God believe also in Me. As if our Lord had said Surely you believe in God why then are your Hearts troubled Cannot your Faith in God support you if you act it upon him But if that cannot then act your Faith also on me Believe also in me Set your Faith on work on me Believe that I love you that when I leave you I will not leave you Comfortless I will send the Comforter unto you and he shall abide with you for ever John 14. 16 17. Therefore let not your Hearts be troubled Believe in me I must leave you and I and you must part but believe where I am going and let the consideration of that quiet you and comfort you In my Father's House are many Mansions There is a better a far better condition for you above than that you are in here for here you are tossed up and down from place to place and are exposed to many straits I my self here on Earth have not an House wherein to lay my head but in my Father's House are many Manons There is an House above not made with hands eternal in the Heavens 2 Cor. 5. 1. When once you come thither you shall remove no more there are many Mansions room enough for you all and for all the innumerable company of Angels and Saints therefore Believe in me for these things are most true that I tell you And believe also That I go to prepare a place for you I go to take Possession of those Câ—lestial Mansions of those everlasting Habitations for you in your Name and Stead While you are here on Earth I shall prepare you for those Mansions and when I go from you I will prepare them for you Therefore to â—revent those Heart-Troubles which you are subject to because of my Departure from you and to fortify you against them for I am sollicitous for you This is the Remedy that I propose you and enjoin you to practise That seeing you Believe in God Believe also in me Act your Faith on me From which Words thus explain'd I commend to your Christian Consideration this Gospel-Doctrine viz. Doct. That the lively Acting of True Faith upon God and Christ or upon God in Christ is the best Preventive of and Remedy against Heart-Trouble under the greatest Loss whatsoever Or Faith acted on God in Christ is the Sovereign Cure of Heart-Trouble Our Lord Jesus is very tender over his poor Disciples and having foretold them of the hard usage and bad entertainment they should meet with in the World Losses and Crosses Tribulations and Persecutions He now leaves with them some Antidotes against Distempers of Mâ—â—d some Câ—rdials against those faintings of Spirit and troubles of Heart to which he knew they being Flesh and Blood were subject And this in the Text is Chief and Principal Let not your Heart be troubled ye believe in God believe also iâ— me This your Faith will be your bâ—st Cure your best Remedy Poor Believers are but Princes in Disguise here in this World Princes they are Christ hath made them all so but while here below they are in a foreign Land under a Veil It doth not now appear what they shall be 1 John 3. 2. They have a large Patrimony but it lies indeed in a Land unknown to the World it is in Terra incognita if the expression can be born The holy the great God himself is their Portion their Heritage God is their Sure their Full their Lasting their Everlasting Portion They are Heirs of a Kingdom Jam. 2. 5. Heirs of Salvation Heb. 2. last Heirs of God Coheirs with Christ Rom. 8. 17. Yea All things of this World are theirs 1 Cor. 3. 21. All things are Blessed and Sanctified to them and shall conduce to their Spiritual and eternal Welfare Rom. 8. 28. Yet notwithstanding all this and although Heaven and Earth lies at the feet as it were of Godliness and of those that profess it in the Power of it Godliness having the Promise of this Life and of that which is to come 1 Tim. 4. 8. and notwithstanding Believers have a true Title to all the Good of both Worlds yet may those poor but blessed Saints be exposed to manifold Temptations and Tribulations in this World they may have a dark and sad and stormy way of it to their Father's House they may be stript of all their earthly Comforts may be deprived of their Liberty Estate nearest Friends and Relations as we read in Scripture that such hath been the Portion of the best Saints And upon this the People of God have been dejected and disquieted they have desponded their Hearts have been troubled and have thereby displeased their heavenly Father who would have them believe That all things shall work together for their good Now our Lord in this Text foâ—bids this Distemper of Mind and woulâ— not have his Disciples who had God fâ— their Father and Himself for their Râ—deemer and who had Title to such Haâ—piness in the other World to Desponâ— and to be Disquieted therefore he laâ— this Charge on them Let not your Heaâ— be troubled adding
any Spiritual Benefit by any Affliction we may certainly conclude that the Love of God was in that Affliction Fury is not in God towards his People Isa 27. 4. And he intends nothing â—ut our profit all his ends are for our good to purge away our Sins to wean us from the World to draw us nearer to himself to humble us to try us to conform us to Christ to prepare us for Gloâ—y c. Now seeing God's Ends are â—o much for our good we must conclude That all our Afflictions proceed from his Love and when we find any of those Ends accomplished in us and on us and that we have received real spiritual good by them we ought to be strengthned in â—ur Belief that God hath corrected us in Love so that Faith acted on the love of God in our Affliction will prevent or â—ure our Heart-trouble Our Lord told â—is Disciples That the Father had loved â—hem John 16. 27. Secondly Faith acted upon God's Gloriâ—us Attributes will fortify against Heartâ—rouble First upon his All sufficiency Ye bâ—lieve that God is All-sufficient in aâ— of himself alone every way able to sâ—ply all Wants to make up and repair â— Losses to satisfy all Desires to sustaâ— under all Burdens and that without â— earthly Comforts for how else are tâ— Saints in Heaven happy who have noâ— of these Earthly Enjoyments Ye belieâ— this act your Faith on it He must neeâ— be All-sufficient who made the Worlâ— and all things in it and upholds it to tâ— day He that owns all things and Possessor of Heaven and Earth He iâ— that is your God your Father act yâ— Faith on him and be comforted Secondly He is All-mighty you belieâ— this So Christ hath told his Disciplâ— All things are possible to God He can breâ— the hardest Heart and can bind up â— most broken Spirit He can make up â— greatest Loss We are kept by the migâ— Power of God 1 Pet. 1. 5. Oh how sâ— is that Man that is in the Love and Câ—venant and that lies in the Arms aâ— Bosom of the Almighty God Deut. 33. â— He can bring Light out of Darkness aâ— make the greatest Loss to prove tâ— greatest Gain He hath the Keys of tâ— Grave to him belong the issues from Death All Power belongeth to him nothing is too hard for him Thirdly His absolute Soveraignty and Supremacy All Souls are his Ezek. 18. 4. He gives he takes who can hinder him May he not do with his own what pleaseth him Ye believe this Hath he not a Right in all the Works of his hands and may he not dispose of all as he will Fourthly His Vnchangeableness God is in one mind Job 23. 13 14. The thoughts of his Heart stand to all Generations He sets bounds to the Sea to the Life of Man and to all the Comforts of Life the number of his Months is with God Job 14. 5. Believe this Fifthly His Wisdom God is only wise the Fountain of Wisdom he doth all he doth in infinite Wisdom He is wise in Heart and worketh all things according to the counsel of his Will He knows what is best for us when to give when to take and what will do us most good Believe this And let not your Hearts be troubled Sixthly His Righteousness All his Ways are just and equal Yea when Clouds and Darkness are round about him his Providences towards us dark yet theâ— Righteousness and Judgment are the habitâ—tion of his Throne God the Judge of tâ—â— World can do no wrong believe this â— God and it will quiet your minds Lastly His Faithfulness In faithfulnâ— thou hast afflicted me saith holy Daviâ— Psal 119. 75. He hath promised he wâ— withhold no good thing from his Peopâ— Now he sees and knows that Afflictioâ— are good for them good for their Soulâ— his daily Rod as good for their Souls his daily Bread is for their Bodies Therâ—fore he brings Afflictions on them and makes good his Promise to them O â—lieve this and let not your Hearts be trâ—bled Certainly Faith acted on Goâ— Attributes will support under the greatâ— Stroaks and most grievous Losses Thirdly Faith acted on the Covenanâ— Grace God's everlasting Covenant â—â— help to support under Trouble Ye bâ—lieve in God that God hath made a Câ—venant with you to become your Goâ— Jerem. 31. 33. I will be your God and shall be my People This is infinitely moâ—â— for God to become our God to give hiâ— self to us than if he had said I will giâ— you Crowns and Kingdoms Sons and Daughters when God saith I will be your God he saith I will be All that to you and I will do All that for you and bestow All that upon you which a God can be or do and which shall make you most happy for ever I will pardon your Sins I will give you new Hearts give you my Spirit I will give you Grace here and Glory hereafter This Acting of Faith in God's Covenant supported David in his greatest Troubles 2 Sam. 23. 5. a notaâ—le Text When the Lord had made â—reach upon breach in his Family this Comforted him that God had made with him an everlasting Covenant That he was in Covenant with God that God was his God in Covenant this ballanced all his Losses and repaired all the Breaches made in his Relations tho his Family was wasted and blasted this answered all that he was in Covenant with God This is the Language of Faith If God be my God if I be his Child born of him reconciled to him pardoned justified sanctified in Covenant with him Why am I troubled though he give me neither Health nor Wealth nor Friends nor Relations Have I not enough in having God to be my God Is not God moâ— than All But if God be not my God â— have cause enough to be troubled theâ— considering the Danger I am in and â— Trouble for this should swallow up all ther Trouble For surely either God mine in Covenant or he is not if he mine in Covenant then tho he break â— Family make breaches upon all my earâ—ly Comforts yet he will not break â— Covenant Psal 89. 32. and so long I â— well enough If he leave me neither Sâ— nor Daughter if he strip me of Frienâ— Estate Liberty Health c. yet he â— mains my God still and so long it is â— enough it cannot be ill with a Maâ— long as God is his ye believe this Fourthly Faith acted upon the Worâ— God will support the Soul Ye beliâ— God's Word the Word of Truth Psâ— 119. 50. This is my Comfort in my Afflictiâ— thy Word hath quickned me So ver 92. â— not thy Law been my Delight I had perisâ— in my Affliction First Consider the Word of Preceâ— as in the Text it is Christ's Commaâ— Let not your Hearts be troubled Maâ— such Commands we have in Scripture â— not to fear not to be cast down sorrow not as those that have no hope 1
or in any near and dear Relation then sure there is Love strong Love in Jesus Christ to all Believers for in him is the Love of all Relations and therefore he expresseth it under all these Relations He calls us his Friends He is of a most tender a most merciful Nature full of Bowels of Compassion and of tender Mercies It would be endless to express the loving Nature of Jesus Christ to poor Believers which when a Believer duly considers ponders upon and acteth Faith upon it cannot but support him under all Heart-Trouble Act your Faith on Christ as yours your Jesus he that died for you he that sweated great drops of Blood for you in the Garden wrestling and grapling with his Father's Wrath for you in your Name and stead there and upon the Cross Consider that this your dearest Jesus now in Glory knows your Souls in Adversity he seeth all the Troubles of your Hearts he sympathizeth with you in all your Afflictions his Heart now in Heaven â— touched with the feeling of your Infirmiâ—â— on Earth Heb. 4. 15. He hath Humaâ— Nature still though glorified He feels oâ— Losses Crosses Griefs Pains Sorrow his Heart his most tender Heart is â—fected O that we could but believe thiâ— and thus consider with our selves Her sit solitary as a Widow or a Widowâ— or Childless or Fatherless or Motherleâ— or Friendless my Family is broken feel Pains and Sicknesses I am deprivâ— of my Liberty my sweet Relations aâ— comfortable Friends are laid in the Dust I have none about me to counsel or coâ—fort me I am brought low in the Woâ— my Estate is diminished my Honour aâ— Reputation lost my Pleasure gone â—â— Flesh faileth me my Strength faileâ— Lovers and Friends fail me c. Sâ— Complaints we are apt enough to makâ— and it may be worse than these My Gâ— hath forsaken me he hides his Face frâ— me I am compass'd about with Temâ—tations sad dejecting and distractiâ— Thoughts I am persecuted banisheâ— from House and Home all my outward aâ— inward Comforts sail me These haâ— been the Cases and Conditions of Godâ— dearest Servants as Job David Heman and others But yet let not your Hearts be troubled for all this Ye believe in God act your Faith on God yea and act it on Christ also Believe in Jesus look up by Faith unto Jesus your dear Lord whatsoever whomsoever you have lost you have not lost your Jesus your best Friend your Heavenly Husband you have his Heart his Bowels towards you still you have his Eye his tender watchful provident Eye upon you still you have his Ear open to your Cries still yea you have his everlasting Arms underneath you to sustain you still for else you would sink Oh then act Faith upon the sweet Nature of Christ as your Head and Husband Can a Mother forget her sucking Child that she should not have compassion on the Son of her Womb Isa 49. 14. possibly she may But can Jesus forget those whom he died for and traâ—elled for No no he will not hide his Face for ever he will never forget his People Your Maker is your Husband and he is the Father of Mercies If we read these things or hear theâ— read and do not apply them to ouâ— own Souls by Faith if we do not mâ—ditate on them and let them sink dowâ— into our Hearts if we do not prâ— earnestly that the Holy Spirit wouâ— bring them home and lay them clâ— to and fix them on our Hearts thâ— will do us no good yield us no Comforâ— therefore meditate on them apply theâ— and act Faith upon them Secondly We must act Faith upâ— the many precious Attributes of Jesâ— Christ all which will afford to Faiâ— much matter of support under all â—â— Heart-Troubles whatever And thâ— are exceeding many I shall mention oâ— some First Jesus Christ is our Advocaâ— with the Father 1 John 2. 1 2. Oâ— that undertaketh for us to plead oâ— Cause in that highest Court of Heâ—ven If a Man be sued in Law or â— accused of any Crime in any Court is a great priviledg to have a Sollicitâ— there for him that is skilful and faâ—tâ—ful and powerful with the Judg in thâ— Court Jesus Christ is such an Advocatâ— or Sollicitor for us in Heaven he wiâ— plead our Cause and he is Wise he is the Wisdom of the Father he is a Great Counsellor and the only Counsellor none else can plead in that High Court and he is most Faithful he is a merciful and faithful High-Priest in all things pertaining to God Heb. 2. 17. He appears for us in Heaven Heb. 9. 24. When a Man is indicted in a Court and hath none to appear for him there he is in a bad Case But all poor Believers are in a better Case they have a blessed Advocate to appear in the Presence of God for them He continually presents his Blood his Sacrifice to the Father for them Heb. 10. 10. And it is his Will to have that Sacrifice accepted for our Justification and Sanctification Christ prevails so with his Father that he always heareth him John 11. 42. Now if we can act Faith on this Blessed Advocate in Heaven who is there always pleading for us ever-living to make continual Intercession for us Rom. 3. 25. presenting himself before God as our Sacrifice and Propitiation when Men accuse us and our own Consciences too when we are deprived of our near and dear Relations distressed with Pains and Sicknesses pinched wiâ— Wants and Necessities I say then iâ— us to act our Faith on this precioâ— Advocate at the Right Hand of Gâ— for us interceding there for us â—â— who knows and feels all our Miser it must needs be a great support aâ— relief to us and the best Remedy gainst our Heart-Troubles O that â— could act Faith strongly on this oâ— Advocate To have a Friend in Heaven aâ— such a Friend so wise so powerfâ— so faithful so merciful so sensibly â—fected with all our Misery so tender able and so willing to hear and hâ— us I say this is infinitely better thâ— all the Friends that ever we had â— could have on Earth And this Frieâ— ever liveth and maketh continual Intecession for us And as this is mattâ— of Comfort in case of Suffering so case of Sin too If any Man sin have an Advocate with the Father Jeâ— Christ the Righteous and he is the Prâ—pitiation for our Sins 1 John 2. 1 â— Faith acted on this blessed Advocate the best Remedy against Heart-Troublâ— in case both of Sin and Suffering Secondly Jesus Christ is Bread from Heaven the true Bread for Souls the Bread of Life the Water of Life John 6. 35 48 51. Now when poor Saints are fed with the Bread of Affliction and with the Water of Adversity let them look up to Christ and act Faith upon him he will be living Bread Life-giving Bread living Waters to their Souls to revive their drooping and to refresh their fainting Spirits
By acting Faith on this blessed Jesus the Fountain of living Waters their Souls shall be so satisfied as that they shall never hunger more never thirst more that is inordinately after the things of this World When your Souls want strength to bear your Burdens want comfort in your Distresses act Faith on this Jesus this Bread of Life thiâ— Water of Life and you shall be refreshed you shall have Joy and Peace in believing Rom. 15. 13. Thirdly Jesus Christ is called the Sun of Righteousness and the bright Morning-Star Mal. 4. 3. Rev. 22. 16. He is the Fountain of Righteousness and Life as the Sun is of Light he hath healing in his Wings He was wounded for our Transgressions that by his Stripâ— we might be healed Isa 53. 4 5. anâ— 61. 1 2. He was appointed to heal thâ— broken-hearted Luke 4. He will heal oâ— back-slidings Hos 14. 4. He is the greaâ— Physician he can heal all our Spirituaâ— and Corporal Diseases His Blood iâ— an healing Blood his Spirit an heaâ—ing Spirit his Word an healing Word his Promises healing Promises Hâ— hath all healing Vertue in him Hâ— is the true brazen Serpent could wâ— but act Faith on this Jesus we shoulâ— be healed of all our Diseases He iâ— the bright Morning-Star We are in Darkness Clouds and Darkness upon our Spirits many dark Providence befal us we see not our way manâ— times know not what to do Now let us act Faith on Jesus he will brinâ— Light out of Darkness We are under black Fears and Sorrows and aâ— dark Night sometimes with us buâ— if we can look up to this bright Morning-Star he will enlighten our Darkness he will shine in upon our Hearts and scatter all those Clouds and givâ— us a joyful Morning Fourthly Jesus Christ is called the Captain of the Lord's Hosts and the Captain of our Salvation Josh 5. 14 15. Heb. 2. 10. He hath the command of all the Creatures for he is Head over all Things Eph. 1. 22. over Men and Devils All Power in Heaven and Earth is his Matth. 28. 18. O if we could act Faith on this Almighty Jesus our Hearts would not be troubled for any thing What can hurt us What should we fear Our Blessed Jesus our Saviour our Husband commands all Things he rules and over-rules all Things No Creature no Man no Devil can act any thing against us without our Lord's leave Believe in this Captain and let not your Hearts be troubled He will tread Satan under your Feet shortly Rom. 16. 20. He will make all his and our Enemies his Foot-stool Let us look by Faith unto our Captain and keep our Eye on him and follow him wheresoever he goeth Let us make him our Leader and by Faith in him we shall be more than Conquerors He hath overcome the Devil and the World for us and he will overcome all our Corruptions Fears and Sorrows in us and wiâ— shortly set his Crown upon our Heads Christ is the Captain of our Salvation and in bringing of many Sons to Glory he was made perfect through Suffering Heb. 2. 14. John 16. last Act Faith iâ— him who hath perfected our Salvation for us that Work is done and iâ— was through Suffering to teach us tâ— be willing to suffer also to walk iâ— his Steps for in the way of Suffering he entred into his Glory and the very same way will he bring all his Sons and Daughters unto Glory So that while we are suffering for him or from him if we be his Children which we may know if we have his Spirit we are in the right and ready way tâ— Glory And then have we any cause to let our Hearts be troubled with sinful Fears Cares and Sorrows Havâ— we any cause to be cast down and discouraged while we are following ouâ— Captain are making conformable tâ— him travelling the same way to Heaven that he went thither the same waâ— to Glory the way of Reproach Shame Grief Sorrow Fear Poverty Persecution Tribulation Desertion thâ— same Steps that our Lord went to Glory O that we could but still keep our Eye on Jesus and often consider what way he went to Heaven and being our Captain we should shew our selves his good Souldiers and be content to go the same way Fifthly Jesus Christ is called the Consolation of Israel Luke 2. 25. A sweet Name indeed He is the only Person that brings true Comfort being the Fountain and Spring of all Consolation that One of a Thousand who gave himself a Ransom for us He it is that comforteth his People in all their Tribulations 2 Cor. 1. 3 4. He it is that speaketh and giveth his Peace to his People and when he giveth Peace none can cause Trouble And it is his Promise that when he hath brought his People into the Wilderness of Fears and Troubles that they know not which way to turn that then he will speak comfortably to them will speak to their Hearts as the Word in the Original signifies Hos 2. 14. I might largely shew here that Jesus Christ is the Consolation of his People many ways as by his coming from his Father into the World to become our Surety to undertake for us to take our Sins upon him and to make his Soul an Offering for our Sins and by his Blood to purchase our Remission Ephes 1. 7. O how comfortable is a Surety to one that is Arrested Indicted and Arraigned How comfortable is a Redeemer to a poor miserable Captive How comfortable iâ— a Pardon to a condemned Malefactor All this is Jesus to his People and infinitely more He is Gold to make uâ— rich white Raiment to cover our nakedness Eye-salve to make us see Rev. 3. 17 18. He is Light John 5. 12. the Light of Life the Fountain of Life of Spiritual and Eternal Life no Life but by him And he hath assured us That whosoever cometh to him and believeth in him shall have everlasting Life and shall not come in Condemnation Johâ— 3. 16 36. He is afflicted in all our Afflictions Isa 63. 9. And is not this â— comfortable Consideration All his Promises are as so many Breasts of Consolation all his Ordinances means oâ— Consolation his Word a Word oâ— Consolation yea his Rod of Affliction as well as his Staff is blessed for the Comfort of his People Psal 23. He hath also promised to send his Spirit the Comforter to his People to abide with them for ever John 16. 7. Yea Christ himself makes this his own special Work also to comfort them that mourn Isa 61. 2. and hath blessed those that mourn Matth. 5. 4. that is with godly Sorrow for saith he they shall be comforted How greatly then doth it concern us to believe in this Jesus the Consolation of Israel to look by Faith to this Fountain of Comfort look to his Office look to his Word and Promises beg him earnestly to send the Spirit the Comforter into your Hearts Look to Jesus alone for all
pardon all our Sins to give us his Spirit and all Grace here and Glory hereafter Now Christ our blessed Mediator hath perfectly fulfilled all that God required for us and in our room and stead that is most certain for he finished the work that his Father gave him to do and he hath made many sweet Promises to us That he will send the Spirit into our Hearts to work Faith in us to receive him and to apply the Merit of his Blood to us to sanctify and renew us thereby and hath promised That whosoever comes unto him he will in no wise cast out Matth. 11. 28. And all that come unto him shall find rest to their Souls That whosoever believeth in him shall be saved that he will keep them and nonâ— shall pluck them out of his Hand Thaâ— he will raise them up at the last Day John 10. 28. Assuring us That he iâ— gone to Heaven as our Fore-runner tâ— prepare a place for us there and that hâ— will come again and take us to himself that where he is we may be also Now if we can but act Faith on this Jesus and on the Covenant whereof he is the Mediator and on his Promises applying them and relying on them our Hearts shall not be troubled Besides Let us consider there is not a passage of Providence from God to us but it comes through the Hand of this Mediator 1 Cor. 8. 6. All things are by him Put what you will in the Hand of a Mediator and in his Power it must needs turn to the good of him for whom he is a Mediator Now to support and comfort us in all our Troubles let us consider two things 1. This Mediator steps in between God's Wrath and us in all our Afflictions that no Fury or Effects of it may break forth from God on his People for whom he is the Mediator that nothing but Fatherly Love may be in the Chastisement and if Love send the Affliction whatever it be to try and purge c. there can be no hurt in that Affliction Again our Mediator interposeth either to hold off the Smart or to allay and mitigate it that it shall not distract Dan. 3. 25. no nor hurt 2. He steps in to uphold us and to strengthen our Weakness enabling us to endure Phil. 4. 4 12 13. It was the Mediator that did strengthen Paul The Lord stood by me and strengthned me said he Faith acted on this Blessed Mediator eying him and believing that our Afflictions come through his Hands even his who loved us and died for us our dearest Friend and who hath all Power in Heaven and Earth must be a mighty support to us in all our Troubles Fourthly Let Faith be acted as the Word of Christ also Ye believe the Word of God believe the Word of Christ also His Mouth is most sweet None but gracious Words proceed out of his Mouth Grace was poured into his Lips Psal 45. 2. and he poured out Grace in all his Words His whole Gospel is a Gospel of Grace Words of Peace and Salvation Hear him speaking most sweetly Matth. 11. 28. Come unto me all that are weary and heavyladen and I will give you rest O what sweet Words are these Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters and drink without Money and without Price Isa 55. 1 2. I am the Way the Truth and the Life Joh. 14. 6. Behold I stand at the Door and knock if any Man hear my Voice and open the Door I will come in and sup with him and he with me Rev. 3. 18. This is but a taste of those sweet Clusters of most refreshing Grapes which hang upon the Boughs of the Gospel let us take frequent view of what lies upon Record in the Evangelists and often read over the manifold Promises of Grace that fell from the sweet Mouth of our Blessed Lord and meditate and ponder and consider of them and act our Faith upon them and we shall find comfort in them his Words drop as an Honey-comb his Words are Spirit and Life More particularly First Our Faith must be acted upon Christ's Word of Precept his Word of Command in time of Trouble Fear not hâ—m that can kill the Body but 〈◊〉 that can cast both Soul and Body into â—â—â—ll Luke 12. 4 32. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer Let not your Heart be troubled nor let it be afraid Rejoice when Men shall persecute you c. Luke 21. 19. In patience posses ye your Souls with many such Now Christians must yeild up the Obedience of Faith to such Commands and urge them upon their Hearts charging themselves to obey theâ— saying O my Soul my Lord hath forbidden me to fear to be troubled tâ— be thoughtful to be dejected c. â—â— hath commanded me to be patienâ— yea to rejoice in my Suffering Heâ— my Lord and I must obey him I muâ—â— keep his Commandments else I cannoâ— love him I must keep his Sayings or else I cannot be his Disciple â—â— I keep his Commandments he wiâ— manifest himself to my Soul his Father will love me and he will love me and they both will make theiâ— abode with me for it is his Promise John 14. 21 23. Say thus â— my Soul Jesus Christ is my King anâ— my Law-giver I must obey him hâ— is my Prophet also and I must heâ—â— him in all things whatsoever he shaâ— say unto me I have taken him for my Lord as well as for my Saviour for my King to rule me as well as for my Jesus to save me for my Prophet to teach me as well as for my Priest to satisfy for me O my Soul consider He is the Author of Eternal Salvation only to those that obey him Thus applying the Commands of Christ to our selves and urging his Authority upon our Hearts it will help us to bear up under our Troubles 2dly Act Faith upon the Promises of Christ of which somewhat was said before He hath promised to be always with us to send the Comforter to manifest himself unto us that he will not break the bruised Reed nor quench the smoaking Flax Mat. 19. 29. That he will give us an hundred-fold for all our Losses for his sake That he will gather us with his Arm carry us in his Bosom that he will hear our Prayers that he will give us a Crown a Kingdom Everlasting Life with many more O could we act our Faith upon his precious Promises and lie sucking by Faith on those full Breasts of Consolation and draw by Faith Prayer and Meditation from these Wells of Salvation we shouâ—d find sweet support under all our Troubles 3dly Faith acted on the Word â— Threatning may put a stop to Hear Trouble Jesus Christ hath dreaâ— fully threatned those that love Fatheâ— or Mother Son or Daughter moâ— than him or their own Lives aâ— those that are ashamed of him â— his Word and those that fall froâ— him and those that
away to wit that he might send them the Comforter he would remove from them a great Mercy the greatest earthly Mercy that ever they enjoyed which was his personal Presence they must part with so dear and near so sweet so loving so faithful a Friend as himself was to them And could there be a greater loss for this Sorrow had filled their Hearts But he tells them it was to make way for a greater Mercy which was to send them the Comforter in all the saving and miraculous Gifts of the Holy Ghost by which they should be able to do greater Works than he himself did John 14. 12. which was a greater Mercy than his bodily Presence with them and with this he calms and quiets their Minds Now if we can act Faith upon the Blessed Ends of Christ in removing our earthly Comforts from us which are to bestow upon us better Mercies to give us more of his Spirit and of the Grace and Comforts of it our Hearts would not be troubled could we believe that Christ's End in all his Chastisements is to prepare us for that Place in his Father's House it would comfort and support us His Ends are very good and that should quiet us So long as the People of Christ enjoy most of the Comforts of this World I speak it by sad experience commonly they enjoy least of God and of his Spirit and usually when Christ takes away their earthly Comforts then he manifests most of Himself and of his tender Love to them He brings them into the Wilderness and then speaks comfortably to them Hos 2. 14. then he speaks to their Hearts and not to their Ears only as in time of Prosperity then he gives out most of the Graces and Comforts of his Spirit Christ never takes away these outward Mercies from his People but with design to bestow better if our Discontent and Unbelief do not hinder When the Lord took away from his Servant David the young Child begotten in Adultery it was to give him a Solomon Thus I have endeavoured to shew what it is also to believe in Christ that thereby we may prevent and cure our Heart-trouble The last thing I have to do is to shew how Faith acted thus on God and Christ or on God in Christ is the best Preventive of and Remedy to cure all our Heart-troubles which hath indeed been shewn partly in the two former Particulars and will serve for the confirmation of the Point also Two ways principally Faith acted on God and Christ doth effect this great Cure of Heart-trouble and procure Hearts-Ease First By way of Application and Appropriation Secondly By way of Holy Confidence and Reliance First By Applying and Apropriating God and Christ to the Soul and All that God is and All that Christ is and all that God hath and all that Christ hath and All that God and Christ hath promised Faith applieth and appropriates All this to the Soul Faith gives the Soul Right Title Claim Propriety and Interest to and in God and Christ Faith makes All the Believer's own Believe and All is thine This is the Language of Faith My God my Lord my Christ my Saviour my Redeemer and this quiets and satisfies the Soul fully or nothing in Heaven or Earth can do it wheâ— it can thus act its Faith on God and Christ So was David cured of his great Troubles 1 Sam. 30. 6. He encouraged himself in the Lord his God â—â— God his God in Christ so in that pregnant Text 2 Sam. 23. 5. His Interest in God's Everlasting Covenant whereby God was become his God it Christ he acted his Faith upon and that satisfied him So Mich. 7. 7. Psâ— 73. 25 26. Either God is ours or he is not either Christ is ours or he is not liâ—â— God and Christ be not ours we have cause enough of Heart-trouble cause enough to mind our Danger and to be troubled at our very Hearts that we are in such a woful case and should now above all things labour after an Interest in God and in Christ whatever our Losses in the World be this dangerous State of our Souls should be most minded and speedily look'd after above all things But if God be ours and if Christ be ours if we have chosen God for our Portion in Christ and if we have rightly and truly received Jesus Christ the Lord for our only Lord and Saviour and have unfainedly given up our whole selves to him then may we act our Faith upon God as our God and upon Jesus Christ as ours and may claim our Right in God and in Christ and in All that God and Christ is and hath as our own and then what cause of any Heart-trouble If God be ours if Christ be ours All is ours Life ours Death ours What if we want Relations and Friends Honour Wealth and Health is not the All-sufficient God enough Is not Jesus in whom dwells all Fulness enough to supply the want of all This God proposed to Abraham I am thy God and to Israel Isa 41. 10. Jesus Christ is All and in All and if Christ be yours alâ— is yours God is yours and all the Good of both Worlds are yours and what can you desire more Secondly Faith exercised in Holy Confidence in and Reliance upon God and Christ and the Promises will prevent or cure all our Heart-trouble David was cured both these ways Psal 31. 11 12 13 14 15. viz. by appropriating God to himself and by trusting in him I trusted in thee O Lord I said thou art my God Psal 43. 5. for God is pleased to ingage himself to discharge those Souls from Heart-trouble and sinful Fear who trust in him Psal 37. 40. Trouble doth disorder the Heart and discompose the Mind but Faith in this exercise of it trusting in the Lord doth fix and settle the Heart so that then no evil Tidings shall make such a Person afraid for his Heart is fixed trusting in the Lord Psal 1 12. 7. God hath promised to keep them in perfect peace whose Minds are staied on him because they trust in him Isa 26. 3. Diffidence is the cause of all Disquiet no true Rest can be had nor Quiet to our Minds but by Confidence in God Psal 2. last O the blessedness of those that trust in Christ God in Christ is the only fit Object of our Confidence in all our Extremities A Believer hath a God to go to in all his Troubles an All-mighty and loving Father in Christ and this should be our Comfort that we are in Covenant with him that rules the World and hath committed the Government of all things to his Son our dear Redeemer who hath bought us with his Blood and we may be sure that no hurt shall befal us that he can hinder and what cannot he hinder who hath all Power in Heaven and Earth and that hath the Keys of Hell and Death unto whom we are so near that he carries our Names on
know That when Christ who is our Life shall appear we shall appear with him in Glory Col. 3. 1 2 3. Believe this and be comforted Certainly we are too much taker up with and too sollicitous about our earthly Tabernacles these Houses of Clay whose Foundation is in the Dustcrushed before the Moth We are always minding the Diseases Distempers and Dangers of our Bodies those old crazy tottering Houses the Prisons of our Souls we mind earthly Places too much but too little those Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus Eph. 2. 6. where we shall shortly sit with him Were we more heavenly-minded we should be more free from Heart-trouble and disquietness of mind Lastly To prevent and cure all our Heart-trouble Let us labour to believe what Christ hath promise here in the Text Verse 3. I will come again and receive you to my self that where I am ye may be also Most sweeâ— and comfortable Promises I will come again So ver 18. I wâ—â— come again I will not leave you comfortless For when I am absent from you in respect of my bodily Presence I will send the Comforter to you that shall abide with you for ever And I my self will come again unto you you shall not long be without my Company Tho' Christ seems to withdraw and hide his Face from his People it shall be but a little moment Isa 54. 7 8. He will return again and have Mercy yea with everlasting kindness will he return I will come again I will not stay long from you my Heart is still towards you while I am absent therefore I will come quickly Rev. 3. 11. I will come to you with my Messenger Death tho' it be the King of Terrors in it self and a grim Porter yet by my coming with it it shall be to you the King of Comforts I will come with it by my Spirit to strengthen you to look it in the Face to apply to you the virtue of my Death and thereby to take out the Sting of it and I will come to you by my Angels to secure your Souls through the Region of Devils into my Father's House If Death did come alone to us it would be terrible to us indeed it 's ghastly Countenance would affright us but here is the Comfort That Christ our dearest Lord will come with Death to sweeten it to us and support us under it This prevented David's Fear Psaâ— 23. 4. When I walk thorow the valley oâ— the shadow of Death I will fear no Evil for thou art with me O welcomâ— Death when Christ comes with iâ— This bitter Cup of which we must aâ— drink is brought to us by the hand oâ— our dearest Lord This last stroke iâ— given by the hand of Love it is â— taking us home to our Father's House This last Enemy hath Christ conquered for us because his Children are Partakers of Flesh and Blood He likewise took part of the same that througâ— Death that is his own Death â—â— might destroy him that had the Power of Death that is the Devil and deliver them who through fear of Death were all their Life time subject to Bondage Heb. 2. 14. Jesus knew what Death was he himself had the Pangs of Death upon him Sin the Sting of Death was laid on him and the Laâ— which is the strength of Sin the Cursâ— of the Law was upon him but now for us who believe in Jesus the sting and strength of Death is taken out and when we die we shall die in the Lord Sleep in Jesus in Union and Communion with Jesus we shall fall â—sleep in the Blessed Arms of our dear Redeemer He will come then to keep as Company through that dark Enâ—ry Death into the Father's House His Angels shall carry our Souls into Abraham's Bosom yea into the Father's Bosom O that we would make â—â—re of our Union with Christ and â—â—en let us believe that he will come â—ith Death to translâ—â—â— our Souls out â—f these Earthly Tabernacles these â—rison-Houses these Houses of Bonâ—age wherein our poor Souls have â—een fetter'd and chain'd cloy'd and â—og'd with Corruptions and Temptaâ—â—ons kept at a distance and absent â—â—om the Lord and in which they â—ave been groaning for deliverance â— to the glorious Liberty of the Sons â—â— God in their Father's House and â—all ever be with the Lord 1 Thess â— â—7 Secondly I will receive you to my self â— sweet Promise This is aâ—l the Hope all the Desire all the Longing Thirâ—ing Breathing of poor Believers â—â— that Christ would take them to hiâ— self This is the Sum of all thâ— Prayers and Labours that they mâ— be fitted for Christ and then tâ—â— Christ would take them to himseâ— Well saith Christ work and wait little longer do and suffer a liâ—â— more act your Faith and Patience little longer and I will come to yâ—â— and take you home to my self wheâ— your Souls shall be at Rest for eâ—â— The Saints while they are here â— home in the Body they are absent froâ— the Lord they see but in part darklâ— and know but in part very imperfeâ—ly and enjoy but a little a very lâ—tle of God and Christ O how swâ— are a few Drops a few Glimpses aâ— Glances of Divine Love now to a poâ— Soul the least Cast of Christ's Eyâ— the least Beam of his Loving-kindneâ— the least Intimation of his Favour â—â— least hint of his Goodness how râ—freshing to a poor Believer But whâ— Christ shall receive them to himseâ— they shall then see him as he is shall â— like him and shall he satisfied with his Lâ—â— â—â—ss 1 John 3. 2 3. Psal 17. 15. Then â—â—all they see him whom their Souls â—ove Face to Face and then will Jesus open to them all the Treasures of his Love and Grace to their everlastâ—ng Consolation They shall then be admitted into the glorious Presence of â—he great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ in whose Presence is fulness of Joy and at whose right Hand are Pleasures for ever-more Psal 16. ult When the World shall cast them out and their Habitations shall cast them out â—nd shall know them no more yea when their Houses of Clay shall be broken down and dissolved and can hold them no longer then will Jesus blessed Jesus receive them to himself Then shall they be solemnly married to their glorious Bridegroom the King of Heaven's Son the Prince of the Kings of the Earth he will receive them to himself he will take them for â—is Bride embrace them in his everlasting Arms and lay them in his blessed Bosom for ever and ever I will receive you to my self into the nearest Union and Communion with my self and therefore be not uâ—willing to part with your dear Relations be not afraid to be sepâ—rated from your Bodies your oâ— Friends for when these earthâ— Tabernacles are dissolved immedâ—ately I will receive you to my selâ— which is best of all You shall thâ— enjoy the Fruits of all my Suffering Death
Gospel which you profess you do believe Act the Faith you have on the Doctrines of the Gospel the Promises of Rest for your Souls Pardon for your Sins Life and Righteousness Grace and Glory made to those that believe in Christ and to none else Believe and think what Heaven is that state of infinite Blessedness in the seeing and enjoying the Blessed God to all Eternity Believe what Eternal Life is Eternal Glory and believe also what Hell is Separation from God Go ye Cursed into Everlasting Fire Lakes of Fire and Brimstone everlasting Death the Wrath of God Damnation And seeing you profess that you believe all this then believe also and consider it well that neither is Heaven's infinite Happiness to be attained nor Hell's unspeakable Misery to be avoided but only by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ John 3. 16 17 36. John 8. 24. Direct V. Fifthly Would yoâ— have Faith then seek it diligently pray O pray for it as for your Lives cry mightily to God for it pour out your Hearts to God in Prayer for it pray continually for Faith pray without ceasing be importunaâ—â—â—ith God for it go all Day and â—â—ght panting and breathing after iâ— O that God would give me Faith Go to Jesus also for it cry to him for he is the Author as well as the Object of it Heb. 12. 1 2. It is the Gift of God O pray for it Direct VI. Lastly Consider seriously and often how wonderful willing God is that you should believe in Christ as you have heard and how much he is displeased with those that will not believe in him and how dreadfully he hath threatned them as Rev. 21. 8. Also consider how exceeding willing Jesus Christ himself is that poor Sinners should come to him and believe iâ— him how sweetly he calls them how freely he offers himself and All he is to them be they never so bad never so vile and wicked He every one that thirsteth Isa 55. 1. they that have no worthiness in them nothing but Sin and Misery John 6. 37. and 7. 37. Rev. 3. 18. and 21. 11. O set your Hearts to the consideration of the incomparable unparallel'd Love of Jesus in dying that cursed Death of the Cross for Sinners Consider and meditate hold your Hearts to it until your Hearts be affected with his Love his Love that passeth the Love of Women Love passing Understanding and consider how well he deserves and how much he challengeth your Love Consider once again what a most lovely Person Jesus is who is altogether lovely the Brightness of his Father's Glory in whom dwells all Fulness Heb. 1. 3. and in whom is all Power in Heaven and Earth Matth. 28. 18. and labour to affect your Hearts with his most admirable Excellencies and then come unto him weary and heavy laden with your Sins willing to part with them all give up your whole selves to him give him your whole Hearts and take him for your Head and Husband for your only Lord and Saviour enter actually into Covenant with him to become his and his alone and his for ever Thus work out your Salvation and youâ— Consolation by believing in Jesus in Blessed All-sufficient Jesus trusting to him betrusting all with him and God will work in you both to will and to do Phil. 2. 12 13. Use these Means in the strength of God and doubt not but in the use of them you shall obtain this precious Faith which having and acting you shall find it to be your Hearts Ease in all your Heart-Trouble Laus Soli Deo FINIS Some Books printed for and sold by Jonathan Robinson at the Golden Lion in St. Paul 's Church-Yard THe Holy Bible containing the Old Testament and the New with Annotations and Parallel Scriptures To which is annexed the Harmony of the Gospels As also the Reduction of the Jewish Weights Coins and Measures to our English Standard And a Table to the Promises in Scripture by Mr. Samuel Clark His Holy History in brief Or an Abridgment of the Historical Parts of the Old and New Testament Dr. Thomas Goodwin's Works In two Volumes in Folio viz. on the Ephesians Revelations The Knowledg of God the Father Election c. His Treatise of the Punishment of Sin in Hell In 8o. Dr. Bates's Works viz. The Harmony of the Divine Attributes in the Contrivance and Accomplishment of our Redemption by the Lord Jesus Christ Or Discourses wherein is shewed how the Wisdom Mercy Justice Holiness Power and Truth of God are glorified in that Great and Blessed Work His three Sermons at the Funeral of Dr. Jacomb Mr. Clarkson and Mr. Ashurst His Sure Trial of Uprightness c. Practical Discourses on Sickness and Recovery By T. Rogers M. A. A Discourse of Closet-Prayer By M. Slater Mr. Pearse's Preparation for Death His Best Match Or The Souls Espousal to Christ Last Legacy Or Beam of Divine Glory c. 12º An Explanation of the Assembly shorter Catechism Price 6 d. Mr. Case's Treatise of Afflictions The Epitome of the Bible in English Verse useful for Children Price 6 d bound A Present for Children Being a brief but faithful Account of many Remarkable and Excellent Things uttered by three young Children to the wonder of all that heard them To which is added A Seasonable Exhortation to Parents for the Education of their Children Published by William Bidbanck M. A. Price 6 d. bound The Barren Fig-Tree Or The Doom and Downfal of the Fruitless Professor By John Bunyan