the Reason why so many faint in the Day of Adversity and sink under Trouble and others use unlawful means to prevent Trouble or to get out of it It is because they want this Faith in God and Christ and for want of it too many miscarry under Affliction The Second Use is by way of Exhortation to all the Disciples of Christ in the Words of the Text Let not your Hearts be troubled but Believe in God and Believe in Christ You must get and act Faith in God and Christ this is the only Preventive the only Remedy against Heart-Trouble Our Lord in this Text commands it and commends it we must needs get Faith above all gettings next to Christ we must get Faith for we cannot have Christ without Faith Go to God for it it is his Work his Gift yea it is his Operation yea the same Power that raised up Jesus from the Dead must be put forth upon a Soul to work Faith Eph. 1. 19 20. The exceeding great and mighty working of the Power of God to raise up the Soul to God and Christ and to enable it to lay hold on God and Christ for such is our natural proneness to live by Sense and Carnal Reason and such is the most transcendent Excellency of God and Christ and of Divine Things which Faith looks unto and so great an Inclination we have to Self-sufficiency and so much rooted in Self-Love and inordinate Love of the Creature and so hard to take off the Soul from false bottoms and because we are such Strangers to God naturally and because there is so much Guilt of Sin still remaining on us by our renewed Provocations that we are afraid to entertain serious Thoughts of God and because of that infinite Distance between God and us we can never come to believe in him and rely upon him until our Hearts be renewed by the Power of Grace and this Divine Grace of Faith infused into them Therefore must we go to God and Christ and put up strong Cries and Prayers to God to work Faith in us and never give over until it be wrought in us And having got Faith we must act and exercise it upon God in Christ upon God I say He only is the Object of Faith and is worthy of it for a Man can be in no condition in which God is at a loss and cannot help him If Comforts and means of Deliverance be wanting God can create Comforts and command Deliverance Isa 57. 19. He can bring Light out of Darkness to him all things are possible 1. Then Faith assents to and is perswaded that there is a God the Infinite First and Best Being of all things and who giveth Being to all Things Hebr. 11. 6. 2. That in this Blessed Being are Three Persons Father Son and Holy Ghost and all the Object of our Faith 3. Faith must always act on God in Christ and not otherwise for in Christ God reconciles the World In Christ God becomes our Friend is at peace with us by Christ the Enmity between God and us is taken away in Christ God becomes our Father John 1. 12. Gal. 3. 26. 4. Faith is acted by Meditating on Considering of and Applying and Appropriating of God in Christ to the Soul laying claim to all that God is and to all that God hath as its own 5. It must also act upon the Promises of God in his Word and upon God and Christ in them God hath opened all his Heart to us in his Word making many sweet Promises exceeding great and precious Promises 2 Pet. 1. 4. and also He hath made a Covenant of Grace with us to bestow himself and all good things upon us upon which we must live until Promises eâ—â— in Performances These Promises aâ—â— our Spiritual Treasury Promises 〈◊〉 Pardon of Sin upon Repentance and Faith Promises of renewing sanctifying Grace Promises of the Spirit of Heaven of Eternal Life and Glory of Mansions in the Father's House and of all things needful it the way to the Kingdom that we shall want no good thing and that all things shall work together for our good c. Lastly That our Hearts may not be troubled but fully satisfied and comforted we must by Faith lay hold on God take hold of God's Strength which is his Mercy in Christ and most solemnly most considerately and most sincerely take God for our God in Christ and actually enter into Covenant with him This Covenant is founded upon Jesus Christ his Satisfaction and Righteousness and therefore we must also believe in Christ taking him for our only Lord and Saviour receiving him by Faith as he is offered to us in the Gospel to be All in All to us As God offers so Faith receives God offers himself in Christ and so Faith receives him God doth as it were say in the Gospel O poor lost Sinner come to my Son Jesus take him for thy only Lord and Saviour and by him come to me and take me for thy God and Father and by Faith the poor Believer ecchoeth back My Lord and my God I humbly and heartily come to thee accept of thee close with thee and so by Faith the believing Soul becomes one with God and Christ and hereupon the Soul by Faith cleaves to God and Christ and unfeignedly and unreservedly resigns and gives up its whole self to God in Christ taking God in Christ for his and intirely surrenders up it self to be the Lord's My Beloved is mine and I am his Now Faith thus acted will certainly cure all our Heart-Troubles In order then to obtain solid Comfort in all our Distresses let us carefully look whether these Acts of Faith have really passed upon our Souls Have we thus actually understandingly and sincerely believed in God aâ—â— in Christ Have we unfeignedly eâ—tred into Covenant with God â—â— Christ Can we conclude that Gâ—â— is our God in Christ by our beiâ—â— his If we be intirely his he is 〈◊〉 for certein 1 John 4. 19. Cant. 2. 1â— If we place all our Happiness in hiâ— Psal 73. 25. If we give him tâ—â— Throne in our Hearts subjecting oâ— whole selves to his Government making God in Christ all our Love â—â— Trust Joy Desire Delight Feaâ— our All cleaving to him alone and above all depending upon him as oâ—â— chief Good contenting our selâ—â— with him as All-sufficient for us â—signing up our selves to his goâ—â— Will to be to do and suffer whâ—â— he will If we can and do engagâ— our selves to sincere Obedience thâ—â— none of his Commandments be griâ—vous to us If in all things we giâ—â— Christ the preheminence if we haâ—â— received the Spirit of Christ as Râ—â— 8. 9. Gal. 4. 6. which joins us him and makes us one Spirit with hiâ— and which is a Spirit of Adoption whereby the Soul seeing his Interest in God as his Father can freely go to God in all its straits If we have the Graces of the Spirit as Love Meekness Patience Humility
Resurrection Ascension aâ—â— Intercession and the Fruits of â—â— your own Labours Prayers Tearâ— and Sufferings and shall find that am faithful in making good all mâ— Promises and that your Labouâ— was not in vain in the Lord theâ— shall there be no more any distancâ— between you and me for ever Comfort your selves and comfort oâ—â— another with these words Belieâ—â— this and let not your Hearts be trâ—â—bled Thirdly That where I am ye may be also And what more can be deâ—â—red Where is Christ but at the rigâ—â— Hand of the Majesty on high far aboâ—â— all Principalities and Powers far abâ—â— al Heavens Heb. 12. 2. there shall you be also O admirable astonishing Dignity that blessed Jesus will advance his poor Saints unto at that Day This high and wonderful Honour shall all his Saints have they shall now receive the Kingdom prepared for them and that Crown of Glory of Righteousness and of Life which Christ hath purchased for them perfectly freed now from all Sin and Sorrow and stated in an unchangeable state of Happiness and Blessedness What cause have we then to grieve for our dear Relations whom Christ hath taken to himself and placed in the Father's House who are now sitting at his right Hand in Glory and singing Hallelujahs And could we but firmly believe these Promises of our Lord and act our Faith in meditating â—â—xedly on them and on Jesus in them applying and appropriating them and Christ in them to our own Souls considering and pondering on them until our Hearts be warmed and our Affections stirred and kindled with them acting also Hope Love Joy Desire Delight Hunger Thirst Panting Breathing pouring out our Heart in Prayer to God for his Spirit â—â— bring home these Promises to oâ— Souls in Power fixing them upon oâ— Hearts and helping us to lay hold oâ— them and upon Christ in them aâ— resigning up our whole Souls to Chriâ—â— in them stedfastly relying on â—â— Goodness and Faithfulness and truâ—â—ing in him I say could we but do sâ— and in the strength of God betrust oâ—â— whole selves and all our Concerns thus with Christ and live in the lively Exercises of Faith thus on God and on Christ we should find this to be Hearts-Ease to us in all our Heart-Trouble Behold I lay in Sion a chieâ— Corner-Stone Elect Precious and â—â— that believeth in him shall not be confounded 1 Pet. 2. 6. Let all Heart-Trouble cease Let nought disturb your Peace Who Faith in God profess And in his Son no less For in the Father's House Are many Mansions sweet Christ hath prepar'd for us When we 're for them made meet THE END Appendix Quest IT may be demanded That having heard the Excellency aâ—â— usefulness of this Soveraign Medicine â—â— cure Heart-Trouble namely Faith iâ— God and in Christ Can you tell us hoâ— we may get this Faith and what meaâ— we shall use to obtain it Answ I shall endeavour by the help of God's Spirit and Scripture-Light to direct you herein and aâ— briefly as I may Direct I. First You must be convinced of your Vnbelief of the greatness of the Sin of Vnbelief and of your absolute need of Faith Of these three things you must be fully convinced 1. Of your Vnbelief for most People think they have Faith and thaâ— they never were without it and therefore labour not for it Pray earnestly therefore that the Holy Spirit may be sent into your Hearts to work this Conviction in you for it 's his proper Work John 16. 8. to convince the World of Sin because they believe not on me saith our Lord this is the great Sin the damning Sin of the World their not believing on Christ Now that we may be convinced that by Nature we have no Faith let us consider these Scriptures Ephes 2. 1 2 12. and that until we are regenerate and born again we have no Faith is evident from John 1. 12 13. there believing in Christ and Regeneration are inseparably joined together Acts 15. 9. 26. 18. 20 21. From which Scriptures it is most evident that such as are Strangers to the Heart-purifying the Heart-sanctifying Work of Faith have no Faith if we have not truly repented nor know any saving Châ—nge wrought â—n us and upon us by the Spirit of God for certain what-ever we think we have no true Saving-Faith it is but a Fancy of this then we must be fully convinced and must most heartily beg the help of the Spirit to convince us 2. Of the greatness of the Sin of Unbelief it binds the Guilt of all other Sins upon us it is Disobedience and Rebellion against the great God for he commands us to believe 1 John 3. 21. and by our Unbelief we make God a Liar 1 John 5. 10. O horrible Wickedness And 3. We must be convinced also of our absolute need of Faith we must needs have it or we must perish Without Faith it is impossible to please God Heb. 11. 6. without it we cannot be the Children of God John 1. 12. Gal. 3. 26. without it we can have no pardon of Sin Acts 10. 43 Rom. 3. 25. John 8. 24. And in what a dangerous Case are we so long as we lie under the guilt of all our Sins Without Faith we are not reconciled to God nor justified Rom. 3. 22. 5. 1. Nor can we be sanctified Acts 26. 18. 2 Thess 2. 13. No access to God but by Faith Rom. 5. 2 Ephes 2. 18. No living the Life of Religion nor bearing up under Affliction nor holding out to the End without Faith Heb. 11. No Salvation nor Eternal Life without it Ephes 2. 18. Joh. 3. 16 36. Heb. 10. last Of all these things we must be convinced if ever we will have Faith Direct II. Secondly If we would have Faith we must diligently search the Scriptures read the Gospel attend on the reading and preaching of the Gospel for this very end that we may get Faith by it I say for this very end certainly that should be our End in reading and in hearing the Word which was God's End in publishing of it now this was his End in publishing of it John 20. 21. Rom. 16. 25 26. Rom. 10. 17. Acts 13. 48. Ephes 1. 13. This is the ordinary Means appointed by God to work Faith in the Souls of Men as appears by Acts 2. 42. and 4. 4. and 11. 20 21. and many more There are few that read and hear the Word for this End and therefore get no Faith by it Now that the Word read and heard may be effectual to work this precious this most necessary Grace of Faith in us there are some thingâ— Antecedent some Concomitant and some Consequent upon our attendance on the Word and our use of it First Some things Antecedent aâ—â— necessary 1. Preparation For want of thâ—â— the Word most times proves ineffectâ—al It is the empty hungry-Soul thaâ— relisheth and taketh in this Food Jam. 1. 21. 1 Pet. 2. 1. Mat. 13.
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
do for thee I will be a Sun and a Shield to thee Psal 84. last I will give thee Grace and Glory and will withhold no good thing from thee I that am the infinite first and best Being of all Things the living Fountain of all Mercy the Original of all Power and Goodness I will be a God to thee thy God thy Father if thou wilt take me for thy God and place all thy Happiness in me and wilt become my Servant and give up thy self sincerely to me to serve and obey to love and fear and trust me only This is to believe in God to accept of God for our God and to yield up our selves to him to be his People Isa 56. 46. to chuse the things that please him to give him our Hearts and become his Servants aâ— Deut. 26. 17 18. And so God proposed himself to Abraham when he called him Gen. 12. 1 2 3. as a Rewarder and more fully Gen. 15. 1. I am thy Shield and they exceeding great Reward and so Abraham's Faith was to act on God so manifested And Gen. 17. 1. I am God All-sufficient all-sufficient to support thee in thy Way and Work and All-sufficient to reward thee in the end therefore be thou upright and faithful let not thy Heart be troubled what-ever Dangers and Difficulties thou meetest with in my Way and Work and what Losses soever thou sustainest for my sake believe I am God All-sufficient I will sufficiently reward thee thou shalt be no loser by following and serving me Also Moses his Faith had an eye to the Recompence of Reward Heb. 11. 26. And that you may see that this is not legal and mercinary our Lord Jesus proposeth this as an incouragement to his People Matth. 5. 12. Great is your Reward in Heaven And he himself took incouragement from it as Heb. 12. 1 2. for the Joy that was set before him c. So that this is to believe in God to believe that God is really and truly He is All that which he hath revealed himself to be and to believe that He is a Rewarder c. This Faith in God Christ took for granted that his Disciples had Ye believe in God Ye believe that God is and that he is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek him And if ye believe this let not your Hearts be troubled be not afraid nor dejected but act your Faith in God and seriously consider what God that is in whom you believe and believing also your Interest in that God that He is your God this God All-sufficient is your God you will have no cause to be troubled Your acting of Faith on God your God will prevent and cure your Heart-trouble and that these several ways First more generally He that believes in God as his God believes God is always present with him according to his Promises In the worst Times God is present with his People And can there be any cause of Heart-trouble to such Souls as have always the presence of God with them whose Presence makes Heaven and in whose Presence is fulness of Joy and at whose right Hand are Pleasures for evermore Psal 16. 11. Surely Beloved this will prevent Heart-trouble when a Soul can act his Faith and firmly believe it God is always present with his People and that for gracious Purposes and not as a baâ— Spectator as to proportion and measurâ— out their Afflictions to them that theâ— may not be above their strength nor moâ— than need 1 Cor. 10. 13. 1 Pet. 1. 6. Aâ— the Afflictions of God's People are mesured by the Hand of a most wise moâ— merciful and gracious God all the Mâ—lice of Men and Devils cannot add a dracâ— to the Weight nor a drop to the Measurâ— beyond God's appointment He is prâ—sent to order and fix the Time of our Suâ—ferings it is an Hour of Temptation Reâ— 2. 10. It is our loving Father that sets tâ— the Glass of the Time of our Troubleâ— he appoints their Beginning their Lration their End he holds the Glass his own Hand All the Powers on Earâ— cannot bring trouble on us till the Hâ—â— come till the appointed Time nor coâ—tinue our Troubles longer than his Timâ— The Rod of the Wâ—cked shall not rest on tâ— Lot of the Righteous Psal 125. 3. Gâ—â— is present to mix some Comforts with tâ— Cross thereby to allay the bitterness â—â— it present to support the Soul with iâ—ward strength Psal 138. 3. Thou strengtâ— nest me with strength in my Soul present â—â— sanctify Afflictions for Good and at lengtâ— in his good Time which is the best Time when he hath perfected his own Work in his People he is present for their full Deliverance A true Believer in God hath always a God to go unto O what a Comfort what an happiness is that He dwells in the Love of God as well in Affliction as out of it he may be cast out of his happy Condition in the World but never out of the favour of his God This believed by us will cure Heart-sorrow Heart-fear Heart-care all Despondency Dejectedness Disquietments and Distractions whatever Faith acted on God the Almighty All-sufficient God and our God always present with us is the Soveraign Antidote against and the best Cure of all Heart-trouble Psal 142. 1 2 3 4. there are the Psalmist's Troubles and Ver. 5. there is his Cure I cried unto thee O Lord Thou art my Refuge and my Portion in the Land of the Living So Psal 143. 4 6 8. his Spirit was overwhelm'd with trouble but he cried to God and trusted in him and that was his Relief His trusting in God was an high exercise of his Faith This kept David from sinking under his great distress 1 Sam. 30. 6. He encouraged himself in the Lord his God Thus in general More particularly I shall endeavour â— shew what there is in God that a Beliâ—ver's Faith fetcheth virtue from to cuâ— his Heart-trouble in his greatest distresâ— even under the loss of the personal Prâ—sence of his best and dearest Friends oâ— Earth for such was like to be the Caâ— of the Disciples in the Text. First That in God which Faith looâ— unto and fetcheth Comfort from is hâ— sweet and gracious Nature God is Lovâ— the very Element of Love 1 John 4. 1â— and his gracious Name which discoveâ— his Nature Exod. 34. 6. The Lord grâ—cious and merciful When he gives to hâ— People he gives in love when he takeâ— he takes in love Now when a Soul bâ—lieves that all is from Love and all iâ— Love he is supported When a Man caâ— believe that all his Troubles come to hiâ— from the Father of Mercies and his Father in Christ he cannot but bear theâ— patiently Ye believe in God saith Christâ— ye believe that God loves you thereforâ— let not your Hearts be troubled Q. But how shall I know that God loves me when he afflicts me I answer When we can discern that we have received
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
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
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
Comfort and draw from this Spring by Prayer Faith and Meditation all supplies of Comfort and let not your Hearts be troubled Sixthly Jesus Christ is called a Counsellor Isa 9. 6. He is most wise he is the Wisdom of the Father In him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg Col. 2. 3. Yea he is made of God our Wisdom 1 Cor. 1. 30. Sâ— that when we are in Doubts and Darkness perplexed with Temptations anâ— know not what to do when we aâ— under sad and dark Providences aâ— know not how to interpret them wheâ— we are under various Exercises anâ— know not how to answer God's Enâ— in them nor how to improve them when we are in the Dark and knoâ— not the meaning of God's Dispensatons nor the Design of God in them Now are our Hearts troubled in aâ— such Cases but here is our Remedâ— this is the Course we must take Aâ— Faith now upon Jesus he is Wisdom he is a most wise and faithful Counsellor we may freely open all our Cases and Conditions to him he will nâ—â— betray us nor bewray us we may safely trust him with all the Secrets of oâ— Hearts and let us labour by Faith tâ— trust him for Counsel in all Cases lâ—â— us wait for his Counsel trust to it aâ— let not our Hearts be troubled Seventhly Jesus is a Redeemer thâ— is his Name he came into the Worâ— on this very Business to redeem his People to redeem them from all Iniquitâ— Tit. 2. 14. from this present evil World from our vain Conversations He hath shed his precious Blood to purchase us we are bought with a Price 1 Cor. 6. 20. We are none of our own we are his the purchase of his Blood and we may be confident that he dearly loves us for he dearly bought us and if he had not dearly loved us he would never have given himself for us Gal. 2. 20. That was the highest Testimony of his Love He loved us and washed us from our Sins in his Blood Rev. 1. 6. He will redeem us from the Wrath to come O then let us act Faith on our sweet Redeemer as Job did in the midst of all his Troubles I know saith he that my Redeemer liveth c. So may every Believer say Although my Friends and dearest Relations die my Credit and Estate dies though my outward Comforts all die this supports me that my Redeemer liveth and this our Redeemer is mighty mighty to save able to save to the uttermost Heb. 7. 25. Therefore let us act Faith on our dear Redeemer and upon his Redemption and let us believe that shortly the day of our full Redemption will come when we shall be delivered fully and for ever from Sin Satan the World from all our Burdens Fears and Sorrows Temptations and Tribulations I might mention many other sweeâ— Names and Titles of Jesus Christ which would be Food for Faith tâ— feed upon as that He is the Everlasting Father Isa 9. 6. he hath pitâ— and compassion for all his poor Children and Power to help them being the Father Almighty and hath a Portion for them too He is their Portion and hath provided for them an Inheritance incorruptible undefiled and that fadeth not away 1 Pet. 1. 4 He is the Prince of Peace he giveth his Peace to his People even thaâ— Peace that the World can neitheâ— give to them nor take from them When he speaks Peace none caâ— cause Trouble He is our Peace anâ— hath made our Peace with God anâ— it is he alone that speaketh Peace and creates the Fruit of the Lips Peace Isa 57. 19. He is also our Shepherâ— therefore said David I shall want nothing Psal 23. 1. He is a Fountain opened a Fountain of Light Life Love Grace and Truth He is the Head of his Body the Church The Husband the Bridegroom his People are his Members his Spouse He is the Heir of all things Heb. 1. 2. In him dwelleth all Fulness He is the King of Saints the Rock of Ages Yea He is All and in All. O Beloved had we but Faith to act on this Blessed Jesus and on these his most sweet Names and gracious Attributes our Hearts would not be troubled into what Condition soever we were brought Could we act Faith on Jesus as our Head Husband and Father who is All Fulness All in All could we doubt of having all seasonable Supplies from him Let our Faith but apprehend apply and appropriate Jesus as our blessed Head our most dear Husband and then consider in earnest who he is and what he is how mighty how full how loving pittiful compassionate tender-hearted and kind how ready to help how engaged to us by many Promises and can we then take up such unworthy thoughts of him as to think he hath forgotten us Will he not timely support and supply us Hath he shed his Blood for us and will he forget us caâ— he forget us Are not all his People as dear to him as the Apple of his Eyâ—â— Zech. 2. 8. Surely it is our want oâ— the weakness of our Faith that causeth all our Heart-Trouble O my poor Soul how comfortably mightest thou live if thou couldest live by Faith Lord believe help strengthen my Faith Coulâ— we but apply and appropriate Chrisâ— to our Souls and act Faith upon those precious Names of Christ which aâ— not as so many empty Titles whicâ— are sometimes given to Men but theâ— are real Representations of that mosâ— dear Love and tender Affection of thaâ— special Care Mercy and Loving-kindness that is in Jesus towards aâ— his poor Children that they mighâ— draw out the same for their stronâ— Consolation and that they might truâ— in him and not despond nor be dejected Thus if we can believe in Jesus our Hearts shall not be troubled Thirdly Faith acted on the Covenant of Grace whereof Christ is the Mediator and upon all his exceeding great and precious Promises will prevent and cure all Heart-Trouble Believe in the blessed Mediator of the New Covenant who hath undertaken not only on God's part to see that his Part be performed to us but also is become our Surety undertaking for us and by himself to fulfil the whole Law of God both actively and passively to fulfil all Righteousness for us and by his Spirit to enable us to fulfil the Conditions of the Covenant working in us Faith Love Obedience and all Grace In this Sense God hath given Christ to be a Covenant to us Isa 42. 6. and his Blood is the Blood of the Covenant by which he rescueth poor Souls that were Prisoners to Sin and Satan out of the Pit of Destruction Zech. 9. 11. By this Covenant upon Christ's shedding of his Blood as a Sacrifice for Sin and his performing all the work of Mediation and upon our receiving of him and believing in him as he is offered to us in the Gospel God is pleased to promise to become our God our Reconciled Father to
his Heart and who will in his due time make all the World know that his People are as dear to him as the Apple of his Eye Trust then depend and rely upon God in Christ and by an holy Confidence resign up your Wills to his Will to do what he would have us do to be what he would have us be to suffer what he would have us suffer and then Heart-trouble will cease and sweet Peace cometh when having trusted all with God we can in heart say Lord if thou wilt have me poor disgraced imprisoned diseased deprived of my dearest Friends I am content to be so I trust all my Concerns with Thee O the sweet peace and quiet that will be in that Soul There is the Almightiness the Wisdom Goodness Love Mercy and Faithfulness of God in Christ for us to trust in and to rely upon a Bottom and Foundation strong enough to build our Confidence upon in all Storms and Streights God hath also made many exceeding great and precious Promises in his Word and not a naked Promise but he hath entred into Covenant with us founded upon full satisfaction by the Blood of Jesus and confirmed it with an Oath Heb. 6. 17. and to this Covenant sealed by the Blood of his Son he hath added the Seals of the Sacraments and all this that the Heirs of the Promises namely All true Believers night have strong Consolation and be cured of all their Heart-troubles Upon this sure Foundation then must our Faith act in an holy Confidence in God and in Christ the Soul being taken off from all other Objects carried out of Self unto God and Christ who presently as soon as trusted in communicate themselves and their love and goodness to the Soul filling it with peace strength and settlement By this trusting in God we honour God most and best provide for our own safety The way then whereby Faith quieteth the Soul and cures it of its Troubles is by raising it above all Disquietments and pitching it solely upon God in Christ and thereby uniting it to God in Christ from whence it draws Vertue and Strength to subdue what ever troubleth its Peace For the Soul is made for God and never finds Rest till it return unto and settle and center it self upon him again And that we may thus place our Confidence in God and Christ for all supplies we must most earnestly beg cry and seek to God for Grace and Strength so to do we must trust in God aloneâ— for all things and at all times and thus by appropriating God to us and Christ to us and placing our Confidence in them we may be cured of alâ— our Heart-troubles The Application 1. For Information These Inferences follow First If Faith acted upon God in Christ be such a Remedy against Heart-trouble then surely Faith is a very precious a very excellent thing a Grace of very great worth and value and of great use and efficacy It is precious Faith indeed the very Trial of it is more precious than Gold 1 Pet. 1. 7. Precious for its Author the Lord Jesus for its Object precious Jesus and all the exceeding great and precious Promises the purchased Inheritance For its Offices it unites to us Christ gives us Title to eternal Life it supports under all Afflictions prevents or cures all Heart-troubles and precious for its End which is the Salvation of our Souls Eph. 3. 17. Heb. 11. 39. 1 Pet. 1. 9. This Grace of Faith is of a transforming spiritual Nature and the Soul of a Believer by acting it on God and Christ and on Divine Heavenly and Spiritual things becomes Divine Heavenly and Spiritual Faith unfastneth the Heart from the Creature shewing the Soul the Vanity of it and carries the Soul unto God and Christ shewing it God's All-sufficiency and Christ's All-fulness for Faith believes what God in his Word hath revealed of both It is the great Design of God in all the Troubles he sends upon his People effectually to teach them the exceeding Vanity of the Creature to imbitter the things of this World to them to wean their Hearts from them to bring earthly things out of Request with them to make them see that there is no true Contentment nor solid Satisfaction for the Soul to be found in them and to make them see where true Happiness and Contentment is to be had even in God and in Christ alone for whom their Souls were Created Redeemed and Sanctified Now the great Work of Faith is to take off the Soul from the Creature and fix and settle it upon God and Christ the true Foundation Naturally our Hearts hang loose from God and cleave to the Creature and when the Creature fails our Hearts are troubled but Faith takes off the Heart from the Creature and settles it upon God in Christ where it finds Rest and this is the great Service it doth us All the great and famous things which those Worthies did and all the hard and heavy things they suffered mentioned in Heb. 11. were all done and suffered by the Power of Faith ver 37 c. The setling of our Hearts upon God in Christ trusting all there is the best means to cure our Heart-trouble and this Faith doth and therefore it is precious Secondly It follows from the Premisses That the want of Faith in God and in Christ is the Great Cause of all our Heart-Troubles Despondencies and Disquietness Could we but act our Faith strongly on God and Christ as our God in Christ our Troubles would be prevented or cured For by Faith the Soul looks up to God in Christ through the Promises looking off from all other Supports unto God for all Supplies for the removing of all Evil felt or feared and for the obtaining of all Good promised and needed and by this exercise of Faith the Soul is raised up above all Discouragements and Disquietments but where this Faith is wanting or the lively exercise of it suspended there the Soul sinks under Heart-Troubles But of this some-what was said before Thirdly Hence also we may clearly see the absolute Necessity of getting Faith in God and in Christ and of acting it and living by it There is no living quietly and comfortably without it no standing under our Burdens no bearing with Patience and Chearfulness our Losses and Crosses without this Faith no Joy and Peace but by believing by Faith we stand Fourthly Then the Things of the World are not to be trusted to nor trusted in for Comfort in time of Trouble Nothing but God and Christ to be trusted in and trusted to and there is enough in them to support and comfort us as hath been shewed but no confidence to be put in the Creature there is a Curse upon such Confidence but a Blessing on them that trust in God No trusting in Friends Riches Gifts or any thing for so to do is Idolatry to give that to the Creature which is due to God alone Fifthly Hence we see
and fully to satisfy our Souls O my Beloved and O my base and faithless Heart it is our base Vnbelief that doth us all the mischief that spoils our Peace that hinders our Comfort and makes us walk so heavily O let us bewail this God-dishonouring Sin this Peace-destroying Sin and let us who have received Jesus for our Lord and Saviour believe that he is ours indeed and that we are his indeed and then act our Faith upon him and our Hearts shall not be troubled Q. But may some say 'T is true if Christ be ours all is ours we believe that But how shall we know that Christ is ours A. Briefly thus If we be Christ's intirely and sincerely Christ's theâ— Christ is ours I am my Beloved's anâ— my Beloved is mine Cant. 2. 16. 6. 3. Her being Christ's was a sure evidence to her that Christ was hers Now it is not very hard to know whose we are whether we be Christ's or our own Christ's or the World's Christ's oâ— the Devil's Let us take a little paiâ—â— in trying and searching our selves the Matter requires it Whose are we Put this Question seriously to our Hearts in the sight of God Whose am I whose Image do I bear by whose Spirit am I acted who hath my Heart my chief Love and Delight Have we unfeignedly given up our selves to Christ Have we actually entred into Covenant with him and taken him for our Head and Husband Have we passed over and surrendred up our whole selves to Christ our Souls Bodies all our Concerns Have we given up our Hearts Heads Tongues Time Talents Estates Libeâ—ties Relations and all to Christ Have we done this sincerely Then we have received Christ upon his Terms If we be Christ's and not our own and live unto Christ and not to our selves Rom. 14. 9. 1 Cor. 6. 20. Gal. 2. 20. and are content that Christ should dispose of us and ours as he pleaseth and are always labouring to be more and more like him and still longing for more and more Communion with him c. Then may we upon good Grounds conclude that Christ is ours If we be his he is ours Again if we truly believe in Christ then he is ours for it is by Faith that we receive him and are united to him and made one with him John 1. 12 13. and are by his Spirit and Word regenerated and made new Creatures and are enabled to walk after the Spirit and not after the Flesh 2 Cor. 5. 17. Rom. 8. 1 2. He that believeth hath the Witness in himself 1 John 5. 10. he need not go far to seek Make sure thy believing in Christ and thou hast the Witness in thy self that he is thine and that thou art his Q. But how shall we know that we have true Faith and that we do truly believe in Christ A. Briefly thus If we have been made sensible of our lost Condition by Nature of our misery by Sin of our Unbelief if we have found it an hard Work to believe if we have been made weary and heavy-laden with Sin so as to be truly willing to part with all Sin if we have been convinced of our absolute need of Christ and of his incomparable Excellency of his All-sufficiency and willingness to save us if Christ be most precious to us if these Convictions have been powerful in us to drive us from our Selves and the Creature and Sin if we have hereupon been perswaded and enabled sincerely to come unto Christ upon his Call in the Gospel to accept of him upon his Terms and to receive him as he is offered to us in the Gospel if our whole Hearts have opened to him and closed with him and we have given up our whole selves entirely to him and taken him for our only Lord and Saviour as the only way to God and do most sincerely resign up our selves to his Government trusting in him alone and relying upon him for Life and Righteousness for Grace and Glory then we do believe in him then have we this true Faith which is further to be known thus that it worketh in us true sincere Love to him and to all that is his his Word his People your Hearts will run out after him all your Affections will center in him This true Faith draws Vertue from Christ to purify the Heart and works Sanctification and Holiness it doth crucify your Affections to the World it works true Repentance and enables you to overcome the World and to realize the Glory of Heaven and to bear us up under all the Troubles in our way thither as in that 11th to the Hebrews enabling us to trust and betrust our selves our Souls and Bodies and all our Concernments with Christ by this Faith we shall stand by it we walk by it we live and hold on and hold out in following the Lamb to the end of of our Life Heb. 10. 38 c. Now certainly he that thus believes in Christ hath no cause of Heart-trouble but quietly submits to the good Will of his God in Christ under all the Dispensations of his Providence while he is here in this Vale of Tears until he come home to his Father's House in Peace where he shall meet his dearest Lord and an hearty welcome O this Faith this precious Faith in Christ will conquer all our base Fears moderate all our worldly Sorrows ease our Minds perplexed with earthly Cares and quiet our disturbed and distracted Thoughts about our outward Losses and Troubles By this Faith we shall find all our Losses made up in God and in Christ O then labour for it cry mightily to God for this great Gift cry to Jesus for it he is the Author and Finisher of it and labour to act it upon him continually and your Hearts shall not be troubled I dare affirm That if any thing bring Hearts-Ease in Heart-Trouble this will do it So long as our Faith holds up in Act and Exercise upon Christ we shall be free from Heart-trouble but when our Faith fails our Heart troubles prevail As when Moses lifted up his Hands and his Heart too by Faith Israel prevailed but when his Hands were down Amalek prevailed Faith and Heart-trouble are like a pair of Ballances when one goes up the other goes down Faith is the Counter-poize of Trouble of Heart Believe then in Jesus act Faith on him and that will prevent or cure Heart-trouble Continue in the Faith and your Heart-troubles will cease believe what Christ is and what he is to us Secondly Let us believe in Christ and believe where he is As to his Essential Presence he is in Heaven at the Father's right Hand making continual intercession for us to the Father Heb. 12. 2 3. Heb. 7. 25. He is our Advocate with the Father 1 John 2. 1 2. pleading our Cause presenting all our Services perfumed with his own Righteousness and resenting and feeling our Infirmities Sorrows and Sufferings sympathising with us In all our
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
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
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