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
HEARTS-EASE IN HEART-TROUBLE OR A Sovereign Remedy against all Trouble of Heart that Christ's Disciples are subject to under all kinds of Afflictions in this Life Prescribed by the great Physician the Lord Jesus Christ which hath never failed those that have used it or ever will to the End of the World Psal 119. 67. Before I was afflicted I went astray but now have I kept thy Word By J. B. a Servant of Jesus Christ The Second Edition LONDON Printed for J. Robinson at the Golden Lion in St. Paul's Church-Yard 1691. An EPISTLE to the Meek and Lowly-Hearted Readers who have learned of their dear Lord so to be who himself will not break the bruised Reed nor quench the smoaking Flax. Charitable Reader CHarity which is the Bond of Perfectness and the greatest Rarity now in the World and in the Church too the more is the pity thou must put on who readest this the plainest and most unpolish'd Piece that ever thou sawest for the Author never had skill in dressing if thou meanest to profit any thing by it which is the only thing God knows is aimed at by the Author who always prays and studies to speak and write rather to Mens Hearts than Ears his own and others and by God's Word to work Faith rather than feed Fancy Charity I say thou must have for that will cover a multitude of Sins much more of Infirmities which here thou must expect to meet Charity beareth all things believeth all things hopeth all things endureth all things 1 Cor. 13. 7. If thou wilt but exercise thy Charity in reading and join therewith thy fervent Prayers for a Blessing thou mayest attain thine End and mine also to wit thy Edification for Charity edifieth In hope of gaining thy Charity suffer me to give a short but true Account of the ensuing Treatise viz. I being about three Years since for some Reasons retired from my Family and place of Abode and by Sickness and other things confined during which time many of my dear Friends and Relations in Christ were called home to their Father's House whereupon I thought it my Duty to write some Lines to their surviving Relations as I was by them desired to do and after seeking God for Counsel and Assistance I thought on this Text spoken to in the following Discourse for it was not at the least in my Thoughts ever to publish this or any other knowing my own inability I wrote in my homely Stile what thou wilt here find all except the Title-Page This and the Post-script calculating it to the Capacities of the plainest Christians to whom I then sent it and with whom it lodg'd until about six months since it pleased the only Wise God to bring me to a trial of my Faith and Patience so deep a stroke it was that I used all means for my support and it came into my Mind that such a thing I had written so long before to help in such Cases and that several had found benefit by it I made enquiry after it and at last found it and in reading of it as the Word of God and begging God's Blessing on it I found much Relief and Comfort thereby all Praise and Thanks to God and thereupon had some small Inclinations to communicate the same to others and after many struglings and reluctancies in my self and with Prayers and Tears I besought the Lord to direct me At last I considered I must shortly put off this my earthly Tabernacle and having for many Years been lain aside like a broken Vessel of no use and compassed with many bodily Infirmities I was willing to leave behind me a little scrap of my Labours to my Children and Friends to put them in mind of what I had taught them for above thirty Years together that they might be fortified against all the Troubles of this Life and by Faith in God and Christ hold fast and not lose their Crown But why so mean a thing as this among the learned Labours of so many eminent Writers on the like Subject I Answer That our Lord took special notice of the Widows Mites and he will not despise the day of small things Zech. 4. 10. But what can you aim at may be said Answ Not Applause to be sure being conscious of my Weakness nor Profit or Gain expecting but Acceptance But this God and my Conscience bear me witness this is my Aim my most humble and fervent Prayer that some of Christ's poor little Flock my Children and others whose Souls are precious to me and whom I dearly love in the Lord may receive some advantage and chiefly that God may have all the Glory who hath chosen the weak things of this World c. and who accepts the Will for the Deed c. Such as will not make use of it let them do better and I will be glad None may be afraid to buy or read it for there is not a word of the State or Church-Matters in it I daily pray for the Prosperity of both but think it not my Duty to meddle with either but in subjection Two Requests I have to thee loving Reader 1. Pray for a Blessing upon as much as you find to be the express Will of God 2. Pray for me that I may more and more find and feel the Life and Power of those and all the Truths of God in mine own Heart and may express more of the Life of Faith in my whole Conversation and I will also pray for thee that thou mayest find as much and much more benefit in reading this as I have in composing and perusing it all praise to the God of all Grace If you find some Passages in your Opinion too often repeated be not offended till you find them too powerful on your Hearts Thus committing this poor Essay to the Blessing of him who is the Father of Mercies and can teach us to profit by his Word and Rod and thy self to his Love and Favour in Jesus Christ in him I remain for thy Soul 's good Thy humble Servant J. B. HEARTS-EASE IN HEART-TROUBLE JOHN 14. 1 2 3. Ver. 1. Let not your Hearts be troubled ye believe in God believe also in me THese Words are a part of our Blessed Saviour's last Sermon upon Earth just before his Passion which begins as is probable at the 13th Verse of the 13th Chapter of this Gospel and ends at the last Verse of the 16th Chapter in which Verse our Lord tells his Disciples how dear soever they were to him yet in the World they should have Persecution Tribulation of which he had often told them before in effect that they should not expect their Heaven here but his Cross they must bear if they would wear his Crown Tribulations of all kinds Outward and Inward you must endure It is your Portion here you are thereunto appointed Man is naturally born to trouble as the Sparks naturally fly upwards and new-born to trouble also and commonly to new and
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
Lord will call to us out of Heaven and say Come up hither Rev. 11. 12. Come up to me I have prepared a Place for you here There is room enough in our Father's House there are many Mansions and from thence there shall be no remove for ever no more any changing Houses for ever when once we are lodg'd in our Father's House There is our Forerunner for us entred Heb. 6. 20. The hope we have through Grace of getting into that blessed Place by that new and living Way to rest there after all our weary wandrings here and never to remove more is that which comforts us in these our troublesome removes here O that Place and that blessed State in that Place to see God and to be ever with the Lord to see our lovely Lord Jesus as he is and to be made like unto him Could we fix our Hearts and Eyes more stedfastly upon those invisible and eternal things we should more quietly and comfortably bear our present Troubles yea and rejoice in them And when we can act our Faith upon that Place and State above and conclude our Title to it by our Interest in Christ then our Hearts will not be troubled Also this Consideration should preserve us from Heart-trouble and Sorrow for the loss of our dear Relations which died in Jesus for that they are gone home to their Father's House they are arrived at their Harbor they are safely hous'd they are where theâ— would be they are gone to the Place that their beloved Lord went to prepare for them to that City of God â—â— the general Assembly of the First-borâ— whose Names are written in Heaven c Heb. 12. 23. They would not exchangâ— their Place now for the most stately and most magnificent Place in all thâ— World O could we but realize by Faith that most happy State and Placâ— where our deceased pious Friends are gone our Hearts would not be trouâ—led for them And this may comfort us also under all our present Sufferings and Sadnesses that e're long we also shall go tâ— that Place to that City above whicâ— God hath prepared for us Our Lorâ— assures us that he will come again and take us to himself that where he is â—â— may be also O could we believe this we should say Come Lord Jesus coâ— quickly Fourthly Our Faith must be acted upon the Work that Christ will do for us and in us and upon us in Heaven at the last It is above all our Understandings to conceive what glorious Works Christ will do for us and in us at the last day It doth not yet appear what we shall be 1 John 3. 2. There shall be a day of the Manifestation of the Sons of God The poor despised Saints all black and cloudy here covered with Shame and Reproach now shall then be manifested to be the Lord's Jewels That will be a Day of their full Redemption both of Soul and Body their Wedding and their solemn Coronation-day Then their blessed Redeemer shall publickly own them and bid them welcome to his Father's House saying Come ye Blessed of my Father c. Mat. 25. 34. Then will Jesus put the Crown of Glory of Righteousness and of Life upon their Heads Then will Jesus present them to his Father without Spot or Wrinkle or any such thing Eph. 5. 27. Then will he make their now vile Bodies subject now to vile Corruptions to vile Diseases to vile Abuses and to a vile dissolution at Death like unto his own gloriouâ— Body and their Souls shall be like to his to their full satisfaction Theâ— the poor Disciples of Christ shall havâ— a full End put to all their Heart-Troâ—bles Sorrows Fears and Cares Then their Hearts shall rejoice and theâ— Joy no Man nor Devil shall take froâ— them Sorrow and sighing shall flee away and they shall enter in into Everlasting Rest and into that unspeakable blessed State which was purchased by the precious Blood of Jesus and by him prepared and possessed in ouâ— Names and Steads All our dear Relations that died in Jesus are already entred Christ their dearest Lord hath wrought this glorious Work on their Souls already they are triumphing singing Hallelujahs in the highest Heavens While we are fighting sighing and sobbing here below they are with blessed Jesus above according to his Prayer for them seeing his Glory and participating of it Thus much for the Work of Christ upon whicâ— our Faith must act that our Heartâ— may not be troubled Sixthly Our Faith must act upon the Will of Christ in order to the preventing and curing our Heart-Troubles Fears and Sorrows What is the Will of Christ It is his Will that his Peoples Hearts should not be troubled nor afraid as in the Text It is his Will that in the World they should have Tribulation but yet that they should be of good chear It is his Will that in their Patience they should possess their Souls and not faint nor be discouraged It is his Will they should be sanctified and that all their Afflictions should promote their Sanctification It is his Will that although he love them yet to rebuke and chasten them And when he doth so that they should be zealous and repent It is his Will that they should deny themselves and take up their Cross daily and follow him That they should fear none of those things that they should suffer That they should walk in his steps hold fast to the End be faithful unto Death That they should overcome It is his Will that they should not love Father or Mother Son or Daughter more than himself no nor their Lives but be willing to part with all for his sake Yea it is his Will his last Will thaâ— all his poor Disciples after they havâ— suffered a while may be with him whoâ— he is to behold his Glory Thus if wâ— act Faith upon the Will of Christ anâ— labour to yield to it and acquiesce iâ— it we shall procure much freedom froâ— Heart-trouble Lastly Our Faith must be acteâ— upon the Ends and Designs of Chriâ— in all his afflictive Providences towards us and these his Ends are all very good and gracious With thiâ— Argument he himself used to cure the Heart-Troubles of his Disciples for his departure from them viz. thaâ— he had good Ends in his going away from them his End was to prepare a Place for them a better Place than any to be found here a Place iâ— Heaven in the Father's House And his End was to send the Spirit the Comforter unto them which woulâ— not come if he did not go away John 16. 6 7. He had told them of his going away from them upoâ— which Sorrow had filled their Hearts and it is even so with â—s when ouâ— earthly Comforts leave us Sorrow fills our Hearts but to cure this our Lord answers them that it was expedient for them good and necessary for them that he should go away shewing them his End in going
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.
our Minds to our Conditions to like and be pleased with our Conditions as being certainly perswaded that our present condition is best for us It would be all as good all as well all as comfortable to us as if we could bring our Conditions to our Minds for one of these must be done or else we shall never be free from Heart-trouble while we live Either our Minds must be brought just even to and suted and compliant to our Conditions be it Sickness Poverty Shame Prison c. or our Conditions must be suted just even to our Minds We have a mind to Health to Liberty c. we must have them or we are troubled Now this latter is wholly and altogether out of our Power we cannot add a Cubit to our Stature It is the Lord that appoints all our Conditions for us we cannot make our Conditions Happy Honourable c. of our selves and without God But the former is in our Power by the help of God's Spirit of Grace we may bring our Minds to our Conditions it is an holy Art attainable in the use of God's means Contentment in and with our Condition is thâ— bringing of our Minds to our Conditions to lie even and sutable and square onâ— with the other and this is as I said aâ— holy Art attainable by Christians Phil 4. 11. Saint Paul had learned it and sâ— may other Christians It is the sutableness between our Minds and our Conditions that breeds quiet and content anâ— if we have not quiet in our own Minds aâ— outward Comforts will do no more good than a silken Stocken to a scabbed Leg or a golden Slipper to a gouty Foot Now it is only God that can but never will except in wrath bring anâ— Man's Condition to his Mind for theâ— his Condition should be changed almoâ—â— every moment so mutable is Man'â— Mind God will not bring the conditioâ— of the Wicked to their mind except iâ— Wrath as was said for as their ouâ— ward Prosperity doth increase so do theiâ— desires after more Cressit amor Nummi c. And the wise Man tells us Tâ—â— Eye is never satisfied with seeing And thâ— more they have the more they crave Theâ— can never have enough And for the Godâ— themselves they are not so free from Covetousness as they should be but still need to learn this Lesson of Contentment and to be learning of it all their days And most commonly if not always God by his Grace brings their Minds to their Conditions and not their Conditions to their Minds And for this wise Agur prays Prov. 30. 9. Two dangerous Extreams he prays against the one is Poverty that would breed Discontent in that his Mind would be below his Condition debased to vile and sinful Practices as Stealing c. The other is Riches that would breed Discontent in that his Mind would be above his Condition and that would lift him up to base Pride and forgetfulness of God therefore he begs a sutableness and conveniency between his Mind and his Condition Feed me with food Convenient Certainly we shall never be free from Heart-trouble till our Minds be brought sutable to our Conditions and such a frame would prevent Casting-down in time of Affliction To like our Condition to be pleased and satisfied with it and with the holy Will of God in it that is to be content content with Sickness Poverty Shame Prison loss of Relations and Friends c. In a word when our Wills lie even with God's Will as in all reason they should and our Minds lie even with our Conditions then have we inward Peace and Tranquillity Quietness and Contentment and never till then and then Sickness is as good as Health and Poverty as good as Riches and â— Prison c. And this is that blessed Frame of Spirit we must labour for and we our selves shall have the sweetness oâ— it otherwise it is in a Man's Mind as iâ— is with the Body when Bones are out oâ— Joint there is nothing but pain and trouble but this bringing of our Minds tâ— our Conditions is as the Setting of thâ— Bone again Casting down our selves Despondency Discouragement which arise from Discontent are great pieces oâ— Heart-trouble This distrust of God's Providence is â— grand Evil whâ—n we think we cannoâ— live unless we have a greater portion oâ— earthly things and this sets us upon caâ— king Cares we know not how we anâ— ours shall be provided for c. Now this we may cure by casting our selveâ— upon God's Promises 1 Pet. 5. 7. Psal 34. 10. 84. 11. Heb. 13. 5. Let us cast our selves on God's Providence Will he provide for Ravens and clothe Lillies and neglect his own Children It cannot be imagined Earthly things are but a vain show they can give us no joy of Heart nor Peace of Conscience they cannot add one Cubit to our Stature nor one moment to our Lives Moreover this happy state of Mind is attainable Eli had it 1 Sam. 3. 18. and David 2 Sam. 15. 25 26. It is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good Therefore let us labour for such a Spirit such a contented frame of Mind is worth a Kingdom without it Godliness it self is not great Gain It must be laboured for Paul said he had learn'd it it was a hard Lesson but sweet when learned Fifthly Persecution may cause Heart-trouble when Men are offended Mat. 13. 21. when Peter was an offence to Christ he was a trouble to him Our Lord did on purpose foretel his Disciples what Persecutions they should undergo that they might not be offended Joh. 16. 1. fore-warn'd fore-arm'd It is a blessed thing not to be offended at Persecution for Christ He foretold his Disciples the Night before his Passion that all of them should be offended at him that Night Mat. 26. 31 56. Which came to pass for one of them openly denied him and the rest forsook him and fled To be troubled at Persecution for Christ's sake is to be offended at the Cross of Christ and that he would not have his Disciples to be by any means Mark 8. last Object But is it not said Psal 119. 165. Great peace have they that love thy Law and nothing shall offend them How theâ— come the People of God to be offended I answer They that truly love God Law because they love God such shalâ— have Peace with God and with their owâ— Consciences and that is great Peace anâ— nothing shall offend them that is mucâ— trouble them since they have peace witâ— God and with their own Consciences Outward Losses and Crosses are easilâ— born they shall make no breach upoâ— their inward Peace They that havâ— this Character of God's Children wilâ— not be stumbled at God's Dispensations let them be never so cross to their Desires because they have a God to fly unto in all their Troubles and a sure Covenant to rest upon Therefore the Reproaches cast on them and on the Ways
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
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
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
c. If we have a Resemblance of our Father in us a Likeness of Disposition to God and Christ the Image of God the Life of Christ manifest in us If we do side with God and his Cause in evil Times so that we are willing to part with any thing with all things for Christ's sake and at his Call If it be thus with us in the main Bent and constant Frame of our Hearts and in the Sincerity and Integrity of our Souls our Consciences in the sight of God bearing us witness that thus it is with us then may we upon good grounds conclude that God the All-sufficient God is ours and Christ Jesus who is all Fulness is ours and then our Hearts should not be troubled And to prevent and cure all our Heart-trouble we must act Faith on all these things in God and in Christ which I mentioned before and which would be too long to repeat again here therefore I earnestly desire you to look back anâ— view over those several particular things considerable in God and iâ— Christ and believe in God and iâ— Christ applying and appropriation them to our selves and we shall seâ— we have no cause of Heart-trouble If the great God be ours and thâ— Lord Jesus be ours if we have â—â— Husbands nor Wives nor Sons noâ— Daughters nor Health nor Wealth we have enough to content and satisfâ— our Souls for ever But to draw to a Conclusion that there may be an effectual cure of all our Heart-trouble whatever our distress may be let us labour to act Faith oâ— Christ in considering and believing 1. What he is 2. Where he is 3. What he hath declared 4. What he hath promised and aâ—â— within the Confines of this Text Ver. 2 3. First Let Christ's Disciples labour to believe what Christ is and who he is He himself asked his Disciples this Question Mat. 16. 16. Whom say â—â— that I am Peter answered Thou aâ—â— Christ the Son of the living God I know in whom I have believed saith the Apostle and that supported him and for this knowledg of Jesus Christ his Lord he counted all things but Dung and Dross Phil. 3. 9. To believe all things that are written of Christ is not enough but to believe in him is by Faith to receive him for our only Lord and Saviour John 1. 12. Col. 2. 6. and actually unreservedly unfeignedly and heartily to give up our whole selves unto him taking him for our absolute Lord our Head our Treasure and our All and believing He is all that to us that he is That he was made Sin for us made Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption to us That he is indeed our Husband our Head our High-Priest our Surety our Ransom our Redeemer That he hath loved us and washed us in his Blood That he was delivered up to Death for our Offences and rose again for our Justification That he hath made our Peace with God by the Blood of his Cross and purchased our Pardon and an Inheritance for us with the Saints in Light and that by believing in him we shall have everlasting Life John 3. 16 36. I say this is to believe in Christ and such as thus believe in him have no cause of Heart-trouble And thuâ— we must believe in him and it is the great Commandment of God to believe in him 1 John 3. 23. and the positive Command of Christ himself in the Text Belive also in me And he that hath this Faith hath Christ 1 John 5. 10 12. and hath Life Eternal Life John 6. 47. Verily verily I say unto you saith Christ the Eternal Truth himself He that believeth on me hath Everlasting Life He hath it in Pretio in the Price of it that was punctually paid down upon the Cross therefore called the Purchased Possession He hath Eternal Life in Promissis iâ— the Promises of it it is promised to every one that believed God that cannot lie hath promised it Tit. 1. 1 2. and he hath it in Primitiis in the first Fruits of it the saving Graces of the Spirit which in some measure every true Believer hath 2 Cor. 5. 5. Ephes 1. 13 14. Now he that thus believes in Christ Christ is his and all that Christ haâ—â— done and suffered and merited is his he hath Right and Title to it for by Faith he is become the Child of God Gal. 3. 26. We are all the Children of God by Faith in Jesus Christ And if we be Christ's then are we the Heirs of the Promise Gal. 3. 29. Yea Heirs of God and joint Heirs with Christ Rom. 8. 17. Yea then all things are ours 1 Cor. 3. 21 22 23. All is ours if we be Christ's whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas All the Gifts Graces Labours Prayers of all Gospel-Ministers all Gospel-Ordinances are ordained and designed for our Good Ephes 4. 11 12 13. for the gathering of us in and for the perfecting and building of us up in Christ Jesus until we all come to Heaven The World is ours the Good and Evil of it the Bitter and the Sweet of it the Comforts and the Crosses of it the Gains and the Losses of it the Love and the Hate of it the Smiles and the Frowns the Friends and Foes in it All is designed for and shall further and promote our Spiritual and Eternal Welfare Life is ours All the Troubles Sicknesses Pains evil Tidings Persecutions Disappointments Losses of Relations Shame Reproach or whatever attends this Mortal Life shall be sanctified and blessed to us for our Good Yea Death is ours that shall be our Advantage our Gain that shall put a full end and period to all our Sin and Suffering and be a Door of Entrance for us into Glory in our Father's House Or things present our present Fears Sorrows Miseries Infirmities c. shall be so ordered and over-ruled by the Wisdom and Love of our Father that they shall all help us onward to Heaven And things to come are ours all that Glory to be revealed that Saints Everlasting Rest that is prepared for the People of God that Crown of Righteousness of Glory and of Life that Kingdom of Glory that unspeakable that inconceivable State of Happiness and Blessedness which Christ our Lord hath purchased by his Blood all this is ours also But how come we to have a Right and Title to all this Why saith the Apostle thus Ye are Christ's and Christ is God's As sure as Christ is God's so sure if you be Christ's All is yours and as I have proved if we be true Believers in Christ then we are Christ's we are his Members his Spouse his Children and then what cause have we to be troubled at any thing or in any Condition What cause hath such a Soul to be dejected whatever Crosses or Losses do befal him Is there not enough in Christ in the Promises in the Purchase of Christ Is there not enough in Heaven in all that Glory to quiet content
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
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