2. Without a Comforter: he was so far from having a sharer in his Passion, that he had none in compassion; that (at least) might any ways ease his sorrows. It is but a poor comfort of calamity, Pity; yet even that was wanting. kIs it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Is it so sore a sorrow to Christ, and is it nothing to you? a matter not worth your regard, your pity? Man naturally desires and expects, if he cannot be delivered, eased; yet to be pitied. lHave pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends: for the hand of God hath touched me. Christ might make that request of Job, but he had it not: there was none to comfort him, none to pity him. It is yet a little mixture of refreshing, if others be touched with a sense of our misery; that in their hearts they wish us well, and would give us ease if they could: but Christ hath in his sorest pangs not so much as a Comforter. The Martyrs have fought valiantly under the banner of Christ, because he was with them to comfort them. But when himself suffers, no relief is permitted. The most grievous torments find some mitigation in the supply of friends ⟨p. 175⟩and comforters. Christ after his monomachy or single combat with the devil in the desert, had Angels to attend him. In his agony in the garden an Angel was sent to comfort him. But when he came to the main act of our redemption, not an Angel must be seen. None of those glorious spirits may look through the windows of heaven; to give him any ease. And if they would have relieved him, they could not. Who can lift up, where the Lord will cast down? What Chirurgeon can heal the bones, which the Lord hath broken? But his mother, & other friends stands by, seeing, sighing, weeping. Alas! what do those tears, but increase his sorrow? might he not justly say with Paul. mWhat mean ye to weep, & to break mine heart? Of whom then shall he expect comfort? Of his Apostles? Alas they betake them to their heels. Fear of their own danger drowns their compassion of his misery. He might say with Job; Miserable comforters are ye all. Of whom then? The Jews are his enemies, and vie unmercifulness with devils. There is no other refuge but his Father, No, even his Father is angry: & he that once said; nThis is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; is now incensed. He hides his face from him, but lays his hand heavy upon him;
2. Without a Comforter: he was so farre from hauing a sharer in his Passion, that he had none in compassion; that (at least) might any wayes ease his sorrowes. It is but a poore comfort of calamitie, Pittie; yet euen that was wanting. kIs it nothing to you, all yee that passe by? Is it so sore a sorrow to Christ, and is it nothing to you? a matter not worth your regard, your pittie? Man naturally desires and expects, if he cannot be deliuered, eased; yet to be pittied. lHaue pittie vpon me, haue pittie vpon me, O ye my friends: for the hand of God hath touched me. Christ might make that request of Iob, but hee had it not: there was none to comfort him, none to pittie him. It is yet a little mixture of refreshing, if others be touched with a sense of our miserie; that in their hearts they wish vs well, and would giue vs ease if they could: but Christ hath in his sorest pangs not so much as a Comforter. The Martyrs haue fought valiantly vnder the banner of Christ, because hee was with them to comfort them. But when himselfe suffers, no reliefe is permitted. The most grieuous torments find some mitigation in the supply of friends ⟨p. 175⟩and comforters. Christ after his monomachie or single combate with the deuill in the desart, had Angels to attend him. In his agonie in the garden an Angell was sent to cofort him. But when he came to the maine act of our redemption, not an Angell must be seene. None of those glorious spirits may looke through the windowes of heauen; to giue him any ease. And if they would haue relieued him, they could not. Who can lift vp, where the Lord wil cast downe? What Chirurgion can heale the bones, which the Lord hath broken? But his mother, & other friends stands by, seeing, sighing, weeping. Alas! what doe those teares, but euerease his sorrow? might hee not iustly say with Paul. mWhat meane ye to weepe, & to breake mine heart? Of whom then shall he expect comfort? Of his Apostles? Alas they betake them to their heeles. Feare of their owne danger drownes their copassion of his miserie. He might say with Iob; Miserable comforters are ye all. Of whom then? The Iewes are his enemies, and vie vnmercifullnes with deuils. There is no other refuge but his Father, No, euen his Father is angry: & he that once said; nThis is my beloued Son, in whom I am well pleased; is now incens•d. He hides his face from him, but layes his hand heauy vpon him;
- kLam. 1. 12.
- lJob. 19. 21.Iob. 19. 21.
- mAct. 21. 1•.
- nMath. 3. 17.
