For consolation. Shall we not say as Paul doth, We will rejoice in our infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in us? How should we hold up our head against all tentations and afflictions? Is not the grace of Christ sufficient for us, 2. Cor. 12.9? And shall we not be confident, that through Christ we can do all things? Will he forsake the house, upon which his Name is called? Will he not perfect his own work, and repair his own dwelling place? Was the tabernacle safe in the wilderness, while the cloud was upon it? and are not our hearts safe, while Christ is in them? How are the abject Gentiles honoured Col. 1.27. whose hearts are so enriched by Christ, that dwells in them! If the outward ⟨p. 154⟩Sanctuary were like high palaces, Psal. 78.69. what is the hart of man, the true tabernacle? and if he established it as the earth, how much more hath he established us in his favour and grace? so that it may comfort us in respect of honour done to our harts, and against tentations and afflictions; and in respect of hope of perseverance, and also in respect of increase of power and well-doing. He will work our works for us. And it shows us also the honour cast upon our good works: they have a noble beginning in respect of Christ, and as they come from him. Howsoever, we ought to be abased for our own corruptions, that cleave unto them: Yea, how should it wonderfully establish our hearts in all estates, to think, that Christ is with us wheresoever we go, not only as our witness, but as our guide and our protector. If God be with us, who can be against us. As also it is comfortable, if we consider the comparisons imported in the furniture of the outward tabernacle.
For consolation. Shall wee not say as Paul doth, We will reioice in our infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in vs? How should wee hold vp our head against all tentations and afflictions? Is not the grace of Christ sufficient for vs, 2. Cor. 12.9? And shal we not be confident, that through Christ we can doe all things? Will he forsake the house, vpon which his Name is called? Will hee not perfect his owne work, and repaire his owne dwelling place? Was the tabernacle safe in the wildernes, while the cloud was vpon it? and are not our hearts safe, while Christ is in them? How are the abiect Gentiles honored Col. 1.27. whose hearts are so enriched by Christ, that dwels in them! If the outward ⟨p. 154⟩Sanctuary were like high palaces, Psal. 78.69. what is the hart of man, the true tabernacle? and if he established it as the earth, how much more hath he established vs in his fauour and grace? so that it may comfort vs in respect of honor done to our harts, and against tentations and afflictions; and in respect of hope of perseuerance, and also in respect of increase of power and wel-doing. Hee will work our works for vs. And it shewes vs also the honor cast vpon our good works: they haue a noble beginning in respect of Christ, and as they come from him. Howsoeuer, wee ought to be abased for our owne corruptions, that cleaue vnto them: Yea, how should it wonderfully establish our hearts in all estates, to think, that Christ is with vs wheresoeuer we goe, not only as our witnes, but as our guide and our protector. If God be with vs, who can bee against vs. As also it is comfortable, if wee consider the comparisons imported in the furniture of the outward tabernacle.
