2. Furthermore. Suppose you were Graceless at the present; yet is it not an exceeding Comfort, that there is one of such Infinite Compassions as the Lord Christ, who hath assumed our Nature, and is come down to seek and save that which was lost; and is more tender hearted to poor sinners, then we can possibly conceive? yea who hath made it his Office to Heal, and Relieve, and Restore, and Reconcile: Yea that hath himself endured such temptations as many of ours: For we have not an high-Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, without sin: Let us therefore (saith the ⟨p. 41⟩holy Ghost) come boldly unto the throne of Grace, that we may obtain Mercy, and find Grace to help in time of need, Heb. 4.15, 16. Forasmuch as the children were partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part with them, that he might destroy through death, him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death, were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of Angels, but he took on him the seed of Abraham: Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his Brethren, that he might be a Merciful and faithful high-Priest in things pertaining to God, to make Reconciliation for the sins of the people: For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted, Heb. 2.14, 15, 16, 17, 18. Have you discountenance from men? Christ had much more. Doth God seem to forsake you? so he did by Christ. Are you fain to lye on your knees crying for Mercy? why Christ in the days of his flesh, was fain to offer up strong cries and tears, to him that was able to save him▪ and was heard in that he feared. It seems that Christ had distressing fears as well as you, though not sinful fears. Have you horrid temptations? why Christ was tempted to cast himself headlong, and to worship the ⟨p. 42⟩Devil, for worldly preferment: Yea the devil had power to carry his body up and down, to the pinnacle of the Temple, and the top of a mountain. If he had such power of you, would you not think your self certainly his slave?
2. Furthermore. Suppose you were Graceless at the present; yet is it not an exceeding Comfort, that there is one of such Infinite Compassions as the Lord Christ, who hath assumed our Nature, and is come down to seek and save that which was lost; and is more tender hearted to poor sinners, then we can possibly conceive? yea who hath made it his Office to Heal, and Relieve, and Restore, and Reconcile: Yea that hath himself endured such temptations as many of ours: For we have not an high-Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, without sin: Let us therefore (saith the ⟨p. 41⟩holy Ghost) come boldly unto the throne of Grace, that we may obtain Mercy, and finde Grace to help in time of need, Heb. 4.15, 16. Forasmuch as the children were partakers of flesh and bloud, he also himself likewise took part with them, that he might destroy through death, him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death, were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of Angels, but he took on him the seed of Abraham: Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his Brethren, that he might be a Merciful and faithful high-Priest in things pertaining to God, to make Reconciliation for the sins of the people: For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted, Heb. 2.14, 15, 16, 17, 18. Have you discountenance from men? Christ had much more. Doth God seem to forsake you? so he did by Christ. Are you fain to lye on your knees crying for Mercy? why Christ in the days of his flesh, was fain to offer up strong cryes and tears, to him that was able to save him▪ and was heard in that he feared. It seems that Christ had distressing fears as well as you, though not sinful fears. Have you horrid temptations? why Christ was tempted to cast himself headlong, and to worship the ⟨p. 42⟩Devil, for worldly preferment: Yea the devil had power to carry his body up and down, to the pinacle of the Temple, and the top of a mountain. If he had such power of you, would you not think your self certainly his slave?
