And if ye look into your Experience, Who have more kisses, and embraces of Love from God our Father, than the weak Christian hath? The Parent kisseth the Babe, and little Child, when the elder Child is not kissed; for, says he, this is but a little Child. And so, when the Prodigal comes home, then the Father falls upon his neck, and kisses him, why? but because upon his first return, he is a Babe in Christ, This is my little Child (saith the Father) and therefore I will kiss him, with the kisses of my mouth. §3Thirdly, And though it be a great affliction to be weak in Grace, yet if Christ will condescend unto mine infirmities, why should I be discouraged in regard thereof? Condescending Mercy is great and sweet Mercy: Now though God doth show mercy unto all his People, yet he will do it by Christ as an High-Priest; and what is the work and Office of the High-Priest? but to sympathize and bear with the infirmities of those that are weak. We have not such an High-Priest (says the Apostle) as cannot be touched with our infirmities. Three things there are,1 which do speak out the condescending Love of God to those that are weak in Grace; 1. He accepts their Duties, though mingled with many weaknesses; and their Services, though they grow upon a weak Stock, Revel. 3.8.2 I know thy Works (saith Christ to the Church of Philadelphia) for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my Name. 2. The Lord doth not over-drive those that are weak, but is contented to go their pace with them, Isaiah. 40.11. He shall gather the Lambs in his Arms, and carry them in his Bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. 3. He doth sometimes, yea, often times, yield unto their desires, going (as it were) after them: Matth. 9.18. There came a certain Ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My Daughter is now dead, but come and lay thine hand on her; and Jesus arose and followed him. The man had Faith, for he said, Only lay thine hand on her, and she shall live: yet his Faith was weak, for he limited, and stinted Christ, both to time and means; Come down and lay thine hand on her. In the 8. Chapter, a Centurion comes to him, for the cure of his Servant, and he was strong in Faith; for saith Christ, I have not found so great faith, no not in Israel. Christ doth prevent, and goes before him; for when he said, verse 6.
And if ye look into your Experience, Who have more kisses, and embraces of Love from God our Father, than the weak Christian hath? The Parent kisseth the Babe, and li•tle Child, when the elder Child is not kissed; for, saies he, this is but a little Child. And so, when the Prodigal comes home, then the Father falls upon his neck, and kisses him, why? but because upon his first return, he is a Babe in Christ, This is my little Child (saith the Father) and therfore I wil kiss him, with the kisses of my mouth. §3Thirdly, And though it be a great affliction to be weak in Grace, yet if Christ wil condescend unto mine infirmities, why should I be discouraged in regard thereof? Condescending Mercy is great and sweet Mercy: Now though God doth shew mercy unto all his People, yet he wil do it by Christ as an High-Priest; and what is the work and Office of the High-Priest? but to sympathize and bear with the infirmities of those that are weak. We have not such an High-Priest (saies the Apostle) as cannot be touched with our infirmities. Three things there are,1 which do speak out the condescending Love of God to those that are weak in Grace; 1. He accepts their Duties, though mingled with many weaknesses; and their Services, though they grow upon a weak Stock, Revel. 3.8.2 I know thy Works (saith Christ to the Church of Philadelphia) for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my Name. 2. The Lord doth not over-drive those that are weak, but is contented to go their pace with them, Esai. 40.11. He shall gather the Lambs in his Arms, and carry them in his Bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with yong. 3. He doth somtimes, yea, often times, yield unto their desires, going (as it were) after them: Matth. 9.18. There came a certain Ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My Daughter is now dead, but come and lay thine hand on her; and Jesus arose and followed him. The man had Faith, for he said, Only lay thine hand on her, and she shall live: yet his Faith was weak, for he limited, and stinted Christ, both to time and means; Come down and lay thine hand on her. In the 8. Chapter, a Centurion comes to him, for the cure of his Servant, and he was strong in Faith; for saith Christ, I have not found so great faith, no not in Israel. Christ doth prevent, and goes before him; for when he said, verse 6.
- 1Heb. 4.15.
- 2Christus fidem etiamsi infirmam fovet.
