An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

That it is a special duty, in a right manner, to comfort those that are in ¹trouble.

1. 1It is a special duty, in a right manner, to comfort the afflicted.

We are not only to seek the conversion of such who go astray, but also to regard the consolation of those that lack it. Hence Lam. 1. the Church complaineth, That she had none to comfort her. The Apostle speaketh of this duty often, 1 Thess. 4. 18. Comfort one another with these things. 1 Thess. 5. 11, 14. Comfort the feeble minded. You see by this pressing this duty so often, that we are seriously and diligently to practise it, lest as God will judge for neglect of corporal alms to fit objects of charity, so also he will call to account for the not dispensing of these spiritual alms. Thou hast not visited those, who were spiritually imprisoned by the guilt of their sins; neither fed those with the bread from Heaven who were hungry. Hence it is that the Apostle speaking concerning the incestuous person, who was now deeply humbled for his sin, 2 Cor. 2. 7. exhorts them to comfort him, lest he be swallowed up with too much sorrow. We have a notable instance for this in Jobs friends, Job 2. 11. who when they heard of all the evil that was come upon him, they made an appointment together to come and mourn with him, and to comfort him. Thus you see that it is a special duty, we are carefully to discharge, to refresh the souls of others who are cast down; That as the custom was among the Jews, and Solomon he giveth a precept about it,