CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

7. They honour and glorify Christ who live cheerfully and comfortably in the midst of all their troubles and exercises;¹ For seeing that Christ by his Death hath purchased justification for us, this ought to cause great peace and joy in our hearts, as Paul said; Blessed be God who causeth us to triumph through Jesus Christ; And why so? because as afflictions so Consolations by Christ abound much more, 2 Cor. 1.3. Oh then let the people of God who are apt to be dejected and cast down, to walk in a discouraged manner, to have their hearts pierced through with many thorny cares, Remember what Christ hath done for them, and how acceptable it is to him that we should walk comfortably and thankfully; Is it not a dishonour to the Master for the servant to be dejected and grieved? Doth it not proclaim to others that they account his service an hard uncomfortable condition? Thus when men leave their former wicked courses, and give up their names to Christ, but after that are troubled, grieved, and have no comfort or encouragement; These reproach the Lord Christ as if the world could give better comforts then Christ, as if we had done for the worse by forsaking the devils service, and resigning our selves up to the Lords; Oh then consider that as in gross profaneness and unrighteous ways there is a scandal to Religion, so in all discouraged and uncomfortable dejections, refusing to be comforted, thou art a dishonour unto the Lord Christ, as if he could not give manna to us in the wilderness of this world; Thus you see how many ways Christ may be glorified.²

7. They honour and glorifie Christ who live chearfully and comfortably in the midst of all their troubles and exercises;¹ For seeing that Christ by his Death hath purchased justification for us, this ought to cause great peace and joy in our hearts, as Paul said; Blessed be God who causeth us to triumph through Jesus Christ; And why so? because as afflictions so Consolations by Christ abound much more, 2 Cor. 1.3. Oh then let the people of God who are apt to be dejected and cast down, to walk in a discouraged manner, to have their hearts pierced through with many thorny cares, Remember what Christ hath done for them, and how acceptable it is to him that we should walk comfortably and thankfully; Is it not a dishonour to the Master for the servant to be dejected and grieved? Doth it not proclaim to others that they account his service an hard uncomfortable condition? Thus when men leave their former wicked courses, and give up their names to Christ, but after that are troubled, grieved, and have no comfort or encouragement; These reproach the Lord Christ as if the world could give better comforts then Christ, as if we had done for the worse by forsaking the devils service, and resigning our selves up to the Lords; Oh then consider that as in gross prophanesse and unrighteous waies there is a scandal to Religion, so in all discouraged and uncomfortable dejections, refusing to be comforted, thou art a dishonour unto the Lord Christ, as if he could not give manna to us in the wildernesse of this world; Thus you see how many waies Christ may be glorified.