The Fountain of Life Opened

¹Did the dreadful sword of Divine Justice smite the Shepherd, Gods own fellow; and at the same time the flock from whom all his outward comforts arose, were scattered from him? Then learn, that the holiest of men have no reason either to repine, or despond; though God at once should strip them of all their outward and inward comforts together. He that did this by the man his fellow, may much rather do it by the man his friend. Smite my Shepherd; there's all comfort gone from the inner man. Scatter the Sheep; there's all comfort gone from the outward man. ⟨p. 383⟩What refreshments had Christ in this world, but such as came immediately from his Father, or those holy ones now scattered from him? In one day he• seth both heavenly, and earthly comforts. Now as God dealt by Christ, he may at one time or other deal with his people. You have your comforts from Heaven; so had Christ, in a fuller measure than ever you had, or can have. He had comforts from his little flock, you have your comforts from the society of the Saints, the Ordinances of God, comfortable Relations, &c. Yet none of these are so firmly settled upon you, but you may be left destitute of them all in one day. God did take all comfort from Christ, both outward, and inward; and are you greater than he? God sometimes takes outward, and leaves inward comfort; sometimes he takes inward, and leaves outward comfort: but time may come when God may strip you of both.

¹Did the dreadful sword of Divine Justice smite the Shepherd, Gods own fellow; and at the same time the flock from whom all his outward comforts arose, were scattered from him? Then learn, that the holiest of men have no reason either to repine, or despond; though God at once should strip them of all their outward and inward comforts together. He that did this by the man his fellow, may much rather do it by the man his friend. Smite my Shepherd; there's all comfort gone from the inner man. Scatter the Sheep; there's all comfort gone from the outward man.