A token for mourners, or, The advice of Christ to a distressed mother bewailing…

First, The occasion of it, and that was his seeing of her. This meeting at the Gate of the City, how accidental and occasional soever it seems, yet without doubt it was providentially suited to the work intended to be wrought: The eye of his Omniscience foresaw her, and this meeting was by him designed, as an oc••sion of that famous Miracle which he wrought upon the young man. Christ hath a quick eye to discern poor mourning and disconsolate Creatures: and though he be now in Heaven, and stands ⟨p. 8⟩out of our sight, so that we see him not; yet he sees us; and his eye (which is upon all our troubles) still affects his heart, and moves his bowels for us.

Secondly, The Motive stirring him up to give this relieving and comfortable Counsel to her, was his own Compassion. She neither expected, nor desired it from him; but so full of tender pity was the Lord towards her, that he prevents her with unexpected consolation: Her heart was nothing so full of compassion for her Son, as Christ was for her: He bore our infirmities, even natural as well as moral ones, in the days of his flesh; and though he be now exalted to the highest glory, yet still he continues as merciful as ever, and as apt to be touched with the sense of our miseries, Heb. 4. 15.

Secondly, The Motive stirring him up to give this relieving and comfortable Councel to her, was his own Compassion. She neither expected, nor desired it from him; but so full of tender pittty was the Lord towards her, that he prevents her with unexpected consolation: Her heart was nothing so full of compassion for her Son, as Christ was for her: He bore our infirmities, even natural as well as moral ones, in the dayes of his flesh; and though he be now exalted to the highest glory, yet still he continues as merciful as ever, and as apt to be touched with the sense of our miseries, Heb. 4. 15.