3. With respect to the Saints, who are in their passage to Heaven to be exposed to great difficulties and trials. Now that they might have comfort and hope in their Redeemer, and come to him boldly as one touched with a feeling of their infirmities, he himself submitted to be tempted. This reason is recorded by the Apostle in two places, Heb. 2. 18. For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted; able to succour, that is, fit, powerful, inclined, effectually moved to succour them. None so merciful as those who have been once miserable; and they who have not only known misery but felt it, do more readily relieve and succour others. God biddeth Israel to pity strangers, Exod. 22. 21. Thou shalt neither ⟨p. 14⟩vex a stranger, nor oppress him, for ye were strangers in the Land of Egypt. They knew what it was to be exposed to the envy and hatred of the neighbours in the Land where they sojourned, Exod. 23. 9. For ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the Land of Egypt. We read that when King Richard the first had been on the Sea near Sicily like to be drowned, he recalled that ancient and barbarous custom, whereby the goods of shipwrecked men were escheated to the Crown, making provision that those goods should be preserved for the right owners. Christ being tossed in the tempest of temptations, knows what belongs to the trouble thereof. The other place is, Heb. 4. 15. We have not an high priest, which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Christ hath experienced how strong the Assailant is, how feeble our nature is, how hard a matter it is to withstand when we are so sorely assaulted. His own experience of sufferings and temptations in himself doth intender his heart, and make him fit for sympathy with us, and begets a tender compassion towards the miseries and frailties of his members.
3. With respect to the Saints, who are in their passage to Heaven to be exposed to great difficulties and tryals. Now that they might have comfort and hope in their Redeemer, and come to him boldly as one touched with a feeling of their infirmities, he himself submitted to be tempted. This reason is recorded by the Apostle in two places, Heb. 2. 18. For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted; able to succour, that is, fit, powerful, inclined, effectually moved to succour them. None so merciful as those who have been once miserable; and they who have not only known misery but felt it, do more readily relieve and succour others. God biddeth Israel to pity strangers, Exod. 22. 21. Thou shalt neither ⟨p. 14⟩vex a stranger, nor oppress him, for ye were strangers in the Land of Egypt. They knew what it was to be exposed to the envy and hatred of the neighbours in the Land where they sojourned, Exod. 23. 9. For ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the Land of Egypt. We read that when King Richard the first had been on the Sea near Sicily like to be drowned, he recalled that antient and barbarous custom, whereby the goods of shipwrackt men were escheated to the Crown, making provision that those goods should be preserved for the right owners. Christ being tossed in the tempest of temptations, knows what belongs to the trouble thereof. The other place is, Heb. 4. 15. We have not an high priest, which cannot be toucht with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Christ hath experienced how strong the Assailant is, how feeble our nature is, how hard a matter it is to withstand when we are so sorely assaulted. His own experience of sufferings and temptations in himself doth intender his heart, and make him fit for sympathy with us, and begets a tender compassion towards the miseries and frailties of his members.
