3. Jesus Christ himself was tempted; and therefore we should not be dismayed with Temptations. Upon several Accounts is this a Comfort to us; partly, as it shows that we cannot look for an Exemption, for the Captain of our Salvation was thus exercised, Heb. 2. 10. Be not disconsolate, it becomes good Soldiers to follow their Captain. We are to pledge him in this Cup. He was tempted, therefore we shall be tempted. Partly and chiefly, because now he is more likely to pity us. It is said, Heb. 2. 18. Wherefore he is able to succour those that are tempted. Jesus Christ hath felt the weight and trouble of Temptations, therefore sure he will pity us, if we lie under Griefs and Dangers; as a Man that hath been Shipwrack'd himself, is the more likely to pity others in their distress, when they have lost all. One that knows Evils by guess and imagination, knows them only at a distance, and doth not know how evil they are; but he that knows them by Experience, he knows them at hand, and by such a smart sense, as must needs leave a deep stroke and impression upon the Soul. So Jesus Christ, that hath had an experimental ⟨p. 444⟩Knowledge, that knows the Heart of a tempted Man, can more feelingly succour those that are tempted; his Heart becomes tender by Experience; he knows the Danger and Troubles we are subject unto; therefore be not dismayed. And partly too, because by suffering this Evil in his own Person, he hath pulled out the Sting of Temptation. Christ sanctified every Condition that he passed through; his being poor, hath pulled out the Sting of Poverty. It is the more comportable now to a godly poor Man, one that hath an Interest in Christ; his dying hath pulled out the Sting of Death; so that what is to him a Prison, (Isa. 53. 8. He shall be taken from Prison, and from Judgment) is to us a Bed of ease; Isa. 57. 2. They shall r•st in their Beds: so his being tempted, hath unstung Temptations, and hath made them not so grievous. And partly too, as he hath directed us how to stand out, and with what kind of Weapons to foil Satan. Christ, that is a Pattern of doing, and suffering, is also a Pattern of resisting. He that left us an Example of doing the Will of God, and by suffering with Meekness; and when he was reviled, reviled not again:
3. Jesus Christ himself was tempted; and therefore we should not be dismayed with Temptations. Upon several Accounts is this a Comfort to us; partly, as it shews that we cannot look for an Exemption, for the Captain of our Salvation was thus exercised, Heb. 2. 10. Be not disconsolate, it becomes good Souldiers to follow their Captain. We are to pledg him in this Cup. He was tempted, therefore we shall be tempted. Partly and chiefly, because now he is more likely to pity us. It is said, Heb. 2. 18. Wherefore he is able to succour those that are tempted. Jesus Christ hath felt the weight and trouble of Temptations, therefore sure he will pity us, if we lie under Griefs and Dangers; as a Man that hath been Shipwrack'd himself, is the more likely to pity others in their distress, when they have lost all. One that knows Evils by guess and imagination, knows them only at a distance, and doth not know how evil they are; but he that knows them by Experience, he knows them at hand, and by such a smart sense, as must needs leave a deep stroke and impression upon the Soul. So Jesus Christ, that hath had an experimental ⟨p. 444⟩Knowledg, that knows the Heart of a tempted Man, can more feelingly succour those that are tempted; his Heart becomes tender by Experience; he knows the Danger and Troubles we are subject unto; therefore be not dismayed. And partly too, because by suffering this Evil in his own Person, he hath pull'd out the Sting of Temptation. Christ sanctified every Condition that he passed through; his being poor, hath pull'd out the Sting of Poverty. It is the more comportable now to a godly poor Man, one that hath an Interest in Christ; his dying hath pull'd out the Sting of Death; so that what is to him a Prison, (Isa. 53. 8. He shall be taken from Prison, and from Iudgment) is to us a Bed of ease; Isa. 57. 2. They shall r•st in their Beds: so his being tempted, hath unstung Temptations, and hath made them not so grievous. And partly too, as he hath directed us how to stand out, and with what kind of Weapons to foil Satan. Christ, that is a Pattern of doing, and suffering, is also a Pattern of resisting. He that left us an Example of doing the Will of God, and by suffering with Meekness; and when he was reviled, reviled not again:
