Sermons preached

In short, I will show how this Sort of Desertion is,

In short, I will shew how this Sort of Desertion is,

1. Possible. 2. Grievous.

1. Possible, the Union between the two Natures remaining. For as the Divine Nature gave up the Body to Death, so the Soul to Desertion. Christ, as God, is the Fountain of Life, Psal. 36. 9. And yet Christ could die. So the God-head is the Fountain of all Joy and Comfort, for he is called the God of all Comfort, 2 Cor. 1. 3. And yet Christ's Soul was troubled and heavy unto Death. The Godhead suspending its Virtue and Operation, both might well consist; for though the Presence of the Divinity be necessary with the Humanity of Christ, yet the Effects are voluntary. God worketh not out of necessity, no not in the Human Nature of Christ; all kind of Communications are given out according to his own pleasure. The Divinity remained united to the Flesh, and yet the Flesh might die; so it remained united to the Soul, and yet the Soul might want Comfort. The Bond by which the two Natures were united in one Person ⟨p. 167⟩remained firm and indissoluble, but the Influx of Sweetness and Comfort was suspended. Some Effect there is of the Union, but not that which affords Comfort and Felicity; and this was suspended but for a time. There is a Desertion indeed, which agreeth not with the dignity of Christ. There is a total and Eternal Desertion, by which God so deserteth a Man both as to Grace and Glory, that he is wholly cast out of God's Presence, and adjudged to Eternal Torments, which is the Case of the Reprobate in the last Judgment: this is not compatible to Christ, nor agreeing with the dignity of his Person. There is a partial temporal Desertion, when God for a moment hideth his Face from his People,