Again, more particularly, consider what he hath done 1for us since we knew him, and were acquainted with him, since we came under his Government and protection. I make no question but he that hath had the hardest measure, he that hath felt the worst since he came into the world, yet he hath had some pledge of Gods mercy and favour towards him. Now this course we ought to take at all times, when we receive any favour as a pledge of Gods love, we should lay it up in our store-house and treasury. For the pledges of Gods love there is a double use to be made of them; Carnal, natural men go without that which is best, and most comfortable; for the present use it may be what they take, that is welcome; for God delivers them out of sickness, out of fear, &c. to a better estate and favour. Now a godly man besides the present comfort should lay up the things themselves. For there will be a day and time of necessity when we shall need these comforts, to strengthen our hearts. For always the Lord deals not alike, he gives not alway a full cup, now it is necessary that a man should be provided with grounds of comfort for a day of need. In Luke 9 44. there is a 2notable place. Christ there wrought a great miracle, he cast out a devil; and when the work was done, he comes to his Disciples, and bids them make this use of it, Lay, or put these words, Let these sayings sink down into your ears. When they were all amazed at the mighty power of God, at the power of Christ that had wrought this miracle in dispossessing a devil; but when they wondered every one at the thing that Jesus did, Christ said to his Disciples, Let these sayings, &c. that is, these works, mark what I have done, what you see you have an experiment of my power; and then he gives the reason, For the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men, &c. but they understood not these sayings. You will say how could this be understood? it seemeth hard, Let those ⟨p. 333⟩sayings sink down into your ears; for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. As if he should have said, remember, now you have an experiment of my power and Godhead, let it be a means to strengthen you; for the days will come when your faith will be put to the trial, when I shall be delivered into the hands of men, when you shall see me crucified, and then you will be ready to stagger, and waver in your hearts:
Again, more particularly, consider what he hath done 1for us since we knew him, and were acquainted with him, since we came under his Government and protection. I make no question but he that hath had the hardest measure, hethat hath felt the worst since he came into the world, yet he hath had some pledge of Gods mercy and favour towards him. Now this course we ought to take at all times, when we receive any favour as a pledge of Gods love, we should lay it up in our store-house and treasury. For the pledges of Gods love there is a double use to be made of them; Carnal, natural men go without that which is best, and most comfortable; for the present use it may be what they take, that is welcom; for God delivers them out of sicknesse, out of fear, &c. to a better estate and favour. Now a godly man besides the present comfort should lay up the things themselves. For there will be a day and time of necessity when we shall need these comforts, to strengthen our hearts. For alwayes the Lord deals not alike, he gives not alway a full cup, now it is necessary that a man should be provided with grounds of comfort for a day of need. In Luke 9 44. there is a 2notable place. Christ there wrought a great miracle, he cast out a devil; and when the work was done, he comes to his Disciples, and bids them make this use of it, Lay, or put these words, Let these sayings sink down into your ears. When they were all amazed at the mighty power of God, at the power of Christ that had wrought this miracle in dispossessing a devil; but when they wondred every one at the thing that Jesus did, Christ said to his Disciples, Let these sayings, &c. that is, these works, mark what I have done, what you see you have an experiment of my power; and then he gives the reason, For the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men, &c. but they understood not these sayings. You will say how could this be understood? it seemeth hard, Let those ⟨p. 333⟩sayings sink down into your ears; for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. As if he should have said, remember, now you have an experiment of my power and Godhead, let it be a means to strengthen you; for the dayes will come when your faith will be put to the tryal, when I shall be delivered into the hands of men, when you shall see me crucified, and then you will be ready to stagger, and waver in your hearts:
- 1•2. What he hath done for us.
- 2Luke 9. 44.
