3. This shows us who they are that are like to enjoy the clearest discoveries, and most plentiful ⟨p. 145⟩applications of Christ to them: certainly they are such unto whom God imparts the largest measure of a spirit of mourning and supplication. Where God intends to build highest, he will lay the foundation lowest. The greatest spiritual mourners are appointed for the more abundant consolations. They are the humble and contrite whom God delights to dwell with, and to revive, Isa. 57. 15. Christs anointing had a special regard for such as these, and therefore his applications will be eminently made to them, Isa. 61. begin. The Lord hath anointed me, &c. to bind •• the broken hearted, to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, &c. Doth God then bring you into Godly Sorrow? Doth he make Sin bitter to you? Doth he fill you with grief at, and cause you deeply to bewail your Sins before him? be not discouraged, but take i• as a good Omen, and wait for the Consolations of his Spirit; remember what he hath said, Psal. 126. 5. They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy. It is also certain, that when God excites in us an heart to pray to him, and fills us with ardent desires, and groans unutterable, after him for his grace, for his pardoning, for his cleansing of us, and we cannot let him alone; it is a sign that he hath great mercies to bestow on us, which in this way he will communicate to us. God, who hath promised ⟨p. 146⟩that his shall pray unto him (and it is he who giveth prayer to his own) hath assured us of a gracious audience, and a good return to our prayers, Jer. 29. 12, 13, 14. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you, and ye shall seek me and find me, &c. Be not then discouraged; and though you may not at present experience those sensible apprehensions of the efficacy of the Fountain, for the taking away of your Sin, yet doubt not that God will in the best way do it for you, and give you the experience, of it to your abundant Consolation. God will exalt his Grace on you in this way, and make it to appear how great is his kindness to you, in taking off your Guilt, and washing away your pollution:
3. This shews us who they are that are like to enjoy the clearest discoveries, and most plentiful ⟨p. 145⟩applications of Christ to them: certainly they are such unto whom God imparts the largest measure of a spirit of mourning and supplication. Where God intends to build highest, he will lay the foundation lowest. The greatest spiritual mou•ners are appointed for the more abundant consolations. They are the humble and contrite whom God delights to dwell with, and to revive, Isa. 57. 15. Christs anointing had a special regard for such as these, and therefore his applications will be eminently made to them, Isa. 61. begin. The Lord hath anointed me, &c. to bind •• the broken hearted, to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oyl of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, &c. Doth God then bring you into Godly Sorrow? Doth he make Sin bitter to you? Doth he fill you with grief at, and cause you deeply to bewail your Sins before him? be not discouraged, but take i• as a good Omen, and wait for the Consolations of his Spirit; remember what he hath said, Psal. 126. 5. They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy. It is also certain, that when God excites in us an heart to pray to him, and fills us with ardent desires, and groans unutterable, after him for his grace, for his pardoning, for his cleansing of us, and we cannot let him alone; it is a sign that he hath great mercies to bestow on us, which in this way he will communicate to us. God, who hath promised ⟨p. 146⟩that his shall pray unto him (and it is he who giveth prayer to his own) hath assured us of a gracious audience, and a good return to our prayers, Jer. 29. 12, 13, 14. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you, and ye shall seek me and find me, &c. Be not then discouraged; and though you may not at present experience those sensible apprehensions of the efficacy of the Fountain, for the taking away of your Sin, yet doubt not that God will in the best way do it for you, and give you the experience, of it to your abundant Consolation. God will exalt his Grace on you in this way, and make it to appear how great is his kindness to you, in taking off your Guilt, and washing away your pollution:
