1I beseech you, let us make a use of exhortation to be stirred up, to labour by faith to be one with Christ, and then he will be our head, our Husband, our brother, our friend, our all. Say what you can, Christ will be all in all to all his. He hath enough in him, of his fullness we shall receive, and grace for grace. Oh labour to be one 2with Christ. Do not lose such a comfort as is offered. He offereth himself first to be our Saviour and Redeemer, and then our brother, never rest therefore till we have part in Christ. And then labour to make use of 3in all temptations, catch fast hold of every thing that is useful, as it is the nature of faith to do, like Benhadad's Servants, who made use of that word, brother. He is my brother said the King of Israel, as common Offices make kindred He had but let pass the term of brother, and they would not let it go, but catched at it, thy brother Benhadad. We see what wisdom flesh and blood can teach, to make an improvement of any comfort in the world, if by kindred, or office, or any relation in the world they make use of them. ⟨p. 57⟩And when we be in Christ, shall not we make use of them, when we be troubled with sense of sin, or in desperate conditions? when Christ calleth us brother, shall not we answer, I am 4thy brother? Blessed be thy mercy and love that descended so low, as to make me thy brother. I beseech you let us not lose the comforts we may have in the Disciples, being called Christs Brethren, when they were in some sort enemies, but he knew their hearts were sound, and it was but their weakness: therefore let no weakness discourage thee. He will not quench the smoking flax, nor break the bruised Reed. Is thy heart right to Christ, art not thou a false Hypocrite, a secret Traitor to Christ, and to his cause and Church? then be of good comfort, thou mayst go to Christ, as to thy brother. Though Peter denied him with his mouth, yet he confessed him with his heart. And therefore, go tell my Disciples and Peter, he hath most guilt, and therefore hath most need of comfort. Be thy guilt never so great, if thou wilt come into Covenant with God, here is mercy for thee, ⟨p. 58⟩and therefore make this use of it. Never forget in your worst condition, that may be, since Christ will stoop so low to own you to be brethren, to make use of it, if your hearts be right towards him.
1I beseech you, let us make a use of exhortation to be stirred up, to labor by faith to be one with Christ, and then he will be our head, our Husband, our brother, our friend, our all. Say what you can, Christ will be all in all to all his. He hath enough in him, of his fulnesse we shall receive, and grace for grace. Oh labour to be one 2with Christ. Do not lose such a comfort as is offered. He offereth himself first to be our Saviour and Redeemer, and then our brother, never rest therefore till we have part in Christ. And then labour to make use of 3in all temptations, catch fast hold of every thing that is usefull, as it is the nature of faith to do, like Benhadads Servants, who made use of that word, brother. He is my brother said the King of Israel, as common Offices make kindred He had but let passe the tearm of brother, and they would not let it go, but catcht at it, thy brother Benhadad. We see what wisdom flesh and blood can teach, to make an improvement of any comfort in the world, if by kindred, or office, or any relation in the world they make use of them. ⟨p. 57⟩And when we be in Christ, shall not we make use of them, when we be troubled with sense of sin, or in desperate conditions? when Christ calleth us brother, shall not we answer, I am 4thy brother? Blessed be thy mercy and love that descended so low, as to make me thy brother. I beseech you let us not lose the comforts we may have in the Disciples, being called Christs Brethren, when they were in some sort enemies, but he knew their hearts were sound, and it was but their weakness: therefore let no weakness discourage thee. He will not quench the smoaking flax, nor break the bruised Reed. Is thy heartright to Christ, art not thou a false Hypocrite, a secret Traitor to Christ, and to his cause and Church? then be of good comfort, thou mayst go to Christ, as to thy brother. Though Peter denyed him with his mouth, yet he confest him with his heart. And therefore, go tell my Disciples and Peter, he hath most guilt, and therefore hath most need of comfort. Be thy guilt never so great, if thou wilt come into Covenant with God, here is mercy for thee, ⟨p. 58⟩and therefore make this use of it. Never forget in your worst condition, that may be, since Christ will stoop so low to own you to be brethren, to make use of it, if your hearts be right towards him.
- 1Use of exhortation by faith to labour to be one with Christ.Use of exhortation by faith to labor to be one with Christ.
- 2John 1. 16
- 3Faiths usual work.
- 4Christs calling his Disciples brethren, adds much to our comfort.
