2. Christ is lovely in his disposition. A good nature is able to render deformity it self lovely. Christ is lovely, not only in his complexion, but in his disposition; He is of a loving and merciful disposition, and in this sense may be called deliciae humani Generis*. It is reported of Marcus Aurelius the Emperor, that he was of a most affable winning temper, given to clemency, and every day he would set one hour apart to hear the causes of the poor. Thus Jesus Christ is of a most sweet disposition*, He will not always chide, Psalm 103.9. He is inclinable to ⟨p. 353⟩show mercy to the penitent. He delights in mercy, Micah 7.18. He invites sinners to come to him, Mat. 11.28. he begs of them that they would be saved, 2 Cor. 5.20. he knocks at their hearts by his Spirit, till his head be filled with dew, and his locks with the drops of the night, Rev. 3.20. If any poor soul accepts of his offer, and doth arise, and go to him, how doth Christ welcome him*. Christ makes the Feast, Luke 15.23. and the Angels make the music, verse 7. But if men will not receive the tenders of grace, Christ grieves, Mark 3.5. He is like a Judge that passeth the sentence with tears in his eyes, Luke 19.42. And when he came nigh the City, he wept. Ah sinners, I come ⟨p. 354⟩to save you, but you put away salvation from you*. I come with healing under my wings, but you bolt out your Physician; I would have you but open your hearts to receive me, and I will open heaven to receive you, but you will rather stay with your sins and die, than come to me and live, Psalm 81.11. Israel would none of me. Well sinners, I will weep at your Funerals; Oh how lovely is Christ in his disposition! he comes with his suppling oil to pour into sinners wounds; He would fain break their hearts with his mercies, He labours to overcome their evil with his good.
2. Christ is lovely in his disposition. A good nature is able to render deformity it self lovely. Christ is lovely, not only in his complexion, but in his disposition; He is of a loving and merciful disposition, and in this sense may be called deliciae humani Generis*. It is reported of Marcus Aurelius the Emperour, that he was of a most affable winning temper, given to clemency, and every day he would set one houre apart to hear the causes of the poor. Thus Jesus Christ is of a most sweet disposition*, He will not alwayes chide, Psalme 103.9. He is inclinable to ⟨p. 353⟩shew mercy to the penitent. He delights in mercy, Micah 7.18. He envites sinners to come to him, Mat. 11.28. he begs of them that they would be saved, 2 Cor. 5.20. he knocks at their hearts by his Spirit, till his head be fill'd with dew, and his locks with the drops of the night, Rev. 3.20. If any poor soul accepts of his offer, and doth arise, and go to him, how doth Christ welcome him*. Christ makes the Feast, Luke 15.23. and the Angels make the musick, verse 7. But if men will not receive the tenders of grace, Christ grieves, Mark 3.5. He is like a Judge that passeth the sentence with teares in his eyes, Luke 19.42. And when he came nigh the City, he wept. Ah sinners, I come ⟨p. 354⟩to save you, but you put away salvation from you*. I come with healing under my wings, but you bolt out your Physician; I would have you but open your hearts to receive me, and I will open heaven to receive you, but you will rather stay with your sinnes and die, than come to me and live,
- *Titus Vespas.
- *[Greek or Hebrew]. Macar.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Macar.
- *[Greek or Hebrew]. Macarius.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Macarius.
- *Acts 13.
