unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' Pray come ; he chideth earnestly for not coming : John v. 40, * Ye will not come unto me, that you may have life.' But he never chid you for coming. It is hard to distinguish whether Christ be more willing to take tlie soul, or the soul to take Ciirist. We cannot desire it more than Christ will deliglit in it. If you are afraid of seeking self in it, consider it would not be for your contentment but Christ's ; when he seeth the travail of his soul he is satisfied. Your souls are enough to him. You are vile creatures. It is no matter ; your Spouse thinketh it worthy of all his pains and entreaties to gain a daughter of light into his embraces ; your comfort is his privilege,
Ifse 4. It yieldeth fuel to increase the flame of love. There are three circumstances offered here as matter of this divine fire : — The impatiency of his desires ; the painfulness of his endeavours ; and the sweetness and fulness of his contentment, intended for the good of our souls.
1. The impatiency of his desires. The whole life of Christ was but a thirst after our good, spent in the heat of love and desire. And when he died, he said, John xix. 28, ' I thirst.' No doubt, in such agonies, his natural moisture was turned into drought ; but especially it was a thirst after the good of souls, the good of the creatures ; it was a thirst that the prophecies might be fulfilled. Paul, that had the Spirit of Christ by measure, see what longings he expressetli : Gal. iv. 19, ' My little children, of whom I travail in birth again till Christ be formed in you.' This was but a taste, a drop of what was in Christ. Phil. i. 8, ' For God is my record, how greatly I long for you in the bowels of Christ.' All Paul's longings were but a glimpse or specimen of those bowels in Christ. The impressions upon his spirit were more pure and powerful.
2. The painfulness of his endeavours, such as could not be expressed by a lower term than the travail of his soul ; and do but remember all the hardships of Christ's life, the woes of the garden, all the conflicts and assaults of hell upon his spirit ; you shall see Christ's love did not dwindle in a wish, nor die away in a cold desire. The sparks of the creature's love may soon languish, but Christ's love did not leave him till it got him out of heaven into the womb, from the womb to the wilderness, to the garden, to the cross, to the grave. All these waters could not quench it. The apostle expressetli the common acts of the creature's love by labour : ' The labour of love,' Ileb. vi. 10. But here was higher labour in the utmost degree, yea, travail : ' He shall see the travail of his soul.' Paul maketh it an endcciring circumstance : 1 Thes. ii. 9, ' Ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail, labour- ing night and day.' But what was it for Paiil to part with his allow- ance, when Christ parted with his glory ? Well, then, consider it was no lazy love, no idle wish, but such as ended in restless endeavours for your good. There aie pains on the cross, and pains in his spirit.
3. The sweetness and fulness of contentment. Still the Lord went on till he took the last sour draught of vinegar ; then he said, ' It is finished,' John xix. 80. Christ's spirit was restless, but then satisfied; it was enough if he could gain souls. 0 vile wretches that we are, that God should think our souls enough ! Alas ! what can we bring
414 A PRACTICAL EXPOSITION UPON [IsA. LIII. 11.
to liira that Jesus Christ should set up liis rest in the good of our souls ? The mercliant sold all for a pearl ; but alas ! we are but an ill purchase. What doth Christ get by us so as to be satisfied when he gaineth sinners ?
Use /3. It holdeth forth a high pattern for our imitation.
1. To ministers. All the toil and travail of Christ's spirit was to gain souls, and he thought that a good i)urchase. He did not mind other thiugs but for our good ; heaven, that we might be glorified in his glory. He was head over all things, that he might be so to the church ; otherwise he did not mind dignities and honours. Oh that our spirits did act thus purely, that we would not drive on a selfish design in such a weighty calling ! God's work must be done to God's ends. Oh that the joy of our hearts might be the good of souls, and not a thriving in our own concernments : 3 John 4, ' I have no greater joy than to hear that thy children walk in the truth.' Oh, that should most affect our spirits ! Many mind the gain, but not the soul, and rather oppose grace than further it ; and as the dragon sought to devour the man-child, so they to nip the early blossoms of grace.