[1.] Christ intercedeth for us in all our conflicts and temptations, because he loveth us, and is mindful of us : Heb. ii. 18, ' For that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted ;' and Heb. iv. 15, 16, 'For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are. Therefore let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to helj) in a time of need.' He knoweth what it is to suffer hunger, and nakedness, and poverty, and exile, and contempt in the world. He knoweth the heart of a tempted man ; therefore he will have compassion upon us, and procure seasonable help for us. He knoweth how hard a thing it is to be tempted, and not to sin ; he himself was hard put to it, though he had such power to overcome temptations. He sitteth at the right hand of God for this end and purpose.
[2.] His giving the Spirit to help us and relieve us, and preserve his people in temptation: Phil. iv. 13, 'I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me ; ' Phil. i. 19, ' For I know that this shall turn to my salvation, through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ ; ' 1 John iv. 4, ' Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world ; ' 2 Tim. iv. 17, ' Notwithstanding, the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me.' If Christ will stand by us, and keep us in his own hand, what shall separate ?
[3.] Christ hath the government of the world, or a power and dominion over all things which may help or hinder his people's happi- ness ; therefore his love inclineth him to order all things so as may be for their good : John v. 22, ' He hath committed all judgment to the Son ; ' and John iii. 35, ' He hath given all things into his hand ; ' so Eph. i. 22, ' Head over all things to the church.' Things are not left
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382 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. [SeU. XLV.
to the arbitrament or uncertain contingency of second causes, but are under the government of a supreme providence, the administration of which is in the hands of him that loved us ; and therefore he will exercise his dominion as shall be for God's glory and our good, and so curb all opposition, and moderate all temptations, as may be consistent with his love and care over us: 1 Cor. x. 13, 'He will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able.' In short, being so near to God, and having the dispensation of the Spirit and the admini- stration of providence, his great love maketh him pity his people in their necessities ; they are his dear purchase, therefore he will not lose them: John xiii. 1, 'Jesus having loved his own, which were in the world, he loved them to the end.' They were in the world when he was to go out of the world — left in the midst of waves when he was got ashore. He knew the dangers to which they were exposed ; if they miscarry, his own people miscarry ; therefore his heart is moved with all their dangers and difficulties ; and when we are most in danger, then is love most at work to provide help for us in all our temptations, as the mother keepeth with the sick child.
5. That love which cometh from the impression of this love is of an imconquerable force and efficacy : Cant viii. 6, ' Love is strong as death, jealousy as cruel as the grave, the coals thereof are as the coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it ; if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.' There the vehemency and unconquerable constancy of love is set forth ; it will not be quenched, it will not be bribed. At this rate Christ loved us ; his love was as strong, and stronger, than death ; he debased himself from the height of all his glory to the depth of all misery for our sakes, suffered death, and overcame all difficulties. His love carried him to us, his love could not be quenched by the waters of affliction, for he ' endured the cross, and despised the shame,' Heb. xii. 2. And his love would not be bribed by the offers of prefer- ment: Mat iv.. 9, 'All these things will I give if thou wilt fall down and worship me.' Ease : Mat. xvi. 22, ' Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord : this shall not be unto thee.' Honour : Mat. xxvii. 40, 42, ' If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Let him come down from the cross, and we will believe him.' None of this could draw him from his work ; and in their measure, it is fulfilled in christians; waters cannot quench it: Acts xxi. 13, ' What mean ye to weep, and break my heart? for I am ready not only to be bound, but to die at Jerusalem ; ' Kev. xii. 11, 'And they loved not their lives unto the death;' they have not learned to love at a cheaper rate. It will not be bribed : Mat. xix. 27, ' And Peter said. We have forsaken all, and followed thee ; ' Luke xiv. 26, ' If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, and his own life, he can- not be my disciple.' Now this love that is in us, being of such a vehement nature, it can be resisted no more than death or the grave can be resisted. No opposition can quench or extinguish it, no pleasures, or honours, or profits, can bribe it. If men would give all their substance, such a soul will be faithful to Christ ; so that by this