Christ's sufferings for man's sin. 369
should cast us into hell. What a stay is this for a distressed soul to make use of !
Beloved, the church of God, the mystical body of Christ, is thus forsaken in other countries, besides many particular humble, broken-hearted Chris- tians at home, who fuid no beams of God's love and mercy. What shall we do ? Let the body imitate the head, even go to God in their behalf, and pour out your complaints before him : Lord, where are thy mercies of old ? where are thy ancient bowels to thy church ? why should the enemy triumph, &c. God delights when we lay open the miseries of his people, and our own particular grievances before him. If there be a spirit of faith in it, oh ! it works upon his bowels. If a child can but say, 0 father, 0 mother ! though he can say not a word more, the bowels are touched, there is eloquence enough ; so when we can lay open the pitiful state of God's poor church, what a blessing may we obtain for them ? It is thy church. Lord, thine own people, thy name is called upon them, and they call upon thy name ; though they have sinned, yet thou deservest to be like thyself, and Christ hath deserved mercy for them. Thus, if we contend with God, and keep not silence, and give God no rest, faith would work wonders. The state of the church would not be long as it is, if we would all improve our interest in heaven in their behalf. Beloved, Christ struggled with the powers of darkness and the wrath of his Father a while, but presently after, aU was finished ; so let us contend boldly, ' Fight the good fight of faith,' 2 Tim. iv. 7, and not yield to desperate suggestions. Let faith stir up prayer, and prayer go to God ; and ere long it shall be said of the church, and of all particular troubles. All is finished. Then we shall enjoy the sweet presence of God, ' where is fulness of joy,' Ps. xvi. 11, and that for evermore. The presence of God is that the child of God desires above all things in the world ; it quickens and strengthens him ; it puts zeal and fire into him ; it doth all. What will not the presence of God do wlien a man enjoys his face ? Therefore, let us be content to conflict here, to be exer- cised a while in faith and prayer. We shall surely say ere long, ' I have finished my course, I have kept the faith ; henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,' 2 Tim. iv. 8.
I beseech you learn these lessons and instructions from our blessed Saviour. We cannot have a better pattern than to be Hke him, by whom we all hope to be saved another day. So much for this time.
NOTE.
Page 362, line 3cT from top, ' As Leo saith,' &c. The reference (rathor than quo- tation) is to Leo, Serm. 64, De Passione Domini, 13, wherein occurs tiio following : — ' Singnlares qnippe in singulis mortes fuerunt, nee alterius quisquani debitum euo fine persolvit, cum inter filios hominum unus solus Dorainus Noster Jesua extiterit in quo omnes crucifixi, omnes mortui, omnes sepulti, omnes etiam sint suscitati.' G.
VOL. I. A a
THE CHURCH'S VISITATION.
THE CHURCH'S VISITATION.
NOTE.
' The Church's Visitation ' forms a treatise expository of 1 Pet. iv. 17-19, in four separate but related discourses. The original title-page is given below.* It makes the ' second part ' of the volume described at page 296. These four sermons were reprinted in the ' Saints Cordials' (2d ed. 1637, 3d ed. 1658), where they are num- bered as 12th to 15th.— G.
* Title-page —
THE
CHVECHES
VISITATION :
DISCOVERING
The many difficulties and tryaUs of
Gods Saints on earth : Shewing wherein the fouutaine of
their happinesse consists : Arming Christians how to doe, and
suffer for Christ ;
And directing them how to commit
themselves, and all their wayes to
God in holinesse here, and
happinesse hereafter.
preached in sundry Sermons at Grayes- Inne, London,
By R. S. D.D.
LONDON,
Printed \>j M. F. for R. Dawlman, at the Brazen Serpent in Pauls Church- yard. 1634.
THE CHURCH'S VISITATION.
SEEMON I.
Foi' the time is come that judr/ment must begin at the house of God, and if it begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel? dc. — 1 Pet. IV. 17, 18, 19.
Our nature, as it is very backward to do good, so likewise to suffer evil ; there- fore the blessed apostle exhorts us at the latter end of this chapter, ' not to think it strange concerning the fiery trial, but to rejoice, inasmuch as we are made partakers of Christ's sufferings ; wherein ai-e many grounds of patience and comfort to the children of God.
(1.) That the thought of troubles should not be strange but familiar to them. Acquainting our thoughts with them, taketh away offence at them ; though it be vl fiery trial, yet it shall consume nothing but di'oss.
(2.) Then Chi'ist joineth with us in suffering. Better to be in trouble with Christ, than in peace icithout him.