[4.] By giving in fresh supplies of grace, according as temptations do grow or increase. So was it in the case of Paul, 2 Cor. xii. 9, " My grace is sufficient for thee." The temptation, whatever it were, grew high ; Paul was earnest for its removal ; and receives only this answer, of the sufficiency of the grace of God for his supportment, notwithstanding all the gi'0"\vth and increase of the temptation.
[5.] By giving them wisdom to make a right, holy, and spiritual improvement of all temptations. James bids us " count it all joy when we fall into divers temptations," James i. 2: which could not be done were there not a holy and spiritual use to be made of them ; which also himself manifests in the words following. There are manifold uses of temptations, which experienced Christians, with assistance suitable from Christ, may make of them. This is not the least, that by them we are brought to know ourselves. So Hezekiah was left to be tried, to know what was in him. By temptation, some bosom, hidden corruption is oftentimes discovered, that the soul knew not of before. As it was with^ Hazael in respect of enormous crimes, so in lesser things with the saints. They would never have believed there had been such lusts and corrujitions in them as they have dis- covered upon their temptations. Yea, divers having been tempted to one sin, have discovered another that thoy thought not of; as some, being tempted to pride, or worldliness, or looseness of conversa- tion, have been startled by it, and led to a discovery of neglect of many duties and much commmiion -svith God, which before they thought not of. And this is from the tender care of Jesus Christ, gi\ing them in suitable help; without which no man can possibly make use of or improve a temptation. And this is a suitable help indeed, whereby a temptation which otherwise, or to other persons, might be a deadly wound, proves the lancing of a festered sore, and
' 2 Kinir viii. 13.
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the letting out of corruption that otherwise might have endangered the hfe itself. So, 1 Pet. i. 6, " If need be 3^e are in heaviness through manifold temptations."
[6.] Wheyi the soul is at any time more or less overcome hy temp- tations, Christ in his tenderness relieves it tvith mercy and pardon; so tliat his shall not sink utterly under their burden, 1 John ii. 1, 2.
By one, more, or all of these ways, doth the Lord Jesus manifest his conjugal tenderness and compassion towards the saints, in and under their temptations.
2. Christ is compassionate towards them in their afflictions: "In all their affliction he is afflicted," Isa. Ixiii. 9; yea, it seems that all our afflictions (at least those of one sort, — namely, which consist in persecutions) are his in the first place, ours only by participation. Col. i. 2-i, We^ " fill up the measure of the afflictions of Christ." Two things evidently manifest this compassionateness in Christ : —
(1.) His intercedinfi with his Father for their relief, Zech. i. 12. Christ intercedeth on our behalf, not only in respect of our sins, but also our sufferings ; and when the work of our afflictions is accom- plished, we shall have the relief^ he intercedes for. The Father always hears him; and we have not a deliverance from trouble, a recovering of health, ease of pain, freedom from any evil that ever laid hold upon us, but it is given us on the intercession of Jesus Christ. Believers are unacquainted with their own condition, if they look upon their mercies as dispensed in a way of common providence. And this may, indeed, be a cause why we esteem them no more, are no more thankful for them, nor fruitful in the enjoyment of them : — we see not how, by what means, nor on Avhat accovmt, they are dis- pensed to us. The generation of the people of God in the world are at this day alive, undevoured, merely on the account of the interces- sion of the Lord Jesus. His compassionateness hath been the fountain of their deliverances. Hence oftentimes he rebukes their suifeiings and afflictions, that they shall not act to the utmost upon them when they are under them. He is with them when they pass through fire and water, Isa. xliii. 2, 3.
(2.) In that he doth and will, in the winding up of the matter, so sorely revenge the quarrel of their sufferings upon their enemies. He avenges his elect that cry unto him; yea, he doth it speedily. The controversy of Zion leads on the day of his vengeance, Isa. xxxiv. 8. He looks upon them sometimes in distress, and considers what is the state of the world in reference to them. Zech. i. 11, "We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still,
' " T»» 'Tfu.^nfi.a.rui^ Cliristi duo sunt genera : T^on^rii/.a.Ta, qiins passus est in corpore 8X10, et v(rTi^rif/.i)i,Ta., qxisB in Sanctis." — Zanc. in. loc. 2 Ileb. vii. 25. VOL. II. 10
146 OF COMMtJNION WITH THE SON" JESUS CHRIST.
and is at rest," s<iy his messengers to him, wliom he sent to consider the ■yvorld and its condition during the aflEliction of his people. This commonly is the condition of the world in such a season, " They are at rest and quiet, their hearts are abundantly satiated;^ they drink wine in bowls, and send gifts to one another." Then Christ looks to see who will come in for their succour, Isa. lix. 16, 17; and finding none engaging himself for their relief, by the destruction of their adversaries, himself undertakes it. Now, this vengeance he accom- plishes two ways : —