Now, farther to engage thee to this expectation, —
(1.) Consider his mercifulness, tenderness, and kindness, as he is our great High Priest at the right hand of God. Assuredly he pities thee in thy distress; saith he, " As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you," Isa. Ixvi. 13. He hath the tenderness of a mother to a sucking child. Heb. ii. 17, 18, " Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he him- self hath sujBfered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted." How is the ability of Christ upon the account of his suf- fering proposed to us? " In that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able." Did the sufferings and temptations of Christ add to his ability and power? Not, doubtless, considered absolutely and in it itself. But the ability here mentioned is such as hath readi- ' John vi. G8. - Col. i 11.
VOL. VI. 6
82 MORTIFICATION OF SIN IN BELIEVEES.
uess, proneness, willingness to put itself forth, accompanying of it; it is an aLility of will against all dissuasions. He is able, having suf- fered and been tempted, to break through all dissuasions to the con- trary, to relieve poor tempted souls: Avvarat ^o^dyjffat, — " He is able to help." It is a metonymy of the effect ; for, he can now be moved to help, having been so tempted. So chap. 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, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." The exhortation of verse 1 6 is the same that I am upon, — namely, that we would entertain expectations of relief from Christ, which the apostle there calls x"'P''-' ^'^ svxaipov fSoTjhiav, " grace for seasonable help." " If ever," says the soul, " help were seasonable, it would be so to me in my present condition. This is that which I long for, — grace for seasonable help. I am ready to die, to perish, to be lost for ever ; iniquity will prevail against me, if help come not in." Says the apostle, " Expect this help, this relief, this grace from Christ." Yea, but on what account? That which he lays down, verse 15. And we may observe that the word, verse 16, which we have translated to " obtain," is XaQuij^sv. "Ii/a XdQoj/j.sv 'iXsov, " That we may receive it;" suitable and seasonable help will come in. I shall freely say, this one thing of establishing the soul by faith in expectation of relief from Jesus Christ,^ on the account of his mercifulness as om' high priest, will be more available to the ruin of thy lust and distemper, and have a better and speedier issue, than all the rigidest means of self-mace- ration that ever any of the sons of men engaged themselves unto. Yea, let m.e add, that never any soul did or shall perish by the power of any lust, sin, or corruption, who could raise his soul by faith to an expectation of relief from Jesus Christ.^
(2.) Co'ns'ider His faithfulness who hath promised; which may raise thee up and confirm thee in this waiting in an expectation of relief. He hath promised to relieve in such cases, and he will fulfil his word to the utmost. God tells us that his covenant with us is like the " ordinances" of heaven, the sun, moon, and stars, which have their certain courses, Jer. xxxi. 86. Thence David said that he watched for relief from God " as one watched for the morning," ^ — a thing that will certainly come in its appointed season. So Avill be thy relief from Christ. It will come in its season, as the dew and rain upon the parched ground; for faithful is he who hath promised. Particular promises to this purpose are innumerable; with some of them, that seem peculiarly to suit his condition, let the soul be always fur- nished.
' Matt. xi. 28. J Isa. Iv. 1-3 ; Ecv. iii. 18. » Ps. cxxx. G.
NECESSITY OF FAITH ON CHEIST. 83
Now, tliere are two eminent advantages which always attend this expectation of succour from Jesus Christ : —
[1.] It engages him to a full and speedy assistance. Nothing doth more engage the heart of a man to be useful and helpful to another than his expectation of help from him, if justly raised and counte- nanced by him who is to give the relief. Our Lord Jesus hath raised our hearts, by his kindness, care, and promises, to this expectation ; certainly our rising, up unto it must needs be a great engagement upon him to assist us accordingly. This the Psalmist gives us as an approved maxim, "Thou, Lord, never forsakest them that put their- trust in thee."-. When the heart is once won to rest in God, to repose himself on him, he will assuredly satisfy it. He will never be as water that fails; nor hath he said at any time to the seed of Jacob, " Seek ye my face in vain." If Christ be chosen for the foundation of our supply, he will not fail us.