Isai. xl. 1 , 2. Comfort ye, comfort ye my 'people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins.
THE ministerial office is fitly compared to that of a steward, who divides to every one his proper portion3. The execution of it calls for much wisdom and dis- cretion, because there must be a diversity both in the matter and manner of our addresses corresponding with the different states of the people to whom we minister. To some we must of necessity proclaim the terrors of God's law, however painful such a dis- charge of our duty may be : but the great scope of our ministry is rather to comfort the Lord's people, and to " guide their feet into the way of peace." The commission here given to the servants of Jehovah, is very remarkable, being thrice repeated in one single verse. In this view of it I am led particularly to shew,
I. How earnestly God desires the comfort and happi- ness of his people —
There are a people, chosen by the Father, redeemed by Christ, and sanctified by the Spirit, who are emi- nently the Lord's people". And that God is pecu- liarly solicitous to promote their comfort, appears,
1. From the commission which he gave to his be- loved Son —
[He sent his Son into the world to execute his eternal counsels. And our Lord himself, in his first public address to the people, declared, that the comfort of mourners was a prin- cipal object of his mission0.]
2. From the end for which he sends his Spirit into the hearts of men —
[God sends his Spirit to testify of Christ d, to witness our adoption into his family0, and to seal us unto the day of
* 2 Tim. ii, 15. Luke xii. 42. i> Deut. vii. G. 1 Pet. ii. 9.
c Isai. lxi. 1—3. Lukeiv. 17— 19. <* John x v. 26. e Rom. viii, 15.
920.] THE TENDENCY OF THE GOSPEL. Ill)
redemption f. In performing these offices he comforts our souls. And he is, on that very account, distinguished by the name of " the Comforter'*"]
3. From the titles which the Father himself as- sumes—
[He calls himself " The God of consolation11," and " the Comforter of all them that are "cast down1." He compares his concern to that of a Father pitying his child k, and to a mother comforting with tenderest assiduities her afflicted in- fant1. Yea, he assures us that his regards far exceed those of the most affectionate parent in the universe n1.]
4. From the solemn charge he gives to ministers — [He sends his servants " to turn men from darkness unto
light, and from the power of Satan unto God11." And he espe- cially charges them to " strengthen the weak hands, to confirm the feeble knees, and to say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not ; your God will come and save you0." Thrice is that injunction repeated in the text : and in the execution of this duty we are justly called, " The helpers of your joy p."]
5. From the dispensations both of his providence and grace —
[When he suffered his beloved Son to be tempted in all things like unto us, it was with a view to comfort us under our temptations'1. And when he comforted St. Paul under his multiplied afflictions, he still consulted the comfort of his Church and people r : yea, however he diversified his dispensa- tions, he had invariably the same gracious object in views.]
As a further proof of his regard for our comfort, we may point out to you,
II. What abundant provision he has made for it in his word — The message which we are commanded to deliver to his people, contains in it the richest sources of consolation —