The fountain of life opened, or, A display of Christ in his essential and mediatorial glory wherein the impetration of our redemption by Jesus Christ is orderly unfolded as it was begun, carryed on, and finished by his covenant-transaction, mysterious incarnation, solemn call and dedication ... / by John Flavell ...

Inference 8.

* 1.1Did the dreadful sword of Divine Justice smite the Shepherd, Gods own fellow; and at the same time the flock from whom all his outward comforts arose, were scattered from him? Then learn, that the holiest of men have no reason either to repine, or despond; though God at once should strip them of all their outward and inward comforts together. He that did this by the man his fel∣low, may much rather do it by the man his friend. Smite my Shepherd; there's all comfort gone from the inner man. Scat∣ter the Sheep; there's all comfort gone from the outward man.

What refreshments had Christ in this world, but such as came im∣mediately from his Father, or those holy ones now scattered from him? In one day he•• seth both heavenly, and earthly comforts. Now as God dealt by Christ, he may at one time or other deal with his people. You have your comforts from Heaven; so had Christ, in a fuller measure than ever you had, or can have. He had comforts from his little flock, you have your comforts from the society of the Saints, the Ordinances of God, comfortable Relations, &c. Yet none of these are so firmly setled upon you, but you may be left destitute of them all in one day. God did take all comfort from Christ, both outward, and inward; and are you greater than he? God sometimes takes outward, and leaves inward comfort; sometimes he takes inward, and leaves outward comfort: but time may come when God may strip you of both.

This was the case of Iob, a favorite of God, who was blessed with outward, and inward comforts. Yet a time came when God stript him of all, and made him poor to a Proverb, as to all outward com∣fort; and the venom of his arrows drank up his spirit, and the inward comforts thereof.

Should the Lord deal thus with any of you, how seasonable and relieving will the f••llowing considerations be?

• First, Though the Lord deal thus with you, yet this is no new thing, he hath dealt so with others, yea with Jesus Christ that was his fellow. If these things were done in the green tree, in him that never deserved it for any sin of his own; how little reason have we to complain? Nay,
• Secondly, Therefore did this befall Jesus Christ before you, that the like condition might be sanctified to you, when you shall be brought into it. For therefore did Jesus Christ pass through such varieties of conditions; on purpose that he might take away the curse, and leave a blessing in those conditions, against the time that you should come into them. Moreover,
• Thirdly, Though inward comforts and outward comforts were both removed from Christ in one day, yet he wanted not support in the absence of both. How relieving a consideration is this! Ioh. 16.32. Behold (saith he) the hour cometh, yea is now come that ye shall be scatter••d every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. With me by way of support, when not by way of comfort. Thy God (Christian) can in like manner support thee, when all sen∣sible

• comforts shrink away together from thy soul, and body in one day.
• Lastly, It deserves a remark, that this comfortless forsaken con∣dition of Christ, immediately preceded the day of his greatest glo∣ry and comfort. Naturalists observe the greatest darkness is a little before the dawning of the morning. 'Twas so with Christ, it may be so with thee. It was but a little while and he had better company than theirs that forsook him. Act therefore your faith upon this, that the most glorious light usually follows the thickest darkness. The louder your Groans are now, the louder your Tri∣umphs hereafter will be. The Horror of your present, will but add to the Lu••ter of your future state.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Infer. 8.