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 3.

Did God really forsake Jesus Christ upon the Cross,* 1.1 then from the desortion of Christs singular consolation springs up to the people of God; yea, manifold consolation. Principally it's a support in these two respects, As it is preventive of your final de∣sertion, and a comfortable pattern to you in your present sad de∣sertions.

First, Christs desertion is preventive of your final desertion. Because he was forsaken for a time, you shall not be forsaken for ever. For he was forsaken for you. And Gods forsaking him. though but for a few hours, is equivalent to his forsaking you for ever. It is every way as much for the dear Son of God, the darling delight of his soul, to be forsaken of God for a time; as if such a poor inconsiderable thing as thou art, shouldst be cast off to eternity. Now this being equivalent and born in thy room, must needs give thee the highest security in the world, that God will never finally withdraw from the. Had he intended to have done so, Christ had never made such a sad cut-cry as you hear this day, my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Secondly, Moreover, this sad desertion of Christ becomes a comf••rca••le pattern to poor deserted souls in divers respects: and the proper business of such soul at such times, is to eye it believ∣ingly, in those fix respects.

First, Though God deserted Christ, yet at the same time he powerfully supported him. His omnipotent arms were un∣der him, though his pleased face was hid from him. He had not indeed his smiles, but he had his supportations. So (Christan)

just so shall it be with thee. Thy God may turn away his face, he will not pluck away his arm. When one asked of holy Mr. Baines how the case stood with his soul, he answered; Sup∣ports I have, though suavities I want. Our Father in this deals with us, as we our selves sometimes do with a Child that is stubborn and rebellious. We turn him out of doors, and bid him be gone our of our sight; and there sighs and weeps, but how ever, for the humbling of him will not presently take him into house and favour; yet we order, at least permit the servants to carry him meat and drink. Here is fatherly care, and support; though no former smiles, or manifested de∣lights.

Secondly, Though God deserted Christ, yet he deserted not God. His Father forsook him, but he could not forsake his Father, but followed him with this cry, my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

And is it not even so with you? God goes off from your souls, but you cannot go off from him. No, your hearts are mourning after the Lord. Seeking him carefully with tears. Complain∣ing of his absence as the greatest evil in this world. This is Christ like. So it was with the Spouse, Cant. 3.1, 2. Her beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone; but was she con∣tent to part with him so? No such thing. By night on my bed, I sought him whom my soul loveth, I sought him but I found him not, I will arise now, and go about the City, &c.

Thirdly, Though God forsook Christ, yet he returned to him again. It was but for a time, not for ever. In this also doth his desertion parallel yours. God may for several wise and holy reasons hide his face from you, but not so as it's hid from the damned; who shall never see it again. This cloud will pass away. This night shall have a bright morning. For (saith thy God) I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth▪ for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made. As if he should say, I may contend with him for a time, to humble him; but not for ever, left instead of a sad child, I should have a dead child. Oh the tenderness even of a displeased Father!

Fourthly, Though God forsook Christ, yet at that time he could justifie God. So you read Psal. 22.2, 3. O my God, (saith he) I cry in the day time; but thou hearest not, and

in the night season, and am not silent; but thou art holy. Is not thy spirit according to thy measure, framed like Christs in this? Canst thou not say even when he writes bitter things against thee, he is a holy, faithful, and good God for all this. I am deserted, but not wronged. There is not one drop of injustice, in all the Sea of my sorrows. Though he condemn me, I must and will Justifie him. This also is Christ-like.

Fifthly, Though God took from Christ all visible and sensible comforts, inward, as well as outward; yet Christ subsisted by faith in the absence of them all. His desertion put him upon the act∣ing of his faith. My God, my God, are words of faith. The words of one that rolls upon his God. And is it not so with you too? Sence of love is gone, sweet sights of God shut up in a dark cloud; well what then? Must thy hands presently hang down, and thy soul give up all its hopes? What! is there no faith to relieve in this case? Yes, yes, and blessed be God for faith. Who is among you that feareth the Lord, and obeyeth the voice of his ser∣vants, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light; let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay himself upon his God, Isai. 50.10. To conclude,

Sixthly, Christ was deserted, a little before the glorious morn∣ing of light and joy dawned upon him. It was a little, a very lit∣tle while, after this sad cry, before he triumphed gloriously. And so it may be with you. Heaviness may endure for a night, but joy and gladness will come in the morning. You know how Mr. Glover was trasported with joy, and cryed out, as a man in a Rapture. O Austin, he is come, he is come, he is come, meaning the Comfor∣ter, who for some time had been absent from his soul.

But I fear I am absolutely and finally forsaken.* 1.2

Why so?* 1.3 Do you find the characters of such a desertion upon your soul? Be righteous Judges, and tell me, whether you find an heart willing to forsake God? Is it indifferent now to you whe∣ther God ever return again or no? Are there no mournings, melt∣ings, hankerings after the Lord? Indeed if you forsake him, he will cast you off for ever. But can you do so? Oh no, let him do what he will, I am resolved to wait for him, cleave to him, mourn after him, though I have no present comfort from him, no assurance of my interest in him! yet will I not exchange my poor weak hopes, for all the good in this world.

Again, You say God hath forsaken you, but hath he let loose the bridle before you? To allude to Iob. 30.11. Hath he taken away from your souls, all conscientious tenderness of sin, so that now you can sin freely, and without any regret? If so, it's a sad token indeed. Tell me soul, if thou judgest indeed God will never re∣turn in loving kindness to thee any more; why dost thou not then give thy self over to the pleasures of sin, and fetch thy comforts that way from the creatures since thou canst have no comfort from thy God? Oh no, I cannot do so. If I die in darkness and sor∣row, I will never do so. My soul is as full of fear and hatred of sin as ever, though empty of joy and comfort. Surely there are no tokens of a soul finally abandoned by its God.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Infer. 3.
• * 1.2

  Ob••ect.
• * 1.3

  Sol.