Graphautarkeia, or, The Scriptures sufficiency practically demonstrated wherein whatsoever is contain'd in Scripture, respecting doctrine, worship or manners is reduced to its proper head, weighty cases resolved, truths confirmed, difficult texts illustrated and explained by others more plain.

7thly, That the Saints are near and dear to God in Christ, so that he takes special notice of their afflictions and troubles, and is said to be persecuted and afflicted in their persecutions and afflictions.

And the Lord said, Surely I have seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry, by reason of their task masters: for I know their sorrows, and I am come down to deliver them, &c. Exod. 3. 7, 8, 9.

The Lords portion is his people, Jacob is the lot of his inheritance: he found him in a desert land, &c. He led him about (or, encompassed him about): he kept, he instructed him as the apple of his eye, &c. Deut. 32. 9, 10.

For the Lord saw the affliction of Israel that it was very bitter, 2 Kings 14. 26.

Thou hast considered my trouble, thou hast known my soul in adversity, Psal. 31. 7.

Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee, Psal. 69. 19.

The Lord will not cast off his people: neither will he forsake his inheritance, Psal. 94. 14.

He reproved kings for their sakes, saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm, Psal. 105. 14, 15.

They provoked him, &c. nevertheless he regarded their afflictions when he heard their cry: and he remembred for them his covenant: and repented ac∣cording to the multitude of his mercies, Psal. 106. 43, 44, 45, 46.

I was wroth with my people, &c. and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy: upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid the yoke, Isa. 47. 6.

Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking-child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee: Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hand: thy walls are con∣tinually before me, Isa. 49. 14, 15, 16.

Fear not, for thou shalt not be ashamed, &c. for thy maker is thine husband, the Lord of hosts is his name: and thy redeemer the holy one of Israel, Isa. 54. 4, 5.

For he said, Surely they are my people, children who will not lye: so he was their Saviour: in all their afflictions he was afflicted, and the Angel of his presence saved them: and in his love, and in his pity, he redeemed them, &c. Isa. 63. 8, 9.

Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him: I will surely have mercy on him, saith the Lord, Jer. 31. 20.

I see four men walking in the fire, and they have no hurt: and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God, Dan. 3. 25.

How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel, &c? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled, Hosea 11. 8.

The Lord is good, a strong hold (or, strength) in the day of trouble, and he knoweth them who trusteth in him, Nahum 1. 7.

I am sore displeased, &c. for I was but a little displeased, and they helped for∣ward the affliction, Zech. 1. 15.

He sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he who toucheth you, toucheth the apple of his eye. For behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil, &c. Zech. 2. 8.

The very hairs of your head are all numbred, &c. He who receiveth you, re∣ceiveth me, &c. Matth. 10. 30, 40, 42.

Then shall the king say unto them on his right hand, &c. I was an hungry, and ye gave me meat, &c. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, When saw we thee an hungred, &c? and the king shall answer and say unto them, Ve∣rily, I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the

left hand, depart from me ye cursed, &c. For I was an hungry, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungry? then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch, as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me, Matt. 25. 34, 35, 36, 37, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45.

And Saul yet breathing out threatnings and slaughter against the Disciples of the Lord, &c. he heard a voice, saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why perse∣cutest thou me? and he said, Who art thou Lord? and the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest, it is hard for thee to kick, &c. Act. 9. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. ch. 16. 14, 15.

We are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones, Ephes. 5. 30.

We have not an High Priest, who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities: but was in all points tempted like as we are: yet without sin, Heb. 4. 15. ch. 2. 18. ch. 5. 2.

See Union and Relation between Christ and his Church, Chap. 15.