that the eternal Father hath, in the greatness of his love, sent his only begotten Son into the world, with a commission to purchase it for them. The Father, according to his eternal covenant with the Son as last Adam, sent him, in order that he might bear their griefs, and carry their sorrows; and so might, at the infinite expense of his unparalleled anguish, agony, and death, purchase for them, the comfort which they, in the first Adam, had forfeited. He sent his only, his dear Son, to endure the pains of eternal death for them, that they might enjoy, in union with Him, the comfort of eternal life; that they might enter into Zion, with songs of triumph in their lips, and with everlasting joy on their heads. The Lord Jesus himself hath declared, that the comforting of mourners in Zion, was a principal object of his mission into the world. "The Spirit of the Lord God," saith he, " is upon me, because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek: He hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted ;...to comfort all that mourn; to give unto them that mourn in Zion, beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness *." The Father hath also exalted him, in the human nature, to universal dominion; on purpose that, he might dispense the comfort of salvation, to all who should believe in him. Accordingly, when he was about to leave the world, the legacy which he left to his disciples, was comfort 1. He promised that, their sorrow should be turned into joy; and that, in him, they should have peace, when, in the world, they Isa. lxi. 1-3. 1 John xiv. 27,

should have tribulation". So great is the importance of Divine consolation to the saints, and to the glory of God in their salvation; that the Father and the Son, send the Holy Spirit, to apply it to their souls. The Spirit, accordingly, testifieth of Christ; witnesseth their adoption into the family of God; and seals them to the day of redemption. In performing these offices, he invigorates and cheers their hearts. Nay, so important, so excellent, is spiritual comfort, in the estimation of God, that God the Father, assumeth this title, "The God of consolation "," "The God of all con fort P :" God the Son, is styled, "The Consolation of Israel ;" and God the adorable Spirit, is distinguished by this cheering title, "The Comforter ." In few words, so high is the value, which the Lord setteth upon holy comfort, that he gives this solemn charge to the ministers of his word: Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not." Do men set such a high value upon earthly comforts, as to pursue, with unwearied diligence, the enjoyment of them? With what incomparably higher esteem, should believers regard heavenly consolations, in which, the infinite excellence of redeeming grace, is displayed with transcendent lustre "

“

2. Spiritual consolation is of such high importance, as to form an essential part of that eternal life, which God who cannot lie, promised before the

world began. That it is a part of eternal life, was evinced above. Comfort or joy, is so essential a part of life eternal in heaven, that heaven itself is, în scripture, styled Joy". To enter into heaven, is, to enter into joy, the joy of the Lord Jesus. If then, fulness of joy is a necessary part of eternal life, as consummated in heaven; doubtless joy, though in an inferior degree, is a part of the same eternal life, as begun upon earth. Now, doth spiritual consolation form a part, even of life eternal ? Is it necessary to holiness and happiness, not only as a means to the end, but, by a nobler kind of necessity, as a part of the end itself? How unspeakably important, then, how divinely excellent, muşt it be! It is supernatural, spiritual, and Divine; and, therefore, is of a nature inconceivably more pure, sublime, and ennobling, than any natural delight, any earthly joy. Instead of corrupting and debasing the soul, as carnal joys frequently do, it beautifies and dignifies it. So highly important *in our view, is even earthly comfort or joy, that, as Chrysostom says, We do all in order that we may joy.' But creature-comforts, even though enjoyed in the utmost variety, and in the highest degree, are, in comparison of Divine consolation, and that, in the lowest degree, but as the glimmering taper, before the meridian sun. Holy consolation is a commodity of heaven, that distant country, not to be imported, but by faith and prayer. It makes a man inexpressibly more happy, than any earthly comforts can do. One smile of the Redeemer, one glance of heaven, as the sure por

" Matth. xxv. 21.

tion of the holy soul, yields more content and comfort, than all the delights of this world. What are any, what are all, earthly joys, compared with the joy of him, who rejoiceth in the Lord! Indeed, as Luther says, to comfort the heart, is more than to create a world. How inexpressibly powerful and grateful, is heavenly consolation, to the distressed soul! When David had been under great trouble, when a flood of bitter waters, had overflowed his soul; the Lord let fall a drop or two of heavenly comfort, and all was turned unto sweetness ". O the inconceivable excellence, the unparalleled sweetness, of Divine consolation!

3. The high importance of spiritual comfort, will also appear, if we consider that, it is the pure delight which saints have, in common with holy angels. The pleasures of sense, are such as believers have, in common with irrational creatures; the pleasures merely of reason, are such as they attain equally with other men; but the delights of communion with God, are such as they enjoy in common with the angels of light. They are not, indeed, the same in degree, as the joys of angels, but they are the same in kind. They are the plea-. sures of a soul, and not of bodily sense; the delights of a holy soul, and not of a carnal mind. The pleasures of true religion, do immediately affect the soul, that part of a holy man, by which he is allied to the world of spirits; and therefore they are to be regarded, as the only sublime, the only true, pleasures of a man. When holy souls are comforted, they are entertained as with angels'

Ps. xciv. 19.

ood. Their consolation is not only spiritual, and therefore suitable to a holy and immortal spirit ; but, it is substantial and satisfying, heavenly and glorious *. Their joy is, in its own nature, unspeakably glorious, and is accompanied with glorying in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is truly honourable, and is the earnest of glory, in their souls. When sinners have "come to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling," they so "come to an innumerable company of angels," as, in some measure, to pårticipate with them, in that sublime, that celestial delight, which they always enjoy, in the presence of God and the Lamb. They then, begin to imitate the holy and blessed angels, in delighting in objects of the greatest worth, and especially, in the will and the glory of God in Christ.

4. Spiritual consolation is of such consequence to believers, and to the glory of God in their salvation, that every part of sacred Scripture, contributes to promote it, and is intended to do so. "Whatsoever things were written aforetime," says the apostle Paul," were written for our learning, that we, through patience and comfort of the scriptures, might have hope:" as if he had said, Whatever things were, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, written in the Old Testament, were left on record, not only for the instruction of our ancestors, but for ours likewise; in order that we, by means of them, might be excited and encouraged to exercise patience, under all our afflictions, and might be partakers of the joy of faith, and comfort of the Y Rom. xv. 4.

* 1 Pet. i. 8.