to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness*. So exactly does our Lord answer the lovely character of a righteous and peaceful Sovereign, drawn by David+ in those last words of his, which many suppose ultimately to refer to the Messiah, He shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even as a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth, by clear shining after rain. And again‡, He shall judge the poor of the people, and save the children of the needy: And his people shall be so refreshed by his tender care, that He shall come down like rain upon the new mown grass, and like showers that water the earth: He shall deliver the needy, when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper: He shall spare the poor and needy and shall save the souls of the needy: He shall redeem their souls from deceit and violence, and precious shall their blood be in his sight. Many parallel expressions might be added to these; but the following heads are too copious to allow of a farther enlargement upon this. 3. I might largely argue the tenderness and grace of Christ, "from his conduct on earth in the days of his flesh." The time would fail me, should I attempt to enumerate half the particular circumstances of it, that tend to illustrate this part of his character: I must only select a few, which are the most remarkable. And judge you, whether all that is foretold of him in the text, and in the other prophetical passages I have been referring you to, was not amply and sweetly accomplished in them. It is said, He will gather the lambs in his arms; i. e. as I have been telling you above, the young and the weak shall be welcome to him: And did not our Lord sufficiently shew that they were so, when the little children were brought unto him? The disciples forbad them, as thinking it was beneath the dignity of so great a prophet, as their master was, to trouble himself about them. But observe it, children, for I believe it was in part recorded for your sakes, Jesus was greatly displeased with his disciples, that they should think he had no tenderness for such little creatures as you; and he said, Suffer little chil dren to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God: And he took them up in his arms, and laid his hands upon them, and blessed them§: Do you not here see the Isa. lx. 1, 3. § Mark x. 13-16. 2 Sam. xxiii. 4. Psal. lxxii. 4, 6, 12, 13, 14, text most beautifully illustrated, and fulfilled? Do you not here see The great Shepherd, gathering the lambs in his arms, and laying them in his bosom ?--And does he not invite others also to that soft and pleasant repose, in those compassionate words, which surely none of you are such strangers in Israel as not to know? Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest*: And Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out. Did he not also express a very gracious regard to such, when he so peculiarly recommends the care of them to Peter, just when he was leaving the world, taking that peculiarly affecting opportunity of assuring him, not only that it was his will that they should be regarded, but also that an affectionate care of them was the most acceptable instance, which Peter, and, by a parity of reason, his other ministers, could give of their love to him? Lovest thou me? if thou dost, feed my lambs, and feed my sheep‡.—Can we then imagine, that he himself will fail in his care of any of them? Especially when we consider the instances of his tenderness, to some who were not of his fold, as well as to many who were ;—to one, in whom though he saw only some feeble traces and images of goodness, yet it is said, that Jesus beholding him, loved him, and to multitudes, over whom he wept, because they obstinately refused to be gathered in, and knew not The things belonging to their peace. Again, The text tells us, He shall gently lead those that are with young: i.e. he shall accommodate his conduct to the weakness and infirmities of his people: And did not our Lord express this tenderness, when he taught his followers, As they were able to bear it¶; and was careful not to discourage them at first, by any unnecessary severities, lest it should be like putting New wine into old bottles**, which might be easily broke by the fermentation of it ?-And did not also this compassionate Shepherd appear ready to bind up the broken, and to heal the sick, when he so graciously excused the weakness of his disciples, though they fell asleep at a time, when one would have thought the agonies of their Lord should have turned them all into wakeful attention, and affectionate sympathy? Yet instead of severe reproaches, we find this kind apology in the mouth of their neglected injured Master, The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak++.To add no more on this head, it is well worth our observation, that when Peter had so shamefully Mat. xi. 28. Luke xix. 41, 42. † John vi. 37. Markiv. 33. John xxi. 15, 17. ** Mat. ix. 17. § Mark x. 21. to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness*. So exactly does our Lord answer the lovely character of a righteous and peaceful Sovereign, drawn by David+ in those last words of his, which many suppose ultimately to refer to the Messiah, He shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even as a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth, by clear shining after rain. And again, He shall judge the poor of the people, and save the children of the needy: And his people shall be so refreshed by his tender care, that He shall come down like rain upon the new mown grass, and like showers that water the earth: He shall deliver the needy, when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper: He shall spare the poor and needy and shall save the souls of the needy: He shall redeem their souls from deceit and violence, and precious shall their blood be in his sight. Many parallel expressions might be added to these; but the following heads are too copious to allow of a farther enlargement upon this. 3. I might largely argue the tenderness and grace of Christ, "from his conduct on earth in the days of his flesh." The time would fail me, should I attempt to enumerate half the particular circumstances of it, that tend to illustrate this part of his character: I must only select a few, which are the most remarkable. And judge you, whether all that is foretold of him in the text, and in the other prophetical passages have been referring you to, was not amply and sweetly accomplished in them. It is said, He will gather the lambs in his arms; i. e. as I have been telling you above, the young and the weak shall be welcome to him: And did not our Lord sufficiently shew that they were so, when the little children were brought unto him? The disciples forbad them, as thinking it was beneath the dignity of so great a prophet, as their master was, to trouble himself about them. But observe it, children, for I believe it was in part recorded for your sakes, Jesus was greatly displeased with his disciples, that they should think he had no tenderness for such little creatures as you; and he said, Suffer little chil dren to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God: And he took them up in his arms, and laid his hands upon them, and blessed them§: Do you not here see the Psal. lxxii. 4, 6, 12, 13, 14, Isa. lx. 1, 3. 2 Sam. xxiii. 4. + text most beautifully illustrated, and fulfilled? Do you not here see The great Shepherd, gathering the lambs in his arms, and laying them in his bosom ?--And does he not invite others also to that soft and pleasant repose, in those compassionate words, which surely none of you are such strangers in Israel as not to know? Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest*: And Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out+. Did he not also express a very gracious regard to such, when he so peculiarly recommends the care of them to Peter, just when he was leaving the world, taking that peculiarly affecting opportunity of assuring him, not only that it was his will that they should be regarded, but also that an affectionate care of them was the most acceptable instance, which Peter, and, by a parity of reason, his other ministers, could give of their love to him? Lovest thou me? if thou dost, feed my lambs, and feed my sheep‡.—Can we then imagine, that he himself will fail in his care of any of them? Especially when we consider the instances of his tenderness, to some who were not of his fold, as well as to many who were ;-to one, in whom though he saw only some feeble traces and images of goodness, yet it is said, that Jesus beholding him, loved him, and to multitudes, over whom he wept, because they obstinately refused to be gathered in, and knew not The things belonging to their peace. Again, The text tells us, He shall gently lead those that are with young: i. e. he shall accommodate his conduct to the weakness and infirmities of his people: And did not our Lord express this tenderness, when he taught his followers, As they were able to bear i¶; and was careful not to discourage them at first, by any unnecessary severities, lest it should be like putting New wine into old bottles**, which might be easily broke by the fermentation of it ?—And did not also this compassionate Shepherd appear ready to bind up the broken, and to heal the sick, when he so graciously excused the weakness of his disciples, though they fell asleep at a time, when one would have thought the agonies of their Lord should have turned them all into wakeful attention, and affectionate sympathy? Yet instead of severe reproaches, we find this kind apology in the mouth of their neglected injured Master, The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak++.To add no more on this head, it is well worth our observation, that when Peter had so shamefully Mat. xi. 28. † John vi. 37. John xxi. 15, 17. **Mat. ix. 17. Mark x. 21. tt Mat. xxvi. 41. denied him, and all the rest of the apostles had forsaken him, even when he might most reasonably have expected their kindest assistance, he does not after his resurrection express any keen and passionate resentments, but on the contrary, all is mildness and sweetness. At his first appearance to Mary Magdalen, he says to her, Go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God*. And a few moments after, when appearing to the other women in their return from the sepulchre, Go tell my brethren, says he, that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see met. He does not say, "Go and tell those cowardly perfidious creatures, that God has not abandoned me, though they so meanly did it." He does not say, "Go tell that perjured traitor, who even in my very sight and hearing disowned me and abjured me:" But, "Go tell my brethren." And lest Peter should think himself excluded from the message, as peculiarly unworthy so kind a name, the angel, no doubt by our Lord's particular direction, names that poor penitent expressly, and says, go tell his disciples and Peter, that he is risent: As if it had been said, "Let that humble mourner know, that his dear Master is risen, and in the midst of his triumphs graciously remembers him, and sends him these glad tidings thus early, as a token that all is forgiven." Gracious Shepherd! who would not love thee? Who would not immediately cease his wanderings, to seek a retreat in thy compassionate bosom ? 4. The compassion of our Redeemer is still farther illustrated "by those representations of it, which are made by the apostles, in what they have written since his ascension into glory." You well know, that they were under the direction of the Spirit of Jesus, and had The mind of Christ§ in so perfect a manner, that what they say is in effect spoken by Christ himself. Now there are many passages in their writings, which loudly speak, and tenderly illustrate, the compassion of his heart. The apostles sometimes expressly assert it; and sometimes they write, as taking it for granted, as a thing known, allowed, and indeed felt by every christian.-It is frequently asserted by the author of the epistle to the Hebrews, in very expressive language. We are assured, that We have not an High-priest, who John xx. 17. Mat. xxviii, 10. Markxvi. 7. § 1 Cor. ii. 16, |