Luke 7

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. VII.—Masters ought to take tender care of their faithful servants: and such indeed will in general ensure their attention and regard in the time of distress or affliction. It is a great advantage to interest the fervent prayers of Christ’s favourites in our behalf. And great is the influence, and distinguished the humility and honour, of a strong faith. Unanswerably has Jesus demonstrated his divine and mediatorial characters in healing all manner of diseases, raising the dead, and forgiving sins; with infinite efficacy and authority. Tender is his regard to Gentile believers, and his compassion to the afflicted and destitute: and sovereign, free, and plenteous, his mercy to all sorts of sinners, however guilty or miserable. What exalting thoughts ought we then to have of him, and what abasing thoughts of ourselves before him! With great earnestness ought we to call on him in every distress, and to imitate him in always doing good. Spiritually to know who and what he is, cannot but create love to him, and remove every prejudice against him: and he is ever ready to instruct and satisfy humble inquirers. Nor should we ever doubt of his excellency because we suffer for his sake, and others contemn and oppose him.—The meek will he teach his way, that they may be witnesses for God and religion, when proud and self-righteous men shall be left to reject his admonitions, to their own destruction. Resolute cavillers will always find a handle in the different tempers and manners of ministers. Hatred of Christ’s word will lead them to quarrel either with the deliverer or delivery of it.—O what a change God’s almighty grace makes on the heart and life of the most atrocious sinners! And, the more abundantly the grace of the gospel is believed and applied, the more abundant love to God, repentance, and deep humility, will be manifested in our whole temper and conduct. Alas, that any should ever quarrel with the sovereignty of God’s mercy towards sinners, or with their uncommon affection towards him while impressed with a sense of his mercy! 4