Christ the Believer's Friend

    CHRIST THE BELIEVER'S FRIEND

    "This is my Friend," &c., Song 5:16.

    CHRIST is the church's Friend, and consequently the Friend of every gracious soul; a Friend that sticks closer than a brother; not only compared to a Friend, but he is really so: the believer can bear testimony of it by experience. This shows the happy state of the church, and of all true Christians, Christ is their Friend. Now to take in the sweetness of this text, it is requisite to enquire into the nature and property of a true Friend, and true friendship.

    There are four things to be considered, requisite to true Friendship.

    SIMILE

    I. Knowledge amongst men; true friendship cannot he manifested, and maintained without it, &c. It is more than common, it is peculiar: speculative knowledge doth not always bespeak friendship, for true friendship requires peculiar knowledge.

    PARALLEL

    I. Christ knows his people, not only with a common, but a peculiar knowledge; yea, and he hath instructed them in the knowledge of himself, that they might not only know their Friend, but that they might endeavour to keep up, and highly to prize friendship with him, Joh 10:27; 13:18.

    SIMILE

    II. Union is also requisite; there can be no true friendship, till the enmity amongst men be removed. "What Friends were Jonathan and David, they loved one another as their own soul! "Can two walk together except they be agreed?" Am 3:3.

    PARALLEL

    II. What a blessed union is there between Christ and his people? 1Co 6:17; and it is of his own procuring; as the heart of Jonathan was knit to the heart of David, even so, and much more, is the heart of the Lord Christ united to his people,---for the love of Christ doth very much transcend the love of all others; the people of Christ should also have their hearts knit to him, Eph 2:14-16, compared with, Song 2:14.

    SIMILE

    III. Intimacy and true friendship, causeth frequent access one to the other: this tends to make people to be of one heart and one mind.

    PARALLEL

    III. Intimate acquaintance with the saints, Christ doth really delight in; and saints should really delight in it also, 1Jo 1:7.

    SIMILE

    IV. Love and affection, this layeth the surest foundation for friendship.

    PARALLEL

    IV. There is true love between Christ and his people, which makes those acts of Friendship very cordial and desirable.

    Now to speak to the nature and property of a true Friend.

    SIMILE

    I. A true Friend loves heartily; cold Friendship is the daughter of feigned affection; love is the abundant overflowing of desire, which cometh to the party beloved, swiftly and joyfully, but departs slowly and sorrowfully.

    PARALLEL

    I. Jesus Christ is a cordial Lover; as he loves so he speaks, and as he speaks, so he loves; Christ's love is an abounding and abundant love to his, he loves freely and heartily, and hath given evidence of it; and though his love be sometimes eclipsed, yet it is not wholly removed: "He having loved, loves to the end," Joh 13:1.

    SIMILE

    II. A true Friend is very needful: what man living, though never so prosperous, but sometimes he wants a Friend? David, though a great man and a good man, yet his condition required Friends, and he had them, and prized them, viz., Huahai, and Zabab, 2Sa 15:37; 2Ki 4:5. The centurion was a great man, yet had his Friends, and used them, Lu 7:6.

    PARALLEL

    II. Christ is the most necessary Friend, he is of absolute necessity; it is possible to live comfortable in the world, though a man hath but few Friends, and to die happily, though a man hath not one Friend in the world, having Christ; but living and dying without Christ, thou art, and wilt be miserable; multitudes of earthly Friends and acquaintance will not, cannot save from hell, but if Christ be thy Friend, he will, Joh 17:3.

    SIMILE

    III. He that is a Friend indeed, will make his Friend's case his own; this did Job: if afflicted, he is afflicted with him; if prosperous, he rejoiceth, Job 31:17. Where Friends are kind in love, there sorrow is easily showed.

    PARALLEL

    III. This is evidently seen in Christ. The text tells us, he did not only sympathize with them, "But saved them," Isa 43:9; he is said "to be touched with the feeling of our infirmities," Heb 4:15; Ec 2:8; whatever wrong is done to his people, he takes it as done to himself; if any raise a quarrel against them, he will engage himself therein, Ac 9:4-5; Isa 51:22-23.

    METAPHOR

    IV. A true Friend doth what can to keep up the honour and reputation of his Friend; he speaks for and acts for him, where, and when he cannot for himself.

    PARALLEL

    IV. Such and a much better Friend is Christ, The members of Christ's spouse have been stigmatized by the enemy, for heretics, and many other ways; but Christ hath stood up to vindicate their wrongs and innocency; he hath spoken for them, where, and when they could not speak for themselves; he had his Gamaliel in the council.

    METAPHOR

    V. He is most desirable; no wise man will choose to live without Friends, although he hath plenty of riches; man is a social creature, and, therefore desires to seek friendship.

    PARALLEL

    V. Such a Friend is Christ, most desirable. One that is acquainted with Jesus Christ, esteems his friendship, so Paul: "Who accounted all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ," &c. Php 3:8-10..

    METAPHOR

    VI. A Friend indeed will give demonstration of his love and friendship. 1. He will study his welfare. 2. He will speak to promote it. 3. He will act to effect it.

    PARALLEL

    VI. Even so Christ hath given full and perfect evidence of his love and friendship: his thoughts are about them, nay his words and works are all for, and in behalf of his spouse, Ps 139:17; Jer 29:11.

    METAPHOR

    VII. A Friend indeed gives his Friend a room in his heart; the sight of him is pleasing to the eye, and the thoughts of him delightful to the heart.

    PARALLEL

    VII. So Christ, Isaiah saith, "He layeth them in his bosom; he loves to hear from them, rejoiceth to see them," Isa 40:11; Song 2:14. And indeed a saint cannot be satisfied short of a room in Christ's heart: John was said "To lie in Christ's bosom," Joh 13:23.

    METAPHOR

    VIII. A true Friend is always ready to impart his secrets to those that are his Friends. This is a great reason why men friendship, that they disclose their secrets and their hearts one to another; it is certain note of friendship to impart secrets.

    PARALLEL

    VIII. Even so doth Christ, and it is according to promise and experience. To lie in the bosom of Christ, denotes union, intimacy, secrecy; this is that which makes believers so much prize Christ; saith God, "Shall I hide from Abraham the things that I do?" Ge 18:17; Ps 25:14. It is encouragement to saints to lay open their hearts to Christ.

    METAPHOR

    IX. A Friend will not spare pains nor cost, nay, will adventure upon great hazards, to help him whom he loves. Others may promise what they mean not to perform; but a true Friend, if able, will surely perform all, or more than he promises.

    PARALLEL

    IX. Herein Christ doth also perform the part of a Friend; for he will neither spare pains nor cost, and hath adventured upon the greatest hazards, and all for the love he bears to his people; nay, he has not put them off with bare promises, but will perform them to the utmost; he usually out-does his promises.

    METAPHOR

    X. He will not do any thing to the wrong of his Friend, or justly to purchase his displeasure, because he prizeth the love of him whom his affection runs out after.

    PARALLEL

    X. Even so Christ doth nothing to injure his, nor justly to provoke them, or purchase their displeasure; the poor soul is ready sometimes to think such and such things are against him, as Jacob did in the case of Joseph and Benjamin. All his actings and out-goings towards his people declare his desire of their love; hence he greatly praises and commends the love of his Church: "How fair is thy love, my sister my spouse," &c. Song 4:10.

    METAPHOR

    XI. He loves to be very familiar, and therefore is frequent in sending to or conversing with him whom he loves; he delights to give his Friends visits.

    PARALLEL

    XI. So Christ loves to be familiar, and therefore is frequent in conversing with his people, witness his word. This familiarity is kept up by frequent converse and visits, and Christ's visits are as cordials to the hearts of his people, Job 10:12.

    METAPHOR

    XII. A true Friend is inquisitive into, and desireth to know the state of him whom he loves; not barely that he may know it, but knowing of it, if in trouble, that he may redress it.

    PARALLEL

    XII. So Christ's desire is to know the state of his people, to the end that he may evermore supply them; not but that he perfectly knows their state, but to make them sensible to declare it, as he did to the poor blind man, Mr 10:51; even so he will not suffer his people to lie under sin, because he knows it will turn to their disadvantage.

    METAPHOR

    XIII. A true Friend will not suffer him he loves to lie under mistakes or sin, because he knows it will turn to his blemish and great disadvantage, and therefore in love, will tenderly admonish, being grieved to think that he should be so ensnared: and this is according to the mind of God, yea, and it is according to the desire of the godly; such reproofs so given are a great demonstration of friendship, Le 19:17; Ps 141:5.

    PARALLEL

    XIII. Even so Christ will not suffer his people to lie under sin, he knows it will turn to their disadvantage; O how is he concerned when they are ensnared! which doth signify his great trouble, and therefore gives friendly reproofs and admonitions in order to reclaim them; and believers have found his reproofs to be peculiar acts of friendship: "I know thy works, that thou hast a name to five, and art dead,---I have not found thy works perfect before God," &c. Ps 119:67,71; Re 3:1-2.

    METAPHOR

    XIV. The counsel of such a Friend is profitable, and should be acceptable, in prosperity it is safe; in adversity, it is sweet; in sorrow and misery it is comfortable, it usually mitigates sorrow and augments comfort.

    PARALLEL

    XIV. O how profitable is Christ's comfort; It teacheth them in prosperity to carry it humbly; in adversity, to carry it contentedly; in the midst of their sorrow and misery it comforts them; this is that which above all things assuageth the believer's grief: hence it is that believers so much prize the counsel of Jesus Christ, Ps 49:19; 16:7; 73:25.

    METAPHOR

    XV. It is the property of a true Friend, to be much troubled and concerned at the absence of such whom he loves, and nothing more sweet than the meeting of Friends after a long absence; as appears by Joseph and his brethren at their meeting, when they knew one another, Ge 45.

    PARALLEL

    XV. Even so Christ loves to hear from his people, and is concerned at their silence; they are always welcome to him, he takes their absence unkindly; and afterwards when they come to visit him again with the acknowledgment of their miscarriages, O how welcome are they! Such a meeting is on both sides very sweet and pleasant.

    METAPHOR

    XVI. It is a great trouble to a true Friend to see his love and Friendship slighted; yet he will not easily withdraw his love, but labours to pass by many offences, and unkindness.

    PARALLEL

    XVI. Even so it is with Christ, to see his precious love slighted. Ingratitude is a sin which is very offensive, it being a sin against truth and justice. Against truth, for it is in effect a denying of the kindness received; against justice, which calls for a rendering of something back in token of thankfulness.

    METAPHOR

    XVII. A true Friend will not suddenly or easily hear any evil report against his Friend.

    PARALLEL

    XVII. So Christ; he doth not (as I may say) take up every evil report, the devil, sin, or wicked men bring against them: Christ will not take measures by their information, but by that perfect knowledge he hath of them, and if they have done amiss, he will reprove them, but gently, for their profit, Heb 12:8.

    METAPHOR

    XVIII. If he be sensible of any combinations against him he will speedily disclose it, as Paul's Friends did, touching the combination of the Jews, Ac 23:14,20 (&c.)

    PARALLEL

    XVIII. Such is the love and care of Christ to his people, that if any combination be against them, he will give them seasonable information of it, forasmuch as nothing can escape his knowledge, he being omniscient, &c.

    METAPHOR

    XIX. A true Friend greatly rejoiceth in the prosperity of his Friend, and cannot but be troubled at such as would rejoice at his ruin.

    XIX. Christ, the Believer's Friend, doth greatly rejoice in the prosperity of his people, which is evinced from his bounty towards them; he leaves them not without counsel, without a guide, without comforts; but is large in distributing all means of help to them, as may conduce to their prosperous supply, and he hath a severe eye upon such as either help on, or rejoice at their afflictions.

    METAPHOR

    XX. He that is a Friend indeed will be faithful; such an one was Jonathan to David. He will not leave his Friend in straits, that being a time that calls for his help; and if he hath any thing committed to his keeping, he will be faithful and careful, he will be true to his trust, and keep safe that wherewith he is entrusted.

    DISPARITY

    XX. Christ is the believer's faithful Friend; he hath been abundantly tried, but never failed any that trusted in him. He never left his, but was full of kindness to them in all their troubles, nor unmindful of those great concerns, committed to the charge of this their choicest Friend. "Having loved his own that were in the world, he loved them unto the end," Joh 13:1.---"Yet nevertheless the. Lord stood by me," &c., 2Ti 4:17.

    METAPHOR

    I. Friendship amongst men is usually occasioned from the suitableness of the object: man with man is suitable for association, and this is the great moving cause of their friendship; not man with another creature, or rarely a king with a beggar, or a courtier or statesman with an illiterate, country-man, as the subject of his blessing, or object of his delight.

    DISPARITY

    I. But Christ grounds not his friendship here, there being in fallen man no suitableness of association; man being polluted, angels might be thought much more suitable: but it is love and free grace, that notwithstanding there was nothing desirable in fallen man, he being altogether sinful, and so not suitable for association: yet Jesus Christ hath made choice of man, and is become his true and faithful Friend, Heb 2:16.

    METAPHOR

    II. Usually they apprehend something of merit in the person on whom they bestow their friendship: either it is deserved by the good they see in him, or may be requited by the help they may receive from him; it is possible and useful, for a poor man to be useful to a rich man, and the weakest to him that is strong.

    DISPARITY

    II. But Jesus Christ grounds not his friendship on this basis, for fallen man is altogether undeserving; nothing that was in them could be the cause of his friendship, but merely his own good will and pleasure, man being utterly unable to requite his love and kindness, or to give any thing to him in requital; so that it is undeserved friendship.

    METAPHOR

    III. No such Friend hath done so much, but it is known, and may be declared. Christ saith, "Greater love hath no man than this, that he lays down his life for his Friend;" wherein their love is plainly seen, and may be comprehended.

    DISPARITY

    III. But Christ hath done so much for his people, as is not known, nor can be conceived; and all this when they were enemies, 1Jo 3:1; 1Co 2:10; Ro 5:5-6. If it be considered what he did for them before time, what he hath done in time, and what he hath prepared for them in after-times, it will appear that there is no such Friend as Christ, who entertains all his with eternal mansions of glory.

    METAPHOR

    IV. The best natural man may sometimes forget his Friend, either through a multitude of business, incumbrance, or weakness of memory, during which time he may suffer much.

    DISPARITY

    IV. But this Friend will never forget thee, wherever thou art, though ever so remote: let thy condition be what it will, he is ever mindful of thee, and of his covenant, Isa 49:15-16; Heb 13:5-6; Ps 40:17. What God saith concerning the temple that Solomon built, Christ saith the same to his people: "Mine eye and my heart shall be on them perpetually:" "Lo! I am with you always to the end of the world," 1Ki 9:3; Mt 28:20.

    METAPHOR

    V. Such a Friend knows no more of his Friend's condition than is revealed to him, neither is he able to pass right judgment respecting him, as in Job's case, therefore cannot reach the heart with comfort.

    DISPARITY

    V. But Christ knows our conditions, and can pass right judgments concerning us, and can reach our hearts to comfort and support them. "He knows the ways I take," saith Job, Job 23:10. He is a soul-Friend, he it is that teacheth the way to true happiness, and adorns the soul with grace; that is the Friend to be desired.

    METAPHOR

    VI. Such may be thy condition, that thy best Friend may not know how to help thee, though willing, such may be the affairs he is to manage.

    DISPARITY

    VI. But Christ can take right measures of thy condition, and knows always how to help thee, 2Pe 2:9. He is never at a loss how to help his people; he knows how to deliver thee. There are none of thy affairs too hard for Jesus Christ to manage.

    METAPHOR

    VII. Though a natural Friend may know what will help thee, yet it may not be in his power to help thee. The tender mothers in Judah and Jerusalem, their bowels moved for the starved and languishing babes of their own bodies; and they knew that food would have succoured them, but it was not in their power to procure it.

    DISPARITY

    VII. As Christ hath wisdom, so he hath power. "All power in heaven and in earth is given unto me," Mt 28:18-19. What was sinfully said of Simon, "This man has the great power of God, may be righteously and truly said of Christ, Ac 8:10. O! here is a Friend indeed, that knows in every state how to relieve thee, 1Co 1:24. We may weep and mourn over our dear Friends, that are in sorrow and misery, as they did over Lazarus in the grave, Joh 11:33; and as the woman did over Dorcas, when they were not able to help: so thy condition may be such, that thy dearest Friend may say of thy help, as the depth and sea said concerning wisdom, "It is not in me." O! but it is to be found in this Friend Jesus Christ: he hath given sufficient proof of his bowels of pity to his people, and of his wisdom and power in their greatest straits.

    METAPHOR

    VIII. These natural Friends may be removed from thee, or thou from them, and so thou mayest be left destitute, and this friendship come to an end. Many have been clapped up in a dungeon, and sequestrated from their dearest worldly Friends, therefore they are uncertain at best; however, if no dungeon, yet death will separate them.

    DISPARITY

    VIII. But this Friend of believers nothing can separate from them, no, not death itself, for he is immortal. Was not Christ with Paul and Silas in prison? O how sweet is the presence of a dear Friend in trouble! Alas! walls and guards may keep off other Friends, but nothing can keep or hinder Jesus Christ from coming unto his people, Ro 8:39; Ac 16:25-26.

    METAPHOR

    IX. Natural Friends may be made unable to perform their promises. A real Friend, through an over-heated zeal, doth sometimes out-bid himself, and is not able to make good his word; which lays a man under great disappointments. I relied on my Friend's promise, but he hath failed me, nay, a Friend, when he promises, may at that time be able to make good his promise, but some strange providence may suddenly disable him.

    DISPARITY

    IX. But Christ is able to make good his word to the utmost; he never out-bids himself. Who was ever laid under any discouragement or disappointment, that trusted in him? in all changes, in all providences, Christ is the same. Thou mayest commit great concerns into the hand's of thy supposed Friend, and he may fail thee; nay, into the hand of thy real Friend, and yet be uncertain of security; fire may destroy, or thieves may rob him, so that being impoverished, he cannot make good what he received; but Christ cannot, nay, will not disappoint thee.

    APPLICATION.

    I. Is Christ a Friend, such a Friend? then how greatly doth it concern poor souls to make sure of this Friend! Doth not self-interest lead men to seek for friendship, and as much as in them lies, with such as are likely to do the part of a Friend? &c.

    II. Doth not this reprove the ignorance and folly of those that slight and reject this great and good Friend? How many, instead of seeking his favour, are in friendship with the world, and their lusts, and by their wicked practices are bidding defiance to him, as though neither his favour nor frowns were to be regarded?

    III. It shows the miserable condition of those that are unacquainted with him; he is the soul's Friend, and it calls aloud upon them, to be acquainted with him, Job 22:21.

    IV. Is Christ thy Friend? Then there is sure ground of comfort; you can never want, that have such a Friend, so loving, so sympathising, so necessary, and so suitable; a present, a constant, a careful Friend; yea, a soul-Friend; a wise, a powerful, a faithful, immortal, and everlasting Friend! this is a Friend indeed, an honourable Friend, that is in favour with God, who never had his suit denied! Joh 11:42.

    V. Is this thy Friend? O then,

    1. Bless God, that hath raised up such a Friend for thee, and made thee acquainted with him.

    2. Prize and love this Friend dearly.

    3. Visit him often, tell him all the secrets and grievances of thy heart. How sweet is communion with him! Ps 142:2.

    4. Be not ungrateful to him, be not like Joash, who forgat the kindness of his Friend! may it not be justly said to some, "Is this thy kindness to thy Friend!" 2Sa 16:17. O it is sad to abuse the kindness of such a Friend.

    5. Trust your Friend, take him at his word, question him not, he is faithful.

    6. Have no commerce with his enemies, but keep close and faithful to him in every condition. Ahithophel dealt treacherously with David, do thou not so with Christ.

    7. Publish and declare what a Friend thou hast, endeavour to get sinners acquainted with him.

    8. Be sure let nothing part thy Friend and thee: prize his presence, dread his frowns, follow his doctrine and examples, that it may be known that Christ is yours, and you are his. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven," Mt 5:16.

    Christ is the only Friend. A true Friend is tried in a doubtful matter. Christ hath laid down his life for believers; what is more difficult to nature than death?