Isaiah 61

Fruit 4. Growth of Grace.] True grace is progressive, of a spreading growing nature; it is with grace as with the light, first there is the Crepusculum or day-break; then it shines brighter to the full meridian: A good Christian is like the Crocodile, Quam diu vivit, crescit, he…

Rejoice in the Lord always. Why was Christ anointed, but to give the oil of joy for mourning (Isaiah 61:1)? Joy is as well a fruit of the Spirit as faith (Galatians 5:22).

As every one has not skill to play on the viol and organ, so every one cannot rightly sound forth God's harmonious praises; only the saints can do it; they only can make their tongue and heart join in consort (Psalm 111:1): I will bless you, O Lord, with my whole heart; and (Psa…

13. Where God pardons sins he bestows righteousness. With remission of sin goes imputation of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10): I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness. If a Christian can take any comfort in his inherent righteousness, wh…

The first reason is because it is the office of Christ so to do. The Spirit is upon him on purpose (Isaiah 61:1-3) to open the prison to them that are bound, shut up in this dungeon; to appoint to them that mourn, beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, garments of praise…

The second is, to be without offense: that is, innocent, giving no occasion of evil to any, and not taking them offered by others: and the continuance of those is noted to the day of Christ; which is the time in which he comes to us, either by our death, or by the last judgment.…

The Scripture puts them together, Micah 6. 8. To do justice, to love mercy, we must not make ex rapina holocaustum, a sacrifice of sacrilege. Isaiah 61. 8. For I the Lord love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt-offering. He that shall build an Hospital with goods ill-gotten, dis…

He bore our infirmities, even natural as well as moral ones, in the days of his flesh; and though he be now exalted to the highest glory, yet still he continues as merciful as ever, and as apt to be touched with the sense of our miseries (Hebrews 4:15). Lastly, The counsel itsel…

We shall close this with the consideration of our Lord Jesus, who was an incomparable preacher, of whom it is said (Matthew 7:29) that He spoke with power and not as the scribes. And in Luke 4, when He is opening that sweet text (Isaiah 61:1-3), it is said, "They all wondered at…

If you think Christ real in His commands, is He not as real in His offers? 2. He has so ordered the administration of this Gospel, as He has purposely prevented any ground that folks may have of being deterred to close with Christ; He has so qualified the object of this grace in…

It is but a delusion. 1. Because (Isaiah 61:1), no whole-hearted sinners meet with Christ; none come at first laughing to Christ; all that come to Jesus for help come with the tear in their eye. 2. To come dry and withered to the waters (Isaiah 55:1) is the required preparation.

Nor need we flee to that exposition ever and anon, that Christ died for all, that is, all ranks of men. For "all" is put in Scripture ordinarily for many; as (Deuteronomy 1:21; Psalm 71:18; Jeremiah 15:10; Jeremiah 19:9; Jeremiah 20:7; Jeremiah 23:30; Jeremiah 49:17; Ezekiel 16:…

Every one is to do the proper duty of his place, and exactly to see to that And therefore the Apostle Romans 12. exhorting to the discharge of the duties of each office in the Church, verse 7. he says, Let him that has a Ministry committed to him, wait on his ministry; and (amon…

It is said the Lord turned the captivity of Job, because he had been delivered to Satan's power, till the Lord set him at liberty again, and then all his friends had compassion on him, even those that had despised him before relieved him. So (Isaiah 61:7): "For your shame you sh…

Cor 3:9. that believers are trees of righteousnes. Isa 61:3. that the spirit of God is the sappe and life of them: and good workes and vertues, are the fruits which they beare. In that the works of the spirit, are called fruits therof, hence it followes, that there are no true v…

This question is answered by a passage of the prophet Isaiah, which will be handled in another place. "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord God has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted," (Isaiah 61:1.)…

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken Heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite Spirit. Isaiah 61. 1, 2. The Lord hath anointed me to bind up the Broken-hearted, to comfort all that mourn.

From hence was he habitually Holy, and from hence did he exercise Holiness entirely and universally in all things. Sect. 4 Fourthly; The Holy Spirit in a peculiar manner anointed him with all those extraordinary Powers and Gifts which were necessary for the Exercise and Discharg…

As Homer reports of Ulysses after a shipwreck, and of others, whom Drusius has observed on this text. (Isaiah 61:3) the promise is, that God will give beauty for ashes, that is, they that humble themselves and lie in ashes, shall have a happy and comfortable restoration. So that…

Ointment makes men's face to shine, and the house where it is, to savor, when it is precious and good (John 12:3). Men in vanity use sweet powders, and such things as these, which can but little commend them; But Christ's ointments are his graces (Psalm 45:2), wherewith he is an…

The tears of a saint (says Bernard) have more true joy in them, than all worldly delight. The oil of joy is for mourners (Isaiah 61:3). 4. I would use this violence for Heaven, but I shall expose myself to the censure and scorn of others.

"Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." Isaiah 61:10. "He hath covered me with a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels."

He has ways enough to do it; if he does but unveil his blessed face and make it shine again upon you, you are saved (Psalm 80:3). The manifestations of his love will be to your soul as showers to the parched grass; your soul that now droops, and hangs the wing, shall then revive…

That companion lay with you in your mother's womb and was as early friends with you as the breath of life, and Christ will not have it otherwise, for he delights to take up fallen children and to mend broken brows. Binding up of wounds is his office (Isaiah 61). First, I am glad…

The promise of teaching is made to the meek, because they are disposed to learn; the meek will he teach his way (Psalm 25:8-9). The word of God is gospel indeed, good tidings to the meek (Isaiah 61:1); they will entertain it and bid it welcome; the poor in spirit are evangelized…

These are the four things in reference to the family of the adopted person, that he does receive by his adoption, wherein he holds communion with the Lord Jesus. 1. Liberty: The Spirit of the Lord, that was upon the Lord Jesus did anoint him to proclaim liberty to the captive (I…

It was therein that he was able to do all that he did. So himself lays down the presence of the Spirit with him as the foundation of his going forth to his work, Isaiah 61:1. Second, he could not have been a complete and perfect sacrifice without habitual righteousness.

Hence the Father became his God — which is a covenant expression, Psalm 89:26, Hebrews 1:5, Psalm 22:1, Psalm 40:8, Psalm 45:7. So was he by his Father designed to this work, Isaiah 42:1, Isaiah 61:1, Isaiah 49:9, Malachi 3:1, Zechariah 13:7, John 3:16, 1 Timothy 1:15. Thus the…

3. Joy also is of this number. The Spirit, as was showed, is called the oil of gladness (Hebrews 1:10); his anointing brings gladness with it (Isaiah 61:3), the oil of joy for mourning. The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17).

Neither has he only nourished and cherished her with temporal blessings, but also with all needful spiritual blessings: his word and sacraments, his Spirit and the graces thereof has he in all ages given her for that purpose. Indeed, with his own flesh and blood has he fed her (…

He that is redeemed from destruction by the blood of Christ, is likewise redeemed from that vain, and unholy conversation that leads to it. So (Titus 2:14), our Redeemer was anointed for this purpose, not to free the captives from the sentence of death, and yet leave them still…

Sufficient not only for general courses but particular actions. 2. The effectual direction is by the Holy Ghost applying the Word, and bending the hearts to the obedience of it (Isaiah 61:8): I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. T…

Oh, I am punished, it is for sin; now this stops his mouth: Man has no reason to enter into judgment with God, when God enters into judgment with man: O what a wicked thing is sin, that has brought man into such a condition, that he cannot speak one word for himself; if he shoul…

Therefore the original words which lay open this work, are of marvelous weight, and discover the overpowering virtue thereof, (Isaiah 57:18) The Lord dwells with him that is of a contrite spirit. (Isaiah 61:6) The Lord binds up the broken heart. The first of which signifies to p…

So that all the treasuries of all kinds of blessings with all advantages are by Christ communicated to his people. Hence the prophet sets out the particular inventory of those special favors which the Lord doles out to all [reconstructed: his] servants and followers to suit them…

Briefly, there be three things [illegible] in this sending, which may draw the [illegible] of the sinner towards Christ. - 1 That God has appointed him, in his [illegible] purpose and counsel, to accomplish this work, [illegible] 49. The Lord has called me, verse 1. And he [ille…

Upon this condition God's favor is promised (Psalm 34:18): The Lord is near to them that be of a contrite spirit, and saves them that be of a broken heart. Isaiah 61:3: He gives the garment of praise to those that have had the spirit of heaviness; it will suit none, fit none, it…

Psalm 126:5: They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. It was the end of Christ's anointing and coming into the world, that he might comfort those that mourn (Isaiah 61:3). Christ had the oil of gladness poured on him (as Chrysostom says) that he might pour it upon the mourner.

We must not make a sacrifice of sacrilege. Isaiah 61:8: For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery for burnt-offering. He that builds an almshouse or hospital with goods ill-gotten displays the badge of his pride and sets up the monument of his shame.

So the unbeliever is not adopted, he is none of the household, and God will say at the day of judgment, cast out this son of the bondwoman into outer darkness, where is weeping and gnashing of teeth. 10. If we are children, then we shall have our Father's blessing (Isaiah 61:9).…

1. Till we are poor in spirit, we are not capable of receiving grace; he who is swelled with an opinion of self-excellency and self-sufficiency, is not fit for Christ; he is full already; what is within prevents what is without; if the hand be full of pebbles, it cannot receive…

Christ's Spirit is healing; the blood of Christ heals the guilt of sin; the Spirit of Christ heals the pollution of sin. The Spirit is compared to oil — the anointing of the Spirit (Isaiah 61) — showing the healing virtue of the Spirit; oil is healing. Christ by his Spirit heals…

Doctrine: that Christians should above all things endeavor after fruitfulness. The saints are called trees of righteousness (Isaiah 61:3); these rational trees must not only bring forth leaves, but fruit — being filled with the fruits of righteousness. There are two things to be…

And this holiness by external covenanting is extended to the Gentiles (1 Corinthians 7:14) But now are your children holy; and it is holiness the Jews to be called in (Romans 11:16) If the first fruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy [illegible] also the b…

Unbelief is more contrary to the Spirit, than carnal sins, being most contrary to the flower and bloomings of the Spirit in his sweetest operations, and most against the Mediator-love of Christ. For as by the fall, Christ has a new office to redeem us (Matthew 1:21; 1 Timothy 1:…

And of mere grace and free-love, both God sent him, and he came (John 3:16; 1 Timothy 1:15). For by no necessity of nature was Christ sent to preach glad tidings to the meek, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives (Isaiah 61:1), to say to the prisoner…

In him he caused to be hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3), and in him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily or personally (verse 9), that of his fullness we might all receive grace for grace (John 1:16), in a continual supply. So that setting u…

This is an additional grace and favor thereunto, namely to be cloathed with change of garments. And what this rayment is, is declared Isaiah 61:10. He has cloathed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, which the apostle alludes unto…

—Est quaedam flere voluptas— The oyl of joy is poured chiefly into a broken heart, (Isaiah 61:3). The oyl of joy for mourning.

'Tis inconsistent with the sanctity of Gods nature to pard on a sinner while he is in the act of rebellion. 3. Sinners continuing in impenitency, are out of Christs commission: See his commission, (Isaiah 61:1). The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, he has sent me to bind up th…