The Pattern of Wholesome Words, Chapter 20
CHAP. XX. Of the expiation of sinne.
THe principles that concerne the expiation of sin follow.
This expiation was made by the passion of Christ, concerning which wee must belieue these things of necessity:
1. That the Passion of Christ was by the decree & euerlasting fore-appointmēt of God, Act. 2.23. Him, I say, hauehave ye taken by the hands of the wicked, being deliuered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, &c.
2. That the sufferings of Christ were for our sinnes, and for our sakes, so as he bare all our iniquities. 1. Pet. 2.24. Who his owne self bare our sinnes in his body on the tree, that wee being deliuered from sinne, should liue in righteousnesse, by whose stripes ye were healed, &c.
Isaiah 53.5. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was broken for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was vponupon him, and with his stripes we are healed.
8. For the transgression of my people was he plagued, &c.
12. Therefore will I giuegive him a portion with the great, and hee shall diuide the spoile with the strong, because hee hath poured out his soule vntounto death: and hee was …ounted with the transgressors, and hee bare the sinne of many, and prayed for the trespassers.
Rom. 4.25. Who was deliuered to death for our sinnes, and is risen againe for our iustification. 1. Cor. 5.7. For Christ our Passouer is sacrificed for vsus.
3. That by his passion he did pacifie God, and make expiation for all our sinnes, Mat. 17.5. This is my beloued Sonne, in whom I am well pleased, beare him.
Ephes. 5.2. And walke in louelove, euen as Christ hath loued vsus, and hath giuen himselfe for vsus to bee an offering, and a sacrifice of a sweet smelling sauour vntounto God.
1. Ioh. 2.1. My babes, these things write I vntounto you, that ye sinne not: and if any man sinne, we hauehave an aduocate with the Father, Iesus Christ the iust, and he is the reconciliation for our sinnes.
4. That in his owne person he fulfilled and finished all sufferings, needefull for our saluation: he did it once for all, 1. Pet. 3.18. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the iust for the vniust, that he might bring vsus to God.
Heb. 9.28. So Christ was once offered to take away the sins of many, and vntounto them that looke for him shal be appeare the second time without sinne vntounto saluation.
Heb. 10.11.12. And eueryevery Priest appeareth daily ministring, and oft times offereth one manner of offering, which can neuer take away sinnes.
But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sinnes, sitteth for euer at the right hand of God?
5. That the passion of Christ is a sufficient price for the sinnes of the whole world, Ioh. 1.29. Behold the Lambe of God which taketh away the sinnes of the world.
6. That Christ suffered extreame things for vsus, euen the most grieuous things could bee imagined: as
1. A maruellous priuation of his owne glory, abasing himselfe, that was in the form of God, to liue amongst men, without shewing that fulnesse of Maiesty and glory which was in his nature, Ioh. 17.5. And now glorifie me, thou Father, with thine owne selfe, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
2. Most base entertainement in the world, such as extreame pouerty in his birth and life, Luk. 2.12. And this shall bee a signe to you, yee shall finde the child swadled and laid in a cratch.
Matth. 8.20. But Iesus said vntounto him, the foxes hauehave holes, and the birds of the heauens hauehave nests, but the Sonne of man hath not whereon to rest his head.
Exile, and flying before his enemies, Matth. 2.14. So hee arose, and tooke the babe and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt.
Mark. ….6.7. And the Pharisies departed, and straight way gathered a Councell with the Herodians against him, that they might destroy him.
But Iesus auoided with his disciples to the sea, &c.
Ioh. 11.54. Iesus therefore walked no more openly amongst the Iewes, but went thence, &c.
Ioh. 8.59. Then tooke they vp stones to cast at him, but Iesus hid himselfe and went out of the Temple.
Slanders and extreame indignities, called a Samaritan, a glutton, a seducer, a traitor; despised, mocked, buffeted, railed on, beaten, betrayed, and sold by his owne seruant, and that for a base price, forsaken of his owne disciples, denied, and renounced by oath, falsly accused, whipped, spit vponupon, taken and bound as a malefactor, &c. as the story of the Euangelists shew, &c.
3. Imputation of the sins of all the elect vntounto him; so as the guilt of them was laid vponupon him, and hee sustained their person. This is a wonderfull abasement, hee was made sinne for vsus, that knew no sinne in himselfe, 2. Cor. 5.21.
4. Fearfull agonies in his very soule, arising
1. First, from seuerall conflicts and tentations, Hebr. 2.18. Heb. 4.15. But especially set vponupon with all their furie inuisibly when he was on the Crosse, Colos. 2.15. And hath spoyled the principalities and powers, and hath made a shew of them openly, & hath triumphed ouer them in the same Crosse.
2. Secondly, from the pouring out of the vials of Gods wrath for sinne, which befell him chiefly in the garden, when hee swet blood for very anguish; & on the Crosse when hee cried, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
5. A most miserable manner of death: to die as a condemned man, and condemned too both by Iewes and Gentiles: to die such a cursed death, as the death of the Crosse, which was both by God and man designed out, as the most ignominious kind of death; and to bee put to death in the middest of such malefactors, being reckoned amongst sinners, Esa. 53.12. Therefore will I giuegive him a portion with the great, and hee shall diuide the spoyle with the strong; because hee hath poured out his soule vntounto death, and hee was counted with the transgressors, and hee bare the sinne of many, and prayed for the trespassers. And to suffer the nailing of his body, yea and the effusion of his most precious blood.
These are exquisite things.
The consideration whereof may serue both for 1. instruction, 2. for information, 3. and for consolation.
For instruction, and so it may teach vsus diuers duties which we should performe.
1. To Christ himselfe.
2. To our neighbours.
3. To our selues.
The meditation of the passion of Christ should inflame in vsus a desire and resolution:
1. To acknowledge the maruellous mercies of our Sauiour, and to confesse his praises, and to adore his name, that could bee willing to suffer such things for vsus, Phil. 2.11. EueryEvery tongue should confesse, that Iesus Christ is the Lord, vntounto the glory of God the Father.
Esa. 63.1.2.7.8. Who is this that commeth from Edom with red garments from Bozra, he is glorious in his apparel, and walketh in his great strength, &c.
I will remember the mercies of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according vntounto all the Lord hath giuen vsus, and for the great goodnesse toward the house of Israel, which he hath giuen them according to his tender louelove, and according to his great mercies.
2. To mourne affectionately for our sinnes, that hauehave so pierced the Sonne of God, as we are taught, Zach. 12.12. They are the nailes that pierced, and the lance that let out his heart-blood: Wouldest thou not bee grieued, if thou haddest killed thine owne brother?
3. To sinne no more, but for euer to bee afraid of crucifying the Sonne of God againe, Rom. 6.6. Heb. 10.24. &c. But rather to liue to him that died for vsus, and to deuote both soules and bodies vntounto his seruice, 2. Cor. 5.15. He died for all, that they which liue should not henceforth liue vntounto themselues, but vntounto him which died for them, and rose againe.
1. Pet. 2.24. Who his owne selfe bare our sinnes in his body on the tree, that wee being deliuered from sinne, should liue in righteousnesse.
4. To louelove him with our vtmost affections, and with all the sincerity of our hearts, accounting them accursed, that louelove not the Lord Iesus, 1. Cor. 16.22. Eph. 6.23. 1. Pet. 1.9. Shall the Father louelove Christ for his willingnesse to die for his sheepe, and shall not we? Ioh. 10.17.18. Therefore doth my Father louelove me, because I lay downe my life, &c.
5. To come willingly at the time of the assemblies of his Army vnderunder his colours in holy beauty. When we see the banners of Christ crucified, displaied, we should run with all readinesse, professing our homage, and willingnesse to liue and die in his seruice; the youth of his wombe, that is, such as are begotten of his loines in the Gospell, should for multitude flock to the house of God, as thicke as the dew that falles from heauen in the morning; so thicke, that the concourse of Christians should now be like a very mist of dew, Psalm. 110.2.3.4.
6. Not to be the seruāts of men; that is, to bee bound to no mans example, will, lusts, humours, likings, but to be free vntounto the seruice of Iesus Christ onelyonly, who hath paid for vsus so deare a price, 1. Cor. 7.23. Yee are bought with a price: be not the seruants of men.
7. To suffer any thing for his sake, that hath suffered so great things for vsus: so as we could bee willing to forsake father and mother, brother and sister, house and land, and all for his sake, and for the Gospell.
8. To celebrate the memorie of his death and passion with all reuerence, honour, and hearty affection: this is that we should do in the receiuing of the sacramēt, which doth crucifie Christ before our eies, and shew vsus how he was taken, broken, giuen, & slaine for our sakes, shall we not do this in remēbrance of him? shall we not eate the sweete flesh of this immaculate lambe, with the sower hearbes of contrition, and griefe for our sinnes and vnworthines? shall wee not at this feast put away all leauen out of our dwellings? God forbid, wee should dare to eat of this bread, or drink of this cup vnworthily, and so make our selues guilty of the body and blood of Christ: rather let vsus all examine our selues, and so let vsus eate in remembrance of him, iudging our selues, that we be not condemned of the Lord. Thus of the first sort of duties.
Secondly, the meditation of Christs passion should direct vsus, and stirre vsus vp to the care of diuers things in our carriage one towards another, and these duties are either Generall to all, or speciall to some.
There are foure generall duties wee should learne from the passion of Christ:
1. The first is harmelesnesse: seeing Christ our Passeouer is sacrificed for vsus, wee should keepe the feast with vnleauened bread of sinceritie and truth, and put away all leauen out of our dwellings; euen all leauen of malice and naughtinesse, all vile affections one against another, 1. Cor. 5.7.8.
2. The second is humilitie: the same minde should be in vsus, that was in Christ Iesus; who being equall with God, was content for our sakes to make himselfe of no reputation, taking vponupon him the forme of a seruant; we should in lowlinesse of mind each esteeme others better then themselues, doing nothing through strife or vaine-glory, looking not on our owne things, but eueryevery one also on the things of others, making our selues equall to them of the lower sort, being of one accord, of one minde. If we would learne any thing of Christ, we must learne lowlinesse, and meekenesse of him, Phil. 2. from the 2. to the 9. Matth. 11.29.
3. The third is louelove, and that in the feruency and constancy of it, refusing no paines, nor dangers to shew our affection to the brethren: wee should walke in louelove, as Christ loued vsus, and gaue himselfe a sacrifice of sweet smelling sauour to God for vsus, Ephes. 5.1.2. Yea, our liues should not be deare to vsus to declare our louelove to the brethren: but as Christ laid down his life for vsus, so ought we to lay downe our liues for the brethren, 1. Iohn 3.16. Hereby hauehave we perceiued louelove, that he laid downe his life for vsus: therefore we ought also to lay downe our liues for the brethren.
4. The fourth is pitie, and that in speciall to such as suffer in soule: If there bee any bowels in vsus, the remembrance of the agonie of Christ in the garden, and on the crosse, should make vsus with more tendernesse of heart pity them, that for the griefe and feare of their hearts cry out, that God their God hath forsakē them. If Christ needed an Angel to comfort him, what need hauehave these of comfort? The maruelous feare & distresse Christ was in, sheweth that these kinds of sufferings of spirit, bee the most grieuous distresses.
Thus in generall.
In the fifth to the Ephesians, this maruelous louelove of Christ to the Church shewed in his passion, is vsed as a motiue to perswade husbands to louelove their wiues, and in all deerenesse of affections to cherish them, and prouide for them; denying themselues, that they may profit and content them, as Christ did, when he gaue himselfe not only to the Church, but also for the Church, Ephes. 5.25. &c.
Thus of the duties also to others.
Thirdly, the meditation of these principles about the passion of Christ, should excite vsus to the practice and care of diuers duties, that concerne our selues, as
1. First, we should here learne to ioy and glory in the crosse of Christ aboue all things. The remembrance of the louelove of Christ herein, and our wonderfull deliuerance from the vnspeakable dangers we were in, by reason of our sinnes, should breed in vsus a maruelous inward and hearty exulting in this expiation of sins by the passion of Christ. Thus Paul; God forbid I should reioyce in any thing, but the crosse of Christ, Gal. 6.14.
2. We should (while we liue) hauehave more care of our pretious soules; the price paied to ransom them, should teach vsus their worthes, and to know that they are things, must bee looked to with more care then ordinarie. There was more giuen to redeeme a soule, then needed to be giuen to buy the whole world, yea, many worlds. We are wont to be exceeding carefull to keepe such things, as cost deere with all circumspection; neuer any thing cost more then the soule; and therefore nothing must be so attended as the soule, which is committed to thee to preserue, till the day of Christ.
3. Thirdly, these extreme things, Christ hath suffered for vsus, to shew his louelove to vsus, should make vsus for euer trust him, and rely onelyonly vponupon him, as the life of our liues, and the breath of our nostrils, so as we should alwaies resolue with the Apostle Paul, Gal. 2.20. that the life we now liue in the flesh, we will liue by the faith of the Sonne of God, who shewed his louelove to vsus, by giuing himselfe for vsus, Phil. 1.21. For Christ is to me both in life, and in death aduantage.
4. These terrible agonies and sufferings of Christ should make vsus liue in feare, and spend the time of our soiourning here in a singular feare to offend God any more by our sinnes; yea, seeing we were to bee washed in blood, before we could be cleane, wee should bee desirous to get such puritie, as that if it were possible, wee might not hauehave a spot, or wrinkle of sinne about vsus, 1. Pet. 1.17.18.19. Passe the time of your dwelling here in feare:
Knowing that yee were not redeemed with corruptible things, as siluer and gold, from your vaine conuersation receiued by the traditions of the Fathers: but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lambe vndefiled, and without spot.
Ephes. 5.26. That he might sanctifie it, and clense it by the washing of water through the word. 27. That he might make it to himselfe a glorious Church, not hauing spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing: but that it should be holy, and without blame, &c.
5. We may here learne an excellent way, how to mortifie sinne, and destroy the power of any corruption. Look how God did with sinne, so should we: but God vsed crucifying, as the best medicine to kill the force and guilt of it, and so should wee. Hence it is, that the terme of crucifying is giuen vntounto the mortification of sinne: Gal. 5.24. For they that are Christs, hauehave crucified the flesh with the affections, and the lusts, &c. We are therefore counselled to crucifie the flesh accordingly in many places of Scripture. Now that we may crucifie our sinnes:
1. We must hauehave them to the crosse of Christ, force them before the tree, on which he suffered; it is such a sight as sinne cannot abide. It will begin to die within a man vponupon the sight of Christ on the crosse: for the crosse of Christ accuseth sin, shames sinne, and by a secret vertue feedes vponupon the very heart of sinne.
2. Wee must vse sinne, as Christ was vsed, when hee was made sin for vsus; wee must lift it vp, and make it naked by confession of it to God; wee must pierce the hands, and feete, and heart of it by godly sorrow, and application of threatnings against it, and by spirituall reuenge vponupon it.
The hands, I say, in respect of operation, that it may worke no more. The feet in respect of progression, that it may raigne no longer; and the heart in respect of affection, that it may be loued no longer: wee hauehave an inward seate for concupiscence to lodge in. And thus as we should vponupon all occasions, so especially in the preparation to the Sabbath, and when we are to keep a Passeouer to the Lord. That was the time chosen to crucifie Christ in, and certainely it is a wonderfull fit time for vsus to execute this worke of mortification vponupon our sins.
Lastly, this doctrine of the passion of Christ should wonderfully arme vsus with patience in all afflictions. The Captaine of our saluatiō was consecrate through afflictions, Heb. 2.10. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, s…eing that he brought many children vntounto glory, that he should consecrate the Prince of their saluation through affliction. Though he were the son, yet he learned obedience by the things he suffered, Heb. 5.8. For as much as Christ hath suffered for vsus in the flesh, wee should arme our selues with the same minde, 1. Pet. 4.1. For wee are hereunto called, and Christ suffered for vsus, leauing vsus an example, that wee should follow his steps in doing well, and taking it patiently, when we suffer euill, 1. Pet. 2.19.20.21. &c.
Afflictions are the markes of Christ, and we should glory in it alwaies to beare about in the body the dying of the Lord Iesus, 2. Cor. 4.10. Gal. 6.17. And God hath predestinated vsus, that wee should bee conformed to the Image of his Sonne in sufferings, Rom. 8.29. And therefore if we will raigne with Christ, wee must suffer with him, 2. Tim. 2.12. Let vsus therefore bee fully perswaded to take vp our crosse also daily, and follow him, Luke 9.23. Let vsus therefore also go forth to him without the campe bearing his reproch, Heb. 13.13. And with patience run the race that is set before vsus; looking to him, that being the author, and finisher of our faith, endured such contradiction of sinners against himselfe; endured the crosse, despised the shame, and resisted euen vntounto blood, Heb. 12.1.2.3.4. Wee should neuer therfore be weary, or faint, hauing such a paterne before vsus, and knowing the end God gaue to him, and hath promised to vsus, and accomplished in the experience of others of his seruants; but euen learne to obey God in this commandement about afflictions, as well as any other.
Thus of the vses for Instruction: the vses for Information follow.
The doctrine of the passion of Christ may enforme vsus in diuers things, as
First, concerning true felicitie in the negatiue consideration of it: for in as much as Christ had so little to doe with the world, and spent his daies so without the profits and pleasures of this life, it shewes, that his kingdome was not of this world, and that the best treasures lie not in these things; and besides, that one may bee truly blessed, and yet be extremely destituted of these outward comforts of life.
2. Secondly, concerning the dangerousnes of the doctrine of the Papists: for these principles shew vsus, that we must for euer separate from them, if they persist in their heresies: for they teach vsus, that Christ did not once for al fully sacrifice to God, but that the sacrifice must be renewed daily in the Masse, contrary to the expresse words of the text, Heb. 9.26.28. For then must he… hauehave often suffered since the foundation of the world: but now in the end of the world hath he appeared once to put away sinne by the sacrifice of himselfe:
So Christ was once offered to take away the sinnes of many.
Heb. 10.11.12. And eueryevery Priest appeareth daily ministring, and oft times offereth one manner of offering, which can neuer take away sinnes:
But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sinnes, sitteth for euer at the right hand of God.
And besides, they teach, that men may make satisfaction to God for their sins by their owne workes, and by the workes of the Saints.
3. Thirdly, concerning the most wofull condition of wicked men that liue in their sinnes, they may fully see, how they shall speede with God by this that befell Christ. If God spared not his onelyonly begotten Sonne, that was but a suretie for sinne, will he spare them that are principals? would not God find out such a mercy to Christ, as to free him from such extremities; and do they trust to a mercy in God neuer reuealed in the word, neuer shewed to Christ? was not Christ able without such wofull tortures to beare the wrath of God; and doe they thinke to be able to endure those riuers of brimstone, and fier in Hell?
4. Concerning a singular and new way of obedience in Christ: if wee will needes hauehave workes of supererogation, let vsus acknowledge them onelyonly in Christ: for the doctrine of his passion tels vsus of an obedience to a commandement of God, that was not in the Morall law; and that was his speciall submission to that singular will of his Father, in being that one that should die for the people. To expiate for other mens sinnes, is a speciall kind of righteousnesse, not mentioned in the Law.
5. Concerning the offence of the Crosse, though both Iewes and Gentiles stumbled at this doctrine at the first; yet we see there is no reason why wee should bee troubled at the abasements of Christ, but rather to reioyce, and wonder at the dreadfull expiation was made to God for vsus in them. For thus it behoued him to suffer, as all the Prophets from Moses hauehave witnessed, 1. Cor. 1.23. Luk. 24.45.46.
Thus of the vse for information.
The consolations follow.
The doctrine of the passion of Christ is exceeding comfortable, and that both in generall and particular consolations.
It is generally comfortable:
1. First, in respect of the establishment of our hearts, in the assurance that Iesus of Nazareth was the true Messias promised to ye Fathers. Which may appeare, if we consider but the history of his passion, in as much as in him were fulfilled al these signes foretold in the seuerall ages of the old Church. The old prophesies were all accomplished in him. The scepter was now departed from Iuda, foretold, Genes. 49.10. They diuided his garments, and cast lots vponupon his vesture, according to Psalm. 22.8. They pierced his hands and feet. Psal. 22.16. The chiefe builders refused him, according to Psal. 118.22. In his arraignment hee was silent, & opened not his mouth, according to Esa. 53.7. Hee was reckoned amongst the wicked in his death, according to Esa. 53.12. They gaue him gall and vineger to drinke, according to Psalm. 69.21. He accomplished the meaning of the sacrifices in shedding his blood, and suffering without the campe Heb. 9.14. Heb. 13.11.12.
2. Secondly, if we consider the effects of his passion: for from hence flowes to vsus, and eueryevery beleeuer,
1. First the purchase both of our soules and bodies, 1. Cor. 6.20. For ye are bought for a price: therefore glorifie God in your body, and in your spirit: for they are Gods.
Rom. 7.4. So ye my brethren are dead also to the law by the body of Christ, that ye should bee vntounto another, euen vntounto him, that is raised vp from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit vntounto God.
2. The ratification of the eternall couenant, Heb. 9.16. For where a testament is, there must bee the death of him that made the testament, &c.
3. The reconciling of vsus to God, Rom. 5.10. For if when wee were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Sonne, much more being reconciled, we shall be saued by his life,
1. Pet. 3.18. For Christ also hath once suffered for sinnes: the iust for the vniust, that hee might bring vsus to God, &c.
4. The abolishing of sinne, both in respect of the remission of the guilt, 1. Ioh. 1.7. The blood of Iesus Christ his Sonne cleanseth vsus from all sinne.
Matth. 26.28. For this is my blood of the new testament, that is shead for many for the remission of sinnes. And sanctification against the power of it, Rom. 6.6. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sinne might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serue sinne, &c.
5. The swallowing vp of death, 1. Cor. 15.54. So when this corruptible hath put on incorruption, and this mortall hath put on immortality: then shall be brought to passe the saying that is written: Death is swallowed vp into victory. Vanquishing him yt had power of death, freeing vsus that were in bondage to the feare, and that of death, Hebr. 2.14.15. For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himselfe likewise tooke part with them, that he might destroy through death him that had the power of death, that is, the diuell.
And that hee might deliuer all them, which for feare of death were all their life time subiect to bondage.
2. Tim. 1.10. But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Sauiour Iesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality vntounto light through the Gospell, &c.
6. Liberty to enter into the most holy place of heauen, by a new and liuing way, Hebr. 9.12. Neither by the blood of goats and calues, but by his owne blood entred he in once vntounto the holy place, and obtained eternal redemption for vsus.
Hebr. 10.19. Seeing therefore, brethren, that by the blood of Iesus we may be bold to enter into the holy place.
Thirdly, if we consider the order of priesthood, of which he was in offering this sacrifice. He was a Priest after the order of Melchisedeck, and not after Aaron, Psalm. 110.4. The Lord sware and will not repent, thou art a Priest for euer after the order of Melchisedeck.
Heb. 7. all the chapter.
Of all the Priests that were types of Christ, Melchisedeck was the most liuely and noblest type, and did most fully shadow out both the person and office of Christ: For by Melchisedeck three most comfortable things in Christ were shadowed out:
The first was his dignity: hee was so a Priest, as he was a King also, able to feed and nourish the most mighty on earth, as the King of Salem did Abraham.
2. The second was the efficacy of his Priesthood, noted in two admirable benefits flowing from his obedience and passion, viz. Righteousnesse and Peace: Righteousnesse, for hee is the Lord our righteousnesse: Peace, in that hee fully pacified Gods anger for our sinnes, as our attonement, and so he was indeed that King of Zedech, that is, of righteousnesse: and of Salem, that is, of peace.
3. The third was the eternity of his Priesthood; hee is a Priest for euer, he dieth not, as did the sonnes of Leui, nor doth the efficacy of his Priesthood euer cease. The holy Ghost of purpose concealeth the mention of the birth and death of Melchisedeck, that so hee might bee the fuller type of Christ, who had no father as man, nor mother as God; and of his dayes there is no end; which last thing is the speciall consolation, for which I alleaged this type. There is no time wherein we can want the benefit of Christs sacrifice, if we hauehave accesse to God, and the throne of his grace; and the rather because God hath sworne and will not repent, Psalm. 110.4.
Thus in generall.
In particular, there are many excellent comforts may bee raised from the passion of Christ, for
First, hence wee may gather a matchlesse testimony, and vndoubted, of the infinite louelove of God to man, in that hee spared not his owne Sonne, but gaue him to the death for vsus, Ioh. 3.16. For God so loued the world, that hee hath giuen his onelyonly begotten Sonne, that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but hauehave euerlasting life, &c.
1. Ioh. 4.9. In this appeared the louelove of God toward vsus, because God sent his only begotten Sonne into the world, that wee might liue through him, &c. Which may likewise assure vsus, that there is nothing can be good for vsus, but hee will certainly giuegive it vsus also, Rom. 8.32. Who spared not his owne Sonne, but gaue him for vsus all to death, how shall hee not with him giuegive vsus all things also?
2. Secondly, shall wee euer doubt our freedome from condemnation, that know from hence what a price was paid for discharge of our debts by such a surety? How can we be so vildly infected with vnbeleefe? as to feare arresting, or imprisonmēt, or vndoing, when all is in Christ so fully and exquisitely satisfied to the very vttermost farthing. How could the surety hauehave euer escaped such iustice in God? such malice in men, and diuels, the sargeants and iaylors? if he had not most abundantly payed all could bee demanded.
3. Thirdly, what an encouragement may this bee to beleeue what Christ saith to vsus? was not he a faithfull witnesse, & teacher, that sealed his doctrine with his blood? great therefore is the infallibility of the Gospell, that truth which is according to godlinesse, and to bee receiued with all full assurance without wauering or feare, Reuel. 1.5.
4. Fourthly, shall not his example comfort vsus in all trials, especially when we suffer the extreamest things can befall vsus in this life? what are those to the sufferings of Christ? and with what compassion will he receiue vsus in affliction, that was so afflicted himselfe? Esa. 63.1—9. &c.
And in particular, it may ease in paines, and in death it selfe, to remember the dolours of Christ, especially considering that from thence flowes a vertue to helpe vsus in all our pangs and distresses, in life and death.
5. Lastly, there are many particular comforts may bee gathered from the manner of his sufferings, and diuers particularities in them: as
1. He suffered in Ierusalem, & so both fulfilled the types of the old Testament: for there was Isaac offered vp, and there the sacrifices were slaine, and also signified vntounto vsus, that he had obtained for vsus the vision of eternall peace, which the name Ierusalem importeth.
2. Secondly, he suffered the first part of his chiefe passion in a garden, to comfort vsus in the abolishing of the first sin, which was committed in a garden, and imputed to Christ.
3. Thirdly, he was betrayed, taken, bound, and forsaken, and all for vsus: hee was betrayed, to expiate our treason in Adam: he was taken, to restore vsus captiues: hee was bound, that wee might be loosed: he was forsaken of all, euen of his owne best disciples, to let vsus know, that hee alone did performe the worke of satisfaction and redemption for vsus, Esa. 63.3.
4. Fourthly, he was araigned & condemned both by Iewes and Gentiles in the consisiory of the Priests, and at the tribunall of Pilat, therby to notifie both to Iews and Gentiles, that he was giuen to sacrifice for sins of both, & to signifie yt he was the true Messias, or Shiloh, because now ye scepter was departed frō Iuda ▪ Gen. 49.10
5. His silence to the most accusations shewes: 1. that he was a greater person then hee that iudged him: 2. Secondly, that he fulfilled the Scriptures, that said he opened not his mouth, Esa. 53.7. 3. That hee suffered for our euill words, but especially it assures vsus, that he suffered them as our surety, in that he did endure the imputation of such monstrous crimes, and yet held his peace.
6. He was whipped, and crowned with thornes; he was whipped, to deliuer vsus from both spirituall, corporall, and eternall scourges that was due vntounto vsus.
The crowne of thornes may signifie:
1. That hee expiated our ambition in Adam.
2. That he might merit for vsus an eternall crowne.
3. That he would gather a kingly people out of the most thorny and hurtfull nations, which as a crowne should compasse God about in seruing and honouring him.
4. That he had borne our thorny cares, and therfore we should cast all our care vponupon him.
7. He was clothed with a purple garment, and a reed in his hand, which both signified, that he was a King, though they did it in scorne. His purple garment shewes, that hee was that great Warrior, which was forespoken of, when they said, Who is this that comes from Edom with red garments? &c. Isaiah, 63.1. to 7. The reed was two waies comfortable: for first it shewed, that this was hee, that should breake the Serpents head: for a reed is the most mortall thing to a Serpent, as the learned record, and therewith they were vsed to kill them; and besides by a reed, as by a pen he did blot out the hand-writing in the debt-booke, that was against vsus.
8. He suffered in Golgotha, a place of dead mens bones, in which the most notorious offenders did suffer their punishment, that so hee might raise vp the Banner of Iustification, euen in the very place of contamination, and damnation.
9. Hee was vnclothed, and made naked to satisfie for the sin of our first parents, who were spoiled of the garment of innocency; and to deliuer vsus from sin and mortality, of which the garments of skinne giuen to our parents, were a monument; and perhaps to shew, how we should enter into heauen, viz. as Adam did into paradise naked in body, but clothed in soule with Innocency and immortality: but chiefely to expiate for our shamefull wickednesse before God.
10. Hee was hanged vponupon a tree, that so as death by the tree entred into the world, so on a tree it should be destroied, and life brought backe againe. And besides herein Christ answered the type in Isaacks offering vp, and the brasen Serpent lifted vp on high, Ioh. 3.14. and that Christ lifted vp in the aire, might ouercome the Prince of the aire, and all his spirituall wickednesses, Coloss. 2.15. And that he might beare the curse of the Law, being in that kind of death made a speciall curse for vsus, Gal. 3.13.14.
11. He dranke gall and viniger, wherein he both fulfilled the Scriptures, Psal. 69.21. For they gaue me gall in my meate, and in my thirst they gaue me vineger to drink, &c. And as the second Adam bare the punishment of the first Adams offence in tasting the iuice of the forbidden fruit.
12. The nailing of his hands and feete, assures vsus of the cancelling of the hand-writing of ordinances, that was against vsus; both of the dissolution of all ceremoniall agreements, and of the full cancelling of the bond morall for so much, as concernes the forfeiture that lay vponupon vsus, Coloss. 2. 14, &c.