Practical Commentary of 1 Peter Volume 2, Commentary · Chapter 1 · Verse 16

Practical Commentary of 1 Peter Volume 2 · Commentary · Chapter 1 · Verse 16

p. 173Verse 18.

18. For Christ hath also once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust (that he might bring us to God) being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.

THE whole Life of a Christian is a steady aiming at Conformity with Christ, so that in any thing, whether doing or suffering, there can be no Argument so apposite and perswasive as his Example; and no obedience either active or passive so difficult, but the representment of that Example will powerfully sweeten it. The Apostle doth not decline the often use of it; here we have it thus, for Christ also suffered.

Though the Doctrine of Christian suffering is the occasion of speaking of Christ's suffering, yet he insists on it beyond the simple necessity of that Argument, for its own excellency, and further usefulness, so we shall consider the double capacity. (1.) As an encouragement and engagement for Christians to suffer. (2.) As the great point of their Faith, whereon all their Hopes and Happiness depends, being the means of their reduction to God.

The sufferings of Christ being duely considered, doth much temper all the sufferings of Christians, especially such as are directly for Christ.

1. It is some known ease to the mind in any distress to look upon Examples of the like,Ferre quam sortem patiuntur …nes. or greater distress in present or former times. It diverts the eye from continual p. 174poreing on our own suffering, and when we return to view it again, it lessens it, abates of the imagined bulk and greatness of it. Thus publick, thus Spiritual troubles; and particularly the sufferings and tentations of the Godly, by the consideration of this as their common lot, their high way, not new in the Person of any, 1 Cor. 10. 13. If we trace the Lives of the most eminent Saints, shall we not find every notable step that is recorded, marked with a new cross, one trouble following on another as the Waves do in an uncessant succession:Velut unda pellitur unda. And is not this manifest in the Life of Abraham, and of Iacob, and the rest of God's Worthies in the Scriptures; and doth not this make it an unreasonable absurd thought to dream of an exemption: would any one have a new untroden way cut out for him free of Thorns, and strewed with Flowers all along, no contradictions nor hard measure from the World; or imagine that there may be such a dexterity necessary as to keep its good will, and the friendship of God too, this will not be, and its an universal conclusion, all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, must suffer persecution; this is the Path to the Kingdom, that which all the Sons of God, the Heirs of it have gone in, even Christ, as that known word is, one son without sin, but none without suffering. Christ also suffered.

The example and company of the Saints in suffering is very considerable, but that of Christ is more than any other, yea, than all the rest together. Therefore the Apostle having represented the former at large, ends in this as the top of all, Heb. 12. 1, 2. There is a race set before us, it is to be run and run with patience and without fainting: now he tells us of a cloud of Witnesses; a cloud made up of instances of Believers suffering before us, and the heat of the day wherein we p. 175run is somewhat cooled even by that Cloud, compassing us: But the main strength of their comfort here lyes in beholding of Christ, eying of his sufferings and their Issue. The considering and contemplating of him, will be the strongest cordial, will keep you from wearying and fainting in the way, v. 3.

The singular power of this instance lyes in many particulars considerable in it, to specifie some chief things briefly in the steps of the present words. (1) the Example great.Greatness of the Example. 1 The person.

(1) The greatness of the Person, Christ, and that marked to us by the manner of expression foreign Christ also, besides and beyond all others, even Christ himself.

There can be no higher Example, not only of the Sons of Adoption sufferers, but the begotten, the only begotten Son, the Eternal Heir of Glory in whom all the rest have their title, their Sonship and Heirship derived from, and dependent on his: Not only all the Saints, but the King of Saints. Now who shall repine at suffering, shall the wretched Sons of Men refuse to suffer after the Suffering of the spotless glorious Son of God, as one speaks of pride, that after Majesty, that highest Majesty,Vbi se humiliavit majestas, vermiculus. infletur & intumescat▪ Bern. to teach Humility hath so humbled himself; how wicked and impudent a thing will it be for a worm to swell, to be high conceited. So thus our Lord hath taught us by suffering in his own person, and hath dignify'd sufferings so, we should certainly rather be ambitious th…n afraid of them.

2. The greatness of his sufferings and continuance That which the Apostle speaks here of,2 The Sufferings. his once suffering, hath its truth taking in all, he suffe… ed once, his whole life was one continued line of suffering from the cratch to the Cross, all tha… lay betwix't p. 176was suitable, his estate and entertainment throughout his whole life agreed well with so mean a beginning, and so reproachful an end of it; forc'd upon a slight while he could not go, and living till he appeared in publick in a very mean despised condition as the Carpentets Son; and after, his best works pay'd with envy and revilings, called a wine biber, and caster out of Devils by the Prince of Devils, his life often laid in wait and sought for. Art thou mean in thy birth, and life, despised, misjudged, and reviled on all hands, look how it was with him that had more right than thou hast to better entertainment in the World, thou wilt not deny it was his own, it was made by him, and he was in it, and it knew him not, are thy friends harsh to thee, he came unto his own, and his own received him not, hast thou a mean Cottage, or art drawn from it, or no dwelling, and art thou every way poor, and ill accommodate, he was as poor as thou canst be, and had not where to lay his head, worse provided than the birds and foxes. But then consider to what a height his sufferings rose in the end, that most remarkable piece of them here meant by his once suffering for sins: if thou shouldest be cut off by a violent death or in the prime of thy years, mayst tho… not look upon him as going before thee in both those, and in so ignominious a way, scourged, buffetted, and spit on, he endured all,Isaiah. he gave his back to the smiters, and then as the same Prophet hath it▪ he was numbred amongst the transgressors; when they had used him with all that shame, they hanged him betwixt two theeves, and they that passed by wagged their heads, and darted taunts at him as at a Mark fixed to the Cross, they scoff…d and said, he saved others himself he cannot save, he e…dured the Cross and despised the shame, says the Apostle.

Thus see we the outside of his sufferings but the Christian is subject to grievous tentations and sad deser…ions that are heavier by far than the sufferings which indeed the Apostle speaks of here; yet even in these this same Argument of his holds: for our Saviour is not unacquainted with, nor ignorant of either of those, though still without sin, and if any of that had been in any of his sufferings it had not furthered but undone all our Comfort in him. But tempted he was, he suffered that way too, and the tentations were terrible as you know; and was there not some strong conflict when he fell down and prayed in the Garden, and sweat drops of blood, and an Ecclipse when he cried out on the Cross, my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me, so that even in these we may apply this comfort, and stay our selves or Souls on him, and go to him as a compassionate high Priest, Heb. 4. 15, 16. For Christ also suffered.

2. Consider the fitness of the ex…mple,The fitness of the example. as the same is every way great, yea greatest, so it is fit, the fittest to take with a Christian, to set before him so near a pattern, where he hath so much in…erest; as the Argument is strong in it self, so its to the new Man, the Christian Man, particularly strongest, it binds him most,Exemplum domesticum. it is not far fetcht, but a home pattern; and as when ye perswade Men to virtue by the Example of those that they have near relation to; they are his Servants, and shall they, or would they think to be greater than their Master, to be exempt from his lot in the World, they are his Souldiers, and will they refuse to follow him, and to endure with him? suffer hardship, says the Apostle to Timothy, as a good Souldier of Iesus Christ: will not a word from him put a vigour in them to go after him, whither upon any march or p. 178service, when he calls them friends, commilitones, as they tell his word that wrought so much on his trained bands; yea he is not ashamed to call them brethren, and will they be ashamed to share with him and to be known by their suitable estate to be his brethren.

3.The advantage. There is from these sufferings such a result of safety and comfort to a Christian that makes them a most effectual encouragement to suffering, that is this, if he suffered once, and that was for sin, now that heavy intollerable suffering for sin once taken out of a Believers way, it makes all other sufferings light, exceeding light, as nothing in their account. He suffered once for sin, so that to them that lay hold on him this holds sure, that sin is never to be suffered for in the way of strict Justice again, as not by him, so not by them that are in sin; for he suffered for sins once and it was for their sins, every poor Believer's? So now the Soul finding it s…lf rid of that fear, goes merrily through all other hazzards and sufferings.

As the Soul perplexed about that question finds no relief in all others enjoyments, all Propositions of lower Comforts are unsavory and troublesome to it: Tell of pe…ce and Prosperity, say however the World go you shall have ease and pleasure, and you shall be honoured and esteemed by all; and though you could make a Man sure of these, yet if his Conscience be working and stirred about the matter of his sin, and the wrath of God, ty'd close to sin, he will wonder at your impertinency, in that you speak so far from the purpose; say what ye will of these, he still asks what you mean by this, those things answer not me, do ye think I can find Com… in them so long as my sin is unpardon'd, and there is a … of Eternal Death standing above my head; p. 179I feel even an impress of somewhat of that hot Indignation, some flashes of it flying and lighting upon the face of my Soul, and how can I take pleasure in these things you speak of. And though I should be sensless and feel nothing of this all my life, yet how soon shall I have done with it, and the delights that reach no further, and then to have Everlasting burnings, Eternity of wrath to enter to, how can I be satisfyed with that estate. All you offer a Man in this posture is as if ye should set dainty fair and bring musick with it to a Man lying almost pressed to death under great weights, and ye bid him eat and be merry, but lift not off his pressure, you do but mock the Man and add to his misery. On the other side he that hath got but a view of his Christ and reads his own pardon in Christs sufferings, he can rejoyce in this in the midst of all other sufferings, and look on death without apprehension, yea with gladness, the sting is out: Christ hath made all pleasant to him by this one thing, that he suffered once for sins. Christ hath perfum'd the Cross, and the Grave, and made all sweet. The pardoned Man finds himself light, skips and leaps, and through Christ strengthning him he can encounter with any trouble. If you think to shut in his Spirit within outward sufferings, it is now as Sampson in his strength, able to carry away the Gates on his back that you would shut one withal, yea can submit patiently to the Lords hands in any correction. Thou hast forgiven my sin, therefore deal with me as thou wilt, all is well.

1. Learn to consider more deeply, and esteem more highly of Christ and his suffering, to silence our grumbling at our petty light crosses, for so they are in comparison of his: will not the great odds of his perfect Inno…ency, and o… his nature, and measure of his sufferings, p. 179will not the sense of that Redemption of our Souls from death by his death, will none of these, nor all of them argue us into more thankfulness, and love to him, and patience in our tryals; Why will we then be called Christians?[Enimvero non sentient sua qui illius vulnera intuetur Bern. in Cant. Serm. 61.] it is impossible to be fretful and malecontent with the Lord's dealing with us in any kind till first we have forgot how he dealt with his dearest Son for our sakes. But these things are not weigh'd by the most, we hear and speak of them, but our hearts receive not the impressions of them: therefore we repine against our Lord and Father, and drown a hundred great blessings in any little touch of trouble that befalls us.

2. Seek surer interest in Christ and his suffering than the most either have attained or are aspiring to, otherwise all that is here suffered will not ease or comfort thee any thing, in any kind of suffering, no though thou suffer for a good cause, even for his cause, still this will be an extraneous foraign thing to thee, to tell thee of his sufferings will work no otherwise with thee than some other common story. And as in the day of peace thou regardest it no more, so in the day of thy trouble thou shalt receive no more comfort from it. Other things you esteemed shall have no comfort to speak to you, though you persue them with words (as Solomon says of the poor Man's friends) yet they shall be wanting to you. And then you would sure find how happy it were to have this to turn you to, that the Lord Jesus suffered for sins, and for yours, and therefore hath made it a light and comfortable business to you to undergo momentary passing sufferings.

Days of tryal will come, do you not see they are on us already. Be perswaded to turn your eyes and desires more towards Christ. This is the thing we would p. 181still press, the support and happiness of your Souls lyes on it. But you will not believe it. Oh! that ye knew the comforts and sweetness of Christ. Oh that one would speak that knew more of them! were you once but entered into this knowledge of him and the virtue of his sufferings, you would account all your days but lost wherein you have not known him; and in all times your hearts would find no refreshment like to the remembrance of his love.

Having somewhat considered these sufferings, as the Apostles Argument for his present purpose. Now to take nearer notice of the particulars, by which he illustrates them, as the main point of our Faith and Comfort: Of them here two things,

1. Their Cause. 2. Their Kind. Their Cause both their meriting cause and their final cause. 1. What in us procured these sufferings unto Christ. 2. What those his suffering procured unto us. Our guiltiness brought suffering upon him; and his suffering brings us unto God.

1. The evil of sin hath the evil of punishment inseparably ty'd to it: We have a natural obligation of obedience unto God, and he justly urges it, so that where the command of his Law is broke, the Curse of it presently followeth. And though it was simply in the Power of the supream Lawgiver to have dispensed the infliction, yet having in his Wisdom purposed to be known a just God in that way, following forth the tenor of his Law, of necessity there must be a suffering for sin.

Thus the Angels that kept not their Station, falling from it, fell into a Dungeon where they are, under chains of darkness, reserved to the Iudgement of the Great day; and Man fell under the sentence of Death: p. 182But in this is the difference betwixt Man and them; they were not of one, as parent or common root of the rest, but each one fell or stood for himself alone; so a part of them only perisht, but Man fell altogether, so that not one of all the Race could escape condemnation, unless some other way of satisfaction be found out. And here it is, Christ suffered for sins, the just for the unjust: Father, says he, I have glorified thee on Earth. In this Plot indeed do all the Divine Attributes shine in their full; infinite Mercy, and immense Justice, and Power, and Wisdom: Looking on Christ as ordained for that purpose, I have found a Ransom, says the Father, one fit to redeem Man, a Kinsman, one of that very same Stock, the Son of Man, one able to redeem Man by satisfying me, and fullfilling all I lay upon him; my Son, my only begotten Son in whom my Soul delights: And he is willing, undertakes all, says, loe I come, &c. We are agreed upon the way of this Redemption; yea, upon the Persons to be redeemed; it is not a roving blind Bargain, a price paid, for, we know not to whom. Hear his own words; Thou hast given the Son (says the Son to the Father) power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him: and after all, mine are thine, and thine are mine, and I am glorified in them.

For the sins of those he suffered standing in their room, and what he did and suffered according to the Law of that Covenant, as done and suffer'd by them. All the sins of all the Elect were made up into an huge bundle and bound upon his Shoulders, so the Prophet speaks in their name; surely he hath born our griefs and carried our sorrows: And the Lord laid [or made to meet] on him the iniquity of us all; where he spoke of many ways of sin, every one to his own way: he binds up all p. 183in the word of iniquity as all one sin, as if it were that one transgression of the first Adam that brought on the Curse of his Seed; born by the second Adam, to take it away from all that are his Seed, that are in him as their Root.

He the great high Priest appearing before God with the Names of the Elect upon his Shoulders; and in his Heart bearing them and all their burdens, and offering for them not any other Sacrifice but himself, charging all their Sin on himself, as the Priest did the Sins of the People on the Head of the Sacrifice. He by the eternal Spirit, says the Apostle, offered up himself without spot unto God, spotless and sinless, and so only fit to take away our sin, being a satisfactory oblation for it. He suffered, in him was our ransome, and thus it was paid, in the Man Christ was the Deity, and so his blood was as the Apostle calls it, the Blood of God, and being pierced it came forth, and was told down as the rich price of our Redemption, not silver, nor gold, nor corruptible things, as our Apostle hath it before, but the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish.

Obs. 1. Shall any Man offer to bear the Name of a Christian, that pleases himself in the way of Sin, can delight and sport himself with it, when he considers this, that Christ suffered for sin; do not think it, you that still account sin, sweet, which he found so bitter, and light, which was so heavy to him, and made his Soul heavy to the death; you are yet far off from him, if you were in him, and one with him, there would be some harmony of your hearts with his, and some sympathy with th…se sufferings, as endured by your Lord, your Head, and for you. They that with a right view see him as pierced by their sins, that sight pierces them, and makes them mourn, brings forth tears, beholding p. 184the gushing forth of his blood. This makes the real Christian an avowed enemy to sin; shall I ever be Friends with it (says he) that killed my Lord, no, but I will ever kill it, and do it by applying his death. The true Penitent is sworn to be the death of sin: may be surprized by it, but no possibility of reconcilement betwixt them.

Thou that livest kindly and familiarly with sin; either openly declarest thy self for it, or hast a secret love for it; where canst thou reap any comfort? not from these sufferings to thee continuing in that Posture. It is all one, as if Christ had not suffer'd for sins; yea, worse than if no such thing had been, that there is salvation and terms of mercy unto thee, and yet perishes: That there is Balm in Gilead, and yet thou art not healed. And if thou hast not comfort from Jesus crucified, I know not whence thou canst have any that will hold out; look about thee, tell me what thou seest either in thy Possession, or in thy hopes, that thou esteemest most off, and layest thy confidence on it; or to deal more liberally with thee, see what estate thou wouldest chuse for thy wish; stretch thy fancy to devise an earthly happiness, these times are full of unquietness; but give thee a time of the calmest peace, not an air of trouble stirring, put thee where thou wilt, far off from fear of Sword and Pestilence, and encompass thee with Children, Friends, and Possessions, and Honours, and Comfort, and Health to enjoy all those, yet one thing thou must admit in the midst of all these, within a while thou must die, and having no real portion in Christ, but a deluding dream of it, thou sinkest through possibly that death into another death, far more terrible: of all thou enjoyest; nothing goes along with thee but unpardoned sin, and that delivers p. 185thee up to endless sorrow. Oh! that you were wise and would consider your latter end, do not still gaze about you upon trifles, but yet be intreated to take notice of your Saviour, and receive him, that he may be yours, fasten your Belief and your Love on him; give him all your Heart, that stuck not to give himself an offering for your sins.

2. To you that have fled into him for Refuge; if sensible of the Churches distress, be upheld with this thought, that he that suffered for it, will not suffer it to be undone, all the rage of enemies, yea, the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it, he may for a time suffer them to be brought low for the …ins of his People, and other wise Reasons; but he will not utterly forsake them; though there is much chaff▪ yet he hath a precious number in these Kingdoms, that he shed his blood for, many God hath called, and yet is to call, he will not lose any of his flock that he hath bought so dear, Acts. 20. And for their sake he will at one time repair our breaches and establish his Throne in these Kingdoms. 2. For your selves, what can affright you while this is in your Eye? let others tremble at the Apprehension of Sword or Pestilence, but sure you have for them and all other hazards a most satisfying answer in this,Rom. 5. 1, 2, 3.Rom 5:1Rom 5:2Rom 5:3 My Christ hath suffered for sin, I am not to fear that, and that set aside, I know the worst is but death, I am wrong, truly that is the best, to be dissolv'd and to be with Christ is [foreign] much more better.

This were a happy Estate indeed, but what shall they think that have no assurance, those that doubt that Christ is their's, and that he suffered for their sins? I know no way but believe on him, and then you shall know that he is yours: from this is the grand p. 186mistake of many; they would first know that Christ is theirs, and they would believe, which cannot be, before he becomes ours by believing. It is that gives title and propriety to him; he is set before Sinners as a Saviour that hath suffered for sin, that they look to him and be saved, that they lay over their Souls on him, and then they may be assured he suffer'd for them.

Say then, what is it that scares th…e from Christ, this thou seest is a poor groundless exception, for he is set before thee as a Saviour to believe on, that so he may be thy Saviour; why wilt thou not come unto him? why resuseth thou to believe? art thou a sinner? art thou unjust? then he is fit for thy case, he suffered for Sins▪ the Iust for the Vnjust, Oh, but so many and so great sins! yea, is that it, it is true indeed, and good reason thou think so. But, 1. Consider if they be excepted in the Proclamation of Christ, the Pardon that comes in his Name, if not, if he make no exception, why wilt thou? 2. Consider if thou wilt call them greater than this Sacrifice, he suffered. Take due notice of the greatness and worth, 1. Of his Person, and thence of his Sufferings, and thou wilt not dare to say thy sin goes above the value of his suffering, or that thou art too unjust for him to justifie thee, be as unrighteous as thou canst be, art thou convinced of it? then know that Jesus the Just, is more Righteous than thy unrighteousness: And after all is said, that any sinner hath to say, they are yet without exception blessed, that trust in him.

That he might bring us to God.] It is a chief Point of Wisdom, to proportion means to their end: therefore the all-wise God in putting his only Son to so hard a task, had a high end in this, and this was it, That he might bring us unto God. In this three things, (1.) The p. 187Nature of this good, nearness unto God. (2.) Our deprivement of it, by our own sin. (3.) Our restorement to it, by Christs sufferings.

1. God hath suited every Creature he hath made with a convenient good to which it tends; and in the obtainment of which it rests and is satisfied. Natural bodies have each their own natural place, whether, if not hindred, they move uncessantly till they be in it; and there declare by resting there, that they are (as I may say) where they would be. Sensitive Creatures are carried to seek a sensitive good as agreeable to their rank and being, and attaining that, aim no further. Now in this is the Excellency of Man; he is made capable of a Communion with his Maker, and because capable of it, is unsatisfied without it. The Soul a Being cut out (so to speak) to that largeness, cannot be fill'd with less, though he is fallen from his right to that good, and from all right desire of it, yet not from a capacity of it, no, nor from a necessity of it, for the answering and filling of his capacity.

Though the Heart once gone from God, turns continually further away from him, and moves not towards him till it be renewed: yet ever in that wandering, it retains that natural relation to God as its Center, that it hath no true rest elsewhere, nor cannot by any means find it: It is made for him, and is there…ore still restless till it meet with him.

It is true, the Natural Man takes much pains to quiet his Heart by other things, and digests many vexations with hopes of contentment in the end, and accomplishment of some design he hath, but still they misgive. Many times he attains not the thing he seeks, but if he do, yet never attains the satisfaction he seeks and expects in it, only learns from that to desire something p. 188farther, and still hunts on after a fancy, drives his own shadow before him, and never overtakes it, and if he did, yet its but a shadow; and so in running from God, besides the sad end, he carries an interwoven punishment with his sin, the natural disquiet and vexation of his Spirit, fluttering too and fro, no rest for the sole of his foot: The matters of unconstancy and vanity covering the whole Face of the Earth.

We study to abase our souls, and to make them content with less than they are made for; yea, we strive to make them carnal; that they may be pleased with sensible things; and in this men attain a brutish content for a time; forgetting their higher good; but certainly we cannot think it sufficient, and that no more were to be desired beyond Ease, and Plenty, and Pleasures of Sense, for then a Beast in good Case and a good Pasture, might contest with us in point of Happiness, and carry it away for that sensitive good he enjoys without sin, and without the vexation that is mixt with us all. These things are too gross and heavy.

The Soul, the immortal Soul descended from Heaven must either be more happy, or remain miserable. The highest increated Spirit is the proper Good, the Father of Spirits that pure and full good, raises the Soul above it self; whereas all other things draw it down below it self. So then its never well with the Soul, but when it is near unto God, yea, in its union with him, married to him, and mismatching it self elsewhere, it hath never any thing but shame and sorrow. All that forsake thee shall be ashamed, Jer. 17. says the Prophet: and the Psalmist, Psal. 73. They that are far off from thee shall perish. And this is indeed our natural miserable condition, and is often exprest this way, or estrangedness and distance from God, Eph. 2. Gentiles, far off p. 189by their profession and Nation, but both Jews and Gentiles far off by their natural Foundation, and both brought near by the blood of the new Covenant; and that is the other thing here implied, that we are far off by reason of sin; otherways there were no need of Christ, especially in this way of suffering for sin, to bring us unto God.

The first, because of Gods command, sin broke off Man and separated him from God, and ever since the Soul remains naturally remote from God. (1.) Under a sentence of Exile pronounced by the Justice of God, condemned to banishment from God, who is the life and light of the Soul as it is of the Body. (2.) It's under a flat impossibility of returning by it self. And that in two respects. (1.) Because of the guiltiness of sin standing betwixt, as an unpassable Mountain or Wall of separation. (2.) Because of the Dominion of sin keeping the Soul captive, still drawing it further off from God, increasing the distance and the enmity every day. Nor in Heaven, nor under Heaven, no way to remove this enmity, and make up this distance, and return Man to the Possession of God, but this one, by Christ and him suffering for sins.

He endured the Sentence pronounced against man; yea, even in this particular Notion of it, one main ingredient in his suffering was a forsaking to sense, that he cried out of. And by suffering the Sentence pronounc'd, he took away the guiltiness of sin: he himself being spotless and undefiled, for such an High Priest became us; the more defiled we were, the more need of an undefiled Priest, and Sacrifice, and he was both: Therefore the Apostle here very fitly mentions this qualification of our Saviour as necessary for reducing us unto God, the Iust for the Vnjust, so taking on him, and taking away the guilt of sin, setting his p. 190strong shoulder to remove that Mountain, he made way, or access for Man unto God.

This the Apostle hath excellently, Eph. 2. He hath reconciled us by his cross, having slain the enmity; he kill'd the quarrel betwixt God and us, killed it by his death, brings the Parties together, and hath laid a sure Foundation of Agreement in his own Sufferings, appeases his Fathers wrath by them, and by the same appeases the Sinners Conscience. All that God hath to say in point of Justice is answered there; all that the poor humbled sinner hath to say, is answered too. Offered up such an Attonement as satisfies the Father; so he is content that sinners come in and be reconciled: and then Christ gives notice of this to the Soul to remove all Jealousies: it is full of fear, though it would, dare not approach unto God, apprehending him a consuming Fire. They that have done the offence, are usually the hardest to reconcile, because they are still in doubt of their pardon, but Christ assures of a full and hearty forgiveness, quenching the flame and wrath of God by his blood. No, says Christ, upon my Warrant come in, you will now find my Father otherwise than you imagin, he hath declared himself satisfied at my hands, and is willing to receive you, to be heartily, and throughly Friends, never to hear a word more of the quarrel that was betwixt you, a full Oblivion. And if the Soul bear back still through distrust, he takes it by the hand and draws it forward, leads it into his Father, as the word foreign imports, presents it to him, and leaves not the matter till it be made a full and sure agreement.

But for this purpose that the Soul may be able and willing to come unto God, the sufferings of Christ take away that other Impediment: as they satisfie the p. 191sentence, and so remove the guiltiness of sin, so he hath by them purchased a deliverance from the tyrannous power of sin, that detains the Soul from God after all the way made for it. And he hath a power of applying his Sufferings to the Souls deliverance in that kind too, he opens the Prison Doors to them that are led Captive; and because the great chain is upon the heart willingly enthralled in sin, he by his Sovereign power takes off that, frees the heart from the love of sin, shews what a base slavish condition it is in, by representing in his effectual way the goodness of God, his readiness to entertain a returning sinner, the sweetness and happiness of Communion with him; powerfully perswades the heart to shake off all, and without further delay to return unto God, as to be received into favour and friendship, so to walk in the way of friendship with God, to give up it self to his Obedience, to disdain the vile service of sin, and live sutable to the dignity of fellowship and Union with God.

And there is no other but the power of Christ alone that is able to effect this, to perswade a sinner to return, to bring home a heart unto God: Common mercies of God, though they have a leading faculty to repentance, Rom. 2. yet the rebellious heart will not be led by them. The J…dgements of God publick or personal, though they should drive us to God, yet the heart unchanged runs the farther from God? do we not see it by our selves and other sinners about us, look not at all towards him that smiles, much less return, or if any sadder thoughts arise that way upon the surprize of an affliction, how soon vanish they, whether the stroke abateing, or the heart by time growing hard and sensless under it. Indeed where it is renewed and brought in by Christ, th…n all other things have a p. 192sanctified influence according to their quality to stir up a Christian to seek after nearer Communion, closer walk, and more access to God: But leave Christ out, I say, all other means work not this way, neither the works, nor word of God sounded daily in his ear, return, return. Let the noise of the rod speak it too, and both joyn together to make the cry the louder, yet the wicked will do wickedly, will not hearken to the voice of God, will not see the hand of God lifted up, will not be perswaded to go in and seek peace and reconcilement with God, though declaring himself provoked to punish, and to behave himself as an enemy against his own people. How many are there that in their own particular have been very sharply lasht with divers scourges on their bodies, or families, and yet are never a whit the nearer God for it all, hearts as proud, and earthly, and vain, as ever, and lay on as much and they will still be the same. Only a Divine Vertue going forth from Christ lifted up, draws Men unto him, and being come to him he brings them unto the Father.

Obs. 1. You that still are Strangers to God who declare your selves to be so, live as Strangers far off from him; do not still continue to abuse your selves so grosly. Can you think there is any consolation yours, that is in the sufferings of Christ, while it is so evident they have not gained their end upon you, have not brought you to God? Truly most of you seem to think that our Lord Jesus suffered rather to the end we might neglect God and disobey him securely than to reduce us to him. Hath he purchas'd you a liberty to sin, or is not deliverance from sin, which alone is true liberty, the thing he aimed at, and agreed …or, and laid down his life for.

p. 1932. Why let we still his blood run in vain as to us? He hath by it opened up our way to God, and yet we refuse to make use of it▪ Oh! how few come in. They that are brought unto God and received into friendship with him, they entertain that friendship, they delight in his company, love to be much with him: is it so with us? 2. By being so they become like him, know his will daily better and grow more sutable to it; in the most nothing of this.

3. But even they that are brought unto God may be faulty in this, in part not applying so sweet a Priviledge, can comply and be too friendly with the vain World, can pass many days without a lively Communion with God, not aspiring to the increase of that as the thing our Lord hath purchas'd for us, and that wherein all our happiness and welfare lyes here and hereafter: your hearts cleaving to folly and not delighting your selves in the Lord, not refresht with this nearness to him and Union with him, your thoughts not often on it, and your study to walk conform to it: Certainly it ought to be this and you would be perswaded to endeavour it may be thus with you.

4. Remember this for your Comfort that you, as are brought unto God by Jesus Christ, you are kept in that Union by him, its a firmer knot than the first was, there is no power of hell can dissolve it. He suffered once to bring us once unto God, never to depart again, as he suffered once for all so we are brought once for all: We may be sensibly nearer at one time than another, but yet we can never be separate nor cut off, being once knit by Christ as the bond of our Union. Neither Principalities, nor Powers, &c. shall be able to separate us from the love of God, because it holds in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Being put to death in the flesh, but quickned by the Spirit.] p. 194The true life of a Christian is to eye Christ, every step of his life, both as his rule, and as his strength, looking to him as his pattern, both in doing, and suffering, and drawing power from him for going through both; for the look of Faith doth that, fetches life from Jesus to enable it for all, being without him able for nothing. Therefore the Apostle doth still set this before his Brethren, and here having mentioned his suffering in general, the condition and end of it, he specifies the particular kind of it, that which was the utmost, put to death in the flesh, and then adds this issue out of it, Quickned by the Spirit.

The strongest engagement, and the strongest encouragement, he our head crowned with Thorns, and shall the body look for Garlands? We redeemed from hell and Condemnation by him, and can any such refuse any Service he calls them to? they that are washt in the Lambs blood will follow him wheresoever he goes, and following him through they shall find their Journeys end overpay all the troubles and sufferings of the way; These are they, said he to Iohn, which came out of great tribulation, tribulation and great tribulation, yet they came out of it and glorious too, arrayed in long white robes. The scarlet Strumpet (as follows) in that Book, died her Garments red in the blood of the Saints: But this is their happiness that their Garments are washt white in the blood of the Lamb.

Once take away sin, and all suffering is light, now that is done by this his once suffering for sin, they that are in him shall hear no more of that as condemning them, binding them over to suffer that wrath that is due to sin. Now this puts an invincible strength into the Soul for all other things how hard soever.

Put to death.] This t…e utmost point, and that p. 195which Men are most startled at, to die, and a violent death, put to death, and yet he hath led in this way, who is the Captain of our Salvation. In the flesh.] Under this second, his humane Nature, and Divine Nature and power are differenced. Put to death in the flesh, a very fit expression, not only (as is usual) taking the flesh for the whole Manhood, but because death is most properly spoken of that very person, or his flesh, the whole Man suffers death, a dissolution or taking a pieces; and the Soul suffers a separation or dislodging; but death, or the privation of life and sense, particularly to the flesh or body: but the Spirit here opposed to the flesh or body, is certainly of a higher Nature and Power than is the Humane Soul, which cannot of it self return and reinhabit and quicken the body.

Put to Death.] His death was both voluntary and violent, that same power that restored his life, could have kept it exempted from death; but the design was for death: he therefore took our flesh, to put it off thus, and offered it up as a Sacrifice; which to be acceptable, must of necessity be free and voluntary; and in that sense he is said to have died even by that same Spirit, that here, in opposition to death, is said to quicken him, Heb. 9. 14. Through the eternal Spirit, he offered himself without spot unto God. They accounted it an ill boding sign when the Sacrifices came constrainedly to the Altar, and drew back; and on the contrary were glad in the hopes of success when they came chearfully-forward; but never Sacrifice came so willingly all the way, and from the first step knew whether he was going. Yet because no other Sacrifice would serve, he was most content. Sacrifices and burnt Offerings thou didst not desire: Then said I, loe I come, &c. Was not only a willing Sacrifice as Isaac, bound peaceably and laid p. 196on the Altar, but his own Sacrificer: the Beasts if they came willingly, yet offered not themselves, but he offered up himself, and thus not only by a willingness far above all those Sacrifices of Bullocks and Goats, but by the eternal Spirit offered up himself. Therefore he says in this regard, I lay down my life for my sheep, it is not pull'd from me, but I lay it down, and so it is often exprest, by foreign he died; and yet this suites with it foreign put to death: yea, it was also expedient to be thus, that his death should be violent, and so the more penal, carry the more clear expression of a punishment, and such a violent death as had both ignominy and a Curse tyed to it, and this inflicted in a judicial way (though as from the hands of Men most unjustly) that he should stand, and be Judged, and Condemned to Death as a guilty Person, carrying in that the Persons of so many that should otherwise have fallen under Condemnation as indeed guilty, he was numbred with transgressors (as the Prophet hath it) bearing the sins of many.

Thus then there was in his Death, external violence joyned with internal willingness: But what is there to be found but Complications of Wonders in our Lord Jesus. O! high inconceivable mystery of Godliness, God manifested in the flesh, nothing in this World so strange, and sweet as that conjuncture, God Man, humanitas Dei, what a strong Foundation of Friendship and Union betwixt the Persons of Man and God, that their natures met in so close embraces in one Person. And then look on, and see so poor and despised an outward condition through his life; yet having hid under it, the Majesty of God, all the brightness of the Fathers Glory. And this the top of all, that he was put to Death in the flesh, the Lord of life dying, the Lord of p. 197Glory cloathed with shame. But it quickly appeared what kind of Person it was that died, by this, he was put to Death indeed in the flesh, but quickned by the Spirit.

Quickned.] He was indeed too great a morsel for the Grave to digest, for all its vast craving mouth, and devouring appetite crying give, Sheol.give, yet forced to give him up again, as the fish that Prophet, who in that was the figure of him, the Chains of that Prison are strong; but he was too strong a Prisoner to be held by them,Acts 2.Acts 2 as our Apostle hath it, in his Sermon, that it was not possible that he should be kept by them. They thought all was sure, when they had rolled to the Stone, and sealed it; that then the Grave had indeed shut her mouth upon him; it appeared a done business to them, and lookt very compleat-like in his Enemies eyes, and very desperate like to his Friends, his poor Disciples and Followers, were they not near the point of giving over when they said, This is the third day, &c. And we thought this had been he that should have delivered Israel. And yet he was then with them, who was indeed the Deliverer and Salvation of Israel; that rolling of the Stone to the Grave, was as if they had rolled it towards the East in the night, to stop the rising of the Sun the next Morning; much further above all their Watches, and power was this Sun of Righteousness in his rising again. That body that was en…omb'd, was united to the Spring of Life, the Divine Spirit of the Godhead that quickened it.

Obs. 1. Thus the Church which is likewise his Body when it seems undone, is brought to the lowest Posture, yet by vertue of that mystical Union with Jesus Christ as his Natural Body, by personal Union with his Deity, shall be preserved from destruction, and shall be delivered p. 198and raised in due time. Yet as he was nearest his exaltation in the lowest step of his Humiliation; so is it with his Church, when things are brought to the most hopeless appearance, then shall light arise out of darkness. Cum duplicantur lateres venit Moses.

Therefore as we ought to seek more humble Sense of Sions distress, so withal, not to let go this hope, that her mighty Lord will in the end be glorious in her deliverance, and all her sufferings and low estate shall be as a dark Soil to set off the lusture of her restorement; when the Lord shall visit her with Salvation. As in the rising of Jesus Christ, his Almighty Power and Deity, was more manifested than if he had not died; and therefore we may say confidently with the Psalmist to his Lord, Psal. 71. Thou which hast shewed me gre…t and sore troubles, shall quicken me again, and shall bring … up from the depths of the Earth: thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side: Yea, the Church comes more beautiful out of the deepest distress, let it be o…erwhelmed with waves, yet it sinks not: but rises up as only washt: And in this confidence we ought to rejoyce, even in the midst of our sorrows, and though we live not to see them, yet even in beholding afar off, to be gladed with the great things the Lord will do for his Church in these later times, he will certainly make bare his holy Arm in the Eyes of the Nations, and all the ends of the Earth shall see the Salvation of our God. His King that he hath set on his holy Hill,Isa. 52.Isa 52 shall grow in his Conquests and Glory, and all that rise against him shall he break with a Rod of Iron. Psal. 2.Ps 2He was humbled once, but his glory shall be for ever,Isa. 52.Isa 52 as many were astonished at him, his Visage being mar'd more than any Man; they shall be as much astonished at his Beauty and Glory, so shall he sprinkle many Nations, and Kings shall shut p. 199their mouths at him. According as here, we find that remarkable evidence of his Divine Power, in rising from the dead, put to death in the Flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.

2. Thus a believing Soul at the lowest, when to its own sense, it is given over unto death, and swallowed up of it, as it were in the Belly of Hell, yet look up to this Divine Power, him whose Soul was not left there, will not leave thine there. Yea, when thou art most sunk in thy sad apprehensions, and far off to thy thinking, then is he nearest to raise and comfort thee, as sometimes it grows darkest immediately before day. Rest on his power and goodness which never failed any that did so: It is he (as David says) that lifts up the Soul from the Gates of Death.

3. Would any of you be cured of that common Disease, the fear of Death, look this way, and you shall find more than you seek, you shall be taught, not only not to fear, but to love it. Consider, (1.) His Death, He died, by that, thou that receivest him as thy life,Descendi… huc vita nostra, & tulit mortem nostram, & oc…idit eam de abundanti… vitae suae, &c. Aug. maist be sure of this, that thou art by that his death, freed from the second death; and that's the great Point, let that have the name which was given to the other, the most terrible of all terrible things; and as the second death is removed, this death that thou art to pass through, is, I may say, beautified and sweetned, the ugly Visage of it becomes amiable, when ye look on't in Christ, and in his death, that puts such a pleasing comeliness upon it, that whereas others fly from it with affrightment, the Believer cannot chuse but embrace it: longs to lie down in that Bed of Rest, since his Lord lay in it, and hath warmed that cold Bed, and purified it with his fragrant Body. 2. But especially looking forward to his return, thence quickened by the Spirit; this being to p. 200those that are in him, the certain pledge, yea, the effectual Cause of that blessed Re…urrection, that is in their hopes; there is that Union betwixt them, that they shall rise by the communication and vertue of his rising, not simply by his Power, so the wicked to their grief shall be raised, but they by his life, as theirs: Therefore is it so often re-iterated, Io. 6. where he speaks of himself as living, and Life-giving Bread to Belivers, adds I will raise them up at the last day. This comfort we have even for the house of Clay we lay down, and for our more considerable part, our immortal Souls; this his death and rising hath provided for them at their dislodging, entring into that Glory where he is. Now if these things were lively apprehended and laid hold on, Christ made ours, and the first Resurrection manifest in us, quickened by his spirit to newness of life, certainly there would not be a more wellcome and refreshing thought, nor a sweeter discourse to us than that of death; and no matter for the kind of it; were it a violent death? so was his. Were it that we account most judgement like amongst diseases, the plague? was not his death very painful? and was it not an accursed death? and by that curse endured by him in his, is not the Curse taken away to the Believer? Oh! how wellcome shall that day be, that day of Deliverance, to be out of this wo… ful Prison; I regard not at what Door I go out at, being at once freed from so many deaths, and set in to enjoy him, who is my life.