sacrifice to his own justice? No. Surely man must also concur in the transaction: it was decent and expedient, that as man had by wilful transgression offended and dishonered his Maker, so man also, by willing obedience and patient submission, should right and glorify him.

Here then lay the stress: this was the knot which only divine wisdom could loose. And so it did in a most effectual and admirable way, corresponding to all the exigences of the case, so that God and man might both act their parts in saving us. This is that great and wonderful mystery of godliness which St. Paul here expresses; in which text there are many remarkable points: one particular however is alone insisted on, viz. the death of the cross, the contemplation of which, as it is most seasonable, so it is ever profitable.

In this kind of passion we may observe these notable adjuncts: 1. its being in appearance criminal: 2. its being most bitter and painful: 3. its being most ignominious and shameful: 4. its peculiar advantage to the designs of our Lord in suffering: 5. its practical efficacy.

I. The first of these points considered: its accordance with prophecy its reasons developed. 1. That he might not seem to purchase our welfare at an easier rate; but might thoroughly exercise his compassion towards us, advancing his own merit, and discharging the utmost satisfaction in our behalf. 2. Death passing on him as a malefactor by public sentence, best suited the nature of his undertaking, most aptly represented what he was doing, and the reason of it: for we are all guilty in a high degree, and the foulest shame, with the sharpest pain, is justly due to us. 3. Seeing, by the determinate counsel of God, it was appointed that our Lord should die for us, and that not in a natural, but in a violent way, so as to satisfy God's justice and honor, it became in our Lord a signal act of deference to God's authority and justice, becoming the person sustained by him of our Mediator and Redeemer, to receive, as it were, a

doom from God's own mouth, uttered by his ministers, and to bear the stroke of justice from his hand, represented by his instruments. Whence his reply to Pilate, John xix. 11. 4. Our Saviour could hardly with such advantage, in any other way, have displayed all kinds of virtue and goodness, to the honor of God, to the edification of men, and to the furtherance of our salvation: this point enlarged on.

II. We may consider that in this kind his suffering was most bitter and painful. This suffering set forth and described. But he was thus content to bear the most intolerable pains for us, that he might thereby demonstrate the vehemence of his love; that he might signify the heinousness of our sins, which deserved that from such a person such a punishment should be exacted; that he might appear to yield a valuable compensation for those pains which we should have suffered; that he might exemplify the hardest duties of obedience and patience.

III. This manner of suffering was also most vile and shameful, being proper to the basest condition of the worst men, and unworthy of a freeman, however guilty: its ignominy in this point of view farther stated; also the peculiar indignities suffered by our blessed Saviour. Nor need we doubt but that he, as a man, endowed with human passions, was sensible of this natural evil, or that such indignities added bitterness to his cup of affliction but he patiently bore all to exempt us from the ignominy and pain so justly due to us. Reasons drawn from the infinite dignity of our Saviour's person, the pure innocency of his life, his perfect discernment of God's wrath, and man's wretchedness, &c. to show that his sufferings were greatly augmented by peculiar circumstances.

IV. We may consider that this way of suffering had some peculiar advantages to the accomplishment of our Lord's designs.

Its being very notorious, and lasting a competent time, were great ones; for if he had been privately or suddenly dis

patched, no such great notice would have been taken of it, nor would the fact have been so fully proved to the confirmation of our faith, and to the conviction of infidelity: nor would his admirable deportment under affliction have so illustriously shone forth. Another advantage was, that by it the nature of that kingdom, which he intended to erect, was evidently signified; and that it was not such as the carnal people expected. It was also a touchstone to prove the genuine disposition and worth of men, to distinguish those blessed ones, who would not be offended in the scandal of the cross. By it also God's special providence was discovered, and his glory illustrated in the propagation of the gospel: this point enlarged on.

V. Lastly, this manner of suffering is very useful in application to our practice; for what virtue will not a serious meditation on the cross be apt to breed and cherish in us? 1. We are hence infinitely obliged, with humble affection and hearty gratitude, to adore each person of the blessed Trinity; God the Father, who thus delivered up his beloved Son for our sakes, even when we were enemies; God the Son, who thus stooped from the dignity and felicity of heaven, to undergo infamy and pain on the cross, that he might redeem us from hell-torments, and re-instate us in the joys of paradise; God the Holy Ghost, who, as he did originally conspire in the wonderful project of our salvation, miraculously conduct our blessed Saviour into his earthly tabernacle, and assist his humanity through the whole course of his life, so also did in this juncture inspire him with charity more than human, and support him to undergo these pains with invincible patience, &c. 2. What surer ground can there be of faith in God, what stronger en couragement to hope, than is suggested by this consideration? If God spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us to the suffering of such contumelious affliction, shall he not also with him freely give us all things? 3. It may indeed yield great joy and consolation to us, to contemplate our Lord

on the cross, exercising his immense charity towards us, transacting all the work of our redemption, defeating all the enemies, and overthrowing all the obstacles of our salvation: this point enlarged on. 4. This consideration is most useful to render us very humble and sensible of our weakness, our vileness, and our wretchedness: for how low was that fall from which we could only be raised by such a depression of God's only Son? how abominable the iniquity which demanded such a sacrifice! 5. But farther, while this contemplation breeds sober humility, it should also preserve us from base abjectness of mind; for it evidently demonstrates, that, according to God's infallible judgment, we are still very considerable; that our souls are worthy of high regard for if God had not greatly esteemed us, he would not have endured so much for our sakes. 6. Again, how can we reflect on this event, without extreme displeasure against, and hearty detestation of our sins, which brought such torture and disgrace on our blessed Redeemer? 7. And what in reason can be more powerful in working penitential sorrow and remorse, than reflexion on such horrible effects which our sins produced? 8. If ingenuity will not operate so far, and thereby melt us into contrition, yet surely this consideration must needs affect us with a religious fear. 9. But farther, how can meditation on this event do otherwise than greatly deter us from all wilful disobedience and commission of sin? for how can we determine to violate such engagements; thwart such an example of obedience; abuse such goodness; and disoblige such transcendent charity? 10. This consideration affords also very strong inducements to the practice of charity towards our neighbor; for how can we forbear to love those, towards whom our Saviour bore so tender an affection? &c. 11. Farthermore, what can be more operative than this point towards breeding a disregard of this world, with all its deceitful vanities and mischievous pleasures? This point enlarged on. 12. We are hence instructed and inclined cheer

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fully to submit to God's will, and gladly to accept from his hand whatever he disposeth, however grievous and afflictive to our natural will. 13. The willing susception and the cheerful sustenance of the cross, is indeed the express condition, and the peculiar character of our Christianity. 14. Let it be to the Jews a scandal; let it be folly to the Greeks; let this doctrine be scandalous and distasteful to some persons tainted with prejudice; let it be strange and incredible to others blinded by self-deceit; yet to us it must appear grateful and joyous, a faithful proposition worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, in this way of suffering for them. Conclusion.