2. That he might be a perfect mediator for us. Christ was perfect in himself, but he wanted somewhat to make up his office : Heb. ii. 10, 'It behoved the captain of our salvation to be made perfect through sufferings ; ' Heb. v. 8, 9, ' By the things which he suffered he was made perfect.' Christ was perfect in himself, but not perfect in his office ; he was made perfect as a captain of our salvation wlien he went through those things in which others were to follow him.
3. That he might be able to comfort his people in the like dis- tresses : Heb. ii. 18, ' For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.' A man can the better" comfort others, when he hath had the experience of their miseries in himself. Christ knew how sad it was with his own soul Avhen he was acquainted with these griefs, and therefore no doubt he is willing and able to help you. Experienced men are pitiful ; those that have suffered pity others when they are in the like case. It is Gods charge often to Israel, that having been strangers in the land of Egypt, they should learn to pity strangers. And certainly whatever is good in the creature, is eminently so in Christ. He hath stronger impressions of affection and pity than we have. Mark what the apostle saith : Heb. iv. 15, ' For we have not an high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all things tempted as we are, yet without sin.' Christ knew liow it was with himself. In the like experiences and afflictions, therefore, it cannot but work upon his bowels, though men's hearts are shut up.
To apply it now. Out of all that I have spoken to you, you may infer much for your instruction.
1. The matter, what he suffered.
2. The manner, how he came to suffer.
2.'4 A TRACTICAL EXPOSITION UPON [ISA. LIII. 3.
3. TliG reasons and ends whj', for our good ; so that here are three chief lessons for a Christian to learn : —
1.] Patience and comfort.
2.J Humility.
3.] In the end, love.
l.J It tcacheth you patience and comfort. There is a double ground for that. Christ went before you, and he did it that he might have experience and a fellow-feeling of your case and sufferings. Here is the comfort of God's people ; they have a high priest that is touched with the feeling of their infirmities. Christ's bowels melt over them whilst God's hand striketii them. A man may have moral grounds of comfort, but here is the true ground, Ciirist sympathises with us : John xviii. 10, ' The cup which my father hath given me, shall I not drink it?' Though it is a bitter cup, yet it is my heavenly Father that hath put it into my hands. There is a difference between the .strokes of God upon the wicked and his own people ; strokes upon the wicked come from God's hand, but those upon the godly from God's heart. Bear up, then, against the greatest crosses. Art thou looked upon as an abject, the leaving-off of men ? So was Christ, and so are many of God's people : 1 Cor. iv. 13, * We are made as the filth of the world, and are as the off-scouring of all things.' The world's filth, — worms, not men. Worms are bred out of the world's filth. Art thou compassed about with losses, affliction upon affliction, like waves one in the neck of the other? do men hide their faces from thee, or art thou in no repute, no respect with them ? so was Christ, and Christ knoweth what it is for thee to be in such a case. Job heareth of loss upon loss from the Chaldeans, Sabeans, Job i. 14. It is often re- ])eated, ' While he was yet speaking, came another and said.' So Jer. XXX. 17, 'Zion, whom no man looketh after.' God's people have often become the wagging of the head, but Christ' sufferings teach us patience.
[2.] Humflity. Christ taught us this in his meanness, and he teacheth it in his sufferings. See the difference between Christ and Adam; Christ would be most abject, Adam would be higheV than man. The highest is become the humblest ; our first parents would be as gods, and Christ would scarce be as man, even be man's leavings. It is good to learn humility from this pattern showed us in the mount, even in Mount Calvary ; to deny ourselves to set up Christ, as Christ denied himself to set up us. Of all things, men cannot endure to cast their crowns at the Lamb's feet— I mean, to sacrifice their glory and esteem to Christ, or to be nothing that he may be all in all. Pride is like the heart, first living and last dying in a man : 3 John 9, ' Diotrephes loved to have the pre-eminence.' Some are all for pre- cedency, they would be preferred before others. You see Christ is otherwise. He freely submitted himself to the most abject condition. Thus it teacheth us Immility.
[3.] Considering the end, — his love. All this was for you. Oh, what will you do for God again ? Christians should blow up the fire of love by these thoughts. How are we wrought upon by every petty kindness that passeth between man and man ! How much more, then, should the consideration of what Christ hath done and suffered