[2.] Observe it with admiration. One said he had gotten this good by philosophy, that he had learned to admire at nothing. The more you know of the things of God, the more you will admire at every- thing, especially at this great mystery. There is an observation of curiosity, when men look into every creek of it by their reasons, and so lose themselves in a mist of errors. The Christian way is to look upon it with admiration, to admire the wisdom of God, that he should in such a sweet way magnify infinite wisdom and infinite jus- tice at the same time. This very thing, the sufferings of Christ, the angels desire to pry into, 1 Peter i. 12 ; if you consult the context, you will find it so. He alludeth to the two angels that were set upon the mercy-seat, which was the covering of the ark, and typed out (Jhrist. They would fain see the utmost of this mystery. They desire to look into it out of a thirst of knowledge, or a delight in medi- tation, yo 1 Tim. iii. IG, 'Seen of angels;' that is, this was the ravishing object that took up their thoughts.
2. To learn that which God teaclieth us in such an instance. There are many jjrofitable lessons. I will but jiame them : — First, There is the evil of sin. God would express his hatred against it by punish- ing it in Christ. Sin is such a thing, that when Christ did but take the guilt of it into his own person, he must suffer the infinite wrath of his Father. Secondly, Then the impartial severity of divine jus-
IsA. LIIL 4.] THE FIFTY-THIRD CHAPTER OF ISAIAH. 271
tice : God spared not his own Son. It is said, 2 Peter ii. 4, that he ' spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell.' But lo, here is a greater instance : Eom. viii. 32, ' He spared not his own Son,' when he bore our sins by imputation. No prerogative then can hinder. In vain do men pretend privileges against God's ■wrath. There is nothing but Christ that hath borne wrath that we can •oppose against wrath. There is nothing that stoppeth the long fur- rows but the casting God's Son in the way. Think of this, that you may fear before him. God is a consuming fire, Heb. xii. 29. He was so in Christ in a sense, and is so to all out of Christ. Thirdly, The law's dignity and indispensableness. God would fulfil every tittle ; not the least iota must pass away, but it must be fulfilled in Chri.st, both in regard of the duty it commandeth, and the curse it annexeth to the breach. of it. Fourthly, The love of God in providing amply against all our scruples, that he would offer us mercy in such a way as he might declare his justice, and so satisfy all our doubts. There is a saying usual in some men's prayers, ' We appeal from thy justice to thy mercy.' This expression is not so warrantable. God's justice and God's mercy both look comfortably upon a sinner through Christ. It is mercy, and mercy purchased, when justice is satisfied. God is now faithful and just. That which before caused our greatest horror, causeth now our greatest triumph. God is a just God. What would men have given heretofore to appease justice ? It could never enter into men's thoughts wliich way that should be done, till the gospel revealed it.
3. To render praise and thanksgiving to God. We enjoy a great -deal of benefit by it, and great benefits require a gi-eat deal of duty. Here is a double motive to praise. The wrath of God is taken away from us, and Christ endured it for us. As to its being taken away from us, consider what it is to be freed from the wrath of God. What should we have endured if Christ had not made such a satisfaction ! You cannot expect that I should give j'ou a map of helL I have observed that great truths never do w^ell when they are painted by fancy. War and hell are rather pleasant in the description than hor- rible. It is like there may be a little shrinking in the soul ; as a gentle fresh gale that is let out upon the face of the sea may a little furl the surface and upper part rather than stir the billows, it doth not work soundly. A mere relation is better than a passionate de- scription. Oh, consider, then, what it is to be deprived of aU sense of the favour of God, to be delivered over to torments ceaseless, endless, and remediless. One flash of God's wrath into our consciences, how doth it make us roar ! And if a drop be so irksome, what is it lo have an ocean of wrath poured upon us, and to be overwhelmed in soul and body ! Oh, what a mercy is it that our Saviom- hath delivered us from this everlasting vengeance of hell-fire ! I had rather you should enlarge your hearts to think of these things than expatiate upon them. To have all this taken away should make us abound in praise. And then, in the next place, consider how Christ took it upon himself. ' He hath carried our sorrows !' There are some rare instances and representations of those in story that have exposed themselves to violence and cruelty for others; as in Damon aud