2 Christ cureth us not by doctrine and example only, but by merit and suffering ; for it is said in the text. We are healed by his stri[)es. I confess the doctrine of Christ hath a great tendency this way; for it is said, Prov. iv. 22, 'My word is life to them that find it, and health to their flesh.' There is the medicine for sick souls ; there are our cordials and encouragements to prevent sinkings ancl despondences of spirit ; there are ])otent arguments against distrust- ful cares and fears, excol lent remedies against covetousness, sensuality, and pride; forcible dissuasions from unkind and unholy walking. In short, it is the common shoj) ami storehouse against any distemper incident to the soul. The words of the Lord Jesus are wholesome
ISA. LIII. 5.] THE FIFTY-THIRD CHAPTER OF ISAIAH. 293
words, but yet the virtue of the word mainly results from his merit and satisfaction : John xvii, 19, ' And for their sakes I sanctify my- self, that they also may be sanctified through the truth ; ' and E{)h. V. 25, 26, ' Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.' So his example hath a great force, seeing how prone the nature of man is to imitate. And this example is so much commended to us by his kindness and condescension in coming down to be subject to the same laws we live by, by the exactness of it, and the issue and conse- quent— life and immortality — into which he entered to give us a visible demonstration of the success of our obedience. But an ex- ample would nothing at all have profited those that are dead in sin and hated of God, if some other means had not been used. Compare 1 Peter ii. 21 with 24; 'For even hereunto were ye called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow his steps ;' then ver. 24, ' Who his ov^^n self bare our sins in his own body upon the tree, that we, being dead to sin, should live unto right- eousness, by whose stripes we are healed.' There needed grace to make examj)le effectual : 2 Cor. iii. 18, ' We all with open face, be- holding as in a glass the gloiy of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.'
3. Christ's merit and sufferings do effect our cure, as they purchased the Spirit for us, who reneweth and healeth our sick souls : Titus iii. 5, 6, ' Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and the re- newing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.' We have it by virtue of Christ's suffer- ings : Gal. iii. 13, 14, ' Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse lor us ; for it is written. Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree, that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.' So in many otiier places. He is power- ful to change our hearts, and to take away sin. Our wound is not in- curable. The Spirit of God can and will heal the diseased soul. God's justice being satisfied in Christ, he is at more liberty now to dispense his grace.
Use 1. Is for reproof, and that to divers sorts ; as — 1. Those that are not sensible of their deadly wounds and the dis- eases of their souls. There is a carelessness and insensibility in most of soul diseases. If the body be but ill at ease, they complain presently, and seek help for their bodies, but never think of the languishing condition of their souls, and how lamentably distemi)ered they are. They are hard by death's door, on the brink of destruction, yet are merry and laugh, lay not their condition to heart ; nay, think it an injury done them, if you mind them of their cure. Though they are spiritually sick, yet they will not know nor acknowledge it, but, like persons of a distempered brain, who take the physician for an enemy, they murmur at and resist all Christ's healing methods, as if their duty were their torment, and not their disease. These are in love with their diseases : John iii. 19, ' This is the condemnation, that light
294 A PRACTICAL EXPOSITION UPON [IsA. LIII. 5.
is come into the world, and men love d.arkness rather than light, be- cause their deeds are evil.'
2. Some would have peace and comf(^rt by Christ, but neglect healing; whereas both were purchased U' him, and both must be re- garded by us. We should aim at a sound cure, not to have the grief assuaged only, but the distemper ren)oved. It is a mountebank's cure to stop the pain and let alone the cause ; yet such a cure do they seek after that are moi-e earnest for ease and comfort than grace. A good Christian is troubletl with the strength of sin, as well as the guilt of it, and mindeth the rectitude of all his faculties as well as the ease and i)eace of his conscience, that he may be enabled to walk with God cheerfully, in the w^ay of holiness, as "well as enjoy the pardon of sins : 1 John i. y, ' He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' He would be an unwise man who, having his leg broken, should only mind to be eased of the pain, but not take care to have it set right again. So foolish is that Chris- tian who is earnest for comfort, but taketh no care how to be directed and enabled to please God. Sin, in some sense, is worse than damna- tion.