[2.] This should be so far from being a discouragement, that it is a ground of hope. Usually we get great advantage by our sufferings. Consider the conflict of Christ upon the cross, his cross was his triumph ; like Sampson, he destroyed more enemies at his death than in all his life ; his cross was his chariot of triumph : Col. ii. 15, ' And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.' ' Therefore I will divide him a portion with the great,' because made so small : James i. 9, ' Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted.' Your abasement is your preferment and exaltation : 2 Cor. i. 5, ' As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation aboundeth in Christ.' The greatest grace meets with the greatest conflicts, because it is the great- est grace. This is so sure a truth, that even their spiritual abasements, their falls, their sins, do work for their good ; the soul groweth the more humble, holy and watchful. Paul was the more fervent and frequent with God in prayer because of the messenger of Satan, 2 Cor. xii. 10. David came to number the people, and by that means came
4G0 A PRACTICAL EXPOSITION UPON [ISA. LIII. 12.
to know where the tcni])le should be built, which he so earnestly de- sired to know, llezekiah was the more humble for his fall, 2 Chron. xxxii. 31 ; he knew all that was in his heart. But especially it holdeth jjcood in outward abasements ; they are cause of more ^ood to their souls. The 6ettin<i: of the day-star maketh way for the sun-rising, and the loss of some jietty comfort for their abundant consolation in Jesus Christ.
I shall now come to the author and donor, God the Father : ' I will divide a ])ortion with the great, and divide the spoil with the strong.'
Doct. That the jwwer and majesty whereby Jesus Christ overcame liis enemies was by the gift and a})})()intment of the Father: Ps. ex. 1, ' The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand until I have made thine enemies thy footstool ; ' that is, God the Father said to Christ. And Fs. ii. 6, ' I have set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.' Christ was a king of God's making. So the Father hath committed all judgment to the Son, John v. 22. All the supremacy, power, and majesty that Christ had as Mediator was derived from the Father. So Mat. xxviii. 18, 'All power is given to me both in heaven and earth.* Christ's })ower was given to him, and it was meet it should be so.
The condition on God the Father's ])art was to honour the Son for the elect's sake ; and the Son had glorified the Father, John xvii. 4, by virtue of the compact and agreement between them. And besides, we could not take so much comfoit in the advancement of Christ unless we had the consent of the Father. The love of every person was to appear to the creature, especially the love of the offended per- son ; sin in its last result being against the Father : hence it is so often said that he hath 'given him a name above all names;' that he hath ' ])ut all things in subjection/ And therefore it is a mighty pledge of God's love to the creature, and of what God will do for us, now our nature is advanced to such high and glorious privileges. Not only God the Son was willing, who assumed our nature in his own person, but God the Father was willing to do it.
Use 1. To direct us to stick to God's choice and appointment. He hath honoured Jesus Christ to be the king of his church : Luke xxii. 29, ' I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me a kingdom,' And therefore we should honour him, and acknow- ledge no other, God chose Adam a wife in i)aradise, and he chose a husband to the church, who is bone of our bone : and therefore we should honour him as the captain of our salvation. Now God hath honoured him, and put all things in subjection to him : Hosea i. 11, it is said, ' They shall appoint themselves one head ;' Eph. i. 22, 'And gave him to be head over all things to the church.' Thus shall it be done to them whom the king delighteth to honour. Thus shall it be done to the person whom God will honour, that has such failh, depen- dence, reverence, and confidence. They aj)point him whom God hath appointed. You do as it were anew honour Jesus Christ, when your dej)en(lence on him is according to the honour the Father hath put upon him. 2 Sam. xvi. 18, as Hushai said, ' Whom the Lord shall choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.' God the Father hath chosen him ; look to him as your head, king, and husband, as the captain of your salvation, the author and finisher of your faith. God hath divided him a portion with the great.