I come now to the third circumstance, that which is called the conflict of Christ, and that is the cause both of his death and the ignominy of it : ' He bare the sins of many.' This is a circumstance very often repeated in this prophecy, and often mentioned by the pro- phet in this chapter ; so that I need dwell the less on it now. And it is so often mentioned, because this is the great argument that maketh the glory and innocency of Christ to be clear in our thoughts, notwith- standing the scandal of the greatness of his sufferings from the repe- tition. By the way observe : —
That when we remember, consider, or make mention of the suffer- ings of Christ, we should also reflect upon the cause of it, viz., the bearing of our sins and iniquities. This is what the prophet doth fre- quently here, not only once or twice, but again and again, to show you that other reflections upon the sufferings of Christ were not pro- per and useful.
The reasons are: —
1. Because this is most for the glory and honour of Christ.
2. For the good and benefit of the creature.
1. For Christ's glory. We are apt to judge men mean under sufferings and disgrace. The prophet bringeth in the Jews' saying ^ Qu. 'undeserved'? — Ed.
480 A PRACTICAL EXPOSITION UPON [ISA. LIII. 12.
here, 'We did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted,' Isa. liii. 4. Otherwise men would be apt to think something alien and unbecoming Christ, especially when there were such formal accusations commenced against him. But alas ! consider they were not occasioned by any fault of his, either against God's or man's interest. Much was pretended, but nothing proved ; nothing to make him obnoxious to God's justice or man's judgment. They talked of destroying the temple, of rising against Ccosar ; but these were but surmises and malicious jealousies. The person of Christ and the glory of Christ is most clear in your thoughts, when you perceive that on his part there was nothing to occasion his death and sufferings.
2. For the good of the creature. It mindeth us of our comfort and duty.
[1.] Our comfort. When we consider his sufferings under such a notion, we cannot but remember there is our expiation, there is a satisfaction for our sins. God hath found a ransom : ' He died, the just for the unjust/ 1 Peter iii. 18. It maketh you mindful of the })rice and ransom. The price was paid for you : Rom. v. 8, ' Herein God commended his love, that when we were sinners, Christ died for us.' Here is a just Christ, that died for poor sinners: remember it for your comfort, mention it for your comfort ; here is your expiation and satisfaction.
[2.] It mindeth us of our duty. When we consider these sufferings were for our sins, it mindeth us of our debt of obedience, wherein we stand engaged to his love and liberality ; and it giveth us a sense of his love, and so in thankfulness engageth us to obedience. What sufferings are too hard, what duty too great, to go through with for one that hath done so much for us ?
Use. By this you may know what reflections upon the death and sufferings of Christ are good and proper ; not such only as work a fond compassion, for we are naturally apt to pity those in misery ; not foolish anger against the Jews, not a little vain delight — these are effects when you look upon it as a mere story ; but the glorifying of Christ and humbling of ourselves, increase of faith, comfortable persuasions and excitations to duty and praise — these show you consider it rightly. I would but hint these things, because they are obvious.
But to come to the sense of the phrase, ' And he bare the sins of many,' I shall content myself with the assertion of the text, and show you what it im})lieth. lie hare ilic sin importeth two things: —
1. The susception of our guilt : he bare it.
2. The sustaining of our punishment. Both were upon Christ as a heavy burden, our guilt and our punishment. He was made sin, and was under wrath. In one respect sin is made to be laid upon him by God in ver. G, ' The Lord hath laid on him the iniquities of us all ;' and in the other he is said to ' bear our sins in liis body on the tree,' 1 Peter ii. 24, which noteth the enduring of the punishment of them. Both yield a great deal of comfort to those that have interest in Christ : he bare their guilt, and he bare their punishment. It is comfort in three cases : —
[1 ] When their hearts are ready to sink within them under the multitude and greatness of their provocations : Ps. xxxviii. 4, ' Mine
ISA. LIIL 12.] THE FIFTY-THIRD CHAPTER OF ISAIAH. 481
iniquities are gone over my head, as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.' Oh, it is heavy and sad with that soul that is compassed about with innumerable evils ! This will cause heart-failing and quaking when our sins, our pride, and haughtiness, are set in order before us. Here conscience accuseth for sins of the highest aggra- vation, slighting of means, abuse of mercies, wantoning in all manner of provocations, serving divers lusts and pleasures, cursed worldliness, carelessness of the great salvation, neglect of our family duties, ill example, gross omissions, seldom praying, or, when it is done, in a drowsy, dead way, little discussion with your hearts and ways. When these things are mustered up against us, the soul is bowed down under its own fears, and cannot look up, nor scarce groan out a sigh for mercy. Oh, consider you are not to bear your sins, but Jesus Christ ; see all this load transacted upon the back of Jesus Christ : Mat. xi. 28, ' Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' By putting the burden upon his own back, he bare our sins. But you will say, I have sinned, but God must have satisfaction ; the guilt and punishment must be borne by somebody.