2. That he would take one for all. Justice would not let go the sinner without a ransom, but it is the wonderful grace of God that he would take satisfaction from one man in the name of all those for whom he offered to satisfy, that God would accept of Christ ; Heb. ii. 9, it is said that ' by the grace of God he should taste death for every man ; ' that which moved God to transfer the punishment of our sins upon Christ, was his mere grace, and the special favour of God. • _ ^
3. This one so dear to him — his own son, the son of his love, his only begotten Son — he is the person that must be our surety : John iii. 16, ' God so loved the world, that he sent his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlast-
184 SERMONS UPON 2 CORINTHIANS V. [SeR. XXVII.
ing life ; ' and Eom viii. 32, ' He spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all.' Oh, the unspeakable love of God ! We are fond ; Eli would not let fall one rough word to his children ; God had but one son, and he was made a sacrifice for sin.
4. This one so worthy in himself : person for person is the hardest bargain. In some wars captives are redeemed with money, but ' we are not redeemed with silver and gold, but with the precious blood of the Son of God,' 1 Peter i. 18, 19. If there be man for man, propor- tion is observed; and men of like quality are exchanged. You never heard of such a demand, that a king should be given to ransom a servant. We were slaves, and Christ was the heir of all things ; the jirince was given for slaves, the just for the unjust ; the Lord God Almighty, who filleth heaven and earth with his glory, was given for poor worms ; the king of all the earth ' came not to be ministered unto but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many/ Mat. XX. 28.
5. And he given unto death : one died for all. If Christ had come on earth to take a view of our misery, it had been another matter. Captive princes have kingly entertainment, but he came to be sold for the price of a slave — thirty pieces, Exod. xxi, 31 ; the ransomer is not bound to suffer, and be ruined, if the party be so ; but our redeemer must die: 1 Peter iii. 18, 'But Christ hath suffered for sin, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God.' Till death there was no full satisfaction. If ever any had cause to love his life, Christ had ; his soul dwelt Avith God in a personal union. It is no great matter to quench and put out such glimmering candles as we are ; we are often a burden to our own selves ; Clu'ist had more to lose than all angels and men. They said of David, 2 Sam. xvii. 3, ' Thou art better than ten thousand of us.' Every man's life is valuable ; it is the creature's best inheritance. What was Christ's life, which was enriched with the continual presence of God !
6. This one to die so willingly : Ps. xl. 7, ' Lo, I come to do thy will.' You cannot meditate enough on these places: Pro v. viii. 31, ' Rejoicing in the habitable parts of the earth, and my delights were with the sons of men;' and Isa. liii. 11, 'He shall see of the travail of his soul, and be satisfied.' He hath contentment enough in the Father, right enough to the creatures, rich in all the glory of the Godhead ; what need had he to become man and die for sinners, but only that he loved us, and gave himself for us — for me and thee ? Gal. ii. 20.
7. That he should die such a painful and accursed death : ' He bore the iniquities of us all,' Isa. liii. 6. The little finger of sin is heavier than the loins of any other trouble. David, that bore his own sins, cried out, Ps. xxxviii. 4, ' They are a burden too heavy for me.' What was it for him to bear the iniquities of us all ? This made his soul heavy to death, filled up with such bitter agonies that he did sweat drops of blood. Alas ! sometimes we feel what it is to bear one sin, what is it to bear many, to bear all ? He did not only bear them in his body, but in his soul ; this put liim upon tears, and fears, and amazement — 'Now is my soul troubled, what shall I say?' John xii. 27. As to bodily pains, many of the martyrs suffered more and with
YeR. 14.] SERMONS UPON 2 CORINTHIANS V, 185
cheerful minds ; but Christ stood in the place of sinners before God's tribunal. Well then, you see what a powerful argument this is to breed and feed love.
Thirdhj, How this argument is suited to breed that love which God expects, even a thankful return of obedience. It is proper for that purpose.