Object. But did not Christ pray that the cup might pass from him ? And did not he fear, and his human nature stagger and recoil at the greatness of his sufferings ? We read of ' prayers, tears, and strong cries,' Heb. v. 7 ; and therefore how was Christ so willing ?
Ans. Christ's prayers were rather for our example and comfort than to decline the suff'ering : Heb. iv. 15, ' He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin,' He was to show himself true man, and therefore was to have human love, human abhorrences, and human aversations. He was to put on all the innocent passions of our nature ; it was not convenient Christ should sufter as a stock and dead lump of flesh. In short, in his sufferings Christ was to discover a double relation — he was to act the part of a private person and of a
VeR. 14.] SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. 245
public person. Of a private persoD, to show the verity of his human nature ; and of a public person, to discover his willingness to die for the elect. Now he doth both these. It is the nature of man to shun that which is grievous and painful to him ; he was to look upon his sufferings as contrary to the perfection and liberty of his human nature, and so he was to pray, ' Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.' But now, as a public person and as mediator, so he was extremely willing to do this office of love for us. The innocent passions of his human nature discover the greatness of his sufferings, they made his manhood recoil and stagger, as being amazed at the dreadfulness of that he was to suffer. And though his private human nature be allowed to speak, ' Father, let this cup pass,' yet his public relation hath a casting voice, and his submission as a public person showeth his willingness to endure these sufferings ; therefore he saith, ' Not my will, but thine be done,' and freely yields up himself. These fears of Christ certainly were no shrinking from the work, but only a natural consternation and retirement from what is dreadful. Christ's fears were a part of that fire whereon our sin-ofi'ering was to be burnt and roasted ; and therein he showed his willingness, that he freely gave up himself to be scorched with those dreadful apprehensions of God's wrath. For it is very notable his agonies came not upon him bef^ffe he pleased ; for it is said, Mat. xxvi. 38, he went into the garden, and then began to be sorrowful. Christ could have kept it off longer, and brought it on sooner. And then his tears were but the overflowing of his love ; he had an ocean in his heart, and suffered it to flow out in his eyes ; it was part of the deluge wherein he would drown the world of sin ; therefore these do not disparage, but increase his willingness.
Use 1. To press us to thankfulness. Here are many circumstances — the giver, the gift, the manner of giving, the end of giving and the persons to whom.
1. The giver, and that is Jesus Christ, who is God over all, blessed for ever. Usually men make a market of their courtesies, they give to them that can give again and make them recompense ; but he is that blessed Lord to whom nothing could accrue from us. In short, the Father gave him, and he gave himself. There is infinite love in that God the Father gave him : John iii. 16, ' God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son.' It tells you not how, but leaves you to wonder and admire at it. I would represent it a little to you, and therefore let us measure it by created affections. The affections of the Virgin Mary to Christ is the fittest glass I can represent it by. From her he took his substance, that had the interest of an earthly mother. Now, how was she troubled ! What commotion was in her bowels ! The Holy Ghost expresseth it : Luke ii. 35, ' Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.' She was like one wounded to the heart when she saw Christ hung upon the cross, yet he took but his human body from her. If there was such a commotion in the bowels of the Virgin Mary, the mother of the Lord, what then was it for God the Father to give up his only Son ? His love was infinite, yet he gave up Christ. We read of some fathers who have much denied themselves. Abraham ofiereth Isaac, Jephthah ofifcreth his daughter. Lot would have given his daughters to save his
246 SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14, [SeR. XIX.
guests. These are but obscure sliadows of the Father's giving up of Christ, in whom lie took infinite complacency and contentment. And then bless God for this willing condescension of the Lord Christ, that his heart was so taken with the motion the Father makes to him :, Son, you must be responsible to my justice, and take a bod}'', Cbrist replied, *Lo, I come ; ' and Isa. liii. 11, ' He shall see of the travail of his soul and be satisfied,' To bring sons to glory cost the Lord Cbrist mAicli travail of soul ; but, he saith, All this is well enough ; if he shall see the fruit of it, It is enough, I am satisfied ; this is enough for all the temptations in the wilderness, enough for all the agonies in the garden, enough for all the sorrows on the cross, if a few creatures might be saved and brought to God. And consider, the Father's giving, and the Son's giving, they are not contrary, and do not destroy one another. The Father's love doth not lessen Christ's, but commend it, that he hath the same good-will to us as the Father hath. Jesus Christ as mediator is the servant of God's decrees. Many times the servant hath not the same affection to the work as the master hath. But it is otherwise here ; God's heart and Christ's heart is set upon the woi'k. God sets him apart to be a mediator, and Christ sets himself apart to see what he can do to save creatures. Oh ! bless the Lord. Thus for the giver.