■SEEMON UPON I CORINTHIANS XI. 26. 327
must distingnisli between "what is primarily represented in the sac- rament, and what is secondarily and consequentially. It is true the con- sideration of his huiniliation excludeth not that of his exaltation, but leadeth us to it. Bat primarily and properly Christ's death is here re- presented, and consequentially his resurrection and intercession, as these acts of his mediation receive value from his death. We remember his death as the meritorious cause of our justification and sanctification, his resurrection as the public evidence : Kom. iv. 25, ' Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.' Namely, as his resurrection showeth his satisfaction is perfect, God requireth no more for the atonement of the world. His intercession is nothing else but a representation of the merit of his sacrifice, and receiveth its value from his death: Heb. ix. 12, 'By his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us ; ' that is, by his own blood he entered into heaven, having purchased redemption for us from the guilt and power of sin. Well, then, it appeareth from the nature of the thing and the rites here used that Christ's body is represented to us as dead and bioken, and so proper food for our souls; and his blood as shed or poured out for the exjiiation of our sins, that we might obtain pardon and peace : Eph. i. 7, ' In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace ; ' Luke xxii. 20, ' This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.'
2. That we do not commemorate Christ's death as a tragical story, but as a mystery of godliness. Many, when they come to these duties, look upon Christ as an innocent person unworthily handled, and so make a tragedy of his passion, for the entertainment of their fancies and the lighter part of their affections, rather than for their faith to work upon, their desire, joy, and thankfulness, or to stir up any deep repentance in them. This remembrance produceth either compassion or indignation against the Jews.
[1.] Compassion. Alas ! the history of Christ's passion will work no more upon us than the sad preparation of Abraham when he went to sacrifice his son Isaac, or the cries of Joseph in the pit, or the pitiful words of Jacob when they told him that some beast had devoured him, or than the sacking of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, or how they bandied that miserable king Zedekiah, when they put out his eyes, or the moans of Dido for ^neas ; Austin instanced in that, living in that country : Quidmiserius liomine fiente Didonis mortem, et non miseriam suam. All these things, though they be not of such importance as the sufferings of the Son of God, will draw tears from us, and passionately affect us for the time. Christ seemeth to disprove this fond compassion, as it is acted and exercised towards himself : Lukexxiii. 28-31, ' Jesus turning unto them, said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me ; but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For behold the days are coming in the which they shall say. Blessed are the barren, and the womb that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck : then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us, and to the hills, Cover us ; for if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry ? ' The gospel doth not propound the death of Christ as a spectacle of human calamity. No ; it is a point of higher con-
328 SERMON UPON I CORINTHIANS XI. 26.
sidei-cation, and God looketh for more inward and spiritual motions than this passionate condoling.
[2.] So for indignation against tlie Jews. It is'no more pleasing to Christ than the other. Many christians think it a piece of high devotion to execrate the memory of Judas, and the other Jews who were accessory to Christ's death ; but this, or somewhat like it, is dis- proved too. Peter was in a rage against Christ's adversaries, and therefore out of bravery draweth his sword against a whole troop or band of men, that came to attack him iu' the garden ; but Christ saith, John xviii. 11, ' Put up thy sword into the sheath. The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?' No questioQ but great injustice was showed to Christ ; the Jews' fact was odious, Judas' treason execrable ; but as our pity should be turned upon our- selves, so must our exasperation also. The gospel calleth for deeper consideration of this mystery than what is historical ; namely, such as is evangelical, and may suit with God's ends in it, and our faith in the Mediator and Saviour of the world ; namely, the horror of our sins, that they may become odious to us; the terror of God's impartial justice, that we may never think a light thought of it more; the inestimableness of God's love, that we may have more admiring thoughts of the wonders of this condescending grace, in giving his Son to die for us ; and of the unspeakable benefit and the joy of salvation which is derived thence to us. These are the true reflections on the death of Christ, and best serve for the improvement of it ; namely, to raise our hopes of mercy, engage our thankfulness, and increase our hatred of sin. In short, two affec- tions are most proper and seasonable — mourning for sin, and rejoicing in Christ.