Use 2. Keproof of those that are cruel and revengeful. How differ- ent are they from Christ who are all for unkindness and revenge, and solicit vengeance against God's suffering servants with eager aggrava- tions ! Oh, how can these men look upon Christ's practice without shame ! How can they look upon these prodigies of love and grace, and not blush ! Can there be a greater crime and wrong done to any than was done to Christ ? And yet when he was whipped, crowned with thorns, pierced with nails, lifted up upon the cross, he doth not pray for revenge, but pardon ; he doth not cry, Justice ! justice ! but Mercy ! mercy ! ' Father, forgive them ; ' he doth not by captious queries and expostulations aggravate the offence, but he alleviates it by a sweet interpretation, ' They know not what they do.' It is strange to think what bloody principles many christians have espoused of late ; that we rage against our brethren upon every offence, especially in matters of doubt- ful apprehension, where men are more liable to mistakes. Oh ! it is sad, when God is but a little displeased, to help onward the affliction. I wonder where men learn that cruel and fell spirit into which we are com- menced of late ; it was wont to be good doctrine, 'Be merciful, as youu heavenly Father is merciful' What is become of all those good lectures . of charity, and meekness, and gentleness, which are commended to us in the rule of the gospel and the example of Christ? Certainly when the spirit is exulcerated it argues some loss of peace with God. David was never more cruel than when he had violated the peace of his own con- science: 2 Sam. xii. 31, 'And he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them to pass through the brickkiln.' Certainly matters are not right between us and God when men's principles and practices grow bloody and cruel.
Use 3. To exhort us to imitate Christ in being meek, patient, merciful, void of malice, doing good for evil, bearing the worst usage without studying revenge. Surely the same mind should be in us that
20 SERMON UPON LUKE XXIII. 34.
was in Christ Jesus. Head and members are acted by the same soul ; so in the mystical body, Christ and we should be acted with the same spirit; the same spirit of holy love, sweetness, and forgiveness that breathed in Christ should breathe forth in our lives and conversations : Eph. iv. 32, ' And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.' All his ordinances imply this. In the word we hear of Christ's meekness ; his pattern is set forth that we might be like-minded ; in prayer we are taught to say, ' Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us.' "We break our sponsion and promise solemnly given in this petition if we do not pardon others. In baptism, ' we put on Christ,' Kom. xiii. 14 ; we put on his nature and qualities, that is, planting us into his likeness. In the Lord's supper we come to renew our union and com- munion with him, and to liken ourselves to Christ yet more and more. Christ changeth the temper of thosy that spiritually feed upon him, as natural meats communicate their qualities to us. The Israelites were more generous because they were so long fed with manna ; Nero was more bloody because he sucked the milk of a cruel nurse, who was wont to besmear her dugs with blood ; Achilles was more valiant because he was nourished with the marrow of lions. Men's dispositions are much according to their food ; certainly those that eat tbe Lamb should not be wolves, but meek as Christ was, and ready to forgive, and every way transcribe their master's pattern. See how Stephen imitates his master when he comes to die. First he prayeth for himself : Acts vii, .59, ' Lord Jesus, receive my spirit ; ' as Christ did, Luke xxiii. 46, ' Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit ; ' and then he intercedeth for his enemies : Acts vii. 60, ' Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.' Here is not only an example of faith ; he committed his soul to Christ, but of charity, he deprecatetli revenge from his enemies. Moses and other holy ones of God have done so. Moses : Num. xii. 13, ' Heal her now, 0 Lord, I beseech thee ; ' when his sister Miriam was smitten with a leprosy for doing him wrong. Aaron, when he was despitefully used, and his calling maligned : Num. xvi. 47, 48, * He ran into the midst of the people, and behold the plague was begun among the people ; and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people ; and he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stayed.' David fasted for his enemies when they were sick : Ps. xxxv. 13, ' But as for me, when they were sick my clothing was sackcloth, I humbled my soul with fasting.' We fast against them often, but seldom fast for them. So Paul : 1 Cor. iv. 12, 13, ' Being reviled, we bless ; being persecuted, we suffer it ; being defamed, we entreat.' When we are looked upon and treated as evil-doers, we should bear it patiently, not rage against instruments, but pray the Lord to open their eyes, that they may see the greatness of their sin, in hating and opposing the godly. You should not think the example of Christ an act beyond imitation. You see the holy men of God have attained a great measure of self- denial ; do you go and do likewise.