[2.] As a testator or maker of the new testament. We could never have had the great blessings of the covenant if Christ had not died : Heb. ix. 16, 'For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.' Till then the testament is not in force. Christ promised to make a new testament, therefore to die, or else he
38 SERMON UPON JOHN XIX. 34-37.
could not make good his word. Christ is lifted up to the cross as upon his deathbed, and there he dieth of love, and leaveth great legacies to the church — pardon, grace, and glory ; disposeth of heaven, and all things conducing thereunto. This testament is engrossed, and a for- mal instrument made of it in the gospel, sacraments, seals. The apostles were the notaries to witness from heaven in a glorious way by miracles on earth, by the Spirit, water, and blood, 1 John v. 6-8. Christ, because of the duplicity of his nature, may be allowed to be a Avitness to his own will. The Spirit descending like a dove, appearing in cloven tongues of fire. And there are three which confirm this truth in the hearts of believers — the Spirit, the water, and blood. Ease in conscience by the blood of Christ, the work of holiness in the heart, and the certioration of the Spirit.
Use 1. Oh, let us make use of this great comfort, Christ is dead ! The apostle beginneth his triumph thence : Kom. viii. 34, ' Who is he that condemneth ? It is Christ that died.' He died in our name and stead, whereby we are absolved ; as the ram was taken, and Isaac let go : Job xxxiii. 24, ' I have found a ransom.' God will not exact the debt twice. Believers do not live as if they had a surety to die for them, or a testator to make them such great and rich legacies. If we would meditate on the death of Christ with comfort and profit, we must consider these things ; for still we must consider with respect to the covenant and the transactions of God with men.
1. The horrible deserving of sin, and the hatefulness of it to God. We must have a redeemer, or be all lost. This redeemer must make full satisfaction, both in respect of the infinite value of his person, which was not the blood of an angel, but the blood of God, and the extremity of his sufferings. The great almighty God, the author of life, must come and die himself : Isa. xliii. 24, ' Thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, and hast wearied me with thine iniquities.' Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, must come and be put upon an liarsh service. Life itself must assume death. The Lord Almighty, filling the whole world with his glory, hung dying upon the cross.
2. The great love of God, that, when we wanted a ransom, God gave it us out of his own treasury. Among all the treasuries of heaven nothing more precious and excellent than Jesus Christ. Christ must pay for the rest. He sendeth his own Son to endure the shameful death of the cross ; the natural Son for the adopted sons : 1 John iv. 9, 10, ' In this was manifested the love of God towards us, because that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be a propitiation for our sins ; ' Eom. v. 8, ' God commendeth his love to us, that while we were sinners Christ died for us.' This was a circumstance to set out love.
3. The unspeakable love of Jesus Christ, his meekness and patience. How may we admire the ready mind of Christ ! Heb. x. 5-7, ' Where- fore when he cometh into the world, he saith. Sacrifice and offerings thou wouldst not, but a body hast thou prepared me. In burnt- oflferings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure ; then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, 0 God.' If nothing but the shameful death of the cross will do.
SERMON UPON JOHN XIX. 34-37. 39
yet it was readily agreed to. If any had cause to love his life, Christ had ; it dwelt with God in a personal union.
4. The sufficiency of this sacrifice : Heb. x. 14, ' By one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.' Christ hath no more work to do, but only to look for the travail of his soul. He hath })aid the full price, made a full purchase. The vessels of honour cannot be dashed. No satisfaction remains to be paid by ourselves ; there needeth nothing by way of satisfaction.
Use 2. Let us not be quiet till we feel Christ is dead. Great reports without experience beget atheism : Kom. vi. 5, ' If we have been planted together in the likeness of his death ; ' Gal. ii. 20, * Who hath loved me, iind gave himself for me.' Is the heart of our corruptions wounded ? is Christ incarnate? is Christ formed in us? is Christ dying, and we feel nothing ? It availeth us nothing.