2. Self-denial, readiness for the cross, with patience in sufferings, are the second sort of things which he calls all his disciples to follow his example in. It is the fundamental law of his Gospel, that if any one will be his disciple, " he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow him." These things in him, as they are all of them summarily represented, Phil. ii. 5-8, by reason of the glory of his person and the nature of his sufferings, are quite of another kind than that we are called unto. But his grace in them all is our only pattern in what is required of us. " Christ also suffered for us, leaAdng us an example, that we should follow his steps : who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not," 1 Pet. ii. 21-23. Hence are we called to look unto " Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith ; who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, and despised the shame." For we are to " consider him, who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself," that we faint not, Heb. xii. 3. Blessed be God for this example — for the glory of the condescension, patience, faith, and endurance, of Jesus Christ, in the extremity of all sorts of sufferings. This hath been the pole-star of the church in all its storms ; the guide, the comfort, supportment and encouragement of all those holy souls, who, in their several genera- tions, have in various degrees undergone persecution for righteousness' sake; and yet continueth so to be unto them who are in the same condition.
And I must say, as I have done on some other occasions in the handling of this subject, that a discourse on this one instance of the use of Christ in religion — from the consideration of the person who
THE USE OF Christ's person to believers. 177
suffered, and set us this example ; of the j)rinciple from whence, and the end for which, he did it ; of the variety of evils of all sorts he had to conflict withal ; of his invincible patience under them all, and immovableness of love and compassion unto mankind, even his per- secutors ; the dolorous afflictive circumstances of his sufferings from God and men ; the blessed efficacious workings of his faith and trust in God unto the uttermost ; with the glorious issue of the whole, and the influence of all these considerations unto the consolation and sup- portment of the church — would take up more room and time than what is allotted unto the whole of that whereof it is here the least part. I shall leave the whole under the shade of that blessed pro- niLsc, " If so be that we suffer with him, we may be also glorified together; for I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us," Rom. viii. 17, 18.
IV. The last thing 23ro|)osed concerning the person of Christ, was the use of it unto behevers, in the whole of their relation unto God and duty towards him. And the things belonging thereunto may be reduced unto these general heads: —
1. Their sanctification, which consisteth in these four things : (1.) The mortification of sin, (2.) The gradual renovation of oiu' natures, (3.) Assistances in actual obedience, (4.) The same in temp- tations and trials.
2. Their justification, with its concomitants and consequents; as — (1.) Adoption, (2.) Peace, (3.) Consolationand joy inhfe and death, (■i.) Spiritual gifts, unto the edification of themselves and others, (5.) A blessed resurrection, (6.) Eternal glory.
There are other things which also belong hereunto : — as their guid- ance in the course of their conversation in this world, direction unto usefulness in all states and conditions, patient waiting for the accom- plishment of God's promises to the church, the communication of federal blessings unto their families, and the exercise of loving-kind- ness towards mankind in general, Avith sundry other concernments of the life of faith of the like importance ; but they may be all reduced unto the general heads proposed.
What should have been spoken with reference unto these things belongs unto these three heads: —
1st, A declaration that all these things are wrought in and com- municated unto believers, according to their various natures, by an emanation of grace and power from the person of Jesus Christ, as the head of the church — as he who is exalted and made a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance and the forgiveness of sins.
'^dly, A declaration of the way and manner how l^elievers do live
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1 78 THE PERSON OF CHRIST.
upon Christ in the exercise of faith, whereby, according to the pro- mise and appointment of God, they derive from him the whole grace and mercy whereof in this world they are made partakers, and are established in the expectation of what they shall receive hereafter by his power. And that two things do hence ensue : {1st,) The neces- sity of universal evangelical obedience, seeing it is only in and by the duties of it that faith is, or can be, kept in a due exercise unto the ends mentioned, {^dli/,) That believers do hereby increase continu- ally with the increase of God, and grow up into him who is the head, until they become the fulness of him who filleth all in all.