It was predicted soon after man had fallen — [God denounced a curse against the serpent. In that denunciation he foretold the destruction of Satan himself: he foretold it as to be effected by the death of Christ s.]
It was shadowed forth in a variety of types —
[The paschal lamb represented ith: it was prefigured by the daily sacrifices1: it was typified by the offerings on the great day of atonement k. The serpent in the wilderness was a striking representation of it1.]
It was foretold by all the prophets —
[The prophetic writings are full of declarations respecting it. Isaiah seems rather to have composed a history than a pro- phecy. To quote particular passages is needless. St. Peter mentions it as foretold by all the prophets™ — . Our Lord him- self speaks to the same effect11 — .]
A body was prepared him on purpose that he might
die —
[He freely undertook to suffer in our stead0. This was the ground on which a body was provided for himp. This reason for his incarnation is often noticed in the Scriptures q — .]
It was foreknown and consented to by our Lord himself —
[Our Lord often spake of it to his Disciples1- : it was the subject of his conversation with Moses and Eliass. He could have delivered himself from his enemies if he had chosen it1: but it was a season he greatly longed foru.]
Hence we may conclude, that though the agents were guilty, as having acted freely, the actions them- selves were fore-ordained x. But there was not merely a decree respecting our Lord's death in general ;
s Gen. iii. 15. i» 1 Cor. v. 7. * John i. 29.
k Heb. ix. 13, 14. l John iii. 14. m Acts iii. 17, 18.
n Luke xxiv. 25 — 27. ° Ps. xl. 6 — 8.
p Heb. x. 5 — 7. The Apostle explains the expression in Ps. xl. 6. " Mine ears hast thou opened," by other words to the same effect, " A body hast thou prepared me." The boring the ear of a servant bound him to his servitude for ever ; Exod. xxi. 6. And the pre- paring of a body for Christ fixed him to his engagements.
<J Heb. ii. 9, 14. * Luke xviii. 31 — 33. s Luke ix. 31.
1 He had frequently done so, Luke iv. 29, 30. John viii. 59. and he could easily have done it then, John xviii. 6. Matt. xxvi. 53.
u Luke xii. 50. * Acts iv, 28.
1574.] our lord's death fore-ordained. 99
II. Every particular respecting it was determined —
It would be endless to enumerate all the predic- tions respecting Christ, and to compare them with his history1'; but we will point out a few that relate more immediately to his death :
1. Those that were immediately to precede his death —
[It was foretold by whom he was to be betrayed*. Our Lord himself applies this prediction to Judas a — • The price that should be paid for his blood, together with the disposition of the purchase-money, was accurately foretold b. This very sum (the price of a slave) was paid, and afterwards so applied c. It was moreover foretold that he should be scourged d. This was complied with to prevent his death6. He was also destined to be mocked, spit upon, and smitten f. His enemies vented their indignation in this very wayg — .]
2. Those that were to accompany his death —
[It was foretold that he should be nailed to a crossh. The accomplishment of this was very singularly effected'. He was to be crucified with others, malefactors^. The fulfilment of this also is particularly noticed ' — . He was to experience fresh insults herem. This was fulfilled in the most literal manner". He was also to suffer the hidings of his Father 's face0. David's words were those used by Christ under his dereliction p — . He was to have vinegar offered him to drink q : he would not resign his breath till this was accomplished r.]