then say, These are the fruits of his love to me ; these things he endures, to rescue me from " everlasting shame and con- tempt." Then ask yourselves, What returns he merits at your hands? Surely to compliment him with the name of Saviour, will not be thought sufficient : there must be a tribute, not of the lip only, but of the heart ; in the heart a name of love should be kindled, which, like the fire upon the altar, should
never go out j
3. To stimulate your exertions — [There is no one so blind as not to see that our acknow- ledgments to Christ should shew themselves, not in sentiment only, but in action. Indeed he himself tells us, that it is by obedience to his commands we are to prove our love to him1. What then shall we do, to evince our love to him ? What ? Let us follow the example of his love to us. When the peo- ple sought him to make him really a king, he refused their services, and hid himself from them : but when they arrayed him in mock majesty, and put a crown of thorns upon his head, he submitted willingly to that, because it would conduce to our benefit. Thus let us be regardless of all personal gratifications, that we may exalt and honour him : and if we are called to suffer for his sake, let us suffer willingly and meekly. As " he endured the contradiction of sinners against himself," " sustaining the cross and despising the shame" for us, let us " follow him, bearing his reproach." If we be made " a gazing-stock" and " a spectacle to the world," let us be content to be loaded with every species of ignominy for his sake. Let us remember, that " he gave himself for us, to purchase unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works" and let it be our fixed determination to answer in this respect the end of his sufferings ; and, provided " he be magnified in our body," let it be a matter of indifference to us " whether it be by life or by death."]
1 John xiv. 15, 21. and xv. 14.