But the Apostle can never touch upon so glorious a topic as the love of Christ, without expatiating upon it, and being transported, as it were, to a forgetfulness of his proper argument. The view which he here gives us of it, is deserving of peculiar attention. It will lead us to consider,
I. The demonstrations which Christ has given us of his love —
He loved his Church from before the foundation of the world : and he has displayed his love to it in a manner that must fill both men and angels with everlasting astonishment. Every member of it was dearer to him than his own happiness ; more desirable to him, if we may so speak, than his own glory. He loved us to such a degree, that for our sakes he gave up the happiness which he enjoyed in his Father's bosom, and the glory which he possessed upon his Father's throne : he gave himself for us, that he might be,
1. A surety for our persons —
[The debt which we owed to divine justice could never be discharged by mortal man : nor was there any superior being able or willing to take upon himself our awful responsibility. Our case was desperate, as much so as that of the fallen angels. But the Son of God, of his own infinitely rich grace and mercy, was pleased to undertake for usa. What Paul said to Philemon respecting Onesimus, he said to his Father respect- ing us; " What do they owe thee? put it all to my account: I will repay thee. Whatever shall be necessary to ransom them from the hands of incensed justice, let it be exacted of me : I will be answerable for it ; I will pay it, to the uttermost farthing V]
2. A sacrifice for our sins —
[It was not by corruptible things, as silver and gold, that we could be redeemed. Satisfaction must be made for all our violations of God's holy law. Death was the desert of man ; and death must be endured by the Son of God himself, if he should put himself in the place of sinful man. This was fully known to our adorable Saviour ; and yet he would not shrink from the conditions. He had set his heart upon his chosen
* 1 Tim. ii. G. b Philemon, ver. 18, 19.