4. For the enabling of his Son to execute every part of his mediatorial office —
[There are parts of that office which he could not execute without suffering. As he could not atone for sin without suffering, so neither could he yield obedience to all that the law required of us without suffering. Patience and resignation can only be exercised under suffering : and therefore, " though he was a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered**." He must also sympathize with his afflicted people : and this also he would have been unable to do, if he had not been experimentally acquainted with sufferings in his own person : but " having suffered through temptations, he is now able to succour them that are tempted*^:" and we, knowing that " we have One who can be touched with a feeling of our infirmities, are encouraged to come boldly to a throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help us in the time of need**."]
Let me now ask. If such a dispensation ** became
God," WHAT BECOMES US ?
Does God seek to " bring us, as his sons, to glory?" Let us seek to obtain this great benefit —
[Can it be right that Almighty God should take such an interest in us, and we remain indifferent about our oivn state ? Can we by any possibility be advanced to such honour as " sonship" with God, and such happiness as the possession of his " glory," and shall we not exert ourselves to the utmost of our power ? Shall any earthly distinctions stand for a moment in competition with these 'i ]
Has God appointed his own Son to be *' the Cap- tain of our salvation ?" Let us seek salvation through Him alone —
[Through Christ alone it can ever be attained. He is the sole " Author" of it; and from him, as the purchase of his blood, and the effect of his grace, it must be received. Let us not, for a moment, cherish a thought of obtaining salvation from any other source : but let our reliance on him be simple and entire. Let " him be our wisdom, our righteousness, our sanctification, and our complete redemption."]
Has God seen fit to " perfect his own Son through sufferings?" Let us be content to be perfected by him in the same way —
i> Heb. V. 8, 9. ^ Heb. ii. 17, 18. ^ Heb. iv. 15, 16.