the very instant that the redemption price is paid for him. But really, and in fact, our souls are healed, the very instant we believe in Christ: " our sins are blotted out as a morning cloud," and are " put away from us as far as the east is from the west;" " nor shall they be remembered against us any more for ever&." A principle of grace, too, is infused into the soul, just as the cruse of salt was into the fountain by Elisha the prophet11; and by it are its deadly qualities cor- rected ; so that whatsoever proceeds from it in future is, com- paratively at least, salubrious : the Holy Spirit in him is " a well of water, springing up unto everlasting life'."]
That we may not lose sight of the objects for which this mystery is here adduced, we shall,
II. Improve it in the precise view in which the Apostle intended it to be applied —
We must bear in mind, that he is speaking to ser- vants, and exhorting them to take patiently whatever injuries they may be called to sustain for righteous- ness' sake. For their direction and encouragement, he proposes to them the example of our Lord Jesus Christ : and, not content with specifying his conduct under the most cruel injuries, he suggests the ulte- rior ends of his sufferings, and the benefits which we derive from them ; intending thereby to fix our at- tention on that mysterious subject,
1. As a balm for all our wounds —
[Be it so; we are suffering wrongfully, and because we endeavour to maintain a good conscience towards God. But what are our sufferings, when compared with those which our blessed Lord endured for us ? Hear the revilings that were cast on him: " Say we not well, that thou hast a devil, and art madk?" Behold the sufferings inflicted on him! Go into the hall of Pilate ; and there see the thorns driven into his temples, and his sacred body torn with scourges, " the ploughers ploughing on his back, and making long their furrows1!" Behold his meekness and resignation; and will not you be ashamed to complain ? Will you not rather take up your cross with cheerfulness ; and " rejoice that you are counted worthy to partake of his sufferings, and be conformed
s Heb. viii. 12. h 2 Kings ii. 19 — 22. " John iv. 14.
k John vii. 20. viii. 48. and x. 20. Nothing less than this would sufficiently express their contempt for him. 1 Ps. cxxix. 3.