Besides, our King must be Man, that by the excellency of his Example, He might lead us in the way of Life. The most rational Method to reform the World is, not only to enact Laws to be the Rule of virtuous Actions, but for Lawgivers to make Virtue honourable and imitable by their own practice. And to encourage us in the holy War against our enemies visible and invisible, 'twas congruous that the Prince of our Salvation should take the Humane Nature, and submit to the inconveniences of our warfaring state. As Kings when they design a glorious Conquest ▪ go forth in Person, and willingly endure the hardships of a military condition, to animate their Armies. The Apostle tells us, that it became him, 1for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to Glory, to make the Captain of their Salvation perfect through Sufferings. God the great Designer of all things, foreseeing the Sufferings to which the Godly would be exposed in the World, ordained it as most convenient, that the Author of their Deliverance should by Sufferings obtain the Reward, that by his example he might strengthen and deliver those that suffer to the end. Again, the Son of God entered into our Family, and is not ashamed to call us brethren, to make his Sceptre amiable to us.2 He exerciseth his Dominion with a natural and sensible touch of pity, he pardons our failings and puts a value on our sincere though mean Services, as an honour done to him. Briefly, In him there is a combination of Power and Love; The Power of the Deity with the tenderness and clemency of the Humane Nature. He is the mighty God and Prince of peace. 3He is a King just and powerful against our enemies, 4but mild and gentle ⟨p. 93⟩to his People. He is willing to remove from us all the evils we cannot endure, our Sins and Sorrows; and able to convey to us all the Blessings we are capable to enjoy. In all his Glory He remembers that he is our Saviour. At the Day of Judgment, when He shall come with a train of mighty Angels,5 He will be as tender of Man, as when He suffered on the Cross. And from hence we may discover the excellency of God's contrivance in uniting the Divine and Humane Nature in our Redeemer, that He might have ability and affection to qualify him for that great and blessed Work.
Besides, our King must be Man, that by the excellency of his Example, He might lead us in the way of Life. The most rational Method to reform the World is, not only to enact Laws to be the Rule of vertuous Actions, but for Lawgivers to make Vertue honourable and imitable by their own practice. And to encourage us in the holy War against our enemies visible and invisible, 'twas congruous that the Prince of our Salvation should take the Humane Nature, and submit to the inconveniences of our warfaring state. As Kings when they design a glorious Conquest ▪ go forth in Person, and willingly endure the hardships of a military condition, to animate their Armies. The Apostle tells us, that it became him, 1for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to Glory, to make the Captain of their Salvation perfect through Sufferings. God the great Designer of all things, foreseeing the Sufferings to which the Godly would be exposed in the World, ordained it as most convenient, that the Author of their Deliverance should by Sufferings obtain the Reward, that by his example he might strengthen and deliver those that suffer to the end. Again, the Son of God enter'd into our Family, and is not ashamed to call us brethren, to make his Scepter amiable to us.2 He exerciseth his Dominion with a natural and sensible touch of pity, he pardons our failings and puts a value on our sincere though mean Services, as an honour done to him. Briefly, In him there is a combination of Power and Love; The Power of the Deity with the tenderness and clemency of the Humane Nature. He is the mighty God and Prince of peace. 3He is a King just and powerful against our enemies, 4but mild and gentle ⟨p. 93⟩to his People. He is willing to remove from us all the evils we cannot endure, our Sins and Sorrows; and able to convey to us all the Blessings we are capable to enjoy. In all his Glory He remembers that he is our Saviour. At the Day of Judgment, when He shall come with a train of mighty Angels,5 He will be as tender of Man, as when He suffered on the Cross. And from hence we may discover the excellency of God's contrivance in uniting the Divine and Humane Nature in our Redeemer, that He might have ability and affection to qualifie him for that great and blessed Work.
- 1Heb. 2.10.
- 2Heb. 2.11.
- 3Isa. 6.9.
- 4Z•c. 9.
- 5Tit. 2.13.
