Now the Scripture declares the willingness of Christ, particularly at his entrance into the World, ⟨p. 231⟩and at his Death. Upon His coming into the World, He begins his Life by the internal Oblation of Himself to his Father; Sacrifice and Offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: that is, He entirely resigned himself to be Gods Servant, Burnt-Offering and Sin-Offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come, 1in the volume of thy book 'tis written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God, yea thy Law is within my heart. He saw the Divine Decree, and embraced it; the Law was in his Heart, and fully possest all his Thoughts and Affections, and had a commanding influence upon his Life. And his Willingness was fully expressed by Him, when He approached to His last Sufferings. For although He declined Death as Man, having natural and innocent desires of Self-Preservation, yet as Mediator he readily submitted to it. Not my Will, but thine be done, was his voice in the Garden. And this argued the completeness and fixedness of his Will, that notwithstanding his aversation from Death absolutely considered, yet with an unabated election He still chose it as the means of our Salvation. No involuntary Constraint was laid upon him, to force him to that submission; But the sole causes of it were his free Compliance with his Fathers Will, and his tender Compassion towards Men. He saith, I have power to lay down my life, 2and power to take it up; this command I received of my Father. In his Death, Obedience and Sacrifice were united. The Typical Sacrifices were led to the Altar, but the Lamb of God presented Himself:3 'tis said, He gave himself for us, to signify his willingness in dying. Now the Freeness of our Redeemer ⟨p. 232⟩in dying for us, qualified his Sufferings to be meritorious. 4The Apostle tells us, that By the obedience of one many are made righteous: that is, By his voluntary Sufferings we are justified: for without his Consent, his Death could not have the respect of a punishment for our Sins. No Man can be compelled to pay another's Debt, unless he make himself Surety for it. Briefly, The Appointment of God, and the Undertaking of Christ, to redeem us from the Curse of the Law by his suffering it, are the Foundation of the New-Testament.
Now the Scripture declares the willingness of Christ, particularly at his entrance into the World, ⟨p. 231⟩and at his Death. Upon His comming into the World, He begins his Life by the internal Oblation of Himself to his Father; Sacrifice and Offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: that is, He entirely resigned himself to be Gods Servant, Burnt-Offering and Sin-Offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come, 1in the volume of thy book 'tis written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God, yea thy Law is within my heart. He saw the Divine Decree, and embrac'd it; the Law was in his Heart, and fully possest all his Thoughts and Affections, and had a commanding influence upon his Life. And his Willingness was fully exprest by Him, when He approacht to His last Sufferings. For although He declin'd Death as Man, having natural and innocent desires of Self-Preservation, yet as Mediator he readily submitted to it. Not my Will, but thine be done, was his voice in the Garden. And this argued the compleatness and fixedness of his Will, that notwithstanding his aversation from Death absolutely considered, yet with an unabated election He still chose it as the means of our Salvation. No involuntary Constraint was laid upon him, to force him to that submission; But the sole causes of it were his free Compliance with his Fathers Will, and his tender Compassion towards Men. He saith, I have power to lay down my life, 2and power to take it up; this command I received of my Father. In his Death, Obedience and Sacrifice were united. The Typical Sacrifices were led to the Altar, but the Lamb of God presented Himself:3 'tis said, He gave himself for us, to signifie his willingness in dying. Now the Freeness of our Redeemer ⟨p. 232⟩in dying for us, qualified his Sufferings to be meritorious. 4The Apostle tells us, that By the obedience of one many are made righteous: that is, By his voluntary Sufferings we are justified: for without his Consent, his Death could not have the respect of a punishment for our Sins. No Man can be compelled to pay anothers Debt, unless he make himself Surety for it. Briefly, The Appointment of God, and the Undertaking of Christ, to redeem us from the Curse of the Law by his suffering it, are the Foundation of the New-Testament.
- 1Heb. 10.6, 7.
- 2Joh. 10.18.
- 3Gal. 1.4. Tit. 2.14.
- 4Rom. 5.19.
