1. The Quality of his Person derives an infinite value to his obedient Sufferings. Our Surety was equally God, and as truly Infinite in His Perfections ⟨p. 264⟩as the Father, who was provoked by our Sins, therefore he was able to make Satisfaction for them. He is the Son of God not merely in respect of the honour of his Office, or the special Favour of God, for on these accounts that Title is communicated to others: but his only Son by Nature. The sole preeminence in Gifts and Dignity would give Him the title of the first-born, 1but not deprive them of the quality of Brethren. Now the wisdom and justice of all Nations agree, that Punishments receive their estimate from the quality of the Persons that suffer. The Poet observes that the Death of a virtuous Person is more precious than of Legions. Of what inestimable value then is the death of Christ,2 and how worthy a Ransom for lost mankind? For although the Deity is impassible, yet he that was a Divine Person he suffered. A King suffers more than a private person, although the strokes he endures in his body, cannot immediately reach his honour. And 'tis specially to be observed, that the Efficacy of Christs Blood is ascribed to his Divine Nature: This the Apostle declares,3 In whom we have Redemption through his Blood, even the forgiveness of Sins, who is the image of the invisible God: Not an artificial Image which imperfectly represents the Original; As a Picture that sets forth the Colour and Figure of a Man, but not his Life and Nature: But the essential and exact Image of his Father, that expresses all his glorious Perfections in their immensity and eternity. This is testified expressly in Hebr. 1.3. The Son of God, the brightness of his Glory, and the express Image of his Person, having purged by himself our sins, is set down on the right hand of Majesty ⟨p. 265⟩on High. From hence arises the infinite difference between the Sacrifices of the Law, and Christs, in their value and virtue. This with admirable Emphasis is set down in Hebr. 9.13, 14. For if the blood of Bulls and of Goats, and the ashes of an Heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purification of the flesh; How much more shall the Blood of Christ, who through the Eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your Consciences from dead works to serve the living God? Wherein the Apostle makes a double Hypothesis. 1.
1. The Quality of his Person derives an infinite value to his obedient Sufferings. Our Surety was equally God, and as truely Infinite in His Perfections ⟨p. 264⟩as the Father, who was provoked by our Sins, therefore he was able to make Satisfaction for them. He is the Son of God not meerly in respect of the honour of his Office, or the special Favour of God, for on these accounts that Title is communicated to others: but his only Son by Nature. The sole preheminence in Gifts and Dignity would give Him the title of the first-born, 1but not deprive them of the quality of Brethren. Now the wisdom and justice of all Nations agree, that Punishments receive their estimate from the quality of the Persons that suffer. The Poet observes that the Death of a vertuous Person is more precious than of Legions. Of what inestimable value then is the death of Christ,2 and how worthy a Ransom for lost mankind? For although the Deity is impassible, yet he that was a Divine Person he suffered. A King suffers more than a private person, although the strokes he endures in his body, cannot immediatly reach his honour. And 'tis specially to be observed, that the Efficacy of Christs Blood is ascribed to his Divine Nature: This the Apostle declares,3 In whom we have Redemption through his Blood, even the forgiveness of Sins, who is the image of the invisible God: Not an artificial Image which imperfectly represents the Original; As a Picture that sets forth the Colour and Figure of a Man, but not his Life and Nature: But the essential and exact Image of his Father, that expresses all his glorious Perfections in their immensity and eternity. This is testified expresly in Hebr. 1.3. The Son of God, the brightness of his Glory, and the express Image of his Person, having purged by himself our sins, is set down on the right hand of Majesty ⟨p. 265⟩on High. From hence arises the infinite difference between the Sacrifices of the Law, and Christs, in their value and vertue. This with admirable Emphasis is set down in Hebr. 9.13, 14. For if the blood of Bulls and of Goats, and the ashes of an Heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purification of the flesh; How much more shall the Blood of Christ, who through the Eternal Spirit offer'd himself without spot to God, purge your Consciences from dead works to serve the living God? Wherein the Apostle makes a double Hypothesis. 1.
- 1Psal. 82.6. John 3.16. John 8.36. Heb. 1.5.
- 2Pluris enim Decii, quam qui servantur ab illis. Juven.
- 3Col. 1.14.
