The harmony of the divine attributes in the contrivance and accomplishment of man's redemption…

3. This account of Christs Death takes off the scandal of the Cross, and changes the offence into admiration. 'Twas foretold of Christ, that he should be a Stone of stumbling, and a Rock of offence; not a just cause,¹ but an occasion of offence to the corrupt hearts of Men, and principally for his Sufferings. The Jews were pleased with the titles of honour given to the Messiah, that he should be a King, Powerful and Glorious. But that poverty, disgrace and the suffering Death should be his character, they could not endure: therefore they endeavoured to pervert the sense of the Prophets. His Disciples who attended him in his mean state, expected those sad appearances ⟨p. 297⟩would terminate in visible Glory and Greatness: but when they saw him arrested by his Enemies, Condemned and Crucified, this was so opposite to their expectation, that they fainted under the disappointment. And when Christ Crucified was Preached to the Gentile World, they rejected him with scorn. His Death seemed so contrary to the Dignity of his Person, and the design of his Office, that they could not relish the Doctrine of the Gospel. They judged it absurd, to expect Life from one that was subjected to Death, and Blessedness from him, who was made a Curse.² To those who look on the Death of Christ with the eyes of carnal wisdom, and according to the Laws of corrupt reason, it appears folly and weakness, and most unworthy of God; but if we consider it in its principles and ends, all the prejudices vanish, and we clearly discover it to be the most noble and eminent effect of the Wisdom, Power, Goodness and Justice of God. To the eye of sense 'twas a spectacle of horror, that a perfect Innocent should be cruelly tormented; but to the eye of Faith, under that sad and ignominious appearance, there was a Divine Mystery, able to raise our wonder, and ravish our affections. For he that was naked, and nailed to the Cross, was really the Son of God, and the Saviour of Men: And his Death with all the penal circumstances of dishonour and pain, is the only Expiation of sin, and Satisfaction to Justice. He by offering up his Blood appeased the wrath of God, quenched the flaming Sword that made Paradise inaccessible to us; he took away sin, the true dishonour of our natures, and purchased for us the Graces of the Spirit, the richest ornaments of the reasonable Creature.