The divine life in three treatises

We are now to consider of this not only as a part of Christs humiliation, but also as a point in which we must expect to be conformed to him. It may possibly seem strange to us that Christ would suffer all his Disciples to forsake him in his extremity; and I doubt it will seem strange to us, when in our extremity, and our suffering for Christ (and perhaps for them) we shall find our selves forsaken by those that we most highly valued, and had the greatest familiarity with. But there are many Reasons of this permissive providence open to our observation.

We are now to consider of this not only as a part of Christs humiliation, but also as a point in which we must expect to be conformed to him. It may possibly seem strange to us that Christ would suffer all his Disciples to forsake him in his extreamity; and I doubt it will seem strange to us, when in our extreamity, and our suffering for Christ (and perhaps for them) we shall find our selves forsaken by those that we most highly valued, and had the greatest familiarity with. But there are many Reasons of this permissive providence open to our observation.

1. No wonder if when Christ was suffering for sin, he would even then permit the power and odiousness of sin to break forth, that it might be known he suffered not in vain. No wonder if he permitted his followers to desert him, and to show the latent unbelief, and selfishness, and unthankfulness that remained in them, that so they might know that the death of Christ was as necessary for them as for others; and the universality of the disease might show the need that the remedy should be universal. And it is none of Christs intent to make his servants to seem better then they are, to themselves or others, or to honour himself by the hiding of their faults, but to magnify his pardoning and healing grace, by the means or occasion of the sins which he pardoneth and healeth.

1. No wonder if when Christ was suffering for sin, he would even then permit the power and odiousness of sin to break sorth, that it might be known he suffered not in vain. No wonder if he permitted his followers to desert him, and to shew the latent unbelief, and selfishness, and unthankfulness that remained in them, that so they might know that the death of Christ was as necessary for them as for others; and the universality of the disease might shew the need that the remedy should be universal. And it is none of Christs intent to make his servants to seem better then they are, to themselves or others, or to honour himself by the hiding of their faults, but to magnifie his pardoning and healing grace, by the means or occasion of the sins which he pardoneth and healeth.