Universal redemption of mankind, by the Lord Jesus Christ stated and cleared by the…

And they shall look upon him whom they have pierced, and they shall lament for him, as one lamenteth for his only Son. (What a Doctrine then is it that teacheth us, that none but they that know themselves to be Elect, should once accuse themselves of this, that their Sins did Crucify Christ?) Peter in his first Sermon struck the Jews as with a Thunderclap from Heaven, when he said unto them, ye have Crucified the Lord of glory: So that at ⟨p. 178⟩the same time 3000 Men were pricked in their Hearts and said Act. 2. 37. Men and Brethren what shall we do to be saved? Again, if Christ for our Sins shed his Heart Blood, and if our Sins made him sweat water and Blood, O then why should not we our selves shed bitter tears, and why should not our Hearts bleed for them? He that finds himself so dull and hardened that the Passion of Christ doth not humble him, is in a lamentable ease, for there is no Faith in the Death of Christ effectual in him as yet. (These words show that Perkins speaks not this only to believers.) 2. The meditation of the passion of Christ is a most notable means to breed repentance and reformation of Life in time to come. For when we begin to think that Christ Crucified, by suffering the first and 2d. Death hath procured to us remission of all our Sins past, and freed us from Hell. Death and damnation; then if there be but a spark of Grace in us we begin to be of another mind, and to reason thus with our selves, what? hath the Lord been thus merciful to me that am of my self but a firebrand of Hell, as to free me from deserved destruction, and to receive me to favour in Christ? Yea; no doubt he hath, His name be blessed therefore: I will not therefore Sin any more as I have done, but rather endeavour hereafter to keep my self from every evil way.] 3. The right knowledge of our selves ariseth from the knowledge of Christ Crucified in whom, and by whom we come to know five special things of our selves. The first, how grievous our Sins are, and therefore how miserable we are in regard of them. If we consider our offences in themselves and as they are in us, ⟨p. 179⟩we may soon be deceived, &c. But if Sin be considered in the Death and passion of Christ whereof it was the cause, and the vileness thereof measured by the unspeakable torments endured by the Son of God;