Captives bound in chains made free

Fourthly, To release you from your Bonds Jesus Christ did voluntarily undertake for you, did interpose himself betwixt the wrath of God and the poor Captive, enthralled sinner; as if Christ should say, Father, man that was made free, hath abused his liberty and is become a Bond slave, fallen into ⟨p. 192⟩the hands of revenging justice, which might arrest him, and clap him up in Prison for ever; I see he is undone and lost; help himself he cannot, but I will be his Surety and his Bail; what he oweth thee, set that on my account, I will pay it. I am willing to do and suffer in their nature what may please and satisfy thy justice; if my life will be taken for their salvation, I will lay it down, if my blood will be accepted for the ransom of these poor Prisoners I will she•l it for them, rather than that they shall always remain in this Captivity. Oh can you think how ready Christ was for to engage, and to become your Surety, to die for you, that you might live, to be bound for you, that your Bonds might be broken, and your soul escape, and not have your heart affected with his love, and your tongue employed in his praises? Jer. 30. 21. Who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the Lord. Who is this forward Engager, that is so willing and hearty in this work? It is one that is able and mighty to save, to redeem by price and power, poor Captive Sinners, even the only Son of the ever blessed God; and so he is said to be our Surety, Heb. 7. 22. A Surety is one that undertakes for, or gives assurance in the behalf of another; one entering into Bond and standing engaged for another to do & to perform for another, what he was bound to do. Among men Suretyship is a dangerous thing; he dissures his own estate that is surety for another. Prov. 11. 15. He that is surety for a stranger ⟨p. 193⟩shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretyship is sure. But notwithstanding suretyship is thus among men, yet Christ would become a Surety for us to God himself, to bring us forth from our Bondage; and that you might be the more affected, and inflamed with his love, consider how far he acted for poor Captives beyond what ever man did for any man.