The Fountain of Life Opened

However, as the Learned Junius hath Judiciously observed, that this curse is only a Ceremonial curse. For otherwise it's neither in it self, nor by the Law of nature, or by civil Law, more execrable than any other death. And the main reason why the Ceremonial Law affixed the curse to this rather than any other death, was principally with respect to the death Christ was to die. And therefore, Reader, see and admire the providence of God, that Christ should die by a Roman and not by a Judaic Law. For Crucifying, or Hanging on the Tree; was a Roman punishment, and not in use among the Jews. But the Scriptures cannot be broken.

However, as the Learned Iunius hath Judiciously observed, that this curse is only a Ceremonial curse. For otherwise it's neither in it self, nor by the Law of nature, or by civil Law, more execrable than any other death. And the main reason why the Ceremonial Law affixed the curse to this rather than any other death, was principally with respect to the death Christ was to die. And therefore, Reader, see and admire the providence of God, that Christ should die by a Roman and not by a Iudaick Law. For Crucifying, or Hanging on the Tree; was a Roman punishment, and not in use among the Jews. But the Scriptures cannot be broken.

Fifthly, The death of the Cross was a very slow, and lingering death. They died leisurably. Which still increaseth, and aggravateth the misery of it. If a man must die a violent death, it's a favour to be dispatched. As they that are pressed to death, beg for more weight. And it's a favour to those that are hanged, to be smitten on the breast, or plucked by the heels, by their friends. On the contrary to hang long in the midst of tortures, to have death coming upon us with a slow pace, that we may feel every tread of it, as it comes on, is a misery.

Fifthly, The death of the Cross was a very slow, and lingering death. They died leisurably. Which still increaseth, and aggravateth the misery of it. If a man must die a violent death, it's a favour to be dispatcht. As they that are pressed to death, beg for more weight. And it's a favour to those that are hanged, to be smitten on the breast, or plucked by the heels, by their friends. On the contrary to hang long in the midst of tortures, to have death coming upon us with a slow pace, that we may feel every tread of it, as it comes on, is a misery.