The Fountain of Life Opened

First, This blessed work was finished by Jesus Christ most obediently. Phil. 2.8.¹ He became obedient to death, even the death of the Cross. His obedience was the obedience of a servant, though not servile obedience. So it was foretold of him, before he touched this work. Isai. 50.5. The Lord God hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back, (i. e.) my Father told me the very worst of it. He told me what hard and heavy things I must undergo, if ever I finished this design of redemption; and I was not rebellious, (i. e.) I heartily submitted to, and accepted all those difficulties. For there is a Meiosis in the words. I was content to stoop to the hardest and most ignominious part of it, rather than not finish it.

1. 1Obed•entia s•rvi, non servil•s.

Secondly, As Christ finished it obediently, so he finished it freely. Freedom and obedience in acting are not at all opposite to, or exclusive of each other. Moses his Mother nursed him in obedience to the command of Pharaohs daughter, yet most freely, with respect to her own delight, and contentment in tha• work. So it's said of Christ, and that by his own mouth. Joh. 10.17, 18. ⟨p. 482⟩Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of my self; I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again; this commandment have I received of my Father. He liked the work for the ends sake. When he had a prospect of it from eternity, then were his delights with the Sons of men. Then he rejoiced in the habitable parts of the earth.