The Fountain of Life Opened

¹Did Jesus Christ interpose betwixt us and the wrath of God, as a Mediator of reconciliation; did he rather choose to receive the stroke upon himself, than to see us ruined by it. How well then doth it become the People of God, in a thankful sense of this grace, to interpose themselves betwixt Jesus Christ, ²and the evils they see like to fall upon his name, and interest in the world. O that there were but such an heart in the People of God. I remember it's a saying of Jerome, when he heard the revilings and blasphemings of many, against Christ, and his precious truths: Oh (said he) that they would turn their Weapons from Christ to me, and be satisfied with my Blood. And much to ⟨p. 95⟩the same sense his that sweet one of Bernard, ³Happy were I, if God would vouchsafe to use me as a shield. And David could say, the Reproaches of them that reproached thee fell upon me, Psal. 69.9. ten thousand of our names are nothing to Christs name. His name is [Greek or Hebrew] a worthy name, and no man that gives up his name as a Shield to Christ, but shall thereby secure and increase the true honour of it. And though wicked men for present may bespatter them, yet Jesus Christ will take it out of the dirt (as one speaks) wipe it clean, and give it us again. O 'tis the least one can do to interpose our selves and all that is dear to us, betwixt Jesus Christ and the wrath of men; when he (as you hear) interposed himself betwixt you, and the eternal wrath of God.