The Fountain of Life Opened

JOH. XVII.XI. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world; and I come to thee: holy Father, keep through thine own name, those whom thou hast given me; that they may be one, as we are.

WE now come to the Last and Lowest step of Christs Humiliation, which was in his submitting to Death, even the Death of the Cross. Out of this death of Christ the life of our souls springs up, and in this blood of the Cross, all our mercies swim to us. The blood of Christ runs deep to some eyes. The Judicious Believer sees multitudes, multitudes of inestimable blessings in it. By this Crimson Fountain I resolve to sit down; and concerning the death of Christ, I shall take distinctly into consideration the preparations made for it, the nature and quality of it. The Deportment and carriage of dying-Jesus. The ⟨p. 251⟩Funeral-solemnities with which he was buried. And lastly the blessed designs, and glorious ends of his death.

The preparatives for his death were six. Three on his own part, and three more by his enemies. The preparations made by himself for it, were the solemn recommendation of his friends to his Father. The institution of a commemorative sign, to perpetuate and refresh the memory of his death in the hearts of his people till he come again. And his pouring out his soul to God by prayer in the garden, which was the posture he chose to be found in, when they should apprehend him.