The Method of Grace

By 1. The comprehension of the mind. 2. By the experience of the sense.

Christ as God was perfect in knowledge; nothing could be added to him: but when he became man, then he came to understand or learn by sufferings as the Apostle here speaks; which though it added nothing to his knowledge, yet it was a new method and way of knowing. Now the obedience of Christ is our pattern whereunto we are obliged (as ever we will warrant our claim of interest in him) to conform our selves in the following properties of it.

First, Christs obedience was free and voluntary, not forced or compulsory: it was so from the very first undertakement of the work of our redemption, Prov. 8. 30, 31. Then was I by him as one brought up with him, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him: rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. And when the fullness of time was come for executing that blessed design which had been in prospect from all eternity, how cheerfully did the will of Christ echo to his Fathers call, Psal. 40. 7. Then said I, Lo I come, in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God, yea, thy Law is within my heart. Nor was this a flourish before he came into the field, and saw the enemy; for he laid down his life with the greatest cheerfulness and spontaneity that could be, ⟨p. 505⟩John 10. 17, 18. 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: and indeed the voluntariness of Christ in his obedience unto death gave his death the nature and formality of a sacrifice, for so all sacrifices ought to be offered,