The Method of Grace

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, Lev. 1. 3. and so Christs sacrifice was offered unto God, Eph. 5. 2. It was as grateful a work to Christ to dye for us, as it was to Moses his mother to take him to nurse from the hand of Pharaohs daughter. O Christians, tread in the steps of Christs example: do nothing grudgingly for God, let not his commands be grievous, 1 John 5. 3. If you do any thing for God willingly, you have a reward; if otherwise, a dispensation only is committed to you, 1 Cor. 9. 7. Obedience in Christ was an abasement to him, but in you a very great honour and advancement, you have reason therefore to obey with cheerfulness.