So then, the love of Christ is a love transcending all Creature-love, and humane Understanding. We read in Rom. 5. 7, 8. That peradventure, for a good man, some would even dare to die: But we never find where any beside ⟨p. 216⟩Jesus Christ would lay down his life for Enemies. It is recorded as an unparalleled instance of love in Damon and Pythias, the two Sicilian Philosophers, that each had courage enough to die for his friend; for one of them being Condemned to die by the Tyrant, and desiring to give the last farewell to his Family; his Friend went into Prison for him, as his Surety to die for him, if he returned not at the appointed time; but he did not die; yea, he had such a confidence in his Friend, that he would not suffer him by default to die for him; and if he had, yet he had died for his Friend: But such was the love of Christ, that it did not only put him into danger of death, but put him actually unto death; yea, the worst of deaths, and that for his Enemies. O what manner of love is this! We read of the love that Jacob had for Rachel, and how he endured both the cold of Winter, and heat of Summer for her sake: But what is this to the love of Jesus, who for us endured the heat of God's Wrath? Beside, she was Beautiful, but we unlovely. David wished for Absalom his ⟨p. 217⟩Son, Would God I had died for thee. But it was but a wish, and had it come to the proof, David would have shrunk from death, for all the affection he bare his beautiful Son. But Christ actually gave his life for us, and did not only wish he had done it. O love, transcending the love of Creatures; yea, and surmounting all Creature knowledge.
So then, the love of Christ is a love transcending all Creature-love, and humane Understanding. We read in Rom. 5. 7, 8. That peradventure, for a good man, some would even dare to die: But we never find where any beside ⟨p. 216⟩Jesus Christ would lay down his life for Enemies. It is recorded as an unparallel'd instance of love in Damon and Pithias, the two Sicilian Philosophers, that each had courage enough to die for his friend; for one of them being Condemned to die by the Tyrant, and desiring to give the last farewell to his Family; his Friend went into Prison for him, as his Surety to die for him, if he returned not at the appointed time; but he did not die; yea, he had such a confidence in his Friend, that he would not suffer him by default to die for him; and if he had, yet he had died for his Friend: But such was the love of Christ, that it did not only put him into danger of death, but put him actually unto death; yea, the worst of deaths, and that for his Enemies. O what manner of love is this! We read of the love that Jacob had for Rachel, and how he endured both the cold of Winter, and heat of Summer for her sake: But what is this to the love of Jesus, who for us endured the heat of God's Wrath? Beside, she was Beautiful, but we unlovely. David wish'd for Absolom his ⟨p. 217⟩Son, Would God I had died for thee. But it was but a wish, and had it come to the proof, David would have shrinkt from death, for all the affection he bare his beautiful Son. But Christ actually gave his life for us, and did not only wish he had done it. O love, transcending the love of Creatures; yea, and surmounting all Creatureknowledge.
