The doctrine of the covenant of redemption. Wherein is laid the foundation of all…

5. Here also we may acquaint our selves with what deep engagements Jesus Christ hath laid upon us to love, and fear, and serve him, in that he undertook for our Redemption and Salvation from Eternity; and that which serves more especially to set forth our Obligation and Debt to him in this respect, is the consideration how he was circumstanced in this Covenant, in three or four respects.

1. That it was a free and voluntary engagement on his part. He was under no tie of natural necessity to do this work. He was a person at full and free liberty in himself to be engaged or not engaged for us. It was at his own pleasure whether he would become a Surety, and give himself up for our Redemption: Hence that Job. 10 18. I have Power, &c. the word implies a Liberty or a Right to a Thing. He was a Divine Person, and therefore enjoined in himself the highest Liberty and Sovereignty over his own actions. If he had refused to do this for us, he had ⟨p. 158⟩not injured us at all. And needs must it be a very great bond which is laid upon us, by one that doth us the greatest kindness, who was no farther obliged to it, than he himself pleased to make himself to be: for the more free the love is, the greater doth it appear to be.

1. That it was a free and voluntary engagement on his part. He was under no tie of natural necessity to do this work. He was a person at full and free liberty in himself to be engaged or not engaged for us. It was at his own pleasure whether he would become a Surety, and give himself up for our Redemption: Hence that Job. 10 18. I have Power, &c. the word implies a Liberty or a Right to a Thing. He was a Divine Person, and therefore enjoyned in himself the highest Liberty and Soveraignty over his own actions. If he had refused to do this for us, he had ⟨p. 158⟩