TheSevenUtterancesofChristontheCross

byJohnFlavel

TableofContents

TheFirstofChrist'sSevenWordsontheCrosshereIllustrated

TheSecondExcellentWordofChristUpontheCross

TheThirdofChrist'slastWordsUpontheCross

TheFourthExcellentSayingofChristupontheCross

TheFifthExcellentSayingofChristUpontheCross

TheSixthExcellentSayingofChristUpontheCross

TheSeventhandLastWordwithWhichChristBreathedUutHisSoul

TheInstructivenessoftheDeathofChrist,inHis

SevenLastWords;theFirstofWhichishereIllustrated

"ThensaidJesus,Father,forgivethem;fortheyknownotwhattheydo."

Luke23:34

ThemannerinwhichChristdiedhasalreadybeenopenedinthesolitudeandpatienceinwhichhedied.Thethird,towit,theinstructivenessofhisdeath,nowfollows, in thesesevenexcellentandweighty sayings,whichdropped from his blessed lips upon the tree, while his sacred blooddroppedon the earth fromhiswoundedhandsand feet; so thaton thecross he exercised both his priestly and Prophetic office together,redeemingusbyhisblood,andinstructingusbyhiswords.

ThesesevenwordsofChristuponthecrossarehislastwords,withwhichhebreathedouthissoul.Thelastwordsofadyingmanareremarkable;thescriptureputsaremarkuponthem,2Sam.23:1."NowthesebethelastwordsofDavid."HowremarkablearethelastwordsofChrist.

Thesewordsareseveninnumber;threedirectedtohisFather,andfourmore to thoseabouthim.Of the formersort this isone,Father, forgivethem,etc.Inwhichwehave,First,ThemercydesiredbyChrist,andthatisforgiveness.Secondly,Thepersonsforwhomitisdesired,[Them,]thatis,thosecruelandwickedpersonsthatwerenowimbruingtheirhandsinhis blood.And,Thirdly,Themotive or argumenturged toprocure thatmercyfromhisFather,fortheyknownotwhattheydo.

First, The mercy prayed for, that is, forgiveness; Father, forgive.Forgivenessisnotonlyamercy,aspiritualmercy,butoneofthegreatestmercies a soul can obtain from God, without which, whatever else wehave fromGod, isnomercy tous.Sogreatamercy is forgiveness, thatDavidcallshimblessed,orratheradmirestheblessednessofhim,"whosetransgressionisforgiven,whosesiniscovered."Thismercy,thisbestofmercies,herequestsforthem,Father,forgivethem.

Secondly, The persons forwhomhe requests forgiveness, are the samethatwithwickedhandscrucifiedhim.Theirfactwasthemosthorridthateverwascommittedbymen:theynotonlyshedinnocentblood,buttheblood of God; the best of mercies is by him desired for the worst ofsinners.

ThirdlyThemotiveorargumenturgedtoprocurethismercyforthem,is

thisfortheyknownotwhattheydo.Asifheshouldsay,Lord,whatthesepoorcreaturesdo,isnotsomuchoutofmalicetomeastheSonofGod;but it is fromtheir ignorance.Did theyknowwho,andwhatI am, theywouldratherbenailed to thecross themselves, thando it.To thesamepurpose theapostlesays, 1Cor.2:8. "Whomnoneof theprincesof thisworld knew; for had they known it, they would not have crucified theLordofglory."Yetthisisnottobeextendedtoallthathadanhandinthedeath of Christ, but to the ignorant multitude, among whom, some ofGod'selectwere,whoafterwardsbelievedinhim,whosebloodtheyspilt,Acts3:17."Andnow,brethren,Iwetthatthroughignoranceyoudidit."ForthemthisprayerofChristwasheard.Hencethenotesare,

DOCTRINE.1.ThatignoranceistheusualcauseofenmitytoChrist.

DOCTRINE. 2. That there is forgiveness with God for such as opposeChristthroughignorance.

DOCTRINE.3.Thattoforgiveenemies,andbegforgivenessforthemisthetruecharacterandpropertyoftheChristianspirit.

These observations contain so much practical truth, that it would beworthourtimetoopenandapplythemdistinctly,

DOCTRINE. 1. That ignorance is theusual causeof enmity toChrist.

"Thesethings(saystheLord)willtheydo,becausetheyhave"notknowntheFather,norme,"John16:3.Whatthingdoeshemean?Why,killanddestroythepeopleofGod,andthereinsupposetheydoGodgoodservice,(that is) think to oblige and gratify the Father, by their butchering hischildren.SoJer9:3."Theyproceedfromeviltoevil;andhavenotknownme, " says the Lord," q.d. Had they the knowledge of God, this wouldcheckandstopthemin theirwaysofwickedness?andsoPsalm.74:20."Thedarkplacesoftheeartharefullofthehabitationsofcruelty."

Three things must be inquired into, namely, what their ignorance ofChrist was.Whence it was. And how it disposed them to such enmityagainsthim.

First.Whatwas their ignorancewhocrucifiedChrist?Ignorance is two-fold, simple, or respective. Simple ignorance is not supposable in thesepersons, for in many things they were a knowing people. But it wasrespective, particular ignorance, Rom. 9:25. "Blindness in part ishappened to Israel." They knew many other truths, but did not knowJesusChrist;inthattheireyeswereheld.Naturallighttheyhad;yes,andscripture light theyhad; but in this particular, that thiswas the SonofGod,theSavioroftheworld,thereintheywereblindandignorant.

But how could that be! Had they not heard at least of his miraculousworks?Did theynotseehowhisbirth, lifeanddeath, squaredwith theprophecies, both in time,place, andmanner?Whence should this theirignorancebewhen theysaw,orat leastmighthaveseen, thescripturesfulfilledinhim;andthathecameamongtheminatimewhentheywerebigwithexpectationsoftheMessiah?

Itistrue,indeed,theyknewthescriptures;anditcannotbutbesupposedthefameofhismightyworkshadreachedtheirears:Butyet,

First,Though theyhad thescripturesamong them, theymisunderstoodthem; and did not rightly measure Christ by that right rule. You find,John7:52.howtheyreasonwithNicodemusagainstChrist;"AreyoualsoofGalilee?Search,andsee:foroutofGalileearisesnoprophet."Hereisadouble mistake: First, They supposed Christ to arise out of Galilee,whereas hewas of Bethlehem, thoughmuch conversant in the parts ofGalilee:And,Secondly,Theythought,becausetheycouldfindnoprophethadarisenoutofGalilee,thereforenoneshould.

AnothermistakethatblindedthemaboutChrist,wasfromtheirconceitthatChristshouldnotdie,but liveforever,John12:34."Wehaveheardout of the law, thatChrist abides forever: andhow say you, the Son ofmanmust be lifted up?who is the Son ofman?" That scripturewhichprobably they urge against the mortality of Christ, is Isa. 9:7. "Of theincrease of his government and peace, there shall be no end, upon thethroneofDavid,"etc.Inlikemanner,John7:27.wefindtheminanothermistake;"We know thismanwhence he is; butwhenChrist comes, noman knows whence he is." This, likely, proceeded from theirmisunderstandingofMicas5:2."Hisgoing forthhavebeenfromofold,

fromeverlasting."ThusweretheyblindedaboutthepersonofChrist,bymisinterpretationsofscripture-prophecies

Secondly, Another thing occasioning their mistake of Christ, was theoutwardmeannessanddespicablenessofhiscondition.TheyexpectedapompousMessiah,onethatshouldcomewithstateandglory,becomingthekingofIsrael.Butwhentheysawhimintheformofaservant,comingin poverty, not to be ministered unto, but to minister, they utterlyrejectedhim:"Wehidasitwereourfacesfromhim;hewasdespisedandweesteemedhimnot,"Isa.53:3.Norisitanygreatwondertheseshouldbe scandalised at his poverty when the disciples themselves had suchcarnalapprehensionsofhiskingdom,Mark10:37,38.

Thirdly,Addtothis,theirimplicitfaithinthelearnedrabbisanddoctors,who utterly misled them in this matter, and greatly prejudiced themagainstChrist."Lo,(saidthey)hespeaksboldly,andtheysaynothingtohim.DotherulersknowindeedthatthisistheveryChrist?"Theypinnedtheirfaithupontherulerssleeves,andsufferedthemtocarryitwhethertheywould.Thiswastheirignorance,andtheseitscauses.

Thirdly, Let us see, in the next place, how this disposed them to suchenmityagainstChrist.Andthisitdoesthreeways.

First, Ignorance disposes men to enmity and opposition to Christ, byremoving those hindrances thatwould otherwise keep them from it, aschecksandrebukesofconscience,bywhichtheyarerestrainedfromevil;butconsciencebindingandreproving in theauthorityandvirtueof thelawofGod,wherethat lawisnotknown, therecanbenoreproofs;andthereforewetrulysay,Thatignoranceisvirtuallyeverysin.

Secondly,IgnoranceenslavesandsubjectsthesoultothelustsofSatan;heis"therulerofthedarknessofthisworld,"Eph.6:12.Thereisnoworksobaseandvile,butanignorantmanwillundertakeit.

Thirdly,Nay,whichismore,ifamanbeignorantofChrist,histruths,orpeople, he will not only oppose, and persecute, but he will also do itconscientiously,That is, hewill lookupon it ashisduty so todo, John16:3.BeforetheLordopenedPaul'seyes,"heverilythoughtthatheought

todomanythingscontrarytothenameofChrist."Thusyouhaveabriefaccountwhat,andwhencetheirignorancewas,andhowitdisposedandpreparedthemforthisdreadfulwork.Hencewelearn,

INFERENCE1.Howfalselyisthegospelchargedasthecauseofdiscordand trouble in theworld. It is not light, but darkness, thatmakesmenfierceandcruel:as light increases,sodoespeace,Isa.11:6,9."Thewolfalsoshalldwellwiththelamb,andtheleopardliedownwiththekid;andthe calf and the young lion, and the fatling together; and a little childshallleadthem;theyshallnothurtnordestroyinallmyholymountain;for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as thewaterscoverthesea."Whatasadconditionwouldtheworldbeinwithoutgospellight!allplaceswouldbedensofrapine,andmountainsofprey.Certainlyweowemuchofourcivilliberty,andoutwardtranquilitytogospel-light.If a sword, or variance, at any time, follow the gospel, it is but anaccidental,notadirectandpropereffectofit.

INFERENCE. 2. How dreadful is it to oppose Christ and his truthknowingly, and with open eyes? Christ pleads their ignorance as anargumenttoprocuretheirpardon.PaulhimselfwasoncefilledwithrageandmadnessagainstChristandhistruths:itwaswellforhimthathediditignorantly:hadhegoneagainsthislightandknowledge,therehadbeenlittle hope of him, 1 Tim. 1:13. "I was a blasphemer, a persecutor, andinjurious; but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly, and inunbelief."Idonotsay,itissimplyimpossibleforonethatknowinglyandmaliciouslyopposesandpersecutesChristandhispeople,tobeforgiven,butitisnotusual,Heb.6:4,5.Therearefewinstancesofit.

INFERENCE.3.Whatanawfulmajesty sitsupon thebrowofholiness,that fewdaretooppose it thatsee it!Therearefewornonesodaringlywicked,tofightagainstitwithopeneyes;1Pet.3:13."Whowillharmyouwhileyouarefollowersofthatwhichisgood:"q.d.whodarebesohardytosetuponknowngodliness,orafflictandwrongtheknownfriendsofit?ThetruereasonwhymanyChristiansspeedsobad, isnotbecause theyaregodly,butbecausetheydonotmanifestthepowerofgodlinessmorethantheydo:theirlivesaresolikethelivesofothers,thattheyareoftenmistaken for others. Cyprian brings in the wicked of his time, thusscoffing at professors, "behold, they that boast themselves to be

redeemedfromthetyrannyofSatan,andtobedeadtotheworld,howarethey overcome by the lusts of it, as well as other men:" Look as thepoverty and meanness of Christ's outward condition was a ground oftheirmistake of him then, so the poverty andmeanness of our love toGod,heavenlymindedness,andmortificationtothisworld,isadisguisetoprofessors,andcausewhytheyarenotmoreownedandhonoredintheconsciencesofmenatthisday.Forholiness,manifestedin itspower, issoawfullyglorious,thattheconsciencesofthevilestcannotbuthonorit,anddoobeisancetoit,Mark6:20."HerodfearedJohn,forhewasajustman."

INFERENCE.4.The enemies ofChrist are objects of pity.Alas, they'reb1ind,andknownotwhattheydo.Itispitythatanyotheraffectionthanpity, should stir inourhearts towards them.Were their eyesbut open,they would never do as they do: we should look upon them as thephysiciandoesuponhissickdistemperedpatient.Didtheybutseewiththe same light you do, they would be as far from hating Christ, or hisways,asyouare,Simulacdesinuntignorere,desinuntodisse;assoonastheyceasetobeignorant,theycerisetohate,saysTertullian.

INFERENCE.5.Howneedfulisitbeforeweengageourselvesagainstanypersonorway,tobewellsatisfiedandresolvedthatitisawickedpersonor practice that we oppose? You see the world generally runs upon amistakeinthismatter.Obewareofdoingyouknownotwhat!forthoughyou do you know not what, Satan knows what he is doing by you: heblindsyoureyes,andthensetsyoutowork,knowingthat ifyoushouldbutseewhatyouaredoing,youwouldratherdiethandoit:youmaynowdo you know not what but you may afterwards have time enough toreflecton, and lamentwhatyouhavedone: youmaynowdoyouknownotwhat,andhereafteryoumaynotknowwhattodo.Obewarewhatyounowdo!

DOCTRINE.2.Thatthere is forgivenesswithGod, forsuchasopposeChristoutofignorance.

Ifallmannerofsinandblasphemyshallbeforgiventomen,thenthis,aswell asothers,Mat. 12:31.Wearenot,withTheophilact, to understandthatplaceofthecertaintyofpardon;muchless,withOrigin,ofthedesert

of it; nor yet, with Jansenius, of the facility at it, but rather of thepossibilityofforgiveness:itshallbesotosome;itmaybesotoyou;eventhosewhosewickedhandshadcrucifiedChrist,mayreceiveremissionbythatbloodtheyshed,Acts2:23,38.compared.

Ihavetwothingsheretodo:First,Toopenthenatureoftheforgiveness,andshowyouwhatitis.Secondly,Toevincethepossibilityofit,forsuchas,mistakingly,opposeChrist.

For the First, Forgiveness is God's gracious discharge of a believingpenitentsinner,fromtheguiltofallhissin,forChrist'ssake.

It isGodsdischarge:there is indeedfraternal forgiveness,bywhichonemanforgivesanother;sofarasheisinterestedinthewrong,Luke6:87.Thereisalsoaministerialforgiveness,wherebytheministerofChrist,ashismouth,andinhisname,declaresthepardon,orministeriallyappliesthepromisesofpardontopenitentoffenders,John20:23.Butnonecanabsolutelyandproperlyforgivesin,butGodonly,Mark2:7.Theprimary,andprincipalwrongisdonetohim;Psalm.51:4."Againstyou,andyouonly"(thatis)youmainlyorespecially,"haveIsinned."Hencesinsaremetonimically called debts, debts to God, Mat. 6:12. Not that we owethemtoGod,orought tosinagainsthim;butas financialdebtsobligeshimthatowesittothepenalty,ifhesatisfynotforit;sodooursins.Andwhocandischargethedebtor,butthecreditor?

It is gracious act to discharge. "I, even I, am he that blots out yourtransgressionformineownnamesake,"Isa.43:25.Andyetsinisnotsoforgiven,asthatGodexpectsnosatisfactionatall;butasexpectingnonefrom us, because God has provided a surety for us, from whom he issatisfied,Eph.1:7."Inwhomwehaveredemptionthroughhisblood,theforgivenessofsins,accordingtotherichesofhisgrace."

itisagraciousdischargefromtheguiltofsin.Guiltisthatwhichpardonproperlydealswith.Guilt isanobligationtopunishment.Pardon is thedissolvingthatobligation.Guiltisachainwithwhichsinnersareboundand fettered by the law. Pardon is thatAquafortis that eats it asunder,andmakes the prisoner a freeman.Thepardoned soul is a dischargedsoul,Rom.8:53."WhoshalllayanythingtothechargeofGod'select?Itis

"Godthatjustifies,whoshallcondemn?ItisChristthatdied."

It is God's discharge of a believing penitent sinner. Infidelity andimpenitence,arenotonlysinsinthemselves,butsuchsinsasbindfastallother sinsupon the soul. "Byhim, all thatbelieve are justified fromallthings,"Acts10:43.SoActs3:19."Repenttherefore,thatyoursinsmaybeblotted out." This is the method in which God dispenseth pardon tosinners.

Lastly, It is for Christ's sake we are discharged; he is the meritoriouscauseofourremission,"AsGod,forChrist'ssake,hasforgivenyou,"Eph.4:32.Itishisbloodalonethatmeritoriouslyprocuresourdischarge.

Thisisabriefandtrueaccountofthenatureofforgiveness.

Secondly, Now to evince the possibility of forgiveness, for such asignorantlyopposeChrist,letthesethingsbeweighed:

First,Whyshouldanypoor soul, that isnowhumbled for its enmity toChrist in the days of ignorance, question the possibility of forgiveness,whenthiseffectdoesnotexceedthepowerofthecause;nay,whenthereismoreefficacy in thebloodofChrist, themeritoriouscause, thanis inthiseffectofit?Thereispowerenoughinthatblood,notonlytopardonyoursins,butthesinsofthewholeworld,wereitactuallyapplied,1John2:2.Thereisnotonlyasufficiency,butalsoaredundancyofmerit,inthatpreciousblood.SurelythenyourenmitytoChrist,especially,beforeyouknowhim,maynotlooklikeanunpardonableiniquityinyoureyes.

Secondly,Andasthissinexceedsnotthepowerofthemeritoriouscauseof forgiveness; soneither is it anywhereexcluded frompardon,byanywordofGod.Nay, such is theextensivenessof thepromise tobelievingpenitents,thatthiscaseismanifestlyincluded,andforgivenesstenderedtoyouinthepromises,Isa.55:7."Letthewickedforsakehisway,andtheunrighteousmanhisthoughts;andlethimreturnuntotheLord,andhewillhavemercyonhim,andtoourGod,forhewillabundantlypardon."Manysuchextensivepromisesthereareinthescriptures:andthereisnotoneparenthesisinalltheseblessedpages,inwhichthiscaseisexcepted.

Thirdly, And it is yet more satisfactory; that God has already actuallyforgivensuchsinners;andthatwhichhehasdone,hemayagaindo:yes,thereforehehasdoneit tosome,andthoseeminentfortheirenmity toChrist,thatothersmaybeencouragedtohopeforthesamemercy,whentheyalsoshallbe,inthesamemanner,humbledforit.Takeonefamousinstanceofmany; it is thatofPaul inTim. 1:13, 16. "Whowasbeforeablasphemer,apersecutor,andinjurious.ButIobtainedmercy,becauseIdid it ignorantly inunbelief. -Howbeit for this cause Iobtainedmercy,that inme first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, for apatterntothemwhichshouldhereafterbelieveonhimtoeverlastinglife."It isno small encouragement to a sickman, to hear of some that havebeenrecoveredoutofthesamedisease,andthatprevailinginanhigherdegreethaninhimself.

Fourthly,Moreover,itisencouragingtoconsider,ThatwhenGodhadcutoffothersinthewayoftheirsin,hehashithertosparedyou.Whatspeaksthisbutapurposeofmercy toyoursoul?Youshouldaccountthe long-suffering ofGod your salvation, 2Pet. 3:15.Hadhe smitten you in thewayof your sin and enmity toChrist,whathopehad remained! But inthathehasnotonlysparedyou,butalsogivenyouaheart ingenuouslyashamed,andhumbledforyourevils:doesnotthisspeakmercyforyou;surelyitlookslikeagraciousdesignoflovetoyoursoul.

INFERENCE1.AndisthereforgivenesswithGodforsuchashavebeenenemiestoChrist,histruths,andgospel?Thencertainlythereispardonandmercy for the friendsofGod,who involuntarily fall intosin,by thesurprisalsoftemptation,andarebrokenforit,asingenuouschildrenforoffending a good Father. Can any doubt, if God have pardon for suchenemies,hehasnoneforchildren?IfhehaveforgivenessforsuchasshedthebloodofChristwithwickedhands,hashenotmuchmoremercyandforgiveness for such as love Christ, and aremore afflicted for their sinagainsthim,thanallothertroublestheyhaveintheword?Doubtitnot,buthewhoreceivesenemiesintohisbosom,willmuchmorereceiveandembracechildren,thoughoffendingones.

HowpensivedothedearchildrenofGodsometimessit,aftertheirlapseintosin?WillGodeverpardon this?willhebereconciledagain?MayIhopehisfaceshallbetome,asinformertimes?Pensivesoul!ifyoudid

butknowthelargeness,tenderness,freenessofthatgrace,whichyearnsover enemies, and has given forth thousands, and ten thousands ofpardonstotheworstofsinners,youWouldnotsinkatthatrate.

INFERENCE.2.IstherepardonwithGodforenemies?Howinexcusablethen are all they that persist and perish in their enmity toChrist! suretheirdestruction isof themselves.Mercy isoffered to them, if theywillreceive it, Isa.55:7.Proclamation ismade inthegospel, that if therebeanyamongtheenemiesofChrist,whorepentofthattheyhavebeen,anddoneagainsthim,andarenowunfeignedlywillingtobereconciled,uponthewordofaKing,theyshallfindmercy:But"Godshallwoundtheheadof theenemies, and thehairy scalpof suchaoneasgoesonstill inhistrespasses,"Psalm.68:21."Ifheturnnot,hewillwhethissword;hehasbent his bow, and made it ready; he has also prepared for him theinstrumentsofdeath:Heordainethhisarrowsagainstthepersecutors,"Psalm.7:12.

ThislaysthebloodofeverymanthatperishesinhisenmitytoChrist,athis own door; and vindicates the righteousness of God, in the severeststrokesofwrathuponthem:Thisalsowillbeacutting thought to theirhearts eternally: I might once have had pardon, and I refused it: thegospel trumpet soundedaparley: fair andgracious termswere offered,butIrejectedthem.

Is there mercy with God and forgiveness, even for his worst enemies,upontheirsubmission;HowunliketoGodthenareallimplacablespirits!Some there are that cannot bring their hearts to forgive an enemy; "towhom revenge is sweeter than life." 1 Sam. 24:16. "If a man find hisenemy,will he let him go?" This is hell fire, a fire that never goes out.Howlittledosuchpoorcreaturesconsider,ifGodshoulddealbythem,asthey do by others, what words could express the misery of theircondition!Itisasadsin,andasadsign,acharacterofawretchedstate,wherever it appears. Those that have foundmercy, should be ready toshowmercy:andtheythatexpectmercythemselves,shouldnotdenyittoothers.Thisbringsusuponthethirdandlastobservation,namely,

DOCTRINE.3Thattoforgiveenemies,andbegforgivenessforthem,isthetruecharacterandpropertyoftheChristianspirit.

Thus did Christ: "Father forgive them." And thus did Stephen, inimitationofChrist,Acts7:59,60."AndtheystonedStephen,callinguponGod,andsaying,LordJesusreceivemyspirit.Andhekneeleddown,andcriedwithaloudvoice,Lord,laynotthissintotheircharge."Thissuitswith the rule of Christ, Mat. 5:44, 45. "But I say unto you, love yourenemies;blessthemthatcurseyou,dogoodtothemthathateyou,andprayforthemwhichdespitefullyuseyouandpersecuteyou;thatyoumaybethechildrenofGodyourFatherwhichisinheaven."

Here I shall first open the nature of this duty, and show you what aforgivingspirit is;and then theexcellencyof it,howwell itbecomesallthatcallthemselvesChristians.

First, Let us enquire what this Christian forgiveness is. And that thenatureof itmaythebetterappear,Ishallshowyoubothwhat it isnot,andwhatitis.

First,ItconsistsnotinaStoicalinsensibilityofwrongsandinjuries.Godhas not made men as insensible, stupid blocks, that have no sense orfeelingofwhatisdonetothem.Norhashemadealawinconsistentwiththeir verynatures that are to be governedby it: but allows us a tendersense of natural evils, though he will not allow us to revenge them bymoral evils: nay, themore deep and tender our resentments ofwrongsandinjuriesare,themoreexcellentisourforgivenessofthem;sothataforgiving spirit does not exclude sense of injuries, but the sense ofinjuriesgracestheforgivenessofthem.

Secondly,Christianforgivenessisnotapoliticconcealmentofourwrathandrevenge,because itwillbeareproachtodiscover it;or,becausewewantopportunitytoventit.Thisiscarnalpolicy,notChristianmeekness.Sofar frombeingthemarkofagraciousspirit, that it isapparently thesignofavilenature.ItisnotChristianitytorepose,butdeposeinjuries.

Thirdly,Norisitthatmoralvirtueforwhichwearebeholdentoaneasierandbetternature,andthehelpofmoralrulesanddocuments.Therearecertain virtues attainablewithout the change of nature,which they callhomiliticalvirtues,becausetheygreatlyadornandbeautifynature;suchastemperance,patience,justice,etc.Theseareofsingularusetoconserve

peaceandorderintheworld:andwithoutthem,(asoneaptlyspeaks)theworld would soon break up, and its civil societies disband. But yet,thoughthesearetheornamentsofnature,theydonotarguethechangeofnature.Allgraces, in theexercisesof them, involvearespecttoGod:And for the being of them, they are not by natural acquisition, butsupernaturalinfusion.

Fourthly,andlastly,Christianforgivenessisnotaninjuriousgivingupofourrightsandpropertiestothelustofeveryonethathasamindtoinvadethem.No;thesewemaylawfullydefendandpreserve,andareboundsotodo;though,ifwecannotdefendthemlegally,wemustnotavengeourwrongs unchristianly: This is not Christian forgiveness. But, thenpositively,

It is a Christian lenity, or gentleness ofmind, not retaining, but freelypassingbytheinjuriesdonetous,inobediencetothecommandofGod.

Itisalevity,orgentlenessofmind.ThegraceofGoddemulcestheangrystomach;calms the tumultuouspassions;new-mouldsour sourspirits,andmakesthembenign,gentleandeasytobeentreated;Gal.5:22."ThefruitoftheSpiritislove,joy,peace,longsuffering,gentleness,"etc.

Thisgracious levity inclines theChristiantopassby injuries; so topassthem by, as neither to retain then revengefully in themind, or requitethemwhenwehaveopportunitywiththehand:Yes,andthatfreely,notby constraint, because we cannot avenge ourselves, but willingly. Weabhortodo itwhenwecan.Sothatasacarnalheart thinksrevengeitsglory,thegraciousheartiscontentthatforgivenessshouldbehisglory.Iwillbeevenwithhim,saysnature:Iwillbeabovehim,saysgrace:itishisglorytopassovertransgression,Prov.19:11.

AndthisitdoesinobediencetothecommandofGod:Theirownnatureinclinesthemanotherway."Thespiritthatisinusluststoenvy;buthegives more grace," James 4:5. It lusts to revenge, but the fear of Godrepresseth those motions. Such considerations as these God hasforbiddenme; yes, andGod has forgivenme, aswell as forbiddenme:theyprevailuponhimwhennatureurgestorevengethewrong."Bekindone to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even asGod for

Christ's sake has forgiven you," Eph. 4:32. This is forgiveness in aChristiansense.

Secondly, And that this is excellent, and singularly becoming theprofessionofChrist,isevident;inasmuchas,

This speaks your religionexcellent, that canmoldyourhearts into thatheavenly frame, towhich theyaresoaverse,yes,contrarilydisposedbynature.ItisthegloryofPaganmorality,thatitcanabsconderevitia,hideandcovermen's lustsandpassions.But thegloryofChristianity lies inthis,thatitcanabscinderevitia,nothide,butdestroy,andreallymortifythe lusts of nature. Would Christians but live up to the excellentprinciples of their religion, Christianity shall be no more out-vied byheathenishmorality.ThegreatestChristianshallbenomorechallengedto imitate Socrates, if he can. We shall utterly spoil that proud boast,"thatthefaithofChristiansisout-donebytheinfidelityofHeathens."0Christians yield not to-day to Heathens! Let all the world see the truegreatness, heavenliness, and excellency of our representedpattern; andby true mortification of your corrupt natures, enforce anacknowledgmentfromtheworld,thatagreaterthanSocratesishere.Hethatisreallyameek,humble,patient,heavenlyChristian,winsthisglorytohisreligion,that itcandomorethanallotherprinciplesandrules inthe world. In nothing were the most accomplished Heathens moredefective than this forgiving of injuries: It was a thing they could notunderstand,or, if theydid, couldneverbring theirhearts to it;witnessthatruleoftheirgreatTally:"It isthefirstofficeofjustice,(sayshe),tohurt noman, except first provoked by an injury." The addition of thatexceptionspoiledhisexcellentrule.

But now Christianity teaches, and some Christians have attained it, toreceive evil, and return good, 1 Cor. 4: l2,13. "Being reviled, we bless;beingpersecuted,wesufferit:beingdefamed,weentreat."Thiscertainlyisthatmeeknesswroughtinusbythewisdomthatisfromabove,James3:17.

Thismakesamansitsure in theconsciencesofothers,who,withSaul,mustacknowledge,whentheyseethemselvessooutdone,"Youaremorerighteous than I," 1 Sam.24:16, 17.Hadwebeen somuch injured, and

had such opportunities to revenge them, we should never have passedthemby,asthesemendid.

ThisimpressesandstampstheveryimageofGoduponthecreature,andmakesus like our heavenlyFather,whodoes good to his enemies, andsends down showers of outward blessings upon them, that pour outfloodsofwickednessdailytoprovokehim,Mat.5:44,45.Inaword,thisChristiantemperofspiritgivesamanthetruepossessionandenjoymentof himself. So that our breasts shall be as the Pacific sea, smooth andpleasant,whenothersareastheragingsea,foamingandcastingupmireanddirt.

INFERENCE 1. Hence we clearly infer, That the Christian religion,exaltedinitspower, istheneatestfriendtothepeaceandtranquilityofstates and kingdoms. Nothing is more opposite to the true Christianspirit,thanimplacablefierceness,strife,revenge,tumultsanduproars.Itteachesmentodogoodandreceiveevil:toreceiveevil,andreturngood."Thewisdomthatisfromabove,isfirstpure,thenpeaceable,gentle,andeasytobeintreated;fullofmercyandgoodfruits;withoutpartiality,andwithouthypocrisy;andthefruitofrighteousnessissowninpeaceofthemthatmakepeace,"James3:17,18.

Thechurchisadoveformeekness,Cant.6:9.Whentheworldgrowsfullof strife, Christians then grow weary of the world, and sigh out thePsalmist'srequest,"OthatIhadthewingsofadove!thatImightflyawayand be at rest." Strigellius desired to die, that he might be freed abimplacabilibus odiis theologorum, "from the implacable strife ofcontendingdivines."

Therulebywhichtheyaretowalk,is,"Ifitbepossible,asmuchasliesinyou, livepeaceablywithallmen.Dearlybeloved,avengenotyourselves,but rathergiveplaceuntowrath; for it iswritten,Vengeance ismine, Iwill repay it, says theLord,"Rom.12:18, 19. It isnot religion,but luststhat make the world so unquiet, James 4:1, 2. Not godliness, butwickedness,thatmakesmenbiteanddevouroneanother.Oneofthefirsteffectsofthegospel,istoCivilizethoseplaceswhereitcomes,andsettleorderandpeaceamongmen.Howgreatamistakeandevil then is it tocryout,whenatheismandirreligionhavebrokenthecivilpeace; this is

thefruitofreligion!thisistheeffectofthegospel!Happywould itbe ifreligion did more obtain in all nations. It is the greatest friend in theworldtotheirtranquilityandprosperity.

INFERENCE.2.Howdangerousa thing is it to abuseandwrongmeekand forgiving Christians? Their patience and easiness to forgive ofteninvites injury, and encourages vile spirits to insult and trample uponthem:butifmenwouldseriouslyconsiderit,thereisnothingintheworldshouldmorescareandaffright themfromsuchpractices thanthis.Youmayabuseandwrongthem,theymustnotavengethemselves,norrepayevilforevil:true,butbecausetheydonot,theLordwill;eventheLordtowhomtheycommit thematter;andhewilldo it topurpose,exceptyourepent.

"Bepatienttherefore,brethren,untothecomingoftheLord,"James5:7.Willyoustandtothatissue?hadyouratherindeedhavetodowithGodthan with men? When the Jews put Christ to death, "he committedhimself to him that judges righteously, 1 Pet. 2:22, 23. And did thatpeoplegetanythingbythat:didnottheLordseverelyavengethebloodofChrist on them and their children? yes, do not they and their childrengroanunderthedolefuleffectsofittothisday?IfGodundertakes,(ashealwaysdoes)thecauseofhisabused,meek,andpeaceablepeople,hewillbesuretoavengeitsevenfoldmorethantheycould.Hislittlefingerwillbeheavierthentheirloins.Youwillgetnothingbythat.

INFERENCE.3.Lastly,LetusallimitateourpatternChrist,andlaborformeek forgiving spirits. I shall only propose two inducements to it: thehonor of Christ, and your own peace: two dear things indeed to aChristian.Hisgloryismorethanyourlife,andallthatyouenjoy inthisworld.Odonot expose it to the scornandderisionofhis enemies. Letthemnotsay,HowisChristalamb,whenhisfollowersarelions?Howisthechurchadove,thatsmitesandscratcheslikeabirdofprey?Consultalsothequietofyourownspirits.Whatislifeworth,withoutthecomfortoflife?whatcomfortcanyouhaveinallthatyoudopossessintheworld,aslongasyouhavenotthepossessionofyourownsouls?Ifyourspiritsbefulloftumultandrevenge,thespiritofChristwillgrowastrangertoyou:thatdovedelightsincleanandquietbreasts.OthenimitateChristinthisexcellencyalso!

TheSecondExcellentWordofChristUpontheCross

"Thenhesaidtothedisciple,Beholdyourmother!"John19:27

We now pass to the consideration of the second memorable andinstructiveword of our Lord Jesus Christ upon the cross, contained inthis scripture. Wherein he has left us an excellent pattern for thedischargeofourrelativeduties.Itmaybewellsaid,thegospelmakesthebesthusbandsandwives,thebestparentsandchildren,thebestmastersand servants in the world; seeing it furnishes them with the mostexcellent precepts, and proposes the best patterns. Here we have thepattern of Jesus Christ presented to all gracious children for theirimitation,teachingthemhowtoacquitthemselvestowardstheirparents,accordingtothelawsofnatureandgrace.Christwasnotonlysubjectandobedient to his parents while he lived, but manifested his tender careevenwhilehehangedinthetormentsofdeathuponthecross."Thensayshetothedisciple,Beholdyourmother."

The words contain an affectionate recommendation of his distressedmother to the care of a dear disciple, a bosom friend; wherein let usconsiderthedesign,manner,andseasonofthisrecommendation.

First, The design and end of it, which, doubtless, was to manifest histenderrespectandcareforhismother,whowasnowinamostdistressedcomfortlessstate.FornowwasSimeon'sprophecyLuke2:35.fulfilled,inthetroubleandanguishthatfilledhersoul,yes,aswordalsoshallpiercethroughyourownsoul,thatthethoughtsofmanyheartsmayberevealed.Hersoulwaspiercedforhim,bothasshewashismother,andasshewasa mystical member of him, her head, her Lord: and therefore hecommends her to the beloved disciple that lay in his bosom, saying,"Beholdyourmother,"Thatis,letherbetoyouasyourownmother.Let

yourlovetomebenowmanifestedinyourtendercareforher.

Secondly,Themannerofhisrecommendingher,isbothaffectionateandmutual.Itwasveryaffectionateandmoving,Behold,yourmother—John,I am now dying, leaving all human society and relations, and enteringinto a new state, where neither the duties of natural relations areexercised,northepleasuresandcomfortsofthemenjoyed.Itisastateofdominionover angels andmen,not of subjection andobedience; this Inowleavetoyou.UponyoudoIdevolveboththehonoranddutyofbeinginmysteadandroomtoher,astoalldearandtendercareoverher.

John,"Beholdyourmother;"andasitisaffectionate,soitismutual,ver.26.Andtohismotherhesaid, "Woman,beholdyourson;"notmother,butwoman, intimatingnotonlythechangeofstateandconditionswithhim,butalsotherequesthewasmakingforhertothedisciplewithwhomshewastolive,asamotherwithason.

Andallthishedesignsasapatterntoothers.

Thirdly, The season or timewhenhis care for hismother soeminentlymanifesteditself,waswhenhisdeparturewasathand,andhecouldnolongerbeacomforttoher,byhisbodilypresence;yes,hisloveandcarethen manifested themselves, when he was full of anguish to the verybrim,both inhissoulandbody;Yetall thismakeshimnot in the leastunmindfulofsodeararelation.Hencethedoctrinalnoteis,

DOCTRINE.ThatChrist'stendercareofhismother,eveninthetime of his greatest distress; is an excellent pattern for allgraciouschildrentotheendoftheworld.

"There are three great foundations, or bonds of relations, onwhich allfamilygovernmentdepends."Husbandsandwives,parentsandchildren,masters and servants. The Lord has planted in the souls of men,affectionssuitabletotheserelations,andtohispeoplehehasgivengraceto regulate those affections, appointed duties to exercise those graces,andseasonstodischargethoseduties.Sothat,asinthemotionofawheelevery spoke takes its turn, and bears its stress; in likemanner, in thewhole round of a Christian's conversation, every affection, grace, and

duty,atoneseasonorother,comestobeexercised.

Butyetgracehasnotso farprevailed in thesanctificationofanyman'saffections, but that there will be excesses or defects in the exercise ofthemtowardsourrelations;yes,andinthisthemosteminentsaintshavebeeneminentlydefective.But thepattern I setbefore you thisday, is aperfectpattern.As thechurch findshimthebestofhusbands, so tohisparentshewasthebestofsons;"andbeingthebest,andmostperfect,istherefore the rule and measure of all others." Christ knew how thosecorruptionswedrawfromourparentsarereturned intheirbitter fruitsupon themagain, to thewoundingof theirveryhearts;and therefore itpleased him to commend obedience and love to parents, in his ownexampletous.

Itwas anciently a proverb among the heathen, in sole Sparta, expeditesenescere. It is good to be an oldman, orwomen, only in Sparta. ThegroundofitwasthestrictlawsthatwereamongtheSpartans,topunishthe rebellions and disobedience of children to their aged parents. AndshallitnotbegoodtobeanoldfatherandmotherinEngland,wherethegospelofChristispreached,andsuchanargumentasthisnowsetbeforeyouurge; an argumentwhich theHeathenworldwasnever acquaintedwith?Shallparentsherebeforcedtocomplainwiththeeagleinthefable,that they are smitten to the heart, by an arrowwingedwith their ownfeathers?Or,asatreecleftinpiecesbythewedgesthatweremadeofitsownbody?Godforbid.

To prevent such sad occasions of complaints as these, I desire all thatsustain the relationof children, intowhosehandsprovidence shall castthis discourse, seriously to ponder this example ofChrist,proposed fortheirimitationinthispoint.Whereinweshallfirstconsiderwhatdutiesbelong to the relation of children: secondly, how Christ's exampleenforcesthoseduties,andthensuitablyapplyit.

First,Letusexaminewhatdutiespertaintotherelationofchildren,andthey are as truly, as commonly branched out into the followingparticulars.

First,Fearandreverencearedue fromchildren to theirparents,bythe

expresscommandofGod,Lev.19:3.Youshallfeareverymanhismotherandhisfather.TheHolySpiritpurposelyinvertstheorder,andputsthemother first, because she, by reason of her blandishments, and fondindulgence, ismostsubjecttotheirreverenceandcontemptofchildren.Godhas clothed parentswith his authority. They are entrusted byGodwiththem,andareaccountable tohimfor thesoulsandbodiesof theirchildren;andheexpectsthatyoureverencethem,although,inrespectofoutward estate, or honor, you be never so much above them. Joseph,thoughLordofEgypt,boweddownbeforehisagedfather,withhisfacetotheearth,Gen.48:12.Solomon,themostmagnificentandgloriouskingthateverswayedascepter,whenhismothercametospeakwithhimforAdonijah,heroseuptomeether,andbowedhimselftoher,andcausedaseattobesetupfortheking'smother,andsetheruponhisrighthand,2Kings2:19.

Secondly,Dearandtenderloveisduefromchildrentotheirparents:andtoshowhowstronganddearthat loveought tobe, it is joinedwiththeloveyouhaveforyourownlives;asitappearsinthatinjunction,todenyboth for Christ's sake,Mat. 10:37. The bonds of nature are strong anddirectbetweenparentsandchildren.Whatisthechildbutapieceoftheparent wrapped up in another skin? O the care, the cost, the pity, thetenderness, thepains, the fears theyhaveexpressed foryou. It isworsethanHeathenishingratitude,nottoreturnloveforlove.Thisfilialloveisnotonlyinitselfaduty,butshouldbetherootorspringofallyourdutiestothem.

Thirdly,Obediencetotheircommandsisduetothem,bytheLord'sstrictandspecialcommand,Eph.6:1."ChildrenobeyyourparentsintheLord,for this is right; honor your father and yourmother, which is the firstcommandmentwithpromise."Filialobedienceisnotonlyfoundeduponthepositive lawofGod,butalsouponthe lawofnature; forthoughthesubjection of children to parents is due to them by natural right;therefore,saystheapostle,this isright,(that is)rightbothaccordingtonaturalandpositive law.However, this subjectionandobedience isnotabsolute and universal. God has not divested himself of his ownauthority,toclotheaparentwithit.YourobediencetothemmustbeintheLord,"that is in such thingsas they requireyou todo in theLord's

authority.Inthingsconsonanttothatdivineandholywill,towhichthey,as well as youmust be subject; and therein youmust obey them. Yes,eventhewickednessofaparentexemptsnot fromobedience,wherehiscommandisnotso.Nor,ontheotherside,musttheholinessofaparentsway you, where his commands and God's are opposite. In the formercase, the Canonists have determined, "that the command must bedistinguished from the person." In the latter, it is a good rule, "Myparentsmustbeloved,butmyGodmustbepreferred."

Yieldyourselves,therefore,cheerfullytoobeyallthatwhichtheylawfullyenjoin,andtakeheedofthatblackcharacterfixedontheHeathenswhoknownotGod,benot founduponyou,"disobediencetoparents,"Rom.1:30.Remember,yourdisobediencetotheirjustcommandsriseshigher,much higher, than an affront to their personal authority; it isdisobedience toGodhimself,whose commands second, and strengthentheirsuponyou.

Fourthly, Submission to their discipline and rebukes, is also your duty,Heb. 12:9. "We had fathers of our own flesh that corrected us, andwegave them reverence." Parents ought not to abuse their authority."Crueltyinthemisagreatsin,wrathandrebellioninachildagainsthisparents,ismonstrous."ItisstoriedofElian,thathavingbeenabroad,athisreturn,hisfatheraskedhimwhathehadlearnedsincehewentfromhim; he answered, you will know shortly; I have learned to bear youranger quietly, and submit to what you please to inflict. Twoconsiderations should especially mold others into the like frame,especially to theirgodlyparents.Theend forwhich,and themanner inwhich theymanifest their anger to their children. Their end is to saveyoursoulsfromhell.Theyjudgeitbetterforyoutohearthevoiceoftheiranger,thantheterriblevoiceofthewrathofGod:tofeeltheirhandthanhis.Theyknow, if you fall into thehandsof the livingGod, youwillbehandledinanothermanner.

Andforthemannerinwhichtheyrebukeandchasten,itiswithgriefintheirhearts,andtearsintheireyes.Alas!itisnodelighttothemtocross,vex,orafflictyou.WereitnotmereconscienceoftheirdutytoGod,andtenderlovetoyoursouls,theywouldneitherchidenorsmite:andwhentheydo,howdotheyafflictthemselvesinafflictingyou!Whentheirfaces

arefullofanger,theiraffectionsarefullofcompassionforyou;andyouhavenomorereasontoblamethemforwhattheydo,thaniftheycryoutandviolentlysnatchatyou,whentheyseeyoureadytofallfromthetopofarock.

Fifthly, faithfulness to all their interests is due so them, by the naturalandpositivelawofGod.Whatinyoulies,youareboundtopromote,notto waste and scatter their substance: to assist, not to defraud them.Whoever robbethhis fatherormother, and says, it isno transgression,thesameisacompanionofadestroyer,Prov.28:24.This,saysone,asfarexcelsyourwronginganother,asparricide isagreatercrimethanman-slaughter, or as Reuben's incest was beyond common fornication.Godnevermeantyoushouldgrowupaboutyourparents,assuckersaboutatree, to impoverish the root. But for a child, out of covetousness afterwhathisparentshave,secretlytowishtheirdeath,isasinsomonstrous,asshouldnotbeoncenamed,muchlessfoundamongpersonsprofessingChristianity. To desire their death, from whom you had your life, isunnatural wickedness: to dispose of their goods, much more ofyourselves,withouttheirconsent,is(ordinarily)thegreatestinjusticetothem. Children are obliged to defend the estate and persons of theirparents, with the hazard of their own. As arrows are in the hand of amightyman,soarechildrenoftheyouth.Happyisthemanthathashisquiverfullofthem.Theyshallnotbeashamed,buttheyshallspeakwiththeenemyinthegates.Psalm.127:5.

Sixthly,Andmoreespecially,requitalofallthatlove,care,andpainstheyhavebeenat foryou, isyourdutyso farasGodenablesyou,and thosethingsarerequitable,1Tim.5:4."Letthemlearntoshowpietyathome,and requite theirparents."Theword is "antipelargein", and signifies toplaythestork,toimitatethatcreatureofwhomitissaid,thattheyoungdotenderlyfeedtheoldones,whentheyarenolongerabletoflyabroadandprovide for themselves.Hencethose thatwantaffectionsofnaturalaffection to their relations, are said to be "asogmoi", Rom. 1:30. worsethan storks.Oh, it is a shame that birds and beasts should showmoretendernesstotheirdamsthanchildrentotheirparents.

ItisasayingfrequentamongtheJews,"Achildshouldratherlaboratthemillthansufferhisparentstowant."Andtothesamesenseisthatother

saying,"Yourparentsmustbesuppliedbyyouifyouhaveit; ifnot,youought to beg for them, rather than see them perish." It was both thecomfort and honor of Joseph, thatGodmade him an instrument of somuchsupportandcomforttohisagedfatheranddistressedfamily,Gen.47:13.Andyouarealsotoknow,thatwhatyoudoforthem,isnotinthewayof analms,or commoncharity.For theapostle says, it isbut yourrequitingthem,andthatisjustice,notcharity.Anditcanneverbeafullrequital.Indeedtheapostletellsus,2Cor.12:14.Thatparentslayupfortheirchildren,andnotchildrenfortheirparents,andsotheyought;but,sure,ifprovidenceblastthem,andblessyou,anhonorablemaintenanceistheirdue.EvenChristhimselftookcareforhismother.

Secondly,Youhavehadabriefaccountofthedutiesofthisrelation;next,letusconsiderhowChrist'sexample,whowassosubjecttotheminhislife,Luke2:51.andsocareful toprovideathisdeath,enforcesall thosedutiesuponchildren,especiallyupongraciouschildren.Andthisitdoestwoways,bothas ithas theobligingpowerofa law;andashehimselfwill oneday sit in judgement to take anaccounthowwehave imitatedhiminthesethings.

First,Christ'sexampleinthishastheforceandpowerofalaw,yes,alawoflove,oralawlovinglyconstrainingyoutoanimitationofhim.IfChristhimselfwillbeyourpattern, ifGodwillbepleasedtotakerelations likeyours, and go before you in the discharge of relative duties; Oh, howmuchareyouobligedtoimitatehim,andtreadinallhisfootsteps!Thiswas byhim intended as a precedent, or pattern, to facilitateanddirectyourduties.

Secondly,Hewill come to take an accounthowyouhave answered thepatternofobedience,andtendercarehesetbeforeyouinthedaysofhisflesh. What will the disobedient plead in that day? He that heard thegroansofanafflictedfatherormother,willnowcometoreckonwiththedisobedient child for them; and, the glorious example of Christ's ownobedienceto,antitendernessofhisrelations,will,inthatday,condemnandaggravate,silenceandshamesuchwretchedchildrenasshallstandsguiltybeforehisbar.

INFERENCE 1. Has Jesus Christ given such a famous pattern of

obedienceandtendernesstoparents?ThentherecanbenothingofChristinstubborn,rebellious,andcarelesschildren,thatregardnotthegoodorcomfort of their parents. The children of disobedience cannot be thechildrenofGod.Ifprovidencedirectsthistothehandsofanythatareso,myheart'sdesireandprayerforthemis,thattheLordwouldsearchtheirsouls by it, and discover their evils to them, while they shall read thefollowingqueries.

First Query, Have you not been guilty of slighting your parents byirreverent words or carriages; the old man or woman? To such Icommend the consideration of that scripture, Prov. 30:17, which,methinks,shouldbetothemasthehand-writingthatappearedupontheplaisterofthewalltoBelshazzar."Theeyethatmockethathisfather,anddespisestoobeyhismother,theravensofthevalleyshallpickitout,andtheyoungeaglesshalleatit."Thatis,theyshallbebroughttoanuntimelyend,andthebirdsoftheairshalleatthateye,thathadneverseenbutforthatparentthatwasdespisedbyit.

Itmaybeyouarevigorousandyoung, theydecayedandwrinkledwithages: but, says the Holy Spirit, "Despise not your mother when she isold," Prov. 23:22. Orwhen she is wrinkled, as theHebrew signifies. Itmaybe you are rich, theypoor; own, andhonor them in their poverty,anddespisethemnot.Godwillrequiteitwithhishandifyoudo.

Second Query, Have you not been disobedient to the commands ofparents?asonofBelial isasonofwrath, ifGodgivenotrepentancetolife.IsnotthistheblackbrandsetupontheHeathens,Rom.1:30.Havenotmany repented thisupona ladder,withahalterabout theirnecks?Woe tohim thatmakesa fatherormother complain, as the tree in thefable,thattheyarecleftasunderwiththewedgesthatarecutoutoftheirownbodies.

ThirdQuery,Haveyounotrisenuprebelliouslyagainst,andhatedyourparents for chastening yourbodies, to save your souls fromhell?Somechildren (says one)will not take that from a parent,which beasts, yes,andsavagebeaststoo,bearsandlions,willtakefromtheirkeepers.WhatisthisbuttoresistanordinanceofGodforyourgood?and,inrebellingagainstthem,torebelagainsttheLord?Well,iftheydonot,Godwilltake

therodintohisownhand,andhimyoushallnotresist.

FourthQuery,Haveyounotbeenunjusttoyourparents,antdefraudedthem?first,helptomakethempoor,andthendespisethembecausetheyarepoor.Ohorridwickedness!Whatacomplicatedevilisthis!Youare,in the language of the scripture, a companion with destroyers, Prov.28:24. This is theworst of theft, in God's account. Youmay think youmakeboldwiththem,buthowbolddoyoumakewithconscience,andthecommandofGod?

Fifth Query, Are you not, or have you not been ungrateful to parents?Leavingthentoshift for themselves, in thosestraitsyouhavehelpedtobring them into. O consider it, children, this is an evil which God willsurelyavenge,exceptyourepent.that!tobehardenedagainstyourownflesh;tobecrueltoyourownparents,thatwithsomuchtendernessfedyou,whenelseyouhadperished!IrememberLuthergivesusastoryofone,(andohthatitmightbeawarningtoallthathearit),whohadmadeoverallthathehadtohisson,reservingonlyamaintenanceforhimself;atlasthissondespisedhim,andgrudgedhimtheverymeatheeat;andonedaythefathercomingin,whenthesonandhiswifewereatdinnerupon a goose, they shuffled the meat under the table; but see theremarkable vengeanceofGodupon thisungracious, unnatural son: thegoose was turned into a monstrous toad, which seized upon this vilewretch, and killed him. If any one of you be guilty of these evils, tohumble you for them, and reclaim you from them, I desire these sixconsiderationsmaybelaidtoheart.

First,Thattheeffectsofyourobedience,ordisobediencewillstickuponyou and yours tomany generations. If you be obedient children in theLord,bothyouandyoursmayreapthefruitsof thatyourobedience, inmultitudesofsweetmercies,formanygenerations.Sorunsthepromise,Eph. 6:22. "Honor your father and mother, which is the firstcommandmentwithpromise,thatitmaybewellwithyou,andyoumaylivelongontheearth."YouknowwhataneyeoffavorGodcastupontheRecabitesforthis,Jer.35:8.fromthe14thtothe20thverse:andashisblessingsare,bypromise,entailedontheobedient,sohiscurseuponthedisobedient,Prov.20:20."Whoevercursethhisfatherorhismother,hislamp shall be put out in obscure darkness;" that is the lamp of his life

quenchedbydeath,yes,sayothers,andhissoulalsobytheblacknessofdarknessinhell.

Secondly, Though other sins do, this sin seldom escapes exemplarypunishment,eveninthisworld.OurEnglishhistorytellsusofayeomaninLeicestershire,whohadmadeoverallhehadtohisson,topreferhimin marriage, reserving only a bare maintenance at his son's table:afterward, upon some discontent, the son bid his father get out of hishouse.ThenextdayMr.Goodman, theminister of theparish,meetingthe youngmanwalking about his ground, asked him,Howhe did?Heanswered,verywell;butbeforetheministerwasgonefar fromhim,hisaffectionsfellout,whichhecarriedinhishands,gottohishouse,sentforMr.Goodman,bitterly bewailed his sin against his father, and so died.And Dr. Taylor, in his great exemplar, tells us of another, that, upondiscontentwithhis father,wishedthehousemightbeonfire, ifeverhecameanymoreintohisfather'shouse:afterwards,coming,in,itwasfiredindeed,andthiswickedsononlyconsumed.Icouldmultiplyinstancesofthisnature, (for indeed thatrighteous judgementofGodhasmultipliedthem,)butthisonlyforataste.

Thirdly,Heathenswill rise up in judgement against you, and condemnyou.Theyneverhadsuchpreceptsnorprecedentsasyou,andyetsomeofthebetternaturedHeathenswouldratherchosendeath,thantodoasyoudo.YourememberthestoryofCroesus'dumbson,whosedearaffectionscouldmakehimspeakwhenhesawCroesusindanger;thoughheneverspoke before, yet then he could cry out, "O do not killmy father!" ButwhatspeakIofHeathens!thestorkintheheavens,yes,thebeastsoftheearth,willcondemnthedisobedienceofchildren.

Fourthly, These are sins inconsistent with the true fear of God, inwhoevertheyarefound.Thatamanisindeed,whichheisinhisfamily,and among his relations. He that is a bad child can never be a goodChristian.Eitherbringtestimoniesofyourgodlinessfromyourrelations,oritmaybewellsuspectedtobenobetterthancounterfeit.NevertalkofyourobediencetoGod,whileyourdisobediencetothejustcommandsofyourparentsgivesyouthelie.

Fifthly,Apartingtimeiscomingwhendeathwillbreakupthefamily,and

when that time comes, oh! how bitter will the remembrance of thesethingsbe!whenyoushallseeafatheroramotherlyingbythewall,whatacutwill itbe torememberyourmiscarriagesandevils!Theyaregoneout of your reach, you cannot now, if you would, give them anysatisfactionforwhatyouhavedoneagainstthem;but,oh,howbitterwillthe remembranceof these thingsbe at sucha time!Surely, thiswill bemoreunsupportabletoyouthantheirdeath,iftheLordopenyoureyes,andgiveyourepentance;andifnot,then,

Sixthly,Whataterriblethingwillitbe,tohaveafatherormothercomeinaswitnessesagainstyouatChrist'sbar?Aswellastheylovedyou,andasdearasyouweretotheminthisworld,theymustgiveevidenceagainstyou then. Now, what a fearful thing is it for you but to imagine yourparents to comebefore theLord, and say,Lord, I have given this childmanyhundredreproofsforsin;Ihavecounseled,persuaded,andusedallmeans to reclaim him, but in vain; he was a child of disobedience,nothingcouldworkuponhim:whatthinkyouofthis?

INFERENCE.2.Haveyousuchapatternofobedience,andtenderlovetoparents?Then, children, imitate yourpattern, as it becomesChristians,andtakeChristforyourexample.Whateveryourparentsbe,seethatyoucarryittowardsthembecomingsuchasprofessChrist

First, If your parents be godly, O beware of grieving them by anyunbecoming carriage.Are youaChristian indeed?youwill then reckonyourselfobligedinadoublebond,bothofgraceandnature, tothem:Owhatamercywouldsomechildrenesteemit,iftheyhadparentsfearingtheLord,asyouhave!

Secondly, If theybecarnal,walkcircumspectly, in themostpreciseandpunctualdischargeofyourduties,forhowknowyou,Ochild,butherebyyoumaywinyourparents?Wouldyoubuthumbly,andseriouslyentreat,andpersuadethemtomindthewaysofholiness,speakingtothematfitseasons, with all imaginable humility and reverence, insinuating youradvice to duties, or trouble for their evils, rather by relating somepertinent history, or proposing some excellent example, leaving, theirownconsciencetodrawtheconclusion,andmakeapplication,thantodoityourselves;itispossibletheymayponderyourwordsintheirhearts,as

Mary didChrist's, Luke 2:49, 51. Andwould you but back all thiswithyourearnestcriestoheavenforthem,andyourowndailyexample,thattheymayhavenothingfromyourselvestoretortuponyou;andthuswaitwith patience for the desired effect: Owhat blessed instrumentsmightyoubeoftheireverlastinggood!

INFERENCE. 3. To conclude, Let those that have such childrenas feartheLord,andendeavortoimitateChristinthoseduties,accountthemasingular treasure and heritage from the Lord, and give them all dueencouragementtotheirduties.

Howmanyhavenochildrenatall,butareasadrytree!andhowmanyhavesuchasareworsethannone?Theveryreproachandheartbreakingof their parents, that bring down their hoary headswith sorrow to thegrave.

IfGodhave given you the blessing of godly children, you can never besufficiently sensible of, or thankful for such a favor. O that ever Godshouldhonoryoutobringforthchildrenforheaven!whatacomfortmustthisbetoyou,whateverothertroublesyoumeetwithabroad,whenyoucomehomeamonggodlyrelations,thatarecarefultosweetenyourownfamilyto youby their obedience! especially,what a comfort is it,whenyou come to die, that you leave them within the covenant, entitled toChrist,andsoneednotbeanxioushow it shallbewith themwhenyouare gone? Take heed of discouraging or damping such children fromwhom so much glory is like to rise to God, and so much comfort toyourselves.ThusletChrist'spatternbeimproved,whowentbeforeyouinsucheminentholiness, inallhisrelations,and leftyouanexample thatyoushouldfollowhissteps!

TheThirdofChrist'sLastWordsUpontheCross

"AndJesussaiduntohim,VerilyIsayuntoyou,Todayshallyoubewithmeinparadise."Luke23:43

In this scripture youhave the third excellent saying of Christupon thecross,expressingtherichesoffreegracetothepenitentthief;amanthathadspenthislifeinwickedness,andforhiswickednesswasnowtolosehis life.His practice had been vile and profane, but now his heartwasbrokenforit;heprovesaconvert,yes,thefirstfruitsofthebloodofthecross. In the former verse hemanifests his faith, "Lord, rememberme,whenyoucomestintoyourkingdom.InthisChristmanifestshispardonandgraciousacceptanceofhim;"VerilyIsayuntoyou,to-dayshallyoubewithmeinparadise."Inwhichpromiseareconsiderable,thematterofit, thepersontowhomit ismade, thetimeset for itsperformance,andtheconfirmationofitforhisfullsatisfaction.

First, Thematter or substance of the promisemade byChrist, namely,Thatheshallbewithhiminparadise.Byparadisehemeansheavenitself,whichishereshadowedtousbyaplaceofdelightandpleasure.This isthereceptacleofgracioussouls,whenseparated fromtheirbodies.Andthatparadisesignifiesheavenitself,andnotathirdplace,assomeofthefathersfondlyimagine,isevidentfrom2Cor.12:2,4.wheretheapostlecallsthesameplacebythenamesofthethirdheaven,andtheparadise.This is theplaceofblessednessdesigned for thepeopleofGod. So youfind,Rev.2:7."TohimthatovercomeswillIgivetoeatofthetreeoflife,which is in themidstof theparadiseofGod;" that is tohavethefullestandmost intimatecommunionwithJesusChrist inheaven.And this isthesubstanceofChrist'spromisetothethief:You,thatisyouinspirit,oryouinthenoblestpart,yoursoulwhichherebearstheimageofthewholeperson;"Youshallbewithmeinparadise."

Secondly,Theperson towhomChristmakes thisexcellentand gloriouspromise:itwastoonethathadlivedlewdlyandprofanely;averyvileandwretchedman,inalltheformerpartofhistime,and,forhiswickedness,nowjustlyundercondemnation;yes,toonethathadreviledChrist,afterthatsentencewasexecutedonhim.However,nowat last theLordgavehim a penitent believing heart. Now, almost at the last gasp, he issoundly, in an extraordinary way converted; and, being converted, heowns and professes Christ amidst all the shame and reproach of hisdeath; vindicates his innocence, and humbly supplicates for mercy;"Lord,remembermewhenyoucomestintoyourkingdom."

Thirdly, The set time for the performance of this gracious promise:Today, this very day, shall you be with me in glory: Not after theresurrection,butimmediatelyfromthetimeofyourdissolution,youshallenjoyblessedness.Andhere I cannotbutdetect the cheatof those thatdenyanimmediatestateofglorytobelieversafterdeath;who,(totheendthis scripture might not stand in full opposition to their, asuncomfortable, as unsound opinion), loose the whole frame of it, bydrawingonepin,yes,bytransposingbutacomma,puttingitatthewordday,whichshouldbeatthewordyou;andsoreadingitthus,"VerilyIsayuntoyouto-day,"referringtheword"day" to thetimethatChristmadethepromise,andnottothetimeofitsperformance.Butifsuchalibertyasthisbeyielded,whatmaynotmenmakethescripturesspeak?Therecan be no doubt, but Christ, in this expression, fixes the time for hishappiness;"To-dayyoushallbewithme.

Fourthly,andlastly,Youhaveheretheconfirmationandsealofthismostcomfortablepromisetohim,withChrist'ssolemnasseveration;"VerilyIsayuntoyou."Highersecuritycannotbegiven.Ithatamabletoperformwhat I promise, andhavenot outpromisedmyself; forheavenand theglorythereof,aremine:Ithatamfaithfulandtruetomypromises,andhavenever forfeitedmy creditwith any; I say it, I solemnly confirm it;"VerilyIsayuntoyou,to-dayyoushallbewithmeinparadise."Hencewehavethreeplainobvioustruths,forourinstructionandconsolation.

DOCTRINE.1.Thatthereisafutureeternalstate,intowhichsoulspassatdeath.

DOCTRINE.2.Thatallbelieversare,attheirdeath,immediatelyreceivedintoastateofgloryandeternalhappiness.

DOCTRINE.3.ThatGodmay,thoughheseldomdoes,preparemenforthisglory,immediatelybeforetheirdissolutionbydeath.

ThesearetheusefultruthsresultingfromthisremarkablewordofChristto the penitent thief.We will consider and improve them in the orderproposed.

DOCTRINE. 1.That there is a future eternal state, intowhich

soulspassatdeath.

Thisisaprincipalfoundation-stonetothehopesandhappinessofsouls.Andseeingourhopesmustneedsbeastheirfoundationandgroundworkis,Ishallbrieflyestablishthistruthbythesefivearguments.ThebeingofaGodevincesit.Thescripturesoftruthplainlyrevealit.Theconsciencesofallmenhavepresentimentsofit.TheincarnationanddeathofChristisbut a vanity without it; and the immortality of human souls plainlydiscoversit.

Arg. 1.ThebeingofaGodundeniablyevincesa future state forhumansoulsafterthis life.For, iftherebeaGodwhorulestheworldwhichhehas made, he must rule it by rewards and punishments, equally andrighteouslydistributedtogoodandbad;puttingadifferencebetweentheobedient and disobedient. the righteous and the wicked. To make aspeciesofcreaturescapableofamoralgovernment,andnottorulethematall,istomaketheminvain,andisinconsistentwithhisglory,whichisthelastendofallthings.Torulethem,butnotsuitablytotheirnatures,consistsnotwiththatinfinitewisdomfromwhichtheirbeingsproceeded,andbywhich theirworkings are ruled and ordered. To rule them, in awaysuitablytotheirnatures,namely,byrewardsandpunishments,midnot to perform, or execute them at all, is utterly incongruous with theveracityandtruthofhimthatcannotlie:thisweretoimposethegreatestcheat intheworlduponmen,andcanneverproceedfromtheholyandtrueGod.Sothen,ashehasmadearationalsortofcreatures,capableofmoralgovernmentbyrewardsandpunishments;soherulestheminthatwaywhichissuitabletotheirnatures,promising"itshallbewellwiththerighteous,andillwiththewicked."Thesepromisesandthreateningcanbe no cheat, merely intended to scare and fright, where there is nodanger, or encourage where there is no real benefit; but what hepromises, or threatens, must be accomplished, and every word of Godtake place and be fulfilled. But it is evident that no such distinction ismadebytheprovidenceofGod(atleastordinarilyandgenerally)inthislife;butallthingscoinsaliketoall;andaswiththerighteous,sowiththewicked.Yes,hereitgoesillwiththemthatfearGod;theyareoppressed;they receive their evil things, andwickedmen their good; thereforeweconclude,therighteousJudgeofthewholeearth,will,inanotherworld,

recompensetoeveryoneaccordingashisworkshallbe.

Arg.2.Secondly,AndastheverybeingofGodevincesit,sothescripturesof truthplainly reveal it.Thesescripturesare thepandect,or systemofthelaws,forthegovernmentofman;whichthewiseandholyRuleroftheworldhas enactedandordained for thatpurpose.And in themwe findpromisesmadeto therighteous,ofa full rewardforall theirobedience,patience, and sufferings in the next life or world to come; andthreatening,made against thewicked, of eternalwrath and anguish, asthejustrecommenceoftheirsininhellforever,Rom.2:5,6,7,8,9,10."You treasures up to yourself wrath against the day of wrath, andrevelationof the righteous judgement ofGod;whowill render to everymanaccordingtohisdeeds:tothemwho,bypatientcontinuanceinwelldoing,seekforglory,andhonor,and immortality,eternal life:butuntothem that are contentious, and obey not the truth, but obeyunrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, uponeverysoulofmanthatdoesevil,etc."So2Thess.1:4,5,6,7."Sothatweourselvesgloryinyou,inthechurchesofGod,foryourpatienceandfaithin all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure: which is (amanifest token) of the righteous judgement of God, that you may becountedworthyofthekingdomofGodforwhichyoualsosuffer;seeingitis a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them thattrouble you: and to you who are troubled rest with us, when the LordJesusshallberevealedfromheaven in flamingfire,etc."Totheseplaintestimonies,multitudesmightbeadded, if itwereneedful.Heavenandearthshallpassaway,butthesewordsshallneverpassaway.

Arg.3.Thirdly,Asthescripturesrevealit,sotheconsciencesofallmenhavebornepresentimentsofit.Whereisthemanwhoseconscienceneverfelt any impressions of hope, or fear, froma futureworld? If it is said,thesemaybebuttheeffectsandforceofdiscourse,oreducation;wehavereadsuchthingsinthescriptures,orhavehearditbypreachers;andsoraise up to ourselves hopes and fears about it. I demand, how theconsciencesoftheHeathens,whohaveneitherscripturesnorpreachers,came to be impressed with these things? Does not the apostle tell us,Rom. 2:15. "That their consciences in themeanwhilework upon thesethings?" their thoughts,with reference to a future state, accuse, or else

excuse,thatistheirheartsarecheeredandencouragedbythegoodtheydo,andterrifiedwithfearsabouttheevilstheycommit.Whereas,iftherewerenosuchthings,consciencewouldneitheraccusenorexcuseforgoodorevildoneinthisworld.

Arg. 4. Fourthly, The incarnation and death of Christ, are but vanitywithoutit.Whatdidheproposetohimself,orwhatbenefithavewebyhiscoming, if there be no such future state? Did he take our nature, andsuffer such terrible things in it for nothing! If you say, Christians havemuch comfort from it in this life: I answer, the comforts they have areraised by faith and expectation of the happiness to be enjoyed, as thepurchaseofhisblood,inheaven.Andiftherebenosuchheaventowhichtheyare appointed,nohell fromwhich they are redeemed, theydobutcomfort themselves with a fable, and bless themselves with a thing ofnothing: their comfort is no greater than the comfort of a beggar, thatdreams he is a king, andwhen he awakes, finds himself a beggar still.Surely the ends of Christ's death were to deliver us from the wrath tocome,1Thess.1:10.notfromanimaginary,butarealhell,tobringustoGod,1Pet.3:18. tobetheauthorofeternalsalvationtothemthatobeyhim,Heb.5:9.

Arg.5.Fifthlyandlastly,Theimmortalityofhumansouls,putsitbeyondalldoubt.Thesoulofman,vastlydiffersfromthatofabeast,whichisbutamaterial form, and sowholly depending on, that itmust need perishwithmatter.But it isnotsowithours:Oursarereasonable spirits, thatcan live and act in a separated state from the body,Eccles. 3:21. "Whoknowsthespiritofman,thatgoesupward;andthespiritofabeast,thatgoes downward to the earth?" For if a man dispute whether man berational, thishisverydisputing itproveshim tobe so: soour disputes,hopes, fears, and apprehensions of eternity, prove our souls immortal,andcapableofthatstate.

INFERENCE1.Isthereaneternalstate,intowhichsoulspassafterthislife?Howpreciousthenispresenttime,upontheimprovementwhereofthatstatedepends.OwhatahugeweighthasGodhangeduponasmallwire!Godhas set us here in a state of trial: "According aswe improvethese fewhours, sowill it farewithus toall eternity."Everyday,everyhour,nay,everymomentofyourpresenttimehasaninfluenceintoyour

eternity.Doyoubelievethis?What!andyetsquanderawayprecioustimesocarelessly,sovainly!Howdothesethingsconsist?WhenSenecaheardonepromise tospendaweekwitha friendthat invitedhim, torecreatehimselfwithhim;he toldhim,headmiredheshouldmakesucha rashpromise!What (said he) cast away so considerable a part of your life?Howcanyoudoit?Surely,ourprodigalityintheexpenseoftime,argueswehavebutlittlesenseofgreateternity.

INFERENCE 2. How rational are all the difficulties, and severities ofreligion,whichservetopromoteandsecurea futureeternalhappiness?Sovastisthedisproportionbetweentimeandeternity,thingsseen,andnotseenasyet, thepresentvanishing,andfuturepermanentstate, thathe canneverbe justly reputedawiseman, thatwillnot let go the bestenjoymenthehasonearth,ifitstandinthewayofhiseternalhappiness.Norcanthatmaneverescapethejustcensureofnotoriousfolly,who,forthegratifyingofhisappetiteandpresentaccommodationofhisflesh,letsgo an eternal glory in heaven. Darius repented heartily that he lost akingdom for a draught of water; O, said he, "for how short a pleasurehaveIsoldakingdom!"ItwasMoses'choice,andhischoicearguedhiswisdom,hechoserather"tosufferafflictionswiththepeopleofGod,thantoenjoythepleasuresofsin,whicharebutforaseason,"Heb.11:25.Mendonotaccounthimafool,thatwilladventureapenny,uponaprobabilityto gain ten thousand pounds. But sure the disproportion between timeandeternityismuchgreater.

INFERENCE. 3. If there certainly be such an eternal state into whichsoulspassimmediatelyafterdeath;Howgreatachangethendoesdeathmakeuponeverymananduponeverymanandwoman?Owhataseriousthingisittodie!Itisyourpassageoutoftheswiftriveroftime,intotheboundlessandbottomlessoceanofeternity.Youthatnowconversewithsensibleobjects,withmenandwomenlikeyourselves,enterthenintotheworldofspirits.Youthatnowseethecontinualrevolutionsofdaysandnights,passingawayoneafteranother,will thenbefixedinaperpetualNOW.Owhataseriousthingisdeath!Youthrowacastforeternitywhenyoudie.Ifyouweretocastadieforyournaturallife,O!howwouldyourhandshakewithfear,howitwouldfall!Butwhatisthattothis?

Thesoulsofmenare,asitwere,asleepnowintheirbodies;atdeaththey

awake,and find themselves in theworldof realities.Let this teachyou,bothhowtocarryyourselvestowardsdyingpersonswhenyouvisitthem;and to make every day some provision for that hour yourselves. Beserious,beplain,befaithfulwithothersthataresteppingintoeternity;besowithyourownsoulseveryday.Orememberwhatalongword,whatanamazingthingeternityis!especiallyconsidering,

DOCTRINE. 2. That all believers are, at their death,immediately received into a state of glory and eternalhappiness.

"This day shall you bewithme." This theAtheist denies:He thinks heshalldie,andthereforeresolvestoliveasthebeaststhatperish.Beryllus,andsomeothersafterhim,taught,thattherewasindeedafuturestateofhappinessandmiseryforsouls,butthattheypassnotintoitimmediatelyupon death and separation from the body, but shall sleep until theresurrection,andthenawakeandenterintoit.Butisnotthatsoulasleep,orworse,thatdreamsofasleepingsouluntiltheresurrection?Aresoulssowoundedandprejudicedbytheirseparationfromthebody,thattheycannot subsist or act separate from it? Or have they found any suchconceitinthescriptures?Notatall.Thescripturestakenoticeofnosuchinterval;butplainlyenoughdeniesit,2Cor.5:8."Weareconfident,Isay,and willing rather to be absent from the body, and present with theLord." Mark it, no sooner parted from the body, but present with theLord.SoPhil.1:23."Idesiretobedissolved,andtobewithChrist,whichisfarbetter."Ifhissoulwastosleepuntiltheresurrection,howwasitfarbettertobedissolved,thantolive?SurePaul'sstateinthebodyhadbeenfarbetterthanhisstateafterdeaths if thiswereso; forhereheenjoyedmuch sweet communion with God by faith, but then he should enjoynothing.

To confirm thisdream, theyurge, John 14:3. "If I goaway, Iwill comeattain,andreceiveyoutomyself".AsifthetimeofChrist'sreceivinghispeopletohimself,shouldnotcome,untilhissecondcomingattheendoftheworld.Butthoughhewillthencollectallbelieversintoonebody,andpresentthemsolemnlytohisFather;yetthathindersnot,buthemay,asindeedhedoes,receiveeveryparticularbelievingsoultohimselfatdeath,bytheministryofangels.Andifnot,howisitthatwhenChristcomesto

judgement, he is attended with ten thousand of his saints, that shallfollow him when he comes from heaven? Jude 14. You see then thescripture puts no interval between the dissolution of a saint, and hisglorification: It speaks of the saints that are dead, as already with theLord:Andthewickedthataredead,asalreadyinhell,callingthemspiritsin prison, 1 Pet. 3:19, 20. assuringus, that Judaswentpresently tohisown place, Acts 1:25. And to that sense, is the parable of Dives andLazarus,Luke16:22.

But let us weigh these four things more particularly, for our fullsatisfactioninthispoint.

Arg. 1. First,Why should the happiness of believers be deferred, sincetheyareimmediatelycapableofenjoyingit,assoonasseparatedfromthebody?Alas,thesoulissofarfrombeingassistedbythebody(asitisnow)for theenjoymentofGod; that it iseithercloggedorhinderedby it:Sospeakstheapostle,2Cor.5:6,8."Whileweareathomeinthebody,weareabsentfromtheLord;"thatisourbodiesprejudiceoursouls,obstructandhinderthefullnessandfreedomoftheircommunion:Whenwepartfromthebody,wegohometotheLord!thenthesoulisescapedasabirdoutofa cageor snare.Here Iampreventedbyanexcellentpen,whichhasjudiciouslyopenedthispoint:TowhoseexcellentobservationsIonlyaddthis;Thatiftheentanglements,snares,andprejudicesofthesoularesogreatandmany in itsembodiedestate, that itcannotso freelydilateitself and take in the comforts of God by communion with him, thensurelythe laying aside of that clog, or the freeing of the soul from thatburden, can be no bar to its greater happiness, which it enjoys in itsseparatedstate.

Arg. 2. Secondly, Why should the happiness and glory of the soul bedeferred, unlessGod had some farther preparativework to do upon it,beforeitbefittobeadmittedintoglory?Butsurely,hereisnosuchworkwroughtuponitafteritsseparationbydeath:allthatisdoneofthatkind,isdonehere.Whenthecompositumisdissolved,allmeans,duties,andordinancesareceased.Theworkingdayisthenended,andnightcomes,when noman canwork, John 9:3. To that purpose are thosewords ofSolomon, Eccles. 9:10. "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with allyourmight; for there is no wisdom, nor knowledge, nor device in the

gravewhereyougo."Sothatourglorificationisnotdeferred,inordertoour fuller preparation for glory. If we are not fit when we die, we canneverbe fit:all isdoneuponus that everwas intended tobedone; fortheyarecalled,Heb.12:23.thespiritsofthejustmadeperfect.

Arg. 3. Thirdly, Again, Why should our salvation slumber, when thedamnationofthewickeddoesnotslumber?Goddefersnottheirmisery;andsurelyhewillnotdeferourglory.Ifhebequickwithhisenemies,hewillnotbeslowanddilatorywithhisfriends.Itcannotbeimagined,butheisasmuchinclinedtoactsoffavortohischildren,astoactsofjusticetohisenemies;thesearepresentlydamned,Jude,ver.7.Acts1:25.1Pet.3:19, 20.Andwhat reasonwhybelievers, yes, everybeliever, aswell asthisinthetext,shouldnotbe,thatverydayinwhichtheydie,withChristinglory?

Arg. 4. Fourthly, and lastly, How do such delays consist with Christ'sardent desires to have his people with him where he is, and with thevehement longings of their souls to bewithChrist? Youmay see thosereflected flames of love and desire of mutual enjoyment between thebridegroomandhis spouse inRev. 22:17, 20.Delaysmake their heartssick: theexpectationand faith inwhich the saintsdie, is tobe satisfiedthen;andsurelyGodwillnotdeceivethem.Idenynotbuttheirglorywillbemore complete when the body, their absent friend, is reunited, andmade to share with them in their happiness; yet that hinders not, butmeanwhilethesoulmayenjoyitsglory,whilethebodytakesitsrest,andsleepsinthedust.

INFERENCE 1. Are believers immediately with God after theirdissolution?Thenhowsurprisinglygloriouswillheavenbe tobelievers!Notthattheyareinitbeforetheythinkofit,orarefittedforit;no,theyhavespentmanythoughtsuponitbefore,andbeenlongpreparingforit;but the suddenness and greatness of the change is amazing to ourthoughts. For a soul to be nowhere in the body, conversingwithmen,livingamongsensibleobjects,andwithinafewmomentstobewiththeLord;thishouronearth, thenext inthethirdheaven;nowviewingthisworld,andanonstandingamonganinnumerablecompanyofangels,andthespiritsof the justmadeperfect:Owhata change is this!What!butwink,andseeGod!CommendyoursoultoChrist,andbetransferredin

thearmsofangelsintotheinvisibleworld,theworldofspirits!ToliveasangelsofGod?Tolivewithouteating,drinking.sleeping!Tobeliftedupfromabedofsicknesstoathroneofglory!Toleaveasinful,troublesomeworld,asickandpainedbody,andbeinamomentperfectlycured,andfeel yourself perfectly well, and free from all troubles and distempers!You cannot think what this will be! Who can tell what sights, whatapprehensions,whatthoughts,whatframesbelievingsoulshave,beforethe bodies they left are removed from the eyes of their dear survivingfriends!

INFERENCE. 2. Are believers immediately with God after theirdissolution?Where thenshall theunbelieversbe,and inwhatstatewillthey findthemselves immediatelyafterdeathhasclosedtheireyes?Ah!whatwillthecaseofthembethatgotheotherway?

Tobepluckedoutofhouseandbody,fromamongfriendsandcomforts,andthrustintoendlessmiseries,intothedarkvaultofhell,nevertoseethelightofthisworldanymore;nevertoseeacomfortablesight;nevertohearajoyfulsound;nevertoknowthemeaningofrest,peace,ordelightanymore.Owhatachangeishere!Toexchangethesmilesandhonorsofmen,forthefrownsandfuryofGod;tobeclothedwithflames,anddrinkthepureunmixedwrathofGod,whowerebutafewdayssinceclothedinsilks,andfilledwiththesweetofthecreature!Howisthestateofthingsalteredwiththem!ItwasthelamentablecryofpoorAdrian,whenhefeltdeath approaching: "O my poor wandering soul! alas! where are yougoing!Wheremustyoulodgethisnight!Youshallneverjestmore,neverbemerrymore!"

Your term in your houses and bodies is out, and there is anotherhabitation provided for you; but it is a dismal one!When a saint dies,heaven above is as it weremoved to receive and entertain him; at hiscoming,heisreceivedintoeverlastinghabitations,intotheinheritanceofthesaintsinlight.Whenanunbelieverdies,wemaysayofhimalludingto Isa. 14:9. "Hell from beneath is moved for him, tomeet him at hiscoming;iistirsupthedeadforhim."Nomoresports,norplays,norcupsofwine, nor beds of pleasure: themore of these you enjoyed here, themoreintolerablewillthischangebetoyou.IfsaintsareimmediatelywithGod,othersmustbeimmediatelywithSatan.

INFERENCE. 3.How little cause have they to fear death,who shall bewithGod so soonafter theirdeath?Some there are that tremble at thethoughtsofdeath;thatcannotenduretohearitsnamementioned;theywouldratherstooptoanymiseryhere,yes,toanysin,thandie,becausetheyareafraidoftheexchange.ButyouthatareinterestedinChrist,neednotdoso;youcanlosenothingbytheexchange:thewordsDeath,Grave,andEternity,shouldhaveanotherkindofsoundinyourears,andmakecontrary impressions upon your hearts. If your earthly tabernacles castyou out, you shall not be found naked; you have "a building of God, ahousenotmadewithhands,eternalintheheavens;"anditisbutastepoutof this intothat.Owhat fair,sweet,and lovely thoughtsshouldyouhaveofthatgreatandlastchange!ButwhatspeakIofyourfearlessnessofdeath?Yourdutyliesmuchhigherthanthatfar.

INFERENCE. 3. If believers are immediately with God, after theirdissolution, then it is their duty to long for that dissolution, and castmany a longing look towards their graves. So did Paul, I desire to bedissolved, and to bewithChrist,which is far better. The advantages ofthisexchangeareunspeakable:Youhavegoldforbrass;wineforwater;substance forshadow:solidglory forveryvanity.Oh! if thedustof thisearthwerebutonceblownoutofyoureyes,thatyoumightseethedivineglory,howwearywouldyoube to live?Howwilling todie;But thenbesureyourtitlebesoundandgood:leavenotsogreataconcernmenttothelast; for, thoughit isconfessed,Godmaydothat inanhour, thatneverwasdoneallyourdays,yet it isnotcommon;whichbrings toour thirdandlastobservation.

DOCTRINE.3.ThatGodmay,thoughheseldomdoes,preparemenforgloryimmediatelybeforetheirdissolutionbydeath.

Thereisoneparable,andnomore,thatspeaksofsomethatwerecalledatthe lasthour,Matt.20:9, 10.And there is thisone instance in the text,and no more, that gives us an account of a person so called. WeacknowledgeGodmaydoit,hisgraceishisown,hemaydispenseithowandwherehepleases:wemustalwayssalvedivineprerogative.Whoshallfixbounds,orputlimitstofreegrace,butGodhimself,whoseitis?Ifhedonotordinarilyshowsuchmerciestodyingsinners(asindeedhedoes

not);yetitisnotbecausehecannot,butbecausehewillnot;notbecausetheirheartsaresohardenedbylongcustominsin,thathisgracecannotbreakthem,butbecausehemostjustlywithholdsthatgracefromthem.WhenblessedMr.Bilney,themartyr,heardaministerpreachingthus:Oyouoldsinner,youhavelainthesefiftyyearsrottinginyoursin,doyouthinknowtobesaved?That thebloodofChristshall saveyou?O,saidMr. Bilney, what preaching of Christ is this? If I had heard no otherpreaching than this, what had become of me? No, no, old sinners, oryoungsinners,greatorsmallsinners,arenottobebeatenofffromChrist,butencouragedtorepentanceandfaith;forwhoknowsbuttheaffectionsofmercymayyearnat lastupononethathasallalongrejected it?Thisthiefwas as unlikely ever to receive mercy, but a few hours before hedied,asanypersonintheworldcouldbe.

But surely this is no encouragement to neglect the present seasons ofmercy, because God may show mercy hereafter; or to neglect theordinary, because God sometimes manifests his grace in waysextraordinary.Many, Iknow,havehardened themselves inwaysof sin,bythis example ofmercy.ButwhatGoddid at this time, for thisman,cannotbeexpectedtobedoneordinarilyforus,andthereasonsthereofare:

Reason 1. First, Because God has vouchsafed us the ordinary andstanding means of grace, which this sinner had not; and therefore wecannotexpectsuchextraordinaryandunusualconversionashehad.Thispoor creature never heard in all likelihood, one sermon preached byChrist, or any of his apostles: He lived the life of a highwayman, andconcernednothimselfaboutreligion.ButwehaveChristpreachedfreely,andconstantly inourassemblies:Wehave lineuponline,preceptuponprecept:andwhenGodaffordstheordinarypreachingof thegospel,hedoesnotuse toworkwonders.WhenIsraelwas in thewilderness, thenGod gave them bread from heaven, and clave the rocks to give themdrink; but when they came to Canaan, where they had the ordinarymeansofsubsistence,themannaceased.

Reason 2. Secondly, Such a conversion as this, may not be ordinarilyexpectedbyanyman,becausesuchatimeasthatwillnevercomeagain:it is possible, if Christwhere to die again, and you to be crucifiedwith

him, you mightest receive your conversion in such a miraculous andextraordinaryway;butChristdiesnomore;suchadayasthatwillnevercomeagain.

Mr.Fenner, inhis excellentdiscourseupon thispoint, tells us, That asthiswas an extraordinary time, Christ being now to be installed in hiskingdom, and crowned with glory and honor; so extraordinary thingswerenowdone;aswhenkingsarecrowned,thestreetsarerichlyhanged,theconduitsrunwithwine,greatmalefactorsarethenpardoned,forthentheyshowtheirmunificenceandbounty; it isthedayofthegladnessoftheirhearts.Butletamancomeatanothertimetotheconduits,heshallfindnowine,butordinarywaterthere.Letamanbeinthejailatanothertime,andhemaybehanged;veer,andhavenoreasonbuttoexpectandprepareforit.WhatChristdidnowforthisman,wasatanextraordinarytime.

Reason 3. Thirdly, Such a conversion as this may not ordinarily beexpected;forassuchatimewillnevercomeagain,sotherewillneverbethe like reason for such a conversion any more: Christ converted himuponthecross,togiveaninstanceofhisdivinepoweratthattime,whenitwasalmostwhollyclouded:Look,as inthatdaythedivinityofChristbrakeforthinseveralmiracles,asthepreternaturaleclipseofthesun,thegreatearthquake,therendingoftherocksandveilofthetemple;sointheconversion of this man in such an extraordinary way, and all, to giveevidence of the divinity of Christ, and prove him to be the Son ofGodwhom they crucified; but that is now sufficiently confirmed, and therewillbenomoreoccasionformiraclestoevidenceit.

Reason4.Fourthly.Nonehasreasontoexpect the likeconversion, thatenjoys the ordinarymeans; because, though in this convert we have apatternofwhatfreegracecando,yet,asdivinespertinentlyobserve,itisapatternwithoutapromise;Godhasnotaddedanypromise to it, thatever he will do it for any other; and where we have not a promise toencourageourhope,ourhopecansignifybutlittletous.

INFERENCE1.Let those thathave foundmercy in theeveningof theirlife,admiretheextraordinaryracethatthereinhasappearedtothem.Othat everGod should accept the bran,whenSatanhas had the flour of

your days! The fore-mentioned reverend author tells us of oneMarcusCaius Victorius, a very aged man in the primitive times, who wasconvertedfromHeathenismtoChristianityinhisoldage.Thismancameto Simplicianus, a minister, and told him, he heartily owned andembracedtheChristianfaith.Butneitherhenorthechurchwouldtrusthimforalongtime;andthereasonwas,theunusualnessofaconversionatsuchanage.Butafterhehadgiventhemgoodevidenceoftherealitythereof, there were acclamations and singing of Psalms, the peopleeverywhere crying,Marcus Caius Victorius is become a Christian. Thiswas written for a wonder! Oh! if God have wrought such wondroussalvation for anyof you,what causehave you todomore forhim thanothers!What!topluckyououtofhellwhenonefootwasin!Toappeartoyouatlast,whensohardenedbylongcustominsin,thatonemightsay,"Can theEthiopianchangehis skin,or the leopardhis spots?Oh!whatrichesofmercyhalveappearedtoyou!

INFERENCE.2.Letthisconvinceandstartlesuch,aseventotheirgrayhairs, remain in an unconverted state, who are where they were whentheyfirstcameintotheworld,yes,ratherfurtheroffbymuch.

Bethinkyourselves,youthatarefullofdays,andfullofsin,whosetimeisalmostdone,andyourgreatworknotbegun:whohavebuta fewsandsmore in the upper part of the glass to run down, and then yourconversionwillbeimpossible;yoursunissetting;yournightiscoming;the shadows of the evening, are stretched out upon you; you have onefoot in the grave, and the other in hell. O think, if all sense andtenderness be not withered up as well as natural verdure; think withyourselveshowsadacaseyouarein:Godmaydowonders,buttheyarenotseen every day, then theywould cease to bewondered at.O strive,strive,while you have a little time, and a few helps and means more;strivetogetthatworkaccomplishednowthatwasneverdoneyet;deferitnolonger,youhavedonesotoomuchalready.

Itmaybe(touseSeneca'sexpression)youhavebeenthesesixty,seventy,or eighty years, beginning to live, about to change your tactics; buthithertoyoustillcontinuethesame.DonotyouseehowSatanhasgulled,andcheatedyouwithvainpurposes,untilhehasbroughtyoutotheverybrinkofthegraveandhell?Oitistimenowtomakeastand,andpausea

littlewhereyouare,andtowhathehasbroughtyou.TheLordatlastgiveyouaneyetosee,andanhearttoconsider.

INFERENCE.3.Lastly,LetthisbeacallandcautiontoalyoungonestobeginwithGodbetime,andtakeheedofdelaysuntilthelast,soasmanythousandshavedonebeforethemtotheireternalruin.Nowisyourtime,ifyoudesiretobeinChrist;ifyouhaveanysenseoftheweightandworthof eternal thingsupon yourhearts: I knowyour age is voluptuous,anddelights not the serious thoughts of death and eternity: you are moreinclined to mind your pleasures, and leave these grave and seriousmatters to old age: but let me persuade you against that, by theseconsiderations.

First,Oset to thebusinessof religionnow,because this is themoldingage.Nowyourheartsaretender,andyouraffectionsflowing:nowisthetimewhenyouaremostlikelytobewroughtupon.

Secondly,Now, because this is the freest part of your time. It is in themorning of your life, as in themorning of the day: if aman have anybusinesstobedone,lethimtakethemorningforit;forintheafterpartof thedayahurryofbusinesscomeson, so thatyoueither forget it, orwantopportunityforit.

Thirdly, Now, because your life is immediately uncertain; you are notcertain that ever you shall attain the years of your fathers: there aregraves in thechurch-yard justofyour length;andsoulsofall sorts andsizesinGolgotha,astheJewsproverbis.

Fourthly, Now, because God wil1 not spare you because you are butyoungsinners, littlesinners, ifyoudieChristless. Ifyouarenot; as youthink,oldenoughtomindChrist,surely,ifyoudieChristless,youareoldenoughtobedamned:thereisthesmallspray,aswellasgreatlogsinthefireofhell.

Fifthly, Now, because your life will be themore eminently useful, andserviceable to God, when you know him betimes, and begin with himearly.Austinrepented,andsohavemanythousandssince,thathebegansolate,andknewGodnosooner.

Sixthly, Now, because your life will be the sweeter to you, when themorningofitisdedicatedtotheLord.Thefirstfruitssanctifythewholeharvest: this will have a sweet influence into all your days, whateverchanges,straits,ortroublesyoumayafterwardsmeetwith!

TheFourthExcellentSayingofChristUpontheCross

"AndabouttheninthhourJesuscriedwithaloudvoice,saying,Eli,Eli,lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why have youforsakenme?"Matthew27:46

ThisversecontainsthefourthmemorablesayingofChristuponthecross;wordsable to rend thehardestheart in theworld: it is thevoiceof theSonofGodinanagony:hissufferingsweregreat,verygreatbefore,butnever in that extremity as now; when this heaven rending and heartmelting out-cry brake from him upon the cross, Eli, Eli, lamasabachthani?Inwhichareconsiderable,thetime,matter,andmannerofthishissadcomplaint.

First,Thetimewhenitwasuttered,"abouttheninthhour,"thatisaboutthreeoftheclockafternoon.ForastheJewsdividedthenightintofourquarters, orwatches; so theydivided theday, in likemanner, into fourquarters,orgreaterflours;whichhadtheirnamesfromthathourofthedaythatclosedthequarter.sothatbeginningtheiraccountoftheirlesserhoursfromsixinthemorning,whichwiththemwasthefirst,theirninthhour answered to our third afternoon.And this is heedfullymarkedbytheevangelists,onpurposetoshowushowlongChristhangedindistressuponthecrossbothinsoulandbody,whichatleastwasfullthreehours:towards the end whereof his soul was so filled, distressed, andoverwhelmed,thatthisdolefulcrybrakefromhissoul,inbitteranguish,"MyGod,myGod,"etc.

Secondly.Thematterof thecomplaint. It isnotof thecruel tortureshefeltinhisbody,norofthescoffsandreproachesofhisname;hementions

notawordofthese,theywereallswallowedupinthesufferingswithin,astheriverisswallowedupinthesea,orthelesserflameinthegreater.He seems to neglect all these, and only complains of what was moreburdensomethantenthousandcrosses;evenhisFather'sdesertinghim,"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" It is a more inwardtroublethatburdenshim,darknessuponhisspirit,thehidingsofGod'sfacefromhim,anafflictionhewastotallyastrangertountilnow;herehelayshishand in this complaint.Thiswas thepainedplace, towhichhepointsinthisdolorousoutcry.

Thirdly.Themannerinwhichheuttershissadcomplaint,andthatwaswith a remarkable vehemency, "he cried with a loud voice," not like adyingman,inwhomnaturewasspent,butasonefullofvigor, life,andsense.Hegatheredallhisspiritstogether,stirredupthewholepowerofnature, when he made this grievous outcry. There is in it also anemphatical reduplication which shows with what vehemency it wasuttered; not singly, my God, but he doubles it, "My God, my God," asdistressedpersonsusetodo.SoElisha,whenElijahwasseparatedfromhimbythechariotsandhorsesoffire,criesout,"Myfather,myfather."

Nay,moreover, to increase the force and vehemency of this complaint,here is an affectionate interrogation, "Why have you forsaken me?"Questions, especially such as this, are full of spirits. It is as if he weresurprised by the strangeness of this affliction: and rousing up himselfwithanunusualvehemency,turnshimselftotheFather,andcries,Whyso,myFather?Owhatdoyoumeanbythis!What!hidethatfacefrommethatwasneverhidbefore!What!andhideitfrommenow,inthedepthofmy other torments and troubles! Owhat new, what strange things arethese!Lastly,hereisanobservablevariationofthelanguageinwhichthisastonishing complaint was uttered; for he speaks both Hebrew andSyrianinonebreath,Eli,Elilama,areallHebrew,sabachthaniisaSyrianword,usedhereforemphasissake.Henceweobserve,

DOCTRINE. That God in design to heighten the sufferings ofChristtotheuttermost,forsookhiminthetimeofhisgreatestdistress;totheunspeakableafflictionandanguishofhissoul.

Thispropositionshallbeconsideredinthreeparts:Thedesertionitself;

thedesignorendofit;theeffectandinfluenceithadonChrist.

First,Thedesertionitself.Divinedesertiongenerallyconsidered,isGod'swithdrawinghimselffromany,notastohisessence,thatfillsheavenandearth,andconstantlyremainsthesame;butitisthewithdrawmentofhisfavor,grace,andlove:whenthesearegone,Godissaidtobegone.Andthisisdonetwoways,eitherabsolutely,andwholly,orrespectively,andonly as tomanifestation. In the first sense, devils are forsaken of God.Theyoncewereinhisfavorandlove,buttheyhaveutterlyandfinallylostit.Godissowithdrawnfromthem,asthathewillnevertakethemintofavor any more. In the other sense he sometimes forsakes his dearestchildren,thatisheremovesallsweetmanifestationsofhisfavorandloveforatime,andcarriesittothemasastranger,thoughhislovebestillthesame.

And this kind of desertion,which is respective, temporary, and only inregardofmanifestation,isjustlydistinguishedfromthevariousendsanddesigns of it, into probational, cautional, castigatory, and penal.Probationaldesertionsareonlyfortheproofandtrialofgrace.Cautionaldesertionsaredesigned toprevent sin.CastigatorydesertionsareGod'srods to chastise his people for sin. Penal desertions are such as areinflictedasthejustrewardofsin,forthereparationofthatwrongsinnershavedonebytheirsins.OfthissortwasChrist'sdesertion.Apartofthecurse, and a special part. And his bearing it was no small part of thereparation,orsatisfactionhemadeforoursins.

More particularly, to open the nature of this desertion of Christ by hisFather,therebeingmuchofintricacyanddifficultyinit;Ishallproceedintheexplicationofitnegatively,andpositively.

First,Negatively.WhenChristcriesoutofGod's forsakinghim,hedoesnotmean, thathehaddissolved thepersonalunionof the twonatures.Not as if the marriage-knot which united our nature to the person ofChristwasloosed,oradivorcemadebetweenthem:No,forwhenhewasforsakenofGod,hewasstilltrueandrealGod-man,inoneperson.

Secondly,When Christ bewails the father's forsaking him, he does notmean,thathepulledawaythepropofdivinesupportfromhim,bywhich

hehaduntilthenenduredthetorturesandsufferingsthatoppressedhim:no,thoughtheFatherdeserted,yethestillsupportedhim.AndsomuchisintimatedinthesewordsofChrist,Eli,Eli,whichsignifies,mystrongOne, my strong One. God was with him by way of support, whenwithdrawn as to manifestations of love and favor. In respect of God'ssupportingessencewhichwaswithChristatthistime,itissaid,Isa.42:1."Beholdmyservant,whomIuphold:"andJohn16:32."Iamnotalone,butmyfatheriswithme."Sothatthiscannotbethemeaningofit.

Thirdly,Muchlessisithismeaning?thatGodhadlefthim,astoinherentgrace and sanctification; recalling that spirit of holiness which hadanointedhimabovehisfellows:no,whenhewasforsaken,heremainedas holy as ever: he had indeed less comfort, but not less holiness thanbefore.Suchadesertionhadirritatedandmadevoidtheveryendofhisdeath.AndhissacrificecouldneverhaveyieldedsuchafragrantodortoGodasitdid,Eph.5:2.

Fourthly,TheloveofGodwasnotsowithdrawnfromChrist,asthattheFatherhadnownoloveforhim,nordelightinhim.Thatisimpossible,hecannomorecease to loveChrist, than to lovehimself.his lovewasnotturnedintowrath;thoughhiswrathonlywasnowmanifestedtohimasoursurety;andhidhislovefromhimashisbelovedSon.

Fifthly,NorwasChristforsakenbyhisFatherfinally,uponwhataccountsoeveritwasthathewasforsaken:no,itwasbutforafewhoursthatthedarkclouddweltuponhissoul;itsoonpassedaway,andthebrightandgloriousfaceofGodshoneforthagainasbrightasever,Psalm.22:1,24.compared.

Sixthly,andlastly,Itwasnotamutualdesertion,oradesertiononbothparts;theFatherforsookhim,butheforsooknothisFather.WhenGodwithdrew,hefollowedhim,crying,"MyGod,myGod."

Yet to speak positively of it; though he did not dissolve the personalunion, nor cut off divine supports, nor remove his inherent grace, norturnhisFather'sloveintohatred,norcontinueforever,noryetwasitonbothparts,Christ'sforsakingGod,aswellasGod'sforsakingChrist:yetIsayitwas,

First,Averysaddesertion,thelikeuntowhichinallrespectsneverwasexperienced by any, nor can be to the end of the world. All his othersufferingswerebutsmalltothis;theyboreuponhisbody,thisuponhissoul;theycamefromthehandsofvilemen,thisfromthehandsofadearFather.Hesufferedbothinbodyandsoul;butthesufferingsofhissoulwere the very soul of his sufferings. Under all his other sufferings heopenednothismouth;butthistouchedthequick,thathecouldnotbutcryout,"MyGod,myGod,whybestyouforsakenme?"

Secondly,Asitwassad,soitwasapenaldesertion,inflictedonhimforsatisfaction for those sins of ours, which deserved that God shouldforsakeusforever,asthedamnedareforsakenbyhim.Sothatthiscry(asone observes)was like the perpetual shriek of them that are cast awayforever:thiswasthathell,andthetormentsofitwhichChrist,oursurety,sufferedforus.Forlook,asthereliesatwofoldmiseryuponthedamnedin hell, namely, pain of sense, and pain of sense; so upon Christanswerable, there was not only an impression of wrath, but also asubtraction orwithdrawment of all sensible favor and love.Hence it issaid byhimself, John 12:27.Andnowmy soul, "tetaraktai" is troubled.Thewordsignifies,troubledastheythatareinhellaretroubled.ThoughGoddidnotleavehissoulinhell,asothersare,hehavingenoughtopaythedebtwhichtheyhavenot,yetinthetormentsthereof,atthistime,hewas;yes,hissufferingsatthistimeinhissoulwereequivalenttoallthatwhichoursoulsshouldhavesufferedtheretoalleternity.

Thirdly,Itwasadesertionthatwasreal,andnotfictitious.Hedoesnotpersonate a deserted soul, and speak as if God had withdrawn thecomfortablesenseandinfluenceofhislovefromhim;butthethingwasso indeed. TheGodhead restrained and kept back, for this time, all itsjoys, comforts and sense of love from themanhood, yielding it nothingbutsupport.ThisbitterdolefuloutcryofChristgivesevidenceenoughoftherealityofit:hedidnotfeign,butfeeltheburdensomenessofit.

Fourthly,Thisdesertion fell out in the timeofChrist's greatestneedofcomfort that everhehad inall the timeofhis lifeonearth.HisFatherforsook him at that time, when all earthly comforts had forsaken him,andalloutwardevilshadbrokenintogetheruponhim;whenmen,yes,the best of men stood afar off, and none but barbarous enemies were

abouthim.Whenpains and shame, and allmiseries evenweighedhimdown;then,eventhen,tocompleteandfilluphissuffering,Godstandsafarofftoo.

Fifthly,andlastly,Itwassuchadesertionaslefthimonlytothesupportsof his faith. He had nothing else now but his Father's covenant andpromise to hang upon. And indeed, as a judicious author pertinentlyobserves, the faith ofChrist did severalways act andmanifest itself, intheseverywordsofcomplaintinthetext.

For though all comfortable sights of God and sense of love wereobstructed,yetyouseehissoulcleavesfiduciallytoGodforallthat:MyGod,etc.Thoughsenseandfeelingspeakaswellasfaith,yetfaithspeaksfirst, My God, before sense speaks a word of his forsaking. His faithpresentedthecomplaintofsense;andthoughsensecomesinafterwardswithawordofcomplaint,yetherearetwowordsoffaithtooneofsense:itis,"MyGod,myGod,"andbutonewordofforsaking.Ashisfaithspokefirst,soitspoketwice,whensenseandfeelingspokebutonce:yes,andasfaithspokefirst,andtwiceasmuchassense,soitspokemoreconfidentlythansensedid.HelaysaconfidentclaimtoGodashisGod;"MyGod,myGod," and only queries about his forsaking of him, "Why have youforsaken me?" This is spoken more dubiously, the former moreconfidently.

To be short, his faith laid hold on God, under amost suitable title, orattribute, Eli, Eli, "my strong One, my strong One," q. d. O you, withwhom is infinite and everlasting strength; you that have hithertosupported my manhood, and according to your promise upheld yourservant;what!willyounowforsakeme?MystrongOne,Ileanuponyou.Tothese supports and refugesof faith thisdesertion shutupChrist:bythesethingshestood,whenallothervisibleandsensiblecomfortsshrunkaway,bothfromhissoulandbody.Thisisthetrue,thoughbriefaccountofthenatureandqualityofChrist'sdesertion.

Secondly, In the next place, let us consider the designs and ends of it;which were principally satisfaction and sanctification: Satisfaction forthose sins of ours which deserved that we should be totally andeverlastingly forsaken of God. This is the desert of every sin, and the

damned do feel it, and shall to all eternity: God is gone from themforever,notessentially;thejustGodiswiththemstill,theGodofpowerisstillwith them, theavengingGod iseverwith them;but themercifulGod is gone, and gone forever. And thus would he have withdrawnhimself from every soul that sinned, had not Christ borne thatpunishmentforusinhisownsoul:Ifhehadnotcried,"MyGod,myGod,why have you forsaken me?" we must have howled out this hideouscomplaint in the lowest hell forever, O righteous God! O dreadful! OterribleGod!youhaveforeverforsakenme!

AndassatisfactionwasdesignedinthisdesertionofChrist, soalsowasthesanctificationofall thedesertionofthesaintsdesignedin it.Forhehaving been forsaken before us, and for us,wheneverGod forsakes us,thatveryforsakingofhisissanctified,andtherebyturnedintoamercytobelievers.Henceareallthepreciousfruitsandeffectsofourdesertions:sucharetheearnestexcitationsofthesoultoprayer,Psalm.78:2.Psalm.88:1, 9. The antidoting the tempted soul against sin. The reviving ofancient experiences, Psalm. 77:5. Enchanting the value of the divinepresence with the soul, and teaching it to hold Christ faster than everbefore, Cant. 3:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. These, and many more, are the preciouseffectsofsanctifieddesertion;buthowmany,orhowgoodsoever theseeffectsare,theyallowethemselvestoJesusChrist,astheauthorofthem;who, forour sakeswouldpass through this sadanddark state, thatwemightfindthoseblessingsinit.Sothen,theGodhead'ssuspendingofalltheeffectsof joyandcomfort from thehumanityofChrist at this time,whichhadnotceasedtoflowintoit,inanineffablemeasureandmanner,untilnow,mustneedsbebothaspecialpartofChrist'ssatisfactionforus,andconsequently,thatwhichmakesallourtemporarydesertionsrathermerciesandblessings,thancursestous.

Thirdly,Letus, inthenextplace,considertheeffectsandinfluencethisdesertionhaduponthespiritofChrist.

Andthoughitdidnotdrivehimtodespair,asthePapistsfalselychargeMr. Calvin to have affirmed; yet it even amazed him, and almostswalloweduphissoulinthedeepsoftroubleandconsternation.Thiscryisacryfromthedeeps,fromasouloppressedeventodeath.NeverwastheLordJesussoputtoitbefore;itisamostastonishingoutcry.

Letbutfiveparticularsbeweighed,andyouwillsay,neverwasthereanydarkness like this: no sorrow like Christ's sorrow in his deserted state:For,

First,Apprehend,reader,thiswasanewthingtoChrist,andthatwhichheneverwas acquaintedwith before. Fromall eternity until nowtherehadbeenconstantandwonderfuloutletsof love,delight, and joy, fromthe bosom of the Father, into his bosom. He never missed his Fatherbefore:neversawa frown,oraveil,uponthatblessed facebefore.Thismadeitanheavyburdenindeed,thewordsarewordsofadmirationandastonishment;"MyGod,myGod,whyhaveyouforsakenme?"youthatnevermidstsobefore,haveforsakenmenow.

Secondly, As it was a new thing to Christ, and therefore the moreamazing,so itwasagreat thingtoChrist;sogreat, thathescarceknewhowtosupportit.Haditnotbeenagreattrialindeed,sogreataspiritasChrist'swaswouldneverhave sodroopedunder it, andmade so sad acomplaintofit.Itwassosharp,soheavyanafflictiontohissoul,thatitcausedhim,whowasmeekunderallothersufferingsasa lamb,toroarunderthis likea lion; forsomuchthosewordsofChristsignify, Psalm.22:1."MyGod,myGod,whyhaveyouforsakenme?Whyareyousofarfrom the voice ofmy roaring?" It comes from a root, that signifies "tohowl, or roar as a lion; and rather signifies the noise made by a wildbeast,thanthevoiceofaman."

AnditisasmuchasifChristhadsaid,OmyGod,nowordscanexpressmyanguish:Iwillnotspeak,butroar,howloutmycomplaint;pouritoutinvolliesofgroans:Iroarasalion.Itisnosmallmatterwillmakethatmajesticcreaturetoroar:andsure,sogreataspiritasChrist'swouldnothaveroaredunderaslightburden.

Thirdly,AsitwasagreatburdentoChrist,soitwasaburdenlaidoninthetimeofhisgreatestdistress.Whenhisbodywas in tortures, andallabouthimwasblack,dismal,andfullofhorroranddarkness.Hefellintothis desertion at a time when he never had the like need of divinesupportsandcomforts,andthataggravatedit.

Fourthly,Itwasaburdenthatlayuponhimlong,evenfromthetimehissoulbegantobesorrowfulandsoreamazedinthegarden,untilhisverydeath.Ifyouwerebuttoholdyourfingerinthefirefortwominutes,youwouldnotbeabletobearit.ButwhatisthefingerofamantothesoulofChrist?OrwhatisamaterialfiretothewrathofthegreatGod!

Fifthly,SoheavywasthispressureuponChrist'ssoul,thatinprobabilityithastenedhisdeath;foritwasnotusualforcrucifiedpersonstoexpireso soon; and those that were crucified with him were both alive afterChristwasgone.Somehavehangedmorethanadayandanight,sometwofulldaysandnights, in thosetormentsalive;butneverdidanyfeelinwardlywhatChristfelt.Hebareituntiltheninthhour,andthenmakesafearfuloutcryanddies.Theusesfollow.

INFERENCE1.DidGodforsakeChristuponthecrossasapunishmenttohimforoursins?Thenitfollows,Thatasoftenaswehavesinned,soofthavewedeservedtobeforsakenofGod.Thisisthejustrecompenseanddemerit of sin. And, indeed, here lies the principal evil of sin, that itseparates betweenGod and the soul. This separation is both themoralevilthatisinit,andthepenalevilinflictedbytherighteousGodforit.BysinwedepartfromGod,and,asaduepunishmentofit,Goddepartsfromus. This will be the dismal sentence in the last day,Matt. 25: "Departfromme,youcursed."ThenceforththerewillbeagulffixedbetweenGodand them, Luke 19:20. Nomore friendly intercourses with the blessedGodforever.Theeternalshriekofthedamnedis,Woeandalas,Godhasforsakenus forevermore.Ten thousandworldscannowiserecompensethe loss of oneGod.Beware, sinners, how you say toGodnow,Departfromus,wedesirenot theknowledgeof yourways, lesthe say,Departfromme,youshallneverseemyface.

INFERENCE.2.DidChristnevermakesuchasadcomplaintandoutcry,untilGodhidhisfacefromhim?ThenthehidingofGod'sfaceiscertainlythegreatestmiserythatcanpossiblybefallagracioussoulinthisworld.When they scourged, buffeted, and smoteChrist, yes,when theynailedhimtothetree,heopenednothismouth;butwhenhisfatherhidhisfacefromhim,thenhecriedout;yes,hisvoicewasthevoiceofroaring:thiswasmore tohim than a thousand crucifyings.And, surely, as itwas toChrist, so is it to all gracious souls, the saddest stroke, the heaviest

burden that ever they felt. When David forbade Absalom to come toJerusalem,to seehis father, he complains in 2 Sam. 14:32. "Therefore,(sayshe)amI come fromGeshur, if Imaynot see theking's face?"Sodoes the gracious soul bemoan itself; Therefore am I redeemed, called,andreconciled,ifImaynotseethefaceofmyGod?

ItissaidofTully,whenhewasbanishedfromItaly,andofDemosthenes,when he was banished from Athens, that they wept every time theylookedtowardstheirowncountry:and,isitstrangethatapoordesertedbelievershouldmourneverytimehelooksheavenward?Say,Christian,did the tears never trickle down your cheeks when you look towardsheaven,andcouldnotseethefaceofyourGod,asatothertimes?If twodear friendscannotpart, though itbebut foraseason,but thatpartingmustbeinashower;blamenotthesaintsiftheysighandmournbitterlywhen the Lord, who is the life of their life, depart, though but for aseason,fromthem;forifGoddepart,theirsweetestenjoymentonearth,theverycrownofalltheircomfortsisgone,andwhatwillakingtake inexchangeforhiscrown?WhatcanrecompenseasaintforthelossofhisGod!Indeed,iftheyhadneverseentheLord,ortastedtheincomparablesweetnessofhispresence,itwereanothermatter;butthedarknesswhichfollowsthesweetestlightofhiscountenance,isdoubledarkness.

And thatwhichdoesnot a little increase thehorrorof thisdarkness is,thatwhentheirsoulswerethusbenighted,andthesunoftheircomfortisset; thendoesSatan, like thewildbeastsof thedesert, creepout ofhisden,androaruponthemwithhideous temptations.Surely this isa sadstate,anddeservestenderpity!Pity isadebtdueto thedistressed,andtheworldshowsnotagreaterdistressthanthis.Ifeveryouhavebeenintroublesofthiskindyourselves,youwillneverslightothersinthesamecase:nay,oneendofGod'sexercisingyouwithtroublesofthisnature,istoteachyoucompassiontowardsothersinthesamecase.Dotheynotcrytoyou,asJob19:21."Havepityhavepityuponme,Oyoumyfriends,forthe hand of God has touchedme." Draw forth affections ofmercy andtendercompassiontothem;for,eitheryouhavebeen,orare,ormaybein thesamecaseyourselves:however, ifmendonot, tobesure,Christ,thathasfeltitbeforethem,andforthem,willpitythem.

INFERENCE. 3. Did God really forsake Jesus Christ upon the cross?

ThenfromthedesertionofChrist,singularconsolationspringsuptothepeople of God; yes,manifold consolation. Principally it is a support inthese two respects, as it is preventive of your final desertion and acomfortablepatterntoyouinyourpresentsaddesertions.

First,Christ'sdesertionispreventiveofyourfinaldesertion:becausehewas forsaken for a time, you shall not be forsaken forever: for he wasforsakenforyou:andGod'sforsakinghim,thoughbutforafewhours,isequivalent tohis forsakingyou forever. It is everywayasmuch for thedearSonofGod,thedarlingdelightofhissoul,tobeforsakenofGodforatime;as ifsuchapoorinconsiderablethingasyouare,shouldbecastofftoeternity.Nowthisbeingequivalent,andborneinyourroom,mustneeds give you the highest security in the world, that God will neverfinallywithdrawfromyou:hadheintendedtohavedoneso,Christhadnevermade such a sadoutcry as youhear this day, "MyGod,myGod,whyhaveyouforsakenme?"

Secondly,Moreover, thissaddesertionofChristbecomesacomfortablepatterns to poor deserted souls in divers respects: and the properbusinessofsuchsouls,atsuchtimes,istoeyeitbelievingly,inthesesixrespects.

First, ThoughGod deserted Christ, yet at the same time he powerfullysupportedhim:hisomnipotentarmswereunderhim,thoughhispleasedface was hid from him: he had not indeed his smiles, but he had hissupports.So,Christian, just so shall itbewithyou:yourGodmay turnawayhisface,buthewillnotpluckawayhisarm.WhenoneaskedholyMr. Baines, how the case stoodwith his soul, he answered, supports Ihave, though suavities I want. Our father, in this, deals with us, as weourselvessometimesdowithachildthatisstubbornandrebellious.Weturnhimoutofdoors,andbidhimbegoneoutofoursight:andtherehesighs and weeps; but however, for the humbling of him, we will notpresentlytakehimintohouseandfavor:yetweorder,oratleast,permitthe servants to carry him meat and drink. Here is fatherly care andsupport:thoughnoformersmiles,ormanifesteddelights.

Secondly, Though God deserted Christ, yet he deserted not God: hisFatherforsookhim,buthecouldnotforsakehisFather,butfollowedhim

withthiscry,"MyGodmyGod,whyhaveyouforsakenme?"

And is it not even sowith you?God goes off from your souls, but youcannot go off from him. No, your hearts aremourning after the Lord,seeking him carefully with tears: complaining of his absence, as thegreatestevil in thisworld.This isChrist-like:so itwaswiththespouse,Cant.3:1,2.Herbelovedhadwithdrawnhimself,andwasgone;butwasshecontenttopartwithhimso?Nosuchthing."Bynight,onmybed,Isoughthimwhommysoulloves;Isoughthim,butIfoundhimnot;Iwillarisenow,andgoaboutthecity,"etc.

Thirdly,ThoughGodforsookChrist,yethereturnedtohimagain.Itwasbutforatime,notforever.Inthisalsodoeshisdesertionparallelyours.Godmay, forseveralwiseandholyreasons,hidehis facefromyou,butnot so as it is hid from the damned,who shall never see it again. Thiscloudshallpassaway;thisnightshallhaveabrightmorning:"For(saysyourGod)Iwillnotcontendforever,neitherwillIbealwayswrath; forthespiritshallfailbeforeme,andthesoulswhichIhavemade."Asifheshouldsay, Imaycontendwithhimfora time, tohumblehim,butnotforever, lest, instead of a sad child, I should have a dead child.Oh thetendernessevenofadispleasedfather!

Fourthly, Though God forsook Christ, yet at that time he could justifyGod.Soyouread,Psalm.22:2,3. "OmyGod(sayshe) I cry in thedaytime,butyouhearnot; and in thenight season,andamnot silent:butyou areholy." Is not your spirit, according to themeasure, framed likeChrist's in this; canned you not say, evenwhen he writes bitter thingsagainstyou,heisaholy,faithful,andgoodGodforallthis?Iamdesertedbutnotwronged.There isnotonedropof injustice inall theseaofmysorrows.Thoughhecondemnme,Imust,andwilljustifyhim;thisalsoisChrist-like.

Fifthly, ThoughGod took fromChrist all visible and sensible comforts,inwardaswellasoutward;yetChristsubsisted,byfaith,intheabsenceofthemall:hisdesertionputhimupontheactingofhisfaith."MyGod,myGod",arewordsoffaith,thewordsofonethatwhollydependsuponhisGod:andisitnotsowithyoutoo?Senseofloveisgone,sweetsightsofGodshutupinadarkcloud?well,whatthen?Mustyourhandspresently

hangdown,andyoursoulgiveupallitshopes?What!Istherenofaithtorelieveinthiscase?Yes,yes,andblessedbeGodforfaith."WhoisamongyouthatfearstheLord,andobeyeththevoiceofhisservants,thatwalksindarkness,andhasnolight;lethimtrustinthenameoftheLord,andstayhimselfuponhisGod,"Isa.50:10.Toconclude,

Sixthly,Christwasdeserted,a littlebeforethegloriousmorningof lightandjoydawneduponhim.Itwasalittle,averylittlewhile,afterthissadcry,beforehetriumphedgloriously;andsoitmaybewithyou:heavinessmayendure foranight,but joyandgladnesswillcome in themorning.YouknowhowMr.Gloverwastransportedwith joy,andcriedout,asamaninarapture,OAustin!heiscome,heiscome,heiscome,meaningtheComforter,whoforsometimehadbeenabsentfromhissoul.

But,IfearIamabsolutelyandfinallyforsaken.

Whyso?Doyoufindthecharactersofsuchadesertionuponyoursoul?Be righteous judges, and tell me, whether you find an heart willing toforsakeGod?IsitindifferenttoyouwhetherGodeverreturnagainorno?Aretherenomournings,meltings,orthirstingaftertheLord?Indeed, ifyouforsakehim,hewillcastyouoffforever;butcanyoudoso?Oh,no,let him do what he will, I am resolved to wait for him, cleave to him,mourn after him, though I have no present comfort from him, noassurance ofmy interest inhim; yetwill I not exchangemypoorweakhopesforallthegoodinthisworld.

Again, you say God has forsaken you, but has he let loose the bridlebeforeyou?ToalludetoJob30:11.Hashetakenawayfromyoursoulsallconscientious tenderness of sin, so that now you can sin freely, andwithout any regret? If so, it is a sad token indeed: tellme, soul, if you,indeed,judgeGodwillneverreturninlovingkindnesstoyouanymore;whyhaveyounotthengiveyourselfovertothepleasuresofsin,andfetchyour comforts that way, from the creature, since you can't have nocomfortfromyourGod?Oh,no,Icannotdoso;ifIdieindarknessandsorrow,Iwillneverdoso:mysoul isasfullof fearandhatredofsinasever, thoughemptyof joyandcomfort.Surely, theseareno tokensofasoulfinallyabandonedbyitsGod.

INFERENCE.4.DidGodforsakehisownSonuponthecross;ThenthedearestofGod'speoplemay,foratime,beforsakenoftheirGod.Thinkitnotstrange,whenyou,thatarethechildrenoflight,meetwithdarkness,yes,andwalkinit;neitherchargeGodfoolishly;norsayhedealshardlywithyou.YouseewhatbefallJesusChrist,whomhissouldelightedin:Itis doubtless your concernment to expect and prepare for days ofdarkness. You have heard the doleful cry of Christ, "MyGod,myGod,why have you forsaken me?" You know how it was with Job, David,Heman,Asaph, andmany others, the dear servants ofGod,what heartmelting lamentations they had made upon this account; and are youbetter than they? Oh, prepare for spiritual troubles; I am sure you doenougheverydaytoinvolveyouindarkness.Now,ifatanytimethistrialbefallyou,mindthesetwoseasonableadmonitions,andlaythemupforsuchatime.

Admonition1.First,Exercisethefaithofadherence,whenyouhave lostthe faithof evidence.WhenGod takesaway that,he leaves this: that isnecessarytothecomfort,thistothelifeofhispeople.Itissweettoliveinviewsofyourinterest,butiftheybegone,believeandrelyonGod,foraninterest.StayyourselvesonyourGodwhenyouhavenolight,Isa50:10.Dropthisanchorinthedark,anddonotreckonallgonewhenevidenceisgone:neverreckonyourselvesundonewhileyoucanadheretoyourGod.Direct acts arenoble acts of faith, aswell as reflexive ones; yes, and insomerespectstobepreferredtothem.For,

First, As your comfort depends on the evidencing acts of faith, soyoursalvation upon the adhering act of faith. Evidence comforts, affiancesavesyou;and,sure,salvationismorethancomfort.

Secondly,Your faithof evidencehasmore sensible sweetness, but yourfaithofadherenceisofmoreconstancyandcontinuance:theformerisasaflowerinitsmonth,thelattersticksbyyoualltheyear.

Thirdly,Faithofevidencebringsmorejoytoyou,butfaithofadherencebringsmoreglorytoGod:fortherebyyoutrusthimwhenyoucannotseehim;yes,youbelievenotonlywithout,butagainstsenseandfeeling;and,doubtless,thatwhichbringsglorytoGod,isbetterthanthatwhichbringscomforttoyou.Othenexercisethis,whenyouhavelostthat.

Admonition2.Secondly,Taketherightmethodtorecoverthesweetlightwhichyouhavesinnedawayfromyoursouls.Donotgoaboutfromonetoanothercomplaining;noryetsitdowndespondingunderyourburden.But,

First,SearchdiligentlyafterthecauseofGod'swithdrawment:urgehimhard,byprayer,totellyouthereforehecontendswithyou,Job10:2.Say,Lord,whathaveIdonethatsooffendsyourSpirit?Whatevilisitwhichyou so rebuke? I beseech you showme the causeof your anger: have IgrievedyourSpiritinthisthing,orinthat?Wasitmyneglectofduty,ormy formality in duties?Was I not thankful for the sense of your love,whenitwasshedabroadinmyheart?OLord,whyisitthuswithme?

Secondly,HumbleyoursoulsbeforetheLordforeveryevilyoushallbeconvincedof:tellhim,itpiercesyourheart,thatyouhavesodispleasedhim,andthatitshallbeacautiontoyou,whileyoulive,nevertoreturnagain to folly: invitehimagain toyoursouls,andmournaftertheLorduntil you have found him: If you seek him, he will be found of you, 2Chron.15:2.Itmaybeyoushallhaveathousandcomforterscomeaboutyoursadsouls,insuchatimetocomfortthem:thiswillbetoyouinsteadofGod,andthatwillrepairyourlossofChrist:despisethemall,andsay,IamresolvedtositasawidowuntilChristreturn;he,ornone,shallhavemylove.

Thirdly, Wait on in the use of means, until Christ returns. O be notdiscouraged; thoughhe tarry,waityou forhim; for,blessedareall theythatwaitforhim!

TheFifthExcellentSayingofChristUpontheCross

"After this, Jesus knowing that all thingswere now accomplished, thatthescripturemightbefulfilled,said--Ithirst!"John19:28

Itisastruly,ascommonlysaid,deathisdry:Christfounditso,whenhe

died. When his spirit labored in the agonies of death, then he said, Ithirst.

This is the fifthwordofChristupon thecross, spokena littlebeforehebowed the head and yielded up the Spirit. It is only recorded by thisevangelist; and, there are four things remarkable in this complaint ofChrist, namely, The person complaining: the complaint he made: thetimewhen,andthereasonwhyhesocomplained.

First, The person complaining. Jesus said, I thirst. This is a clearevidence,thatitwasnocommonsuffering:greatandresolutespiritswillnotcomplainforsmallmatters.Thespiritofacommonmanwillenduremuch,beforeituttersanycomplaint.Letusthereforesee,

Secondly,Theaffliction,orsuffering,hecomplainsof;andthatisthirst.There are two sorts of thirst, one natural and proper, another spiritualandfigurative:Christfeltbothatthistime.Hissoulthirsted,invehementdesires and longings, to accomplish and finish that great and difficultwork he was now about; and his body thirsted, by reason of thoseunparalleledagoniesitlaboredunder,fortheaccomplishingthereof:butitwas the propernatural thirst he here intends,whenhe said, I thirst.Now, "this natural thirst," of which he complains, "is the raging of theappetiteformoistnourishment,arisingfromscorchingupofthepartsofthebodyforwantofmoisture."And,amongallthepainsandafflictionsofthebody,therecanscarcelybenamedagreater,andmoreintolerableone, than extreme thirst. The most mighty and valiant have stoopedunderit.MightySamson,afterallhisconquestsandvictories,complainsthus,Judges15:18."Andhewassoreathirst,andcalledontheLord,andsaid,Youhavegiventhisgreatdeliveranceintothehandofyourservant,and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hands of theuncircumcised?"GreatDariusdrankfilthywater,defiledwiththebodiesof the slain, to relieve his thirst, "and protested, never any drink wasmorepleasanttohim."Hence,Isa.41:17,thirstisputtoexpressthemostafflictedstate,"Whenthepoorandneedyseekwater,andthereisnone,andtheirtonguefailsforthirst,ItheLordwillhearthem;"thatiswhenmypeopleareinextremenecessities,underanyextraordinarypressuresand distresses, I will be with them, to supply and relieve them. Thirstcauses amost painful compression of the heart, when the body, like a

sponge,sucksanddrawsformoisture,andthereisnone.Andthismaybeoccasioned,eitherbylongabstinencefromdrink,orbythelaboringandexpense of the spirits under grievous agonies and extreme tortures;which,likeafirewithin,soonscorchuptheveryradicalmoisture.

Now, thoughwe findnot thatChrist tastedadropsincehesatwithhisdisciples at the table; after that no more refreshments for him in thisworld: yet that was not the cause of this raging thirst; but it is to beascribedtotheextremesufferingswhichhesolonghadconflictedwith,bothinhissoulandbody.Thesepreyeduponhim,anddrankuphisverySpirits.Hencecamethissadcomplaint,Ithirst.

Thirdly, Let us consider the timewhen he thus complained. "When allthingswerenowaccomplished,"saysthetext,thatiswhenallthingswereeven ready to be accomplished in his death. A little, a very little whilebeforehisexpiration,whenthepangsofdeathbegantobestronguponhim: and so itwas both a sign of death at hand, and of his love to us,whichwasstrongerthandeath,thatwouldnotcomplainsooner,becausehewouldadmitofnorelief,nortaketheleastrefreshment,untilhehaddonehiswork.

Fourthly,andlastly,Takenoticeofthedesignandendofhiscomplaint:"that the scripture might be fulfilled, he says, I thirst;" that is that itmight appear, for the satisfaction of our faith, that whatever had beenpredicted by the prophets, was exactly accomplished, even to acircumstanceinhim.Nowitwasforetoldofhim,Peal69:21."Theygavemegall formymeat,and, inmy thirst, theygavemevinegar todrink;"andhereinitwasverified.Hencethenoteis,

DOCTRINE.ThatsuchweretheagoniesandextremesufferingsofourLordJesusChristuponthecross,asdrankuphisveryspirits,andmadehimcry,Ithirst.

"If I, (said one) should live a thousand years, and every day die athousandtimesthesamedeathforChristthatheoncediedforme,yetallthiswouldbenothingtothesorrowsChristenduredinhisdeath."AtthistimethebridegroomChristmighthaveborrowedthewordsofhisspouse,thechurch,Lam.1:12."Itisnothingtoyou,allyouthatpassby?Seeand

behold, if therebe any sorrow likeuntomy sorrowwhich is doneuntome,wherewiththeLordhasafflictedmeinthedayofhisfierceanger."

Here we are to enquire into, and consider the extremities and agoniesChristlaboredunderuponthecross,whichoccasionedthissadcomplaintof thirst; and thenmake application, in the several inferences of truthdeduciblefromit.

NowthesufferingsofourLordJesusChristuponthecrossweretwofold,namely, His corporeal, and spiritual sufferings: we shall open themdistinctly,andthenshowhowboththesemeetingtogetheruponhimintheir fullness and extremity, must needs consume his very radicalmoisture,andmakehimcry,Ithirst.Tobeginwiththefirst.

First,His corporeal andmore external sufferingswere exceeding great,acute,andextremesufferings; fortheyweresharp,universal,continual,andunrelievedbyanyinwardcomfort.

First,Theywere sharp sufferings; forhis bodywas rackedordigged inthosepartswheresensemoreeminentlydwells:inthehandsandfeettheveins and sinews meet, and their pain and anguish meet with them;Psalm.22:16."Theydiggedmyhandsandmyfeet."NowChristbyreasonof his exact and excellent temper of body, had doubtless more quick,tenderanddelicatesensesthanothermen:hisbodywassoformed,thatitmightbeacapaciousvessel,totakeinmoresufferingsthananyotherbody could. Sense is, in some,more delicate and tender, and in othersdull and blunt, according to the temperament and vivacity of the bodyandspirits;butinnoneasitwasinChrist,whosebodywasmiraculouslyformed on purpose to suffer unparalleledmiseries. and sorrows in: "Abodyhaveyoufittedme,"Heb.10:5.Neithersinnorsicknesshadanywayenfeebledordulledit.

Secondly,Ashispainsweresharp, so theywereuniversal,notaffectingone, but every part; they seized every member; from head to foot, nomemberwasfreefromtorture:for,ashisheadwaswoundedwiththorns,hisbackwithbloodylashes,hishandsandfeetwithnails,soeveryotherpartwas stretchedanddistendedbeyond itsnatural length,byhangingupon that cruel engine of torment, the cross.And as everymember, so

every particular sense, was afflicted; his sight with vile wretches, cruelmurderers that stood about him; his hearing with horrid blasphemies,belchedoutagainsthim;histastewithvinegarandgall,whichtheygavetoaggravatehismisery;hissmellwiththatfilthyGolgothawherehewascrucified,andhisfeelingwithexquisitepainsineverypart;sothathewasnotonlysharply,butuniversallytormented.

Thirdly,Theseuniversalpainswerecontinual,notbyfits,butwithoutanyintermission.Hehadnotamoment'seasebythecessationofpains;wavecameuponwave,onegriefdrivingonanother,untilallGod'swavesandbillowshadgoneoverhim.Tobeinextremityofpain,andthatwithoutamoment'sintermission,willquicklypulldownthestoutestnatureintheworld.

Fourthly,andlastly,Ashispainsweresharp,universalandcontinual,sotheywerealtogetherunrelievedbyhisunderstandingpart.IfamanhavesweetcomfortsflowingintohissoulfromGod,theywillsweetlydemulceandallaythepainsofthebody:thismadethemartyrsshoutamidsttheflames.Yes,eveninferiorcomfortsanddelightsofthemind,willgreatlyrelievetheoppressedbody.

It is said of Possidonius, that, in a great fit of the stone, he solacedhimselfwithdiscoursesofmoralvirtue,andwhenthepaintwingedhim,he would say, "O pain you does nothing, though you are a littletroublesome,Iwillneverconfessyoutobeevil."AndEpicures,inthefitsof thecolic, refreshedhimself,obmemoriam inventorum, that isbyhisinventionsinphilosophy.

ButnowChristhadnoreliefthiswayintheleast;notadropofcomfortcamefromheavenintohissoultorelieve it,andthebodyby it:but,onthecontrary,hissoulwasfilledupwithgrief,andhadanheavierburdenof its own to bear than that of the body; so that instead of relieving, itincreasedunspeakablytheburdenofitsoutwardman.For,

Secondly,Letus consider these inward sufferingsofhis soulhowgreattheywere, andhowquickly they spenthisnatural strength, andturnedhismoistureintothedroughtofsummer.And,

First, His soul felt the wrath of an angry God, which was terriblyimpressed upon it. Thewrath of a king is as the roaring of a lion; butwhatisthattothewrathofaDeity?SeewhatadescriptionisgivenofitinNahum1:6."Whocanstandbeforehisindignation:andwhocanabideinthefiercenessofhisanger?Hisfuryispouredoutlikefire,andtherocksare thrown down by him."Had not the strength that supported Christbeen greater than that of rocks, this wrath had certainly overwhelmedandgroundhimtopowder.

Secondly,AsitwasthewrathofGodthatlayuponhissoul,soitwasthepurewrathofGod,withoutanyallayormixture:notonedropofcomfortcame from heaven or earth; all the ingredients in his cup were bitterones:Therewaswrathwithoutmercy;yes,wrathwithouttheleastdegreeof sparing mercy; "for God spared not his own Son," Rom. 8:32. HadChrist been abatedor spared,wehadnot. If ourmerciesmustbepuremercies,andourgloryinheavenpureandunmixedglory,thenthewrathwhichliesufferedmustbepureandunmixedwrath.Yes,

Thirdly,Asthewrath,thepureunmixedwrathofGod,layuponhissoul,soallthewrathofGodwaspouredoutuponhim,eventothelastdrop;sothatthereisnotonedropreservedfortheelecttofeel.Christ'scupwasdeepandlarge,itcontainedallthefuryandwrathofaninfiniteGodinit!andyethedrankitup:hebareitall,sothattobelievingsouls,whocometomakepeacewithGodthroughChrist,hesays,Isa.27:4."Furyisnotinme." In all the chastisements God inflicts upon his people, there is novindictivewrath;Christboreitallinhisownsoulandbodyonthetree.

Fourthly,As itwas all thewrathofGod that layuponChrist, so itwaswrath aggravated, in divers respects beyond that which the damnedthemselves do suffer. That is strange you will say; can there be anysufferingsworsethanthosethedamnedsuffer,uponwhomthewrathofaninfiniteGod is immediately transacted,whoholds themupwith thearmofhispower,whilethearmofhisjusticeliesoneternally?Cananysorrowsbegreaterthanthese?Yes;Christ'ssufferingswerebeyondtheirsindiversparticulars.

First,Noneof thedamnedwereeversonearanddear toGodasChristwas: theywere estranged from thewomb, but Christ lay in his bosom.

When he smote Christ, he smote "theman that was his fellow," Zech.13:7.Butinsmitingthem,hesmiteshisenemies.Whenhehadtodo,inawayofsatisfaction,withChrist,heissaidnottosparehisownson,Rom.8:32.NeverwasthefuryofGodpouredoutuponsuchapersonbefore.

Secondly,Noneof thedamnedhadever so largeacapacity to take inafullsenseofthewrathofGodasChristhad.Thelargeranyone'scapacityis to understand and weigh his troubles fully, the more grievous andheavy ishisburden. Ifamancastvesselsofgreaterand lesserquantityintothesea,thoughallwillbefull,yetthegreaterthevesselis,themorewateritcontains.NowChristhadacapacitybeyondallmerecreaturestotakeinthewrathofhisFather;andwhatdeepandlargeapprehensionshehadofitmaybejudgedbyhisbloodysweatinthegarden,whichwasthe effect of hismere apprehensions of thewrath ofGod. Christwas alargevesselindeed;asheiscapableofmoreglory,soofmoresenseandmiserythananyotherpersonintheworld.

Thirdly, The damned suffer not so innocently as Christ suffered; theysufferthejustdemeritandrecompenseoftheirsin:TheyhavedeservedallthatwrathofGodwhichtheyfeel,andmustfeelforever:Itisbutthatrecompensewhichwasmeet;butChristwasaltogetherinnocent:Hehaddonenoiniquity,neitherwasguilefoundinhismouth;yetitpleasedtheLordtobruisehim.WhenChristsuffered,hesufferednotforwhathehaddone;buthissufferingswerethesufferingsofasurety,payingthedebtsofothers."TheMessiahwascutoff,butnotforhimself,"Dan.9:26.Thusyou see what his external sufferings in his body, and his internalsufferingsinhissoulwere.

Thirdly, In the last place, it is evident that such extreme sufferings asthese,meeting together uponhim,must needs exhaust his very spirits,andmakehimcry,Ithirst.Forletusconsider,

First,Whatmere external pains, and outward afflictions can do. Thesepreyupon, and consumeour spirits. SoDavid complains,Psalm.39:11."When you with rebukes correctest man for iniquity; you makes hisbeauty to consume away as amoth," that is look, as amoth frets andconsumesthemoststrongandwellwroughtgarment,andmakesitscaryand rotten without any noise; so afflictions waste and wear out the

strongestbodies.Theymakebodiesofthefirmestconstitutionlikeanoldrotten garment: They shrivel and dry up the most vigorous andflourishingbody,andmakeitlikeabottleinthesmoke,Psalm.119:83.

Secondly,Considerwhatmereinternaltroublesofthesoulcandouponthe strongest body: They spend its strength, and devour the spirits. SoSolomonspeaks,Prov.17:22."Abrokenspiritdrieththebones,"thatisitconsumes the very marrow with which they are moistened. So Psalm.32:3,4."Myboneswaxedold,andthroughmyroaringall thedaylong:fordayandnightyourhandwasheavyonme:mymoisture(orchiefsap)is turned into the drought of summer." What a spectacle of pity wasFrancisSpirabecome,merely through theanguishofhis spirit?a spiritsharpenedwithsuchtroubles,likeakeenknife,cutsthroughthesheath.Certainly, whoever has had any acquaintance with troubles of soul,knows,bysadexperience,how,likeaninternalflame,itfeedsandpreysupontheveryspirits,sothatthestrongeststoopandsinkunderit.But,

Thirdly, When outward bodily pains shall meet with inward spiritualtroubles,andbothinextremityshallcomeinoneday;howsoonmustthefirmestbodyfailandwasteawaylikeacandlelightedatbothends?Nowstrengthfailsa-pace,andnaturemustfallflatunderthisload.Whentheship in which Paul sailed, fell into a place where two seasmet, it wasquicklywrecked;andsowillthebestconstitutedbodyintheworld, if itfallunderboththesetroublestogetherthesoulandbodysympathizewitheachotherundertrouble,andmutuallyrelieveeachother.

If the body be sick and full of pain, the spirit supports, cheers, andrelieves it by reason and resolution all that it can; and if the spirit beafflictedthebodysympathizesandhelpstobearupthespirit;butnow,iftheonebeoverladenwithstrongpains,morethanitcanbear,andcallsfor aid from the other, and the other be oppressed with intolerableanguish,andcriesoutunderaburdengreaterthanitcanbear,sothatitcan contribute no help, but instead thereof adds to its burden, whichbeforewas above its strength tobear, thennaturemustneeds fail, andthefriendlyunionbetweensoulandbodysufferadissolutionbysuchanextraordinarypressureasthis.SoitwaswithChrist,whenoutwardandinwardsorrowsmet inoneday in their extremityuponhim.Hence thebittercry,Ithirst.

INFERENCE 1.How horrid a thing is sin!How great is to that evil ofevils,whichdeservesthatallthisshouldbeinflictedandsufferedfortheexpiationofit!

The sufferings of Christ for sin give us the true account, and fullestrepresentationofitsevil."Thelaw(saysone)isabrightglass,whereinwemay see the evil of sin; but there is the red glass of the sufferings ofChrist,andinthatwemayseemoreoftheevilofsin,thanifGodshouldletusdowntohell,andthereweshouldseeallthetorturesandtormentsofthedamned.IfweshouldseethemhowtheylieswelteringunderGod'swraththere,itwerenotsomuchasthebeholdingofsinthroughtheredglassofthesufferingsofChrist."

Suppose the bars of the bottomless pit were broken up; and damnedspirits should ascend from thence, and come up among us, with thechainsofdarknessrattlingattheirheels,andweshouldhearthegroans,andseetheghastlypalenessandtremblingofthosepoorcreaturesuponwhomthe righteousGod has impressed his fury and indignation, ifwecould hear how their consciences are lashed by the fearful scourge ofguilt,andhowtheyshriekateverylashthearmofjusticegivesthem.

Ifweshouldseeandhearallthis,itisnotsomuchaswhatwemayseeinthis text,where the Son ofGod, under his sufferings for it, cries out, Ithirst.For,asIshowedyoubefore,Christ'ssufferings,indiversrespects,werebeyondtheirs.Othen,letnotyourvainheartslightsin,asifitwerebutasmallthing!IfeverGodshowyouthefaceofsininthisglass,youwillsay,thereisnotsuchanotherhorridrepresentationtobemadetoamaninalltheworld.Foolsmakeamockatsin,butwisementrembleatit.

INFERENCE.2.Howafflictiveand intolerableare inward troubles.DidChristcomplainsosadlyunderthem,andcry,Ithirst?Surelythentheyarenot such lightmatters asmany are apt tomakeof them. If they soscorchedtheveryheartofChrist,driedupthegreentree,preyeduponhisvery spirits, and turnedhismoisture into the drought of summer, theydeservenottobeslighted,astheyarebysome.TheLordJesuswasfittedtobearandsufferasstrongtroublesaseverbefellthenatureofman,and

hedidbearallothertroubleswithadmirablepatience;butwhenitcametothis,whentheflamesofGod'swrathscorchedhissoul,thenhecries,Ithirst.

David's heart was, for courage, as the heart of a lion; but when Godexercisedhimwith inwardtroubles forsin, thenheroarsoutundertheanguishof it,"Iamfeeble,andsorebroken;Ihaveroared,byreasonofthedisquietnessofmyheart.Myheartpanteth,mystrengthfailsme:Asfor the lightofmineeyes, it isalsogone fromme,"Psalm.38:8, 10."Awoundedspiritwhocanbear!"Manyhaveprofessedthatallthetormentsin theworldarebut toys to it; the racking fitsof thegout, thegrindingtortures of the stone, are nothing to the wrath of God upon theconscience.Whatisthewormthatneverdiesbuttheefficacyofaguiltyconscience? This worm feeds upon, and gnaws the very inwards, thetenderandmost sensiblepartofmanand is theprincipalpartofhell'shorror.Inbodilypains,amanmayberelievedbypropermedicines;herenothingbutthebloodofsprinklingrelieves.Inoutwardpains, thebodymay be supported by the resolution and courage of themind; here themind itself is wounded. O let none despise these troubles, they aredreadfulthings!

INFERENCE. 3. How dreadful a place is hell, where this cry is heardforever, I thirst! There the wrath of the great and terrible God flamesuponthedamnedforever,inwhichtheythirst,andnonerelievesthen.IfChristcomplained,Ithirst,whenhehadconflictedbutafewhourswiththe wrath of God; what is their state then, that are to grapple with itforever?Whenmillionsofyearsarepastandgone,tenthousandmillionsmorearecomingon.Thereisaneverlastingthirstinhell,anditadmitsofnorelief.Therearenofullcupsinhell,butalleternal,unrelievedthirst.Thinkonthisyouthatnowadddrunkennesstothirst,whowallowinallsensualpleasures, anddrownnature in an excessof luxury.RememberwhatDivessaidinLuke16:24."Andhecriedandsaid,FatherAbraham,havemercyonme,andsendLazarusthathemaydipthetipofhisfingerinwater,andcoolmytongue,forIamtormentedinthisflame."Nocupsofwater,nobowlsofwineinhell.There,thatthroatwillbeparchedwiththirst, which is now drowned with excess. The songs of the drunkardturned into cowlings. If thirst in the extremity of it be now so

insufferable,whatisthatthirstwhichisinfinitelybeyondthisinmeasure,andnevershallberelieved?SaynotitishardthatGodshoulddealthuswithhispoorcreatures.Youwillnotthinkitso,ifyouconsiderwhatheexposedhisowndearSonto,whensinwasbutimputedtohim.Andwhatthatmandeservestofeel,thathasnotonlymeritedhell,but,byrefusingChristtheremedy,thehottestplaceinhell.

In this thirst of Christwe have the liveliest emblem of the state of thedamned, that everwas presented tomen in thisworld.Here you see aperson laboring inextremity,under the infinitewrathsof thegreatandterribleGod lying upon his soul and body at once, and causing him toutterthisdolefulcry,Ithirst.OnlyChristenduredthisbutalittlewhile,the damned must endure it forever: in that they differ, as also in theinnocenceandabilityof thepersonssuffering,andintheendforwhichtheysuffer.But,surely,suchasthiswillthecryofthosesoulsbethatarecastawayforever.Oterriblethirst!

INFERENCE.4.Howmuchdoniceandwantonappetitesdeservetobereproved?TheSonofGodwantedadraughtofcoldwatertorelievehim,andcouldnothaveit.Godhasgivenusvarietyofrefreshingcreaturestorelieve us, and we despise them.We have better things than a cup ofwater to refresh and delight us when we are thirsty, and yet are notpleased.O that this complaint ofChrist on the cross, I thirst,were butbelievingly considered, itwouldmake you blessGod forwhat you nowdespise,andbegetcontentmentinyouforthemeanestmercies,andmostcommonfavorsinthisworld.DidtheLordofallthingscry,Ithirst,andhad nothing in his extremity to comfort him; and do you, who have athousand times over forfeited all temporal as well as spiritualmercies,condemnand slight the good creatures ofGod!What, despise a cup ofwater, who deserves nothing but a cup of wrath from the hand of theLord!Olayittoheart,andhencelearncontentmentwithanything.

INFERENCE. 5. Did Jesus Christ upon the cross cry, I thirst? Thenbelieversshallneverthirsteternally.Theirthirstshallbecertainsatisfied.

There is a threefold thirst, gracious, natural, and penal. The graciousthirstisthevehementdesireofaspiritualheartafterGod.OfthisDavidspeaks, Psalm. 42:1, 2. "As the hart panteth after the water-brooks, so

pantethmysoulafteryou,OGod.MysoulthirstsforGod,forthelivingGod,when shall I come and appear beforeGod?" And this is indeed avehement thirst; itmakes the soul breakwith the longings it has afterGod,Psalm.119.Itisathirstpropertobelievers,whohavetastedthattheLordisgracious.

Naturalthirstis(asbeforewasnoted)adesireofrefreshmentbyhumidnourishment,anditiscommonbothtobelieversandunbelieversinthisworld.God'sdearsaintshavebeendriventosuchextremitiesinthislife,thattheirtongueshaveevenfailedforthirst."Whenthepoorandneedyseekwater,andthereisnone,andtheirtonguefailsforthirst,"Isa.41:17.And of the people of God in their captivity, it is said, Lam. 4:4. "Thetongueof the sucking child cleaveth to the roofof hismouth for thirst.Theyoungchildrenaskbread,andnomanbreakethituntothem.Theythatfeeddelicatelyaredesolateinthestreets;theythatwerebroughtupinscarletembracedunghills."TothismanythatfeartheLordhavebeenreduced.

Apenalthirst,isGod'sjustdenyingofallrefreshmentsorrelieftosinnersin their extremities, and that as a due punishment for their sin. Thisbelieversshallneverfeel,becausewhenChristthirsteduponthecross,hemadefullsatisfactiontoGodintheirroom.ThesesufferingsofChrist,astheywereordainedforthem,sothebenefitsofthemaretrulyimputedtothem.Andforthenaturalthirst,thatshallbesatisfied:forinheavenweshall livewithoutthesenecessitiesanddependenciesuponthecreature;we shall be equalwith the angels in theway andmanner of living andsubsisting,"isangeloieisin",Luke20:6.AndforthegraciousthirstingoftheirsoulsforGod,itshallbefullysatisfied.Soitispromised,Mat.5:6."Blessed are theywhich hunger and thirst after righteousness, for theyshall be filled:" They shall then depend nomore upon the stream, butdrink from the overflowing fountain itself, Psalm. 36:8 "They shall beabundantlysatisfiedwiththefatnessofyourhouse,andyoushallmakethemdrinkoftheriverofyourpleasures:forwithyouisthefountainoflife, and in Your light shall we see light:" There they shall drink andpraise,andpraiseanddrinkforevermore;alltheirthirstydesiresshallbefilledwithcompletesatisfaction.Ohowdesirableastateisheavenuponthisaccount!andhowshouldweberestlessuntilwecomethere;asthe

thirstytravelerisuntilhemeetthatcool,refreshingspringhewantsandseeks for. This present state is a state of thirsting, that to come ofrefreshmentandsatisfaction.Somedropsindeedcomefromthefountainby faith, hut they quench not the believer's thirst; rather like watersprinkledon the fire, theymake itburn themore:but there the thirstysoulhasenough.

OblessGod,thatJesusChristthirstedundertheheatofhiswrathonce,that you might not be scorched with it forever. If he had not cried, Ithirst,youmusthavecriedoutofthirsteternally,andneverbesatisfied.

INFERENCE.6.Lastly;DidChristintheextremityofhissufferingscry,Ithirst?Thenhowgreat,beyondallcompare,istheloveofGodtosinners,who for their sakes exposed the Son of his love to such extremesufferings?

ThreeconsiderationsmarvelouslyheightenthatloveoftheFather.

First,HisputtingtheLordJesusintosuchacondition.Thereisnoneofuswouldenduretoseeachildofourownliepanting,andthirstingintheextremityof torments, for the fairest inheritanceonearth;muchlesstohave the soul of a child conflictingwith thewrath ofGod, andmakingsuchheart-rendingcomplaintsasChristmadeuponthecross,ifwemighthavethelargestempireintheworldforit:yet,suchwasthestrengthoftheloveofGodtous,thathewillinglygaveJesusChristtoallthismiseryand torture for us. What shall we call this love? O the height, length,depth,andbreadthofthatlovewhichpassesknowledge!TheloveofGodtoJesusChristwasinfinitelybeyondallthelovewehaveforourchildren,astheseaismorethenaspoonfulofwater:andyet,asdearlyashelovedhim, he was content to expose him to all this, rather than we shouldperisheternally.

Secondly, As God the Father was content to expose Christ to thisextremity, so in that extremity to hear his bitter cries, and dolorouscomplaints, and yet not relievehimwith the least refreshment untilhefainted and died under it. He heard the cries of his Son; that voice, Ithirst,piercedheaven,and reached theFather's ear;butyethewillnotrefreshhiminhisagonies,norabatehimanythingofthedebthewasnow

paying,andallthisforthelovehehadtopoorsinners.HadChristbeenrelievedinhissufferings,andspared,thenGodcouldnothavepitiedorsparedus.TheextremityofChrist'ssufferingwasanactofjusticetohim;and thegreatestmercy tous thatevercouldbemanifested.Nor indeed(though Christ so bitterly complains of his thirst) was he willing to berelieved,untilhehadfinishedhiswork.Oloveunspeakable!Hedoesnotcomplain, that he might be relieved, but to manifest how great thatsorrowwaswhichhissoulnowfeltuponouraccount.

Thirdly,Anditshouldneverbeforgotten,thatJesusChristwasexposedto these extremities of sorrow for sinners, the greatest of sinners, whodeserved not one drop ofmercy fromGod. This commends the love ofGodsingularly tous, in that "whilewewereyetsinners,Christdiedforus,"Rom.5:1.ThustheloveofGodinJesusChriststillriseshigherandhigher ineverydiscoveryof it.Admire,adore,andberavishedwith thethoughtsofthislove!

TheSixthExcellentSayingofChristUpontheCross

"WhenJesus thereforehad received the vinegar, he said, It is finished.Andhebowedhishead,andgaveuphisspirit."John19:30

Itisfinished.ThisisthesixthremarkableworldofourLordJesusChristuponthecross,utteredasatriumphantshoutwhenhesawthegloriousissueofallhissufferingsnowathand.

It isbutonewordintheoriginal;but inthatonewordiscontainedthesumofalljoy;theveryspiritofalldivineconsolation.TheancientGreeksreckoned it their excellency to speakmuch in a little: "to give a sea ofmatter in a drop of language."What they only sought, is here found. Ifind some variety, (and indeed variety rather than contrariety), amongexpositors about the relation of thesewords. Some are ofopinion, thattheantecedentisthelegaltypesandceremonies;andsomakethistobethemeaning; It is finished: that is,all the typesandprefigurationsthat

shadowedforththeredemptionofsouls,bythebloodofChrist,arenowfulfilledandaccomplished.And,doubtless,asthisisitselfatruth,soitissuch a truth asmay not be excluded, as foreign to the true scope andsense of this place. And though it be objected, that many types andprefigurations remainedat this timeunsatisfied, evenall that lookedtotheactualdeathatChrist,hiscontinuance in thestateof thedead, andhis resurrection; yet it is easily removed, "by considering that they aresaid to be finished, because they were just finishing, or ready to befinished:anditisasifChristhadsaid,Iamnowputtingthelasthandtoit", a fewmomentsof timemorewill complete and finish it. Ihave thesumnowinmyhand,whichwillfullysatisfyandpayGodthewholedebt.

Itisnowbutbowthehead,andtheworkisdone,andallthetypesthereinfulfilled.SothatthiscannotexcludethefulfillingofthetypesinthedeathofChrist,fromtheirjustclaimtothesenseofthisplace.Butyet,thoughtwecannothereexcludethissense,wecannotallowittobethewholeorprincipal sense: for lo! a far greater truth is containedherein, even thefinishing or completing of the whole design and project of ourredemption, and therein of all the types that prefigured it. Both thesejudicious Calvin conjoins, making the completing of redemption theprincipal;andthefulfillingofallthetypesthecollateralandlessprincipalsenseofit.

Yet itmustbeobserved,whenwesay,Christ finishedredemption-workbyhisdeath,themeaningisnotthathisdeathalonedidfinishit;forhisabode in the grave, resurrection, and ascension, had all of them theirjointinfluencetherein;butthesebeingshortlytofollow,allareincludedin the scope of this place. According then to the principal scope of theplace,weobserve,

DOCTRINE. That Jesus Christ has perfected and completelyfinished the great work of redemption, committed to him byGodtheFather.

Tothisgreattruththeapostlegivesafulltestimony,Heb.10:14"Byoneoffering he has perfected forever them that are sanctified." And to thesamepurposespeaksChrist,John17:4."Ihaveglorifiedyouonearth!Ihavefinishedtheworkyougavemetodo."Concerningthiswork,andthe

finishing thereof by JesusChrist upon the cross,we shall enquirewhatthisworkwas;howChristfinishedit;andwhatevidencecanbeproducedforthefinishingofit.

First,WhatwastheworkwhichChristfinishedbyhisdeath?

It was the fulfilling the whole law of God in our room, and for ourredemption,asasponsororsuretyforus.Thelawisagloriousthing;theholinessofGod, that fieryattribute, isengravedorstampeduponeverypartofit;Deut.33:2."Fromhisrighthandwentafierylaw."ThejealousyoftheLordwatchedovereverypointandtittleofit,forhisdreadfulandgloriousnamewasupon it; itcursedeveryone thatcontinuednoe inallthings contained therein, Gal. 3:10. Two things, therefore, werenecessarilyrequiredinhimthatshouldperfectlyfulfillit,andbothfoundin our Surety, and in him only, namely, a subjective and effectiveperfection.

First,Asubjectiveperfection.Hethatwantedthis,couldneversay,It isfinished.Perfectworkingalways followsaperfectBeing.Thathemighttherefore finish this great work of obedience, and therein the gloriousdesignofourredemption;lo!inwhatshiningandperfectholinesswasheproduced!Luke1:35."Thatholythingthatshallbebornofyou,shallbecalledtheSonofGod."Andindeed,"suchanHigh-priestbecameus,whois holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners,"Heb. 7:26. So thatthelawcouldhavenoexceptionagainsthisperson;nay,itwasneversohonored since its firstpromulgation, as itwasbyhaving such aperfectand excellent person as Christ to stand at its bar, and give it duereparation.

Secondly, Theremust be also an effective perfection, or a perfection ofworking andobeying, before it could be said, It is finished.ThisChristhad; for he continued in all things written in the law, to do them:Hefulfilledallrighteousness,as itbehavedhimtodo,Mat.3:15.Hedidallthat was required to be done, and suffered all that was requisite to besuffered;hedidandsufferedall thatwascommandedor threatened, insuchperfectionofobedience,bothactiveandpassive,thatthepureeyeofdivine justice could not find a flaw in it; and so finished the work hisFathergavehimtodo;andthiswork finishedbyourLordJesusChrist

wasbothanecessary,difficult,andpreciouswork.

First, It was a necessary work which Christ finished upon the cross;necessary,uponathreefoldaccount.

Opus necessarium ex parts Patris; It was necessary on the Father'account: I do not mean that God was under any necessity, from hisnature,ofredeemingusthisoranyotherway;forourredemptionisopuslibericoncilii,anactofthefreecounselofGod;butwhenGodhadoncedecreedanddeterminedtoredeemandsavepoorsinnersbyJesusChrist,thenitbecamenecessarythatthecounselofGodshouldbefulfilled;Acts4:28."Todowhateveryourhandandcounselhadbeforedeterminedtobedone."

Secondly,ExparteFilii.ItwasnecessarywithrespecttoChrist,upontheaccountof thatpreciouscompact thatwasbetween theFatherandhimaboutit.ThereforeitissaidbyChristhimself,Luke22:22."TrulytheSonof man goes as it was determined," that is as it was fore agreed andcovenanted; under the necessity of fulfilling his engagement to theFather, he came into the world; and being come, he still minds hisengagement,John9:3."Imustworktheworksofhimthatsentme."

Thirdly, Ex parte nostri. Yes, and it was no less necessary upon ouraccount that this work should be finished; for, had not Christ finishedthis work, sin had quickly finished all our lives, comforts, and hopes.Without the finishing this work, not a son or daughter of Adam couldever have seen the face ofGod. Therefore it is said, John 3:14, 15. "AsMoseslifteduptheserpentinthewilderness,so[must]theSonofmanbe lifted up; that whoever believes in him should not perish, but haveeverlasting life." On all these accounts the finishing of this work wasnecessary.

Secondly, As it was necessary this work should be finished, so thefinishingofitwasexceedingdifficult:Itcostmanyacry,manygroan,andmany a tear, before Christ could say, It is finished. All the angels inheavenwere not able, by their united strength, to lift that burden oneinch from the ground, which Christ bare upon his shoulders, yes, andbareitaway.Buthowheavyaburdenthiswas,mayinpartappearbyhis

agony in the garden, and the bitter outcries he made upon the cross,whichintheirproperplaceshavebeenopened.

Thirdly,andlastly,ItwasamostpreciousworkwhichChristfinishedbyhisdeath;thatworkwasdispatchedandfinishedinfewhours,whichwillbethematterofeverlastingsongsandtriumphstotheangelsandsaintstoalleternity.Oitwasapreciouswork!Themerciesthatnowflowoutofthis fountain,namely, justification, sanctification,adoption,etc.arenotto be valued; besides the endless happiness and glory of the world tocome,whichcannotenterintotheheartofmantoconceive.Iftheangelssang when the foundation-stone was laid, what shouts, what triumphsshalltherebeamongthesaints,whenthisvoiceisheard,Itisfinished!

Secondly,Letusnext informourselveshow,and inwhatmannerJesusChristfinishedthisgloriouswork;andifyousearchthescripturesuponthataccount,youwillfindthathefinisheditobediently,freely,diligently,andfully.

First, This blessed work was finished by Jesus Christmost obediently,Phil. 2:8. "He became obedient to death, even the death of the cross.""His obedience was the obedience of a servant, though not servileobedience."Soitwasforetoldofhim,beforehetouchedthiswork,Isa.1.5."TheLordGodhasopenedmineear,andIwasnotrebellious,neitherturnedawayback;"thatisMyFathertoldmetheveryworstofit;hetoldmewhat hard and heavy things Imust undergo, if ever I finished thisdesign of redemption; and I was not rebellious, that is I heartilysubmittedto,andacceptedallthosedifficulties;forthereisaMeiosisinthewords; Iwascontent to stoop to thehardestandmost ignominiouspartofit,ratherthannotfinishit.

Secondly, As Christ finished it obediently, so he finished it freely.Freedomandobedienceinactingarenotatalloppositeto,orexclusiveofeachother.Moses'mothernursedhiminobedienceto thecommandofPharaoh'sdaughter,yetmost freelywithrespecttoherowndelightandcontentment in that work. So it is said of Christ, and that by his ownmouth,John10:17,18."ThereforedoesmyFatherloveme,becauseIlaydownmylife,thatImighttakeitagain.Nomantakesitfromme,butIlay itdownofmyself: Ihavepower to lay itdown,andIhavepower to

take itupagain.ThiscommandmenthaveI receivedofmyFather."Heliked the work for the end's sake. When he had a prospect of it frometernity,thenwerehisdelightswiththesonsofmen:thenherejoicedinthehabitablepartsof theearth,Prov.8:30,31.Andwhenhecame intotheworldaboutit,withwhatafullandfreeconsentdidhisheartechotothevoiceofhisFathercallinghimtoit;justasyoushallsometimeshearanechoansweringyourvoicetwoorthreetimesover,Psalm.40."Lo,Icome:Idelighttodoyourwill:yourlawiswithinmyheart."Hefinishedtheworkfreely.

Thirdly,Ashe finished it freely, sohe finished itdiligently;hewroughthard from the morning of his life to the end of it: he was never idlewhereverhewas,but"wentaboutdoinggood,"Acts10:38.Sometimeshewassointentuponhiswork,that"heforgettoeatbread,"John4:30,31.Asthelifeofsomemenisbutadiversionfromonetrifletoanother,fromonepleasuretoanother;sothewholelifeofChristwasspentandtakenupbetweenoneworkandanother:neverwasalifesofilledupwithlabor:the verymoments of his timewere all employed for God to finish thiswork.

Fourthly,andlastly,Hefinisheditcompletelyandfully.Allthatwastobedonebywayofimpetrationandmeritoriousredemptionisfullydone;nohandcancomeafterhis;angelscanaddnothingtoit."Thatisperfectedtowhichnothingiswanting,andtowhichnothingcanbeadded."SuchistheworkChrist finished.Whatever the lawdemanded isperfectlypaid;whatever a sinner needs, is perfectly obtained and purchased; nothingcanbeaddedtowhatChristhasdone;heputthelasthandtoit,whenhesaid, It is finished. Thus you see what the work was, and how Christfinishedit.

Thirdly,Inthelastplace,letusconsiderwhatassuranceorevidencewehavethatChristhassofinishedredemption-work:andifyoupursuethatenquiry,youwillfindthese,amongotherplainevidencesofit.

First, When Christ died, redemption-work must needs be finished,inasmuchastheblood,aswellastheobedienceofChrist,wasofinfinitevalueandefficacy,sufficientlyabletoaccomplishalltheendsforwhichitwasshed;"andthatnotbydivineacceptance,butupontheaccountofits

proper value." This effect, namely, the finishing redemption-workmeritoriouslybyChrist,doesnotexceedthepowerofthecausetowhichweassignit,namely,thedeathofChrist.Andiftherebeasolesufficientcause in act, what hinders but the effect should follow? There wascertainlyenoughinChrist'sbloodtosatisfytheutmostdemandofjustice:when that therefore is actually shed, justice is fully paid, and,consequently,thesoulsforwhom,andinwhosenamesitispaid,arefullyredeemedfromthecursebythemeritthereof.

Secondly,ItisapparentthatChristfinishedthework,bythedischargeoracquittanceGodtheFathergavehim,whenheraisedhimfromthedead,and set himat his own righthand. IfChrist, the sinner's surety, be, assuch, discharged by God the creditor, then the debt is fully paid.NowChristwasjustified,andclearedathisresurrection,fromallchargesanddemandsofjustice;thereforeitixsaid,1Tim.3:16thathewasjustifiedinthespirit,thatisopenlydischargedbythatveryactoftheGodhead,hisraisinghim from thedead.Forwhen thegravewasopened, andChristarose, it was to him as the opening of the prison-doors, and setting asuretyatliberty,whowasconfirmedforanotherman'sdebt.Tothesamesense Christ speaks of his ascension, John 16:10. "The Spirit (says he)shall convince the world of righteousness," that is of a complete andperfect righteousness in me, imputable to sinners for their perfectjustification.Andwherebyshallheconvinceandsatisfythemthatisso?Why, by this, "Because I go to the Father, and you see me no more."Thereisagreatdealofforceandweightinthosewords,"becauseyouseemenomore:"foritamountstothismuch;bythisyoushallbesatisfiedIhavefully and completelyperformedall righteousness, and that, bymyactiveandpassiveobedience;IhavesofullysatisfiedGodforyou,asthatyoushallneverbechargedorcondemned;because,whenIgotoheaven,IshallabidethereinglorywithnayFather,andnotbesentbackagain,asIshould,ifanythinghadbeenomittedbyme.Andthistheapostlegivesyoualsoinsomanyplainwords,Heb.10:12,13,14."Afterhehadofferedone sacrifice for sins, forever sat downon the right hand ofGod."Andwhatdoeshe infer fromthat,buttheverytruthbeforeus,verse14that"byoneofferinghehasperfectedforeverthemthataresanctified?"

Thirdly,ItisevidentChristhasfinishedthework,bytheblessedeffectsof

it upon all that believe in him: for by virtue of the completeness ofChrist'swork,finishedbyhisdeath,theirconsciencesarenowrationallypacified,andtheirsoulsatdeath,actuallyreceivedintoglory;neitherofwhichcouldbe,ifChristhadnotinthisworldfinishedthework.IfChristhad done his work imperfectly, he could not have given rest andtranquilitytothelaboringandburdenedsoulsthatcometohim,asnowhedoes,Mat.11:28.Consciencewouldstillbehesitating,trembling,andunsatisfied, and had he not finished his work, he could not have hadentrance through the veil of his flesh intoheaven, as all that believe inhimhave,Heb. 10:19,20. Ifhehadbutalmostdone thatwork,wehadbeenbutalmostsaved,thatis,certainlydamned.Andthusyouseebrieflytheevidences,thattheworkisfinished.

INFERENCE.1.HasChristperfectedandcompletelyfinishedallhisworkforus?HowsweetareliefisthistousthatbelieveinhimagainstallthedefectsandimperfectionsofalltheworksofGod,thatarewroughtbyus.Thereisnothing,finishedthatwedo:allourdutiesareimperfectduties;theycomeofflamely,anddefectivelyfromourhands.ItisChrist'schargeagainst the church of Sardis, Rev. 3:2. I have not found your works"pepleromena" perfect, or filled up before God. O there is muchimpudence and vanity in the best of our duties: but here is the grandrelief,andthatwhichanswerstoallthegroundsofourdoubtsandfearsuponthataccount;JesusChristhasfinishedallhiswork,thoughwecanfinish none of ours: and so, though we be defective, poor, imperfectcreatures,inourselves,yet,notwithstanding,wearecompleteinhim,Col.2:9,10.Thoughwecannotperfectlyobey,orfulfillonecommandofthelaw,yetis"therighteousnessofthelawfulfilledinusthatbelieve,"Rom.8:4.Christ'scompleteobediencebeingimputedtous,makesuscomplete,andwithoutfaultbeforeGod.

Itistrue,weoughttobehumbledforourdefects,andtroubledforeveryfailing in obedience; but we should not be discouraged, thoughmultitudesofweaknessesbeuponus,andmany infirmitiescompassusabout,ineverydutyweputourhandto:thoughwehavenorighteousnessofourown; yet ofGod,Christ ismadeuntous righteousness; and thatrighteousnessofhisisinfinitelybetterthanourown:insteadofourown,wehavehis.OblessedbeGodforChrist'sperfectrighteousness!

INFERENCE. 2. Did Christ finish his work with his own hand? Howdangerousanddishonorablea thing is it to joinanythingofourowntothe righteousness of Christ, in point of justification before God. JesusChristwillneverendurethis; itreflectsuponhisworkdishonorably;hedoesnot (in thiscase)affect socialglory:not I,andmyGod; I,andmyChrist, did this; hewill be all, or none, in your justification. If hehavefinished the work, what need of our additions? And if not, to whatpurposearethey?CanwefinishthatwhichChristhimselfcouldnot?Butwe would fain be sharing with him in this honor, which he will neverendure. Did he finish the work by himself, and will he ever divide thegloryandpraiseofitwithus?No,no,ChristisnohalfSavior.Oitisanhard thing, to bring these shroud hearts to live upon Christ forrighteousness:wewouldfainaddourpennytomakeupChrist'ssum.Butifyouwouldhaveitso,orhavenothingtodowithChrist,youandyourpennymustperishtogether,Isa.50ult.GodgivesustherighteousnessofChrist, as he gavemanna to the Israelites in the wilderness. It is said,Deut. 8:16. "That he fed them with manna in the wilderness, that hemighthumblethem."Thequalityofthefoodwasnothumbling,foritwasangels fools,but themannerofgiving itwasso: theymust liveby faithuponGodforit,fromdaytoday.Thiswasnotlikeotherfood,producedby their own labor.CertainlyGod takes the rightway tohumbleproudnature,incallingsinnerswhollyfromtheirownrighteousnesstoChrist'sfortheirjustification.

INFERENCE.3.DidChristfinishhisworkforus:Thentherecanbenodoubt,buthewillalsofinishhiswork"in"us.Ashebegantheworkofourredemptions,andfinishedit:sohethathasbegunthegoodworkinyou,will also finish it upon your souls. And at this the apostle says, "He isconfident,"Phil. 1:6.JesusChrist isnotonlycalled theauthor,butalsothe finisher of our faith,Heb. 12:2. If he begin it, no doubtbuthewillfinishit.Andindeedthefinishingofhisownworkofredemptionwithoutus,givesfullevidencethathewillfinishhisworkofsanctificationwithinus;andthatbecausethesetwoworksofChristhavearespectandrelationtoeachother;andsucharelation,thattheworkhefinishedbyhisowndeath,resurrection,andascension,wouldbeinvaintous,iftheworkofsanctification inusshouldnot in likemannerbe finished.Therefore,ashepresentedaperfectsacrificetoGod,andfinishedredemption-work;so

willhepresenteverymanperfectandcomplete,forwhomheoffereduphimself, forhewillnot losetheendofallhissufferingsat last.Towhatpurposewouldhismeritoriousimpetrationbe,withoutcompleteandfullapplication? Be not therefore discouraged at the defects andimperfections of your inherent grace: be humbled for them, but be notdejected by them: this is Christ's work, as well as that: that work isfinished,andsowillthis.

INFERENCE.4.IsChrist'sworkofredemptionacompleteandfinishedwork?Howexcellentandcomfortablebeyondallcompare,isthemethodandwayoffaith!Surelythewayofbelievingisthemostexcellentwayinwhich a poor sinner can approach God, for it brings before him acomplete, entire, perfect righteousness; and this must needs be mosthonorabletoGod,mostcomfortabletothesoulthatdrawsneartoGod.Owhatacomplete,finishedperfectthingistherighteousnessofChrist!thesearching eye of theholy and jealousGod cannot find the least flawordefectinit.LetGodorconsciencelookuponit;turniteveryway;viewitoneveryside; thoroughlyweighandexamine it, itwillappearapure,aperfectpiece,containinginitwhateverisnecessaryforthereconcilingofan angry God, or pacifying of a distressed and perplexed soul. Howpleasing, therefore, and acceptable to God must be that faith, whichpresents so complete and excellent an atonement to him! Hence theactingofourfaithuponChristforrighteousness,theapproachesoffaithtoGodwithsuchanacceptablepresent,iscalledtheworkofGod;thatis,the most grateful, acceptable, and well pleasing work to God that acreature can perform; John 6:29. "This is the work of God, that youbelieve."Oneactoffaithpleaseshimmore,thanifyoushouldtoilallyourlivesatataskofobediencetothelaw.AsitismoreforGod'shonorandyour comfort, topay all youowehim at one payment, in one full sum,thantobepayingbyverysmalldegrees,andneverbeable tomake fullpayment,or see thebondcancelled; so thisperfectworkonlyproducesperfectpeace.

INFERENCE.5.DidChristwork,andworkoutallthatGodgavehimtodo, until he had finished his work?How necessary then is a laboriousworkinglifetoallthatcallthemselvesChristians?ThelifeofChrist,yousees, was a laborious life. Shall he work and we play? Shall a zealous,

active, working Christ be reproached with idle, negligent and lazyfollowers? O work, and work out your own salvation with fear andtrembling,Phil.2:12.

Objection.But ifChristwroughtsohard,wemaysit still. Ifhe finishedthework,nothingremainsforustodo.

Solut.NothingofthatworkwhichChristdid,remainsforyoutodo.ItisyourcommendationanddutytoleaveallthattoChrist:butthereisotherworkforyoutodo;yes,storeofworklyinguponyourhands.Youmustwork as well as Christ, though not for the same ends Christ did. Hewrought hard to satisfy the law, by fulfilling all righteousness. Hewroughtallhislifelong,toworkoutarighteousnesstojustifyyoubeforeGod.ThisworkfallstonohandbutChrist's:butyoumustwork,toobeythecommandsofChrist intowhose right you are comeby redemption:you must work to testify your thankfulness to Christ, for the workfinished for you: youmust work, to glorify God by your obedience: letyourlightsoshinebeforemen.Forthese,anddiversothersuchendsandreasons,yourlifemustbeaworkinglife.Godpreserveallhispeoplefromthe gross and vile opinions of Antinomian libertines, who cry up graceanddecryobedience:whounderspeciouspretensesofexaltinganakedChristuponthethrone,doindeedstriphimnakedofagreatpartofhisglory,andvilelydethronehim.MypenshallnotEnglishwhatmineeyeshaveread.TellitnotinGath.

Butforyou,reader,beyouafollowerofChrist,imitateyourpattern;yes,letmepersuadeyou,aseveryouhopesttoclearupyourinterestinhim,imitatehiminsuchparticularsasthesethatfollow.

First,ChristbeganearlytoworkforGod;hetookthemorningofhislife,eventheverybeginningofit,toworkforGod:"Howisit(saidhetohisparents, when he was but a child of about twelve years old) that yousoughtme?Knewyounot that Imustbe aboutmyFather's business?"Reader,ifthemorningofyourlifebenotgone,OdevoteittotheworkofGodasChristdid: if it be, ply yourwork the closer in the afternoon ofyourlife.Ifamanhaveanygreatandnecessarybusinesstodo,itisgooddoing it in the morning; afterwards a hurry of business and diversioncomeson.

Secondly,AsChristbeganbetime,sohefollowedhisworkclose:hewasearly up, and he wrought hard, so hard, that "he forget to eat bread."John 4:31, 32. So zealouswas he in his Father's work, that his friendsthought "that he had been beside himself,"Mark 3:21. So zealous that"thezealofGod'shouseeathimup."Heflewlikeaseraphim,inaflameofzeal,abouttheworkofGod.Obenotyoulikesnails.WhatAugustussaidoftheyoungRoman,wellbecomesthetrueChristian,"whateverhedoes,hedoesittopurpose."

Thirdly,Christoftenthoughtupontheshortnessofhistime,andwroughthardbecauseheknewhisworking-timewouldbebutlittle.Soyoufindit,John9:4."Imustworktheworksofhimthatsentme,whileitisday;thenightcomes,whennomancanwork."OinthisbelikeChrist:rouseyourheartstodiligencewiththisconsideration.Ifamanhavemuchtowrite,and be almost come to the end of his paper, he will write close, andtherebyputmuchmatterinalittleroom.

Fourthly,HedidmuchworkforGodinaverysilentmanner:hewroughthard, but did not spoil his work, when he had wrought it, by vainostentation.Whenhehadexpressedhischarityinhisactsofmercyandbountytomen,hewouldhumblysealupthegloryofit,withthischarge;"seeyoutellnomanofit",Matt.8:4.Heaffectednopopularair.All theangelsinheavencouldnotdowhatChristdid,andyethecalledhimselfaworm, for all that, Psalm. 22:6.O imitate your pattern;Work hard forGod,andletnotprideblowuponit,whenyouhavedone.Itishardforamantodomuch,andnotvaluehimselfforittoomuch.

Fifthly, Christ carried on his work for God resolvedly: nodiscouragements would beat him off, though never any workmet withmorefrom first to last.Howdid Scribes andPharisees, Jews,Gentiles,yes, devils set upon him, by persecutions, and reproaches, violentoppositions,andsubtletemptations;butyet,hegoesonwithhisFather'sworkforallthat:heisdeaftoalldiscouragements.Soitwasforetoldofhim,Isa.42:4."Heshallnotfail,norbediscouraged."OthatmoreofthisspiritofChristwereinhispeople:Othat,inthestrengthoflovetoChrist,and zeal for the glory ofGod, youwill pour out your hearts in service,and,likeariver,sweepdownalldiscouragementsbeforeyou.

Sixthly, He continued working, while he continued living: His life andlaborendedtogether:Hefaintednotinhiswork:Nay,thegreatestworkhe did in thisworld,was his lastwork.O be likeChrist in this, be notwearyofwelldoing:GivenotovertheworkofGod,whileyoucanmovehandandtonguetopromoteit,andseethatyourlastworksbemorethanyour first. O let the motions of your soul after God be, as all naturalmotionsare,swiftestwhennearestthecenter.Saynotitisenough,whilethere isanycapacityofdoingmoreforGod.Inthesethings,Christians,belikeyourSavior.

INFERENCE.6.DidChristfinishhiswork?LooktoitChristian,thatyoualsofinishyourworkwhichGodhasgivenyourtodo:Thatyoumaywithcomfort say,whendeath approaches, asChrist said, John 17:4. "I haveglorifiedyouonearth,Ihave finishedtheworkyougavemetodo;andnow, O Father, glorify youme with your own self." Christ had a workcommittedtoHim,andhefinishedit;youhaveaworkalsocommittedtoyou:Oseethatyoumaybeabletosay,itisfinishedwhenyourtimeisso:Oworkoutyourownsalvationwithfearandtrembling;and,thatImaypersuadeyoutoit,Ibeseechyoulaytheseconsiderationsclosetoheart.

First,Ifyourworkbenotdonebeforeyoudie,itcanneverbedonewhenyouaredead."Thereisnoworknorknowledge,nordeviceinthegrave,whereyougo,"Eccl.9:5,10.TheythatgodowntothepitcannotcelebratethenameofGod,Isa38:18.Deathbindsupthehandfromworking,anymore; strikes dumb the tongue that it can speaknomore; for then thecomposition is dissolved. The body, which is the soul's instrument towork by, is broken and thrown aside: the soul itself presentedimmediately before the Lord, to give an account of all its works. Otherefore, seeing the night comes, when no man can work, as Christspeaks,John9:4.makehasteandfinishyourwork.

Secondly, If you finishnot yourwork, as the season ofworking, so theseason of mercy will be over at death. Do not think, you that haveneglected Christ all your lives, you that could never be persuaded to alaboriousholy life, thateveryourcriesandentreaties shallprevailwithGodformercy,whenyourseasonispast:No,itistoolate,"WillGodhearhiscry,whentroublescomeuponhim?"Job27:9.Theseasonofmercyisthenover; as the tree falls, so it lies:Thenhe that isholy shall beholy

still,andhe that is filthyshallbe filthystill.Alas,poorsouls,youcometoo late: "Themasterof thehouse is risenup, and thedoors are shut,"Luke19:42.Theseasonisover:happyhaditbeenifyouhadknownthedayofyourvisitation.

Lastly,Ifyourworkbenotfinishedwhenyoucometodie,youcanneverfinishyourliveswithcomfort.Hethathasnotfishedhisstorkwithcare,canneverfinishhiscoursewithjoy.Owhatadismalcaseisthatsoulin,thatfindsitselfsurprisedbydeathinanunreadyposture!Tolieshiveringupon thebrinkof thegrave, saying,Lord,whatwill becomeofme!O Icannot,Idarenotdie!Forthepoorsoultoshrinkbackintothebody,andcry,Oh,itwerebetterformetodoanythingthandie.Why,whatisthematter?Oh,IaminaChristlessstateanddarenotgobeforethatawfuljudgment-seat.IfIhadinseasonmadeChristsure,Icouldthendiewithpeace.Lord,whatshallIdo?Howdoyoulikethis,reader?Willthisbeacomfortableclose!WhenoneaskedaChristianthatconstantlyspentsixhourseverydayinprayer,whyhedidso?Heanswered,Oh,Imustdie,Imustdie.Wellthen,looktoitthatyoufinishyourworkasChristalsodidhis!

TheSeventhandLastWordwithWhichChristBreathedoutHisSoul

"AndwhenJesushadcriedwithaloudvoice,hesaid,Father,intoyourhands I commendmy spirit; and having said thus, he gave up hisspirit."Luke23:46

These are the last of the last words of our Lord Jesus Christ upon thecross, with which he breathed out his soul. They were David's wordsbefore him, Psalm. 31:5. and for substance, Stephen's after him, Acts7:27. They are words full, both of faith and comfort; fit to be the lastbreathing of every gracious soul in this world. They are resolved intothesefiveparticulars:

First,Thepersondepositing,orcommitting:TheLordJesusChrist,whointhis,aswellasinotherthings,actedasacommonperson,astheheadofthechurch.Thismustberemarkedcarefully,forthereinliesnosmallpartofabeliever'sconsolation:WhenChristcommendshissoultoGod,hedoesasitwerebindupallthesoulsoftheelectinonebundlewithit,and solemnlypresents themallwithhis, tohisFather's acceptance: Tothispurposeoneaptlyrendersit.

"This commendation made by Christ, turns to the singular profit andadvantage of our souls; inasmuch as Christ, by this very prayer, hasdelivered them intohisFather'shand,asaprecious treasure,wheneverthetimecomesthattheyaretobeloosedfromthebodieswhichtheynowinhabit."JesusChristneitherlivednordiedforhimself,butforbelievers;whathedidinthisveryact,referstothemaswellastohisownsoul:YoumustlookthereforeuponChrist,initislastandsolemnactofhislife,asgatheringallthesoulsoftheelecttogether,andmakingasolemntenderofthemall,withhisownsoultoGod.

Secondly,Thedepository, orperson towhomhe commits this precioustreasure, and that was to his own Father: "Father, into your hands Icommendmyspirit."Father isasweetencouraging,assuring title:Wellmayasoncommitanyconcernment,howdearsoever,intothehandsofafather, especially such a son into the hands of such a father. "By thehands of the Father into which he commits his soul, we are not tounderstand the naked or mere power, but the fatherly acceptance andprotectionofGod."

Thirdly, The depositum, or thing committed into this hand, [my spirit]that is my soul, now instantly departing, upon the very point ofseparationfrommybody.Thesoulisthemostpreciousofalltreasures,itiscalledthedarling,Psalm.35:17.or,"theonlyones,"thatisthatwhichismostexcellent,and thereforemostdearandprecious:Awholeworld isbut a trifle, if weighed, for the price of one soul, Mat. 16:26. ThisinestimabletreasurehenowcommitsintohisFather'shands.

Fourthly,TheActbywhichheputsitintothatfaithfulhandoftheFather,"parathesomai", I commend.We rightly render it in the present tense,though the word be future: For, with these words he breathed out his

soul.Thiswordisofthesameimportwith"sunhiemi"Ipresent,ortenderit into your hands; Itwas inChrist an act of Faith, amost special andexcellentactintendedasaprecedentforallhispeople.

Fifthly,andLastly,Thelastthingobservableis,themannerinwhichheutteredthesewords,andthatwaswitha loudvoice;hespokeit thatallmighthear it, and thathisenemies,who judgedhimnowdestituteandforsakenofGod,mightbeconvincedthathewasnotso,butthathewasdeartohisFatherstill,andcouldputhissoulconfidentlyintohishands:"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." Talking then thesewords, not only as spoken by Christ, the head of all believers, and socommending their souls to God with his own, but also as a pattern,teachingthemwhattheyoughttodothemselves,whentheycometodie.Weobserve,

DOCTRINE. That dying believers are both warranted, andencouraged,byChrist'sexample,believinglytocommendtheirprecioussoulsintothehandsofGod.

ThustheapostledirectsthefaithofChristians,tocommittheirsoulstoGod's tuition and fatherly protection, when they are either going intoprisons, or to the stake for Christ, 1 Pet. 4:9. "Let them (says he) thatsufferaccordingtothewillofGod,committhekeepingoftheirsoulstohiminwelldoing,asuntoafaithfulCreator."

This proposition we will consider in these two main branches of it,namely,what is implied and carried in the soul's commending itself toGodbyfaith,whenthetimeofseparationiscome.Andwhatwarrantorencouragementgracioussoulshaveforsodoing.

First, What is implied in this act of a believer, his commending orcommitting,hissoulintothehandsofGodatdeath?

And if it be thoroughlyweighed, youwill find these six things, at least,carriedinit.

First,It impliesthisevidently in it,Thatthesouloutlivesthebody,andfailsnot,astoitsbeing,whenitsbodyfails;itfeelsthehouseinwhichit

dwelt,droppingintoruins,andlooksoutforanewhabitationwithGod."Father, into your hands I commendmy spirit." The soul understandsitself a more noble being than that corruptible body, to which it wasunited,andisnowtoleaveinthedust:itunderstandsitsrelationtotheFatherofspirits,andfromhimitexpectsprotectionandprovisioninitsunbodiedstate;andthereforeintohishandsitputsitself.Ifitvanished,orbreathedintoair,anddidnotsurvivethebody,ifitwereannihilatedatdeath, itwerebut amockingofGod to say,whenwe die, "Father, intoyourhandsIcommendmyspirit."

Secondly, It implies thesoul's truerest tobe inGod.Seewhichway itsmotionsandtendenciesare,notonlyinlife,butindeathalso.ItbendstoitsGod:Itreposes, itevenputs itselfuponitsGodandFather;"Father,into your hands." God is the center of all gracious spirits. While theytabernaclehere, theyhavenorestbut in thebosomof theirGod:whentheygohence,theirexpectationandearnestdesiresaretobewithhim.IthadbeenworkingafterGodbygraciousdesiresbefore,ithadcastmanyalonginglookheaven-wardbefore;butwhenthegracioussoulcomesnearitsGod (as it does in a dying hour) "then it even throws itself into hisarms;"asariver,thataftermanyturningsandwindings,atlastisarrivedto the ocean; it pours itself with a central force into the bosom of theocean,andtherefinishesitswearycourse."NothingbutGodcanpleaseitin this world, and nothing but God can give it content when it goeshence."Itisnottheamenityoftheplace,wherethegracioussoulisgoing,butthebosomoftheblessedGod,whodwellsthere,thatitsovehementlypants after; not the Father's house, but the Father's arms and bosom:"Father, intoyourhandsIcommendmyspirit:WhomhaveI inheavenbutyou?AndonearththereisnonethatIdesire incomparisonofyou,Psalm.73:24,25.

Thirdly,Italsoimpliesthegreatvaluebelievershavefortheirsouls.Thatistheprecioustreasure;andtheirmainsolicitudeandchiefcare,istoseeitsecuredinasafehand:"Father, intoyourhandsIcommitmyspirit:"Theyarewords speaking thebeliever's care forhis soul, that itmaybesafe,whateverbecomesofthevilebody.Abelieverwhenhecomesneartodeath,spendsbutfewthoughtsabouthisbody,whereitshallbelaid,orhowitshallbedisposedof:Hetruststhatinthehandsoffriends;but

ashisgreatcareallalongwasforhissoul,soheexpressesitinthesehisverylastbreathing,inwhichhecommendsitintothehandsofGod:Itisnot, Lord Jesus receivemy body, take care ofmy dust, but receivemySpirit:Lord,securethejewel,whenthecasketisbroken.

Fourthly,Thesewordsimplythedeepsensethatdyingbelievershaveofthegreatchangethatiscominguponthembydeath;whenallvisibleandsensiblethingsareshrinkingawayfromthem,andfailing.Theyfeel theworld and the best comforts of it failing: Every creature and creaturecomfortfailing:For,atdeathwearesaidtofail,Luke16:9.HereuponthesoulclaspsthecloseraboutitsGod,cleavesmoreclosethanevertohim:"Father,intoyourhandsIcommendmyspirit."Notthatamerenecessityputs the soul upon God; or that it cleaves to God, because it has thennothingelsetotakeholdon:No,itchoseGodforitsportion,whenitwasin themidstof all itsoutwardenjoyments, andhadasgoodsecurityasothermenhaveforthelongenjoymentofthem:butmymeaningis,thatalthoughgracioussoulshavechosenGodfortheirportion,anddotrulypreferhimtothebestoftheircomforts;yetinthiscompoundedstate,itlives notwholly upon itsGod, but partly by faith, and partly by sense;partlyuponthingsseen,andpartlyuponthingsnotseen.Thecreatureshadsome interest in theirhearts;alas, toomuch:butnowall thesearevanishing, and it sees they are so. I shall see man no more, with theinhabitants of the world, (said sick Hezekiah;) hereupon it turns itselffromthemall,andcastsitselfuponGodforallitssubsistence,expectingnow to live upon its God entirely, as the blessed angels do; and so, infaith, they throw themselves into his arms: "Father, into your hands Icommendmyspirit."

Fifthly, It implies the atonement of God, and his full reconciliation tobelievers, by the blood of the great Sacrifice; else they dared nevercommittheirsoulsintohishands:"Foritisafearfulthingtofallintothehandsof the livingGod,"Heb. 12:29. that isofanabsoluteGod,aGodunatonedby theofferingupofChrist.Thesouldarenomorecast itselfinto the hand of God, without such an atoning sacrifice, than it daresapproachtoaconsumingfire;And,indeed,thereconciliationofGodbyJesusChrist,asitisthegroundofallouracceptancewithGod;forwearemade accepted in the beloved: So it is plainly carried in the order or

mannerofthereconciledsoul,committingitselftohim:For,itfirstcastsitself into the hands of Christ, then into the hands of God by him. SoStephen,whendying,"LordJesusreceivemyspirit:"AndbythathanditwouldbeputintohisFather'shands.

Sixthly,andlastly,Itimpliesboththeefficacyandexcellencyoffaith,insupportingandrelievingthesoulatatimewhennothingelseisabletodoit;Faithisitsconductor,whenit isatthegreatestlossanddistressthatever itmetwith: it secures the soulwhen it is turned out of the body;whenheartandfleshfail,thisleadsittotherockthatfailsnot:itsticksbythatsouluntilitseesitsafethroughalltheterritoriesofSatan,andsafelandedupontheshoreofglory;andthenisswallowedupinvision:manyafavorithasshownthesoulwhileitdweltinitsbody.Thegreatserviceitdid for the soul was in the time of its espousals to Christ. This is themarriageknot, theblessed bond of union between the soul andChrist.Manyarelievingsight,secretandsweetsupportithasreceivedfromitsfaithsincethat;but,surely, its firstandlastworksare itsmostgloriousworks.ByfaithitfirstventureditselfuponChrist;threwitselfuponhiminthedeepestsenseof itsvilenessandutterunworthiness,whensense,reason, and multitudes of temptations stood by, contradicting anddiscouragingthesoul:byfaithitnowcastsitselfintohisarms,whenitislaunchingoutintovasteternity.

Theyarebothnobleactsof faith;but the firstnodoubt, is thegreatestandmostdifficult:for,whenoncethesoulisinterestedinChrist,itisnosuchdifficultytocommititselfintohishands,aswhenithasnointerestatallinhim.Itiseasierforachildtocasthimselfinthearmsofhisownfather, in distress, than for one that has been both a stranger and anenemy toChrist, to cast itselfuponhim, thathemaybea father andafriendtoit.

AndthisbringsusuponthesecondenquiryIpromisedtosatisfy,namely,

Secondly,WhatwarrantorencouragementhavegracioussoulstocommitthemselvesatdeathintothehandsofGod?Ianswer,Mucheveryway;allthingsencourageandwarrantitssodoing:For,

First, This God, to whom the believer commits himself at death, is its

Creator:theFatherofitsbeing;hecreatedandinspiredit,andsoithastherelationofacreaturetoaCreator:yes,ofacreaturenowindistress,to a faithfulCreator, 1Pet. 4:19. "Let them that suffer according to thewillofGod,committhekeepingoftheirsoulstohiminwelldoing;astoa[faithfulCreator]."Itisverytrue,thissinglerelation,initself,giveslittleground of encouragement, unless the creature had conserved thatintegrityinwhichitwasoriginallycreated.AndtheythathavenomoretopleadwithGodforacceptance,bytheirrelationtohimascreaturestoaCreator,willdoubtless findthatwordmadegoodto their littlecomfort,Isa. 27:11. "It is a people of no understanding, therefore he thatmadethem,willnothavemercyonthem;andhethatformedthem,willshowthemnofavor."Butnow,gracebringsthatrelationintorepute:holinessingratiatesusagain,andrevivestheremembranceofthisrelation;sothatbelieversonlycanpleadthis.

Secondly, As the gracious soul is his creature, so it is his redeemedcreature;onethathehasbought,andthatwithagreatprice,evenwiththepreciousbloodofJesusChrist,1Pet.1:18.Thisgreatlyencouragesthedepartingsoul,tocommititselfintothehandsofGod;soyoufind,Psalm.31:5."IntoyourhandsdoIcommendmyspirit,youhaveredeemedit,OLord God of truth." Surely this is mighty encouragement, to put itselfuponGod inadyinghour.Lord, I amnotonly your creature,but yourredeemedcreature;onethatyouhaveboughtwithagreatprice:O,Ihavecost you dear! for my sake Christ came from your bosom, and is itimaginable, that after that you have in such a costly way, even by theexpenseofthepreciousbloodofChrist,redeemedme,youshouldatlastexcludeme?Shalltheendsbothofcreationandredemptionofthissoulbelosttogether?willGodformsuchanexcellentcreatureasmysoulis,inwhicharesomanywondersof thewisdomandpowerof itsCreator?willhebecontent,whensinhasmarredtheframe,anddefacedthegloryofit,torecoverittohimselfagain,bythedeathofhisowndearSon,andafterallthis,castitaway,asiftherewerenothinginallthis?"Father,intoyourhandsIcommendmyspirit:"Iknowyouwillhavearespecttotheworkofyourhands;especially toa redeemedcreature,uponwhichyoubestexpendedsogreatsumsoflove,whichyouhaveboughtatsodeararate.

Thirdly, Nay, that is not all; the gracious soul may confidently andsecurelycommititselfintothehandsofGod,whenitpartswithitsbodyatdeath;notonlybecause it ishiscreature,his redeemedcreature, butbecauseitishisrenewedcreaturealso:andthislaysafirmgroundforthebeliever's confidenceandacceptance;not that it is theproper cause,orreason of its acceptance, but as it is the soul's best evidence, that it isacceptedwithGod,andshallnotberefusedbyhim,whenitcomestohimatdeath:for,insuchasoul,thereisadoubleworkmanshipofGod,bothgloriouspieces,thoughthelastexceedsinglory.Anaturalworkmanship,in the excellent frame of that noble creature, the soul; and a graciousworkmanshipuponthatagain;anewcreationupontheold;gloryuponglory."Wearehisworkmanship,createdinChristJesus,"Eph.2:10.TheHoly Spirit came down from heaven on purpose to create this newworkmanship; to frame thisnewcreature;and indeed, it is the topandgloryofallGod'sworksofwondersinthisworld;andmustneedsgivethebelieverencouragementtocommititselftoGod,whetheratsuchatime,itshall reflect either upon the end of thework, or upon the end of theworkman;bothwhichmeetinthesalvationofthesoulsowroughtupon,the end of the neck is our glory. By this "we are made meet to bepartakersoftheinheritanceofthesaintsinlight,"Col.1:12.Itisalsothedesign and end of him that wrought it, 2 Cor. 5:5. "Now he that haswroughtus for the self same thing, isGod."Had he not designed yoursoulforglory,theSpiritshouldneverhavecomeuponsuchasanctifyingdesignasthis:surelyitshallnotfailofareceptionintoglory,whenitiscastoutofthistabernacle:suchaworkwasnotwroughtinvain,neithercaniteverperish:whenoncesanctificationcomesuponasoul,itsorootsitselfinthesoul,thatwherethesoulgoes,itgoes;giftsindeed,theydie:allnaturalexcellencyandbeauty,thatgoesawayatdeath,Job4ult.butgraceascendswiththesoul;itisasanctified,whenaseparatesent.AndcanGodshut thedoorof gloryuponsucha soul, thatby trace ismademeetfortheinheritance?O,itcannotbe!

Fourthly,Asthegracioussoulisarenewedsoul,soitisalsoasealedsoul;Godhassealeditinthisworldforthatglory,intowhichitisnowtoenteratdeath.Allgracioussoulsaresealedobjectively,thatistheyhavethoseworksofgracewroughton their soulswhichdo, (asbutnowwassaid,)ascertain and evidence their title to glory; and in many are sealed

formally;thatis,theSpirithelpsthemclearlytodiscerntheirinterestinChrist,andallthepromises.Thisbothsecuresheaventothesoulinitself,andbecomesalsoanearnestorpledgeof thatglory in theunspeakablejoysandcomforts that itproduces in thesoul:Soyou find,2Cor.1:22."Whohassealedus,andgivenustheearnestoftheSpiritinourhearts."God's sealing, us gives his security; his objective seal makes it sure initself,itsformalsealmakesitsotous.but,ifoverandaboveallthis,hewill please, as a fruit of that his sealing, to give us those heavenlyinexpressiblejoysandcomfortswhicharethefruitofhisformalsealing-work,tobeanearnest,aforetasteandhanselofthatglory,howcanthesoulthathasfoundallthis,fearintheleastatarejectionbyitsGod,whenatdeath it comes tohim?Surely, ifGodhave sealed,hewillnot refuseyou;ifhehavegivenhisearnest,hewillnotshutyouout;God'searnestisnotgiveninjest.

Fifthly,Moreover,everygracioussoulmayconfidentlycastitselfintothearms of its God, when it goes hence, with "Father, into your hands Icommit my spirit." Forasmuch as every gracious soul; is a soul incovenantwithGod;andGodstandsobligedbyhiscovenantandpromisetosuch,nottocastthemout,whentheycomeuntohim.Assoonaseveryoubecamehis,byregeneration,thatpromisebecameyour,Heb.13:5."Iwillneverleaveyou,norforsakeyou."AndwillheleavethesoulatatimewhenitneverhadmoreneedofaGod to standby it, than ithas then?Everygracious soul is entitled to that promise, John 14:3. "Iwill comeagain,andreceiveyoutomyself."Andwillhefailtomakeitgoodwhenthetimeofthepromiseiscome,asatdeathitis?Itcannotbe.multitudesof promises; the whole covenant of promises, give security to the soulagainst the fears of rejections, or neglect by God. And the soul'sdependenceuponGodandhispromise; itsverycastingitselfuponhim,fromtheencouragementthewordgives it,addtotheengagementuponGod.Whenhesees apoor soul thathehasmade, redeemed, sanctifiedsealed,andbysolemnpromiseengagedhimselftoreceive,comingtohimat death, firmly depending upon his faithfulness that has promised,saying,asDavid,2Sam.23:5,ThoughLord,therebemanydefectsinme,yet youhavemade a covenantwithme,well ordered in all things, andsure;andthisisallmysalvation,andallmyhope."Lord,Iamresolvedtosendoutmysoulinanactoffaith;Iwillventureituponthecreditofyour

promise.HowcanGodrefusesuchasoul?Howcanheputitoff,whenitsoputsitselfuponhim?

Sixthly,Butthisisnotall;thegracioussoulsustainsmanyintimateanddearrelationstothatGodintowhosehandsitcommendsitselfatdeath.It is his spouse, and the consideration of such a day of espousals,maywell encourage it to cast itself into the bosom of Christ, its head andhusband:itisamemberofhisbody,fleshandbones,Eph.5:30.Itishischild,andheitseverlastingFather,Isa.9:6.Itishisfriend."Henceforth(says Christ,) I call you not servants, but friends," John 15:15. Whatconfidencemaythese,andallotherthedearrelationsChristownstotherenewedsoul,beget, insuchanhourasthis is! thathusbandcanthrowoff the dearwife of his bosom;Who in distresses casts herself into hisarms!Whatfathercanshutthedooruponadearchildthatcomestohimforrefuge,saying,Father,intoyourhandsIcommitmyself!

Seventhly,andlastly,TheunchangeablenessofGod's lovetohispeople,givesconfidencetheyshallinnowisebecastout.TheyknowChristwasthesametothematlastashewasatfirst:thesameinthepangsofdeath,ashewasinthecomfortsoflife:havinglovedhisownwhichwereintheworld,helovedthemtotheend,John13:1.Hedoesnotloveastheworldloves,only inprosperity;but theyareasdear tohimwhentheirbeautyandstrengtharegone,aswhentheywereinthegreatestflourishing.Ifwelive, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then,whetherwe live or die,we are the Lord's, Rom. 14:8. Take in all thesethings, andweigh thembothapart, and together, and seewhether theyamount not to a full evidence of the truth of this point, that dyingbelievers are both warranted and encouraged to commend their soulsintothelandsofGod;whethertheyhavenoteveryoneof themcausetosayastheapostledid,2Tim.1:12"IknowwhomIhavebelieved,andampersuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to himagainstthatday."Theimprovementsofallthisyouhaveinthefollowingpracticaldeductions.

DeductionI.AredyingbelieversonlywarrantedandencouragedthustocommendtheirsoulsintothehandsofGod?Whatasadstraitthenmustalldyingunbelieversbeinabouttheirsouls?SuchsoulswillfallintothehandsofGod,butthatistheirmisery,nottheirprivilege:theyarenotput

byfaithintothehandsofmercy,butfallbysinintothehandsofjustice:notGod,butthedevilistheirfather,John8:4.Whereshouldthechildgobut to its own father? They have not one of those aforementionedencouragements to cast themselves into the hands of God, except thenakedrelationtheyhavetoGodastheirCreator,andthat isasgoodasnone,withoutthenewcreation.Iftheyhavenothingbutthistopleadfortheir salvation, the devil has as much to plead as they. It is the newcreaturethatbringsthefirstcreationintoreputeagainwithGod.

O dismal! O deplorable case! A poor soul is turning out of house andhome,andknowsnotwheretogo;itdeparts,andimmediatelyfallsintothehandsofjustice.Thedevilstandsby,waitingforsuchasoul(asadogforacrust)whomGodwillthrowtohim.Little!ahlittle,dothefriendsofsuch a one think, while they are honoring his dust by a splendid andhonorablefuneral,whatacasethatpoorsoulisinthatlatelydweltthere;andwhatfearfulstraitsandextremitiesitisnowexposedto!Hemaycry,indeed,Lord!Lord!opentome,asinMat.7:22.Buttohowlittlepurposeare thesevaincries!WillGodhearhimwhenhecries?Job27:9. It isalamentablecase!

Deduction 2. Will God graciously accept, and faithfully keep what thesaintscommittohimatdeath?HowcarefulthenshouldtheybetokeepwhatGodcommitstothem,tobekeptforhimwhiletheylive?YouhaveagreattrusttocommittoGodwhenyoudie,andGodhasagreattrusttocommit toyouwhile you live: youexpect thathe should faithfullykeepwhat then you shall commit to his keeping, and he expects you shouldfaithfullykeepwhathenowcommitstoyourkeeping.OkeepwhatGodcommits to you, as you expect he should keep your souls when youcommit themuntohim. If youkeephis truths,hewill keepyour souls."Because you have kept the word ofmy patience, I also will keep you,etc."Rev.3:10.BefaithfultoyourGod,andyoushallfindhimfaithfultoyou.Nonecanpluckyououtofhishand;seethatnothingwresthistruthsout of yourhands. "Ifwedenyhim,he alsowill denyus," 2Tim. 2:12.Takeheedlestthoseestatesyouhavegottenasablessing,attendingthegospel, prove a temptation to you to betray the gospel. "Religion (saysone)bringsforthriches,butthedaughterdevoursthemother."HowcanyouexpectacceptancewithGod,whohavebetrayedhistruth,anddealt

perfidiouslywithhim.

Deduction3.IfbelieversmaysafelycommittheirsoulsintothehandsofGod, how confidently may they commit all lesser interests and lowerconcernmentsintothesamehand?Shallwetrusthimwithoursouls,andnotwithour lives, libertiesorcomforts.Canwecommit the treasuretohimandnotatrifle?Whateveryouenjoy inthisworld, isbutatrifle toyoursouls.Sure, ifyoucantrusthimforeternal life foryoursouls,youmaymuchmoretrusthimforthedailybreadforyourbodies.Iknowitisobjected, that God has made over temporal things to his people uponconditionalpromises,andanabsolutefaithcanneverbegroundeduponconditionalpromises.

But whatmeans this objection? Let your faith be but suitable to theseconditionalpromises,thatisbelievetheyshallbemadegoodtoyousofaras God sees them good for you: do you but labor to come up to thoseconditions required in you, and therebyGodwill havemore glory, andyoumore comfort: If your prayers for these things proceed from pureends,thegloryofGod,notthesatisfactionandgratificationofyourlusts:If yourdesires after thembemoderate as to themeasure, contentwiththatproportiontheInfiniteWisdomseesfittestforyou:IfyoutakeGod'sway to obtain them, and dare not strain conscience, or commit a sin,thoughyoushouldperishforwant:IfyoucanpatientlywaitGod'stimeforenlargements fromyour straits, andnotmake any sinful haste, youshallbesurelysupplied;andhethatremembersyoursoulswillnotforgetyourbodies.Butwelivebysense,andnotbyfaith;presentthingsstrikeouraffectionsmorepowerfullythantheinvisiblethingsthataretocome.TheLordhumblehispeopleforthis.

Deduction.4.Isthistheprivilegeofbelievers,thattheycancommittheirsoulstoGodinadyinghour?Thenhowprecious,howusefulagrace isfaithtothepeopleofGod,bothlivinganddying?

Allthegraceshavedoneexcellently,butfaithexcelsthenall:faithisthePhoenixgrace,thequeenofgraces:deservedlyitisstiledpreciousfaith,2Pet.1:1.Thebenefitsandprivilegesofitinthislifeareunspeakable:andasthereisnocomfortableliving,sonocomfortabledyingwithoutit.

First,Whileweliveandconversehereintheworld,allourcomfortandsafetyisfromit;forallourunionwithChrist,thefountainofmerciesandblessings,isbyfaith,Eph.3:17."thatChristmaydwellinyourheartsbyfaith."Nofaith,noChrist:allourcommunionwithChristisbyit:hethatcomestoGodmustbelieve,Heb.11:6.Thesoul'slifeisenraptupinthiscommunionwithGod,andthatcommunioninfaith.AllcommunicationsfromChristdependuponfaith;forlook,asallcommunionisfoundedinunion, so fromourunion and communion are all our communications.Allcommunicationsofquickening,comforts,joy,strength,andwhateverserves to the well-being of the life of grace, are all through that faithwhich first knits us to Christ, and stillmaintains our communionwithChrist;believingwerejoice,1Pet.1:8.The innermanisrenewed,whilewelooktothethingsthatarenotseen,2Cor.4:18.

Secondly,Andasourlife,andallthesupportsandcomfortsofithere,aredependentonfaith,soyouseeourdeath,astothesafetyandcomfortofour souls then, depends upon our faith: he that has no faiths cannotcommithissoultoGod,butrathershrinksfromGod.Faithcandomanysweetofficesforyoursoulsuponadeath-bed,whenthelightofthisworldisgone,andalljoyceasesonearth:itcangiveussightsofthingsinvisiblein the other world, and those sights will breathe life into your souls,amidsttheverypangsofdeath.

Reader,dobutthinkwhatacomfortableforesightofGod,andthejoysofsalvation,willbetoyou,whenyoureye-stringsarebreaking;faithcannotonlyseethatbeyondthegrave,whichwillcomfort,butitcancleavetoitsGod, and clasp Christ in a promise, when it feels the ground of allsensiblecomfortstrembling,andsinkingunderyourfeet:"Myheartandmy flesh fails, but God is the strength (or rock) of my heart, and myportion forever."Reeds fail, but the rock is firm footing; yes, andwhenthesoulcannolongertabernaclehere,itcancarrythesoultoGod,castitupon him, with "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." Opreciousfaith!

Deduction 5.Do the souls of dyingbelievers commend themselves intothehandsofGod?Thenletnotthesurvivingrelationsofsuchsorrowasmenthathavenohope.Ahusband,awife,achild,isrentbydeathoutofyourarms:well,butconsiderintowhatarms,intowhatbosomtheyare

commended.IsitnotbetterforthemtobeinthebosomofGod,thaninyours?Couldtheybesparedsolongfromheaven,astocomebackagaintoyoubutanhour,howwouldtheyhedispleasedtoseeyourtears,andhearyourcriesandsighsforthem:TheywouldsaytoyouasChristsaidto the daughters of Jerusalem, "Weep not for me, but weep foryourselves,and for your children." I am in a safe land, I amout of thereachofallstormsandtroubles.Odidyoubutknowwhattheirstateis,whoarewithGod,youwouldbemorethansatisfiedaboutthem.

Deduction 6. Lastly, I will close all with a word of counsel. Is this theprivilege of dying believers, to commend their souls into the hands ofGod.?Thenaseveryouhopeforcomfort,orpeaceinyourlasthour,seethat your souls be such, asmay be then fit to be commended into thehandsofanholyandjustGod:Seethattheybeholysouls;Godwillneveracceptthemiftheybenotholy,"WithoutholinessnomanshallseeGod,"Heb.12:24."Hethathasthishope,(namely,toseeGod)purifiethhimselfevenasheispure,"1John3:3.Endeavorsafterholinessareinseparablyconnectedwithall rationalexpectationsofblessedness.Willyouputanunclean,filthy,defiledthingintothepurehandofthemostholyGod?Osee they be holy, and already accepted in the beloved, or use to themwhen they take their leave of those tabernacles they nowdwell in. Thegracious soul may confidently say then, Lord Jesus! into your hand Icommendmyspirit.Oletallthatcansaysothen,nowsay,ThanksbetoGodforJesusChrist!