m

that it often lies concealed from the world, or, being placed in view, is yet not obferved, and that pofterity frequently does juftice to the characters of illuftrious perfons whofe good qualities have been overlooked by thofe amongst whom they dwelt.

They knew that Virtue, though it be fo amiable in itself, has a luftre offenfive to the vitious, that therefore Pride, and Ignorance, and Envy, and Malice, and Cenforiousness will join to obfcure and mifreprefent it, will endeavour to make it contemptible, and to bring it to a level with themselves.

They knew that he best deserved the name of a wife and good man, who lived up to the rules of morality which he had prescribed to others; and they ought to have admired a man, who at the fame time that he recommended to his followers humility, patience and refignation to the will of God under the feverest trials, forgiveness of injuries, and univerfal love

m

Quamdiu Catonem civitas ignoravit? refpuit, nec intellexit, nifi cum perdidit. Seneca.

and

and charity, practised these duties himself in their full extent, and was a perfect example of all that he taught,

The Gentiles could not conceive how one who seemed hated and forfaken of God fhould restore men to the favour of God, and how his sufferings could be serviceable to that end.

It is reasonable that the Divine mercy should conftantly difplay itself in all cafes which lie within the reach of compaffion. Such was the case of us men, who though finful, yet are weak and frail beings, though offenders, yet corrigible and capable of amendment.

But it is also reasonable that God fhould be displeased at the rebellion and tranfgreffions of his creatures, that he should fhew his disapprobation of iniquity, and fo grant his pardon, as at the fame time to vindicate the honour of his government and of his laws. Now this he hath accomplished in a moft illuftrious manner in the death of his Son, thereby fhewing his hatred to fin in keeping finners at a distance, and refufing to hear them in their own name, and in beftowing his favours

only

only through the mediation of one, who fuffered for their offences, and rofe again for their juftification ".

It is farther reasonable that even this Interceffor fhould not interpofe in our behalf, if

Petrus I. II. 19. vult nos patientes effe in tolerandis afflictionibus, quas infontes patimur. Adfert Chrifti exemplum: qui, inquit, et ipfe paffus eft. Satis hoc erat ad comparationem: fed addidit, e nur, quod ad comparationem non pertinet, fed rem ipfam, hoc eft, Chrifti paffionem clarè defignat. Commune ergo eft patientia; modus ille differt. Alioqui fruftra Paulus quæreret, an Paulus pro fidelibus effet crucifixus, Cor. I. I. 13. Poterat enim et ipfe pro Ecclefiâ, hoc eft, in ufum Ecclefiæ crucifigi, ficut pati fe dixit pro Ecclefiâ, Col. I. 24. et poftea magno Ecclefiæ bono ipfe gladio percuffus eft, Petrus, aliique Apoftoli crucifixi. Sed eo modo, quo Chriftus, crucifigi, pœnas vice noftrâ ferendo, nec Paulus poterat, nec alius quifquam. Vox ergo illa vaig pro, peculiare hic aliquid denotat, quod Apoftolis communicari non poteft. Poffet autem, fi mortis Chrifti utilitas gradu tantùm a morte Apoftolorum, non etiam fine proprio fegregaretur. Grotius de Satisf. cap. 9. P. 331.

Joan. I. 29. i duvòs 78 8- Refpicit Baptifta non ad agnum mactatum, gratiarum agendarum cauffâ, qualis erat agnus Pafchalis, fed ad agnum expiandi peccati cauffâ oblatum, quales erant agni holocautomatis quotidiani. Joannes ergo comparat id quod facturus erat Jefus ad homines ad fanctitatem adducendos, cum Deo reconciliandos, liberandofque pœnis quas erant commeriti, ritui qui adhibebatur, quando Deo victima pro peccato offerebatur. Tum verò quifquis facra faciebat, ritu ipfo facrificii palam fatebatur fe commeritum effe mortem, quam victima modò paffa

if we prefer vice to virtue, and therefore the Gospel has taught us that Chrift's death shall be no attonement for us, nor his refurrection of any benefit to us, unless we use our best endeavours to die to fin and to live to God.

An example of goodness set before us for our imitation, encouragement to practise the virtues which are most confpicuous in adverfity, which at the fame time adorn it and foften its harsh nature, reliance upon him who underwent fo much for our fake, hope that he will be a merciful judge, motives from gratitude to love him more than our fins who loved us more than his own life, the fears of departing hence confiderably affuaged, these are benefits arifing from the fufferings of our Master, and useful purposes

paffa erat, feque moriturum, fi Deus fummo jure fecum agere vellet: Deus verò viciffim accipiebat fanguinem victimæ loco fanguinis peccatoris, & fibi confeffione rei ac pœnitentiâ fatisfieri patiebatur. Similiter cùm Chriftus femet ipfe Deo obtulit, humani generis loco fefe ei ftitit, at Deus accepit mortem ejus loco pœnarum, quas finguli peccatores luere debuiffent, vultque eas ei condonare, eâ lege ut ii foli, qui Chrifto credent et parebunt, fructuum facrificii ejus participes fiant. Sic nobis defcribitur in Scripturâ facrificium Chrifti, nec ab eâ defcriptione abire liceat, nifi velimus aliter loqui, quam fecere Apostoli. Clericus.

which seem to be better answered by this method of our redemption, than they would have been if Chrift had defcended from heaven to proclaim forgiveness of fins uport repentance, and to teach men their duty, and then had left the world without undergoing the evils to which he submitted.

The Gentiles thought it strange to ascribe fuch power and authority to a crucified

man.

But, the greatest power which any perfon can fhew, confifts unquestionably in performing things which no other can do, unless God affift him in an extraordinary manner. To destroy the To deftroy the peace of mankind, and carry ruin and defolation through populous countries, is no more than what human strength and human policy can accomplish; and many have done this who have not poffeffed one commendable quality. To be honoured, admired, trufted, reverenced, and beloved, these are advantages which may be obtained by great abilities, and a good difpofition, and a favourable concurrence of circumftances. But, as the Pfalmift obferves, no man by the multitude of his riches, or the eminence

of