Inference 4.
* 1.1Did Christ die the death, yea the worst of deaths for us? Then it follows, that our mercies are brought forth with great difficul∣ties; and that which is sweet to us in the fruition, was costly and hard to Christ in the acquisition. Surely upon every mercy we have,* 1.2 this motto is written, The price of blood. Col. 1.14. In whom we have redemption through his blood: upon which a late neat Writer delivers himself thus.
The way of grace is here con∣siderable; life comes through death; God comes in Christ; and Christ comes in blood: the choicest mercies come through the greatest miseries; prime favours come swiming in blood to us. Through a red sea, Israel came to Canaan. Many a man lost his life, and much blood shed; the very land flowing with milk and honey, was first made to flow with blood, e're Is∣rael could inherit the promise. Seven nations were destroyed e're the Land of Canaan was divided to the Israelites. Act. 13.19. — Sin makes mercy so deadly hard to bring forth. To Christen every pretious child, every Ben••amin Benoni, every son of Gods right hand, a son of sorrow and death to her that brings him forth. Adams sweets had no bitter till he transgres∣sed Gods will. One mercy did not die to bring forth another, till he died. But oh how should this raise the value of ••ur mer∣cies! What, the price of blood, the price of pretious blood, the blood of the Cross!O what an esteem should this raise!
Things (as the same ingenious Author adds) are prized ra∣ther as they come, than as they are. Far fetcht and dear bought makes all the price, and gives all the worth with us weak crea∣tures. Upon this ground the Scripture, when it speaks of our great fortune, tells the great price it cost, as eying our weakness, who look more at what things cost, than at what they are. And as knowing if any thing will take with us, this will. To him that loved us, and washed us from our sin, in his own blood. Rev. 1.5.