Creation. Rrm. 5.1, 2, 3. Heb. 12.19. This benefit will appear; if we con∣sider how miserable our estate had been. If Christ had not done this, we had been in our sins, under the guilt of them, and in horror and anguish of spirit.
5 How freely hath God done it. We gratified God with no kindnesse. Some will recompence a small kindnesse with a great reward, Rom. 11.35. But all we have done, hath been to abuse every mercy of God to his dishonor, Col. 1.10.20
Ʋse 1. It reproves such weaknesse of Gods servants in time of temptations, that can see no love of God, because he doth not gratifie them with something in this life. Gods servants many times doe want necessaries the world abounds withall; therefore David hath cleansed his heart in vain, Psal. 73. But what though Gods servants never see good dayes? Yet here is abundant, rich, and inestimable love, that when you were enemies, strangers, children of wrath, Christ dyed for you. God hath shewed you more love, then the Angels for he laid not down his life for the Angels, Heb. 11.14 And if he had done so, he had laid down his life for his friends, who never displeased him.
2 To teach such as abound in outward things, not to content themselves therein, Eccl. 4.2. We can perceive neither love nor hatred by those outward things, Psal. 17.14. Labour you to say that God hath laid down his life for you, ••••se you cannot say he loves you.
3 It teacheth us, that the death of Christ was not the cause of Gods love, Gods love is more antient then the death of Christ. Where shall we lay the foundation of Gods love, but in eternity? He hath loved me, and given himself for me, Gal. 2.20. Gal. 3.16.
Obj But doth not God attribute his love to the death of Christ? 1 John 4.10. Rom. 3.24, 25. Eph. 2.14, 15, Col. 2.21.27.
Answ. In a double respect Christs death is said to make this reconciliation. Hereby he hath slain the enemy and hatred on our part, that we might be no more enemies to him.
Obj. But Christ is sent not only to make reconciliation on our part, but propiti∣on on Gods part.
Answ. 'Tis true, Christ by his death hath made a way whereby God might shew his love to us, whilest sin was in the way, he could not shew it. Many a Father bears a tender affection to a childe, yet will not seem to regard him, shuts him out of doores, and though he be intreated, yet he thinks it not meet for him to expresse his love; he will have his childe humble himselfe, acknow∣ledge his faults; and will send some body to perswade his Son to humble him∣selfe: So God sends his Son out of love, to take a course, that he might shew us favour, notwithstanding his justice.
4 Of exhortation, to take a view of Gods love, that we may be able to say freely, We perceive the love of God. Rest not in any spirituall duty, nor in a∣ny common gift, till you know that Christ dyed for thee.
How shall I know this?
Some will say, that Christ dyed for all, and so all may know. True, the sufficiency of Christs death reacheth to all, but none can say Christ dyed for him, till he find in his soul some fruits of the death of Christ.
5 To encourage Gods servants to expect offices of love from God to us and ours all his dayes. He hath given his Son, what would you have more? Psal. 84.11. Lay hold on this love of God, and plead with him upon his love. All blessings are wrapt up in his Son, Gal. 4.4. As God in fulnesse of time sent his Son, so will he every other mercy.
6. To teach us to abound in love to God, and to his children, hatred against sin. Give up all to God, work for him, suffer for him, he loves us being stran∣gers and enemies.