SECTION III.' 77 it could not become God to appoint that, which in so many re- peated scriptures, is expressly asserted to be done by Jesus Christ, and by the appointment of the Father. Can it be ever imagined, that the great God did not know what would become every oneof his perfections better than we little insects, just crept out of the earth, and returning thither again, could teach him ? Can it be ever thought, that the eternal mind dici not know what . was decent for a just and à wise God to do, better than we can conceiveor suggest ? I answer, in the second place, that some ofthe very expres- sions wherein this doctrine is represented in scripture, are such as seem to be designedon purpose to obviate this very objection, particularly 2 Cor. v. 21. God has made him to be sinfor us who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in hint, that is, he made him to be a sacrifice for sin for us, that we might be delivered from the guilt of sin, and accepted as righteous iu the sight of God. Again, 1 Pet. iii. 18. Christ also hath once sufferedfor sins, the.justfor the unjust, that hemight bring us to God. Again, 1 Pet. ii. 21, 22. Christ suffered for us, who did no sin, neither was guilefound in his mouth, who his oren selfbare our sins in his own body on the tree. Again, 1 John ü. 1, 2. Jesus Christ the righteous: He is the propitiation for our sins. Thus you see all these texts declare expresslythe innocence of Jesus Christ who suffered, and the iniquities of those for whom he suffered : It is evident enough, that a righte- ous person died for the guilty, and the guilty were saved. III. Let it be yet further considered, that the man Christ Jesus, who had a natural will which was distinct from the su- preme will of the godhead, gaveup himself to those sufferings, andconsented to it fully Melt. x. 5, 10. Inburnt-offerings and súcrfkes of beasts thou hadst no pleasure; but a body hast thou preparedme: Then T said, lo, I come to do thy will, O God. :lIe had a right given him by the Father to lay down his life, and a . right to take it up again; Johnx. 18. And he had an additional exaltation promisedhim onthis account; Heb. xii. 2. and actually bestowed on him for this service ; Phil. ii. 9. Wherefore God bathhighly exalted Iaim; besides several other events in the divine scheme of God's government, for the glory of God, and the happiness of men. All which are sufficient to make the suf- ferings of Christ very consistent with the equity and justice of God, though the innocent creature suffered and the guilty Was set free. So that I see no manner of inconsistency be- tween this transaction, and any of God's moral perfections ; and therefore I can see nothing in it which was unbecoming for God to appoint, or for Christ to submit to. To confirm this, let it be remembered, that it is expressly said, Heb. ii. 10. It became himfor whom are all things, and by
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