DISC. Ix.] FAITH BUILT ON KNOWLEDGE. Q.}g that brought him down from heaven to an incarnation, and veiled the dignity of his divine glory in the lowly and debased figure of a man, in the likeness of sinful flesh. A believer reads his willingness in the very features ofhis manhood ; and every poor and painful circumstance of his life writes his love still in fairer characters. What mean all his labours, and wearisome travels ? His preachings and pleadings with obstinate men all the day, in towns and villages? And his midnight wrestlings with God upon the cold mountains ? What mean his kind invitations, and his melting language, oh every one that thirsteth, let him come unto me, and drink Q Come unto me all ye that are weary, and I will give you rest, Mat. xi. 8. Come to the physician, ye that are sick, and I will heal you. Comeye that are heavy laden, and I will release you. " He that cometh untome shall in no wise be cast out ;" John vi. 37. What can be the design ofall these tender expressions, but to acquaint us with his willingness to take care of those sinners that commit their souls to him? What means his submission to cruel sufferings, and to bitter reproaches ? his agonies in the garden ; The convul- sions of his nature, and the tortures of his soul ? Tor- tures that drew cries and tears from the Son of God ? And his soul was exceeding sorrowful, even to astonish- ment and death. What do all those speak, if not love and willingness to save ? What is the language of his arms, when spread naked on the cross, but come unto me, sinners, and I will embrace you ? This is the voice of every wound of his body, while his breath expired amidst blood and groans. Nor can we understand any thing by all these scenes of woe, if we cannot read love in them, and a hearty willingness to secure believing sinners from the wrath to come. 4. He bath perfect righteousness, and atoning blood. So that the most guilty soul may trust him safely ; for he has obeyed, and he has suffered : He has procured par- don for sin, and justification unto eternal life : He has made satisfaction for the vilest of crimes, and for the chief of sinners. He had a human nature that could die, and the in-dwelling divinity, that could put infinite dignity into his death, and render it a full atonement for the heaviest guilt: He has paid our immense debts, and R2
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