Reformed Covenanter
Cancelled Commissioner
Look frequently to Jesus Christ, the Author and finisher of our Faith: The Divine Wisdom, to reform the World, assumed the Human Nature, and expressed in a Holy Conversation upon Earth, a living Copy of his Precepts, to direct us in the various parts of our Duty; and because the exercise of Humility, Self Denial, and the rest of the Suffering Graces, is so difficult to our frail and tender Nature; he ascended the Cross, and instructs us by Suffering to suffer with his Affections, leaving us his Example, as the best Lecture of our Duty; His Sufferings concern us not only in point of Merit but Conformity. We can never enjoy the benefit of his Passion, without following his Pattern. His example is the Rule of the highest Perfection, and we are under the greatest obligation to imitate and honour him who is our Sovereign and Saviour, to whom we owe our Redemption from everlasting Misery, and the Inheritance of Glory. ‘Tis the Apostle’s advice to the afflicted, to consider him that endured such contradiction of Sinners against himself, that ye be not wearied, and faint in your minds. This deduction is with greater force to make us humble and patient; If we consider,
First; the Infinite Dignity of his Person. He was the Eternal and Only Son of God, and descended from the Throne of his Majesty, divested himself of his Robes of insupportable Light, that concealed and manifested his Glory to the Angels, and was obedient to the Death of the Cross: what are the highest and best of Men to him? Were it not extremely unbecoming and undutiful for a Subject to refuse Obedience to a just Law, if the King that made the Law should voluntarily observe it, and reserve no other advantage to himself, but the honour of enacting it? Our Saviour did not stand upon the dignity and liberty of his Person being equal with God, and our King, but entirely complied with the Law, and shall we complain of its rigour? ...
For more, see William Bates: Looking unto Jesus.
First; the Infinite Dignity of his Person. He was the Eternal and Only Son of God, and descended from the Throne of his Majesty, divested himself of his Robes of insupportable Light, that concealed and manifested his Glory to the Angels, and was obedient to the Death of the Cross: what are the highest and best of Men to him? Were it not extremely unbecoming and undutiful for a Subject to refuse Obedience to a just Law, if the King that made the Law should voluntarily observe it, and reserve no other advantage to himself, but the honour of enacting it? Our Saviour did not stand upon the dignity and liberty of his Person being equal with God, and our King, but entirely complied with the Law, and shall we complain of its rigour? ...
For more, see William Bates: Looking unto Jesus.
