telleth us, achieve on his cross and by his death he telleth us that the prince of this world was condemned, and

cast out.

For engaging us to the practice of all righteousness and obedience, (especially to the most excellent, high, and hard parts thereof, charity, humility, meekness, patience, self-denial, utmost constancy and perseverance,) both from our obligation in regard to what he suffered for us, and in imitation of his example; for, We should run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame:' and, Christ having suffered for us in the flesh, we should,' saith St. Peter, arm ourselves with the same mind,-so as no longer to live the rest of our time in the flesh to the lust of men, but to the will of God.'

Lastly, for attestation unto and confirmation of divine truth; sealing by his blood that heavenly doctrine which he taught, and 'witnessing before Pontius Pilate a good confession :' he was the Prince of martyrs; who, as he for this end,' as he told Pilate,' was born, and for this end came into the world, that he might bear witness to the truth,' so he especially did accomplish that glorious design by his death; 'enduring the contradiction of sinners against himself, resisting unto blood in combating against sin;' by his blood indeed all other witnesses of truth did, as it is said in the Revelation, accomplish their warfare, and obtain victory: his blood purchased for them their resolution and strength; his promises supported them, his example did animate them, to the profession and maintenance of truth, in the greatest dangers and most violent assaults.

Such ends did the death of our Lord regard, such fruits did grow from it, which the time permitteth us but thus cursorily to touch.

5. Now for the practical influences the consideration of this point should have on us, they are many and great; but we now can only name, or insinuate them.

1. It should beget in us highest degrees of love and gratitude toward God and toward our Saviour, in regard to this highest expression of love and instance of beneficence toward

us.

Greater love God could not have showed, than in thus destinating and offering up his only dearest Son to death (a most painful and shameful death) for our sake; and, Greater love,' he told us himself, 'than this hath no man, than that one should lay down his life for his friends;' no man hath greater, except himself, who even laid his life down for his enemies and persecutors: and love so incomparably, so extremely great, doth surely require correspondent degrees of love and thankfulness.

2. It should raise in us great faith and hope in God, excluding all distrust and despair, that God will not bestow on us whatever is needfully or conveniently good for us; for; He,' as St. Paul argueth, who did not spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?'

3. Particularly, it should comfort us, and satisfy our conscience in regard to the guilt of our sins, however contracted, supposing that we do heartily repent of them; for that there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit;' and that, 'being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;' by virtue of his death we sincerely repenting are freed from all condemnation, we truly believing have a firm and sure peace with God: Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? Who is he that condemneth, seeing it is Christ that hath died? We are very blameably incredulous, if, having such an assurance from God, and such an engagement on him, we distrust his mercy.

4. It discovereth unto us the heinousness of our sins, and thence should breed in us a vehement detestation, together with a great dread of them; a ́detestation of them, as having provoked God to such a pitch of displeasure, causing him to deal thus severely with his own beloved Son; as having brought so heavy suffering on a person so infinitely high in dignity, excellent in worth, kind and gracious to us; a dread of them, as exposing us, if we do not avoid and forsake them, to the most grievous pains and miseries; for, if these things were done to a green tree,' (if such punishments were inflicted on one so innocent, so worthy, so little obnoxious to the fire of

divine wrath and vengeance,) what shall be done to the dry?? that is, what will become of us, who are so guilty, so combustible by that fire, if we by presumptuous commission of sin, and impenitent continuance therein, do incense God against us?

5. It should work in us a kindly contrition and remorse for our sins, which were indeed the murderers of so good a friend and loving a Saviour: others were but instruments; they were the principal authors of his death; they most truly betrayed him, they accused him, they condemned him, they lifted him up to the accursed tree; they moved God, and enabled men to inflict this horrible punishment on him.

6. It should deter us from them, and engage us most carefully to avoid them, as those which in a sort do exact another death from him; crucifying him afresh,' as the Apostle to the Hebrews telleth us, vilifying and defiling the precious blood of the covenant,' (as he likewise teacheth.)

7. It should engage us to a patient submission and resignation of ourselves to the will and providence of God; forasmuch as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, we should,' as St. Peter adviseth, arm ourselves likewise with the same mind' and, Let,' exhorteth St. Paul, the same mind be in us that was in Christ Jesus; who being in the form of God humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross:' we should not disdain, nor on any account be displeased or unwilling in bearing any cross or affliction, to follow the pattern of our great Master; looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.'

8. It doth also oblige us to the deepest mortification in conformity to his death: we should be with him (or after him) crucified to the lusts and affections of the flesh, to the fashions, glories, desires, and delights of the world; knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him; that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.'

9. It is also a strong engagement to the fullest measure of charity toward our brethren; for, If,' saith St. John, • God so loved us, (as to give his own Son to die for us,) then ought we to love one another,' in a degree answerable to such an

obligation and pattern: If,' addeth the same Apostle, he laid down his life for us, then ought we also to lay down our lives for the brethren.'

10. In fine, we hence appear obliged to yield up ourselves wholly to the service of our Saviour; to the promoting of his interest and glory: since we, as St. Paul admonisheth us, are not our own, being bought with a price;' and must therefore glorify God in our body, and in our spirit, which are God's,' by a purchase so dear and precious; since, as that Apostle again mindeth us, Christ died for all, that they which live might not live to themselves, but to him that died for them ;' this being, let us not wrong the Lord who bought us,' by withholding his due, the price of his dearest blood; let us not abuse him, by defeating his purpose, no less advantageous to ourselves, than honorable to him; but as by being our Saviour he hath deserved to be our Lord, so in effect let him ever be; let us ever believe him so in our heart, confess him with our mouth, and avow him in our practice; which that we may do, God of his infinite mercy, by his holy grace, vouchsafe unto us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Now, Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father: to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.'

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.'

Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.' Amen.

SUMMARY OF SERMON XXVIII.

ACTS, CHAP. II.-VERSE 27.

THIS article is of later standing in the Creed. Its meaning has in all times been much debated. This is confessedly difficult and obscure: but to comply with expectation, some things conducive to its explanation are attempted.

Concerning the words, he descended into hell, there may be a threefold inquiry: this proposed.

I. Concerning their meaning, intended by those who inserted them in the Creed. This resolved or removed by various speculations.

II. Concerning the most proper signification of them; that is, what may be meant by he descended; and what by hell. Consideration of these points.

III. Concerning the meaning of which they are capable in consistency with truth. It is herein shown that the most advisable way is to take the words, as implying, that our Saviour did really pass into the state of death. Objections against this interpretation answered. Farther observations on the

priety of it. Certain conceits of different commentators on this passage exploded. Conclusion.