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CHAPTER THIRD.

The connexion of the death of Christ with the dispensation of the gospel.

MUCH having already been said, in the preceding part of this work, on the connexion of the death of Christ with the dispensation of the gospel, and the salvation of men, I shall barely add a few brief remarks, to bring the subject more pointedly into view. If we would understand how his death is connected with the gospel, we must enquire what place he occupies in that ministration, and how the whole of his life and teaching are associated with it. The gospel dispensation was introduced by Jesus Christ. He was God's messenger, or minister, to reveal, or communicate it. This work he performed with the utmost fidelity; even at the expense of his own ease, reputation, and life. Circumstanced as things were, influenced as the jewish rulers and priests were by prejudice, bigotry, pride, and various corrupt interests and passions, it was impossible he should accomplish this work without the sacrifice of his life. All the reproach and persecution he encountered arose from the offence which his doctrine gave, the umbrage which his spirit and conduct oc

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casioned nor could he shun raising all the malignant passions of the evil minded against him, without shunning to declare the whole counsel of God, and deviating from the line of duty which his Father had marked out for him. Consequently his death stands connected with the gospel as it was occasioned by his faithfully discharging his duty, as God's messenger, appointed to communicate it.

The gospel, being a testimony to men, could not obtain credit, and influence upon the human heart,

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further than it was attested: it was reasonable that he who was appointed to communicate it should give it the signature and seal of truth. His miracles were a strong attestation to the truth of his mission, but had he shown any cowardice or timidity in the moment of difficulty, had he declined to confirm his doctrine by his sufferings and death, the attestation of its truth had not been completed. The state of things at the time, in particular the opposition made to him and his doctrine, rendered it necessary that he should submit to die in support of what he taught: and his sufferings and death, connected with his miracles and resurrection, fully attested it.

The life of Christ was a striking exemplification of the nature and tendency of his doctrine, that it was pure and benevolent, and had a tendency to purity and benevolence. Nor was his death a less striking exemplification of it. Indeed in his death the peculiar excellency of his doctrine and its happy influence upon the mind, appeared in the most impressive light. What were the doctrines which Jesus taught

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his disciples? Humility and meekness, gentleness and forbearance, patience and resignation to the will of God, love to enemies, to suffer without resistance, to forgive injuries and render good for evil, and entire dependance on God. All these doctrines were strikingly exemplified by him in his sufferings. He manifested no disdain, no haughty contempt, when arrested by a base rabble, and handled by them in the rudest manner; but submissively gave himself into their hands. Through the whole of his mock trial, and cruel treatment, he discovered the same humility and meekness. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb so he opened not his mouth. In the most trying of moments he was perfectly resigned to the will of God; with the whole scene of his sufferings before him he said, not my will but thine be done. He suffered without the least murmur, with the utmost firmness and patience. He manifested nothing but love to his enemies, under all their brutal treatment, he made no resistance; he not only forgave them, but, with his dying breath, prayed that God would forgive them; he rendered them good for evil, by directing that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached to them, after his resurrection. Throughout he manifested entire dependance on God, and died saying, into thy hands I commit my spirit. Thus his maxims were proved practicable, his doctrine received the fairest illustration, and his death is found to bear the same relation to the gospel as practice bears to theory.

The death of Christ stands connected with all the circumstances by which the dispensation of the gospel was introduced. Those which preceded it received their confirmation from, or were perfected by it. As the reward of such unexampled obedience he received power to extend the mission of his Apostles to all nations, and all the extraordinary gifts of the spirit to qualify them for the work: he also received all spiritual gifts and blessings to communicate to mankind by the gospel. On the ground of that authority which he received as the reward of his obedience to death the gospel was sent to the Gentiles and its ministration is still continued in the world.

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The ministry of Christ at first was limited; but, when he had proved himself faithful, and his obedience was tried and made fully manifest by his death, it was extended to all nations, he was constituted the head of every man, the head over all things, the Lord of all, i. e. both Jews and Gentiles, he was fully instated in his office as head of the church, and appointed heir of all things. Hence it appears that he is at the head of the gospel dispensation, and that the whole ministration of it is lodged in his hands. Consequently, all its blessings and privileges are said to be in Christ Jesus, those who minister under it are his servants, those who believe and obey the gospel are said to be in him, every thing under it is referred to him, as the person whom God hath appointed to preside at the head of the present economy, to manage every thing relative to it: and hence Christ is said to be all in all. To the honor and dignity of pre

siding at the head of the gospel dispensation, as extended to the whole world, he attained through his sufferings and death, and possesses his present exalted station, as the reward of his having perfectly obeyed.

Under these views the death of Christ stands connected with the dispensation of the gospel, and, thus viewed, it is an event of great magnitude and importance it has a bearing upon the principal facts, doctrines, and privileges of christianity: it is associated with the general system, and comes into argument in many practical points of view: nor is it easy for us to overlook the obligations we are under to him for dying to confirm so many blessings to us.

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