Page:Cross of Christ the Christian's glory.pdf/5

 "Stupid creature! (perhaps ſome may reply) To undervalue the moſt ſubſtantial endowments, and glory in infamy itſelf" -But ſtop a moment, and hear the apoſtle farther. He glories in the croſs of Chriſt; that illuſtrious perſon, who was anointed to be the all-inſtructing Prophet, the all-atoning Prieſt, and the all-conquering King of the church. —In the croſs of Chriſt Jeſus; who, by the diſcharge of all thoſe important offices, ſhould ſave his people from the dominion of ſin, and from the damnation of hell. -In the croſs of Chriſt Jeſus, our Lord; and not ours only, but Lord of all; who doth according to his will, in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth. Dan. iv. 35. Who hath on his veſture, and on his thigh, a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS, Rev. xix. 16.

And is it poſſible for any human heart, to contemplate the croſs of ſo divine a Being, and not to glory? Is it poſſible to ſay, 'Angels he rules over you; but he died on a croſs for me;' and not exult in ſuch tranſporting beneficence? -This will be more evident, if we examine,

III. What reaſon the apoſtle had, to glory in the croſs of Chriſt. -The croſs, tho' in itſelf an ignominious tree, yet being the croſs of Chriſt, is infinitely ennobled. It becomes the tree of life. It bears the divineſt fruit. Its cluſters are all ſpiritual and heavenly bleſſings. Two or three of thoſe cluſters, you will permit me to ſelect; and may the God of all mercy, make them better than a feaſt to every humble ſoul!

One bleſſing is the pardon of ſin. The pardon of all ſin, original and actual: ſin that is remember'd, and ſin that is forgotten: ſin, however circumſtanced, or however aggravated. The pardon of all was purchaſed by the death of Chriſt,